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Leinster Name Exciting Side for Connacht Clash

Leinster have named their squad for this weekend’s game against Connacht and there is a real mix of youth and experience in what is an exciting team

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(Photo By Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile via Getty Images)

Leinster head coach Leo Cullen has announced a mix of youth and experience in his 23-man squad to take on Connacht at the RDS tomorrow at 17 30.

The boys in blue have made a number of changes to the team that defeated Munster 13-6 in Thomond Park last weekend, including changing the entire back-line, while a host of Irish internationals come back into the fold. 

In the front-row Peter Dooley and Tadhg Furlong line-up either side of hooker Sean Cronin, with Ross Molony and James Ryan slotting in behind them in the second-row. 

There is plenty of excitement in the back-row as captain Rhys Ruddock begins as the openside-flanker, with youngsters Will Connors and Max Deegan at openside-flanker and No 8 respectively. 

Luke McGrath is partnered by Ciaran Frawley in the half-back pairing, while outside them Joe Tomane makes a welcome return from injury to play alongside Garry Ringrose in midfield. 

Dave Kearney comes back in to take up a place on the left-wing, with club veteran Fergus McFadden on the right and Jordan Larmour completes the starting line-up from full-back. 

On the bench there is once again a mix of experience and youth as the likes of Ed Byrne and Jamison Gibson-Park are joined by upcoming stars such as Caelan Doris and Harry Byrne. 

Speaking ahead of the game second-row Molony is well aware that teams see the RDS as a hard place to win, but knows Connacht will want to get one over on their rivals and has told his teammates that they will need to match the opposition intensity throughout. 

“Teams want to come to the RDS and take a scalp off us. Connacht will be highly motivated to win at the RDS and we have to make sure we match that,” he said. 

Leinster head into the game looking to maintain their 100% record so far this season with a 10th win on the bounce in the PRO14 and a 14th in a row in all competitions. However, Connacht will hope to cause an upset following their 42-11 thrashing at home to Leinster earlier in the season and will seek revenge, but they will be well aware that it will be no easy task to get a result. 

Check Out the Full 23-Man Squad Below.

Starting XV:

15. Jordan Larmour (43)

14. Fergus McFadden (181)

13. Garry Ringrose (69)

12. Joe Tomane (18)

11. Dave Kearney (143)

10. Ciarán Frawley (19)

9. Luke McGrath (118)

1. Peter Dooley (70)

2. Seán Cronin (175)

3. Tadhg Furlong (105)

4. Ross Molony (90)

5. James Ryan (35)

6. Rhys Ruddock (166) (c)

7. Will Connors (12)

8. Max Deegan (57)

Replacements:

16. Bryan Byrne (46)

17. Ed Byrne (51)

18. Roman Salanoa (1)

19. Ryan Baird (3)

20. Caelan Doris (26)

21. Jamison Gibson-Park (82)

22. Harry Byrne (5)

23. Cian Kelleher (11)


URC

Squad Update | Munster Prepare For Cardiff At Thomond

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The Munster squad are preparing at the HPC ahead of Saturday night’s URC Round 13 clash against Cardiff at Thomond Park.

The game kicks off at 7.35pm with tickets from €20 available here.

In player news, Tadhg Beirne, Jack Crowley, Conor Murray, Calvin Nash and Peter O’Mahony have all returned to the HPC after helping Ireland to the 6 Nations title.

On the injury front, Academy back-row forward Ruadhán Quinn suffered a hand injury against Ospreys on Friday night and will be sidelined for a number of weeks.

Oli Jager and Fineen Wycherley have started their rehab following minor procedures for respective knee injuries.

Alex Nankivell is completing the RTP protocols and his availability will be determined later this week.

Simon Zebo was unavailable for the Ospreys game due to a low-grade hip injury and is due to return to training this week.

Continuing to rehab: Dave Kilcoyne (shoulder), Diarmuid Barron (foot), Roman Salanoa (knee), Jean Kleyn (knee/eye), Paddy Patterson (knee), Liam Coombes (shoulder), Patrick Campbell (shoulder).

There were 15 Munster players in AIL action at the weekend.

In Division 1A, Fionn Gibbons and Chris Moore helped Young Munster beat Dublin University with Gibbons among the tries.

Mark Donnelly lined out for Cork Constitution as they were beaten by Terenure College.

Kieran Ryan, Darragh McSweeney and Daniel Okeke couldn’t prevent Shannon falling to a defeat to City of Armagh.

In Division 1B, Colm Hogan, Jack Oliver, George Hadden, Max Clein, Cian Hurley and Jack Daly helped Garryowen to a win over Queen’s University. Hogan, Clein and Cronin were among the tries with Oliver kicking a conversion.

Scott Buckley and Andrew O’Mahony were in action for UCC as they lost to St Mary’s College.

Tickets

URC Round 13: Saturday, March 30

Munster v Cardiff Rugby, Thomond Park, 7.35pm; Buy tickets here

Women’s 6 Nations Round 3: Saturday, April 13

Ireland v Wales, Virgin Media Park, 4.45pm; Buy tickets here

URC Round 16: Saturday, May 11

Munster v Connacht, Thomond Park, 5.15pm; Buy tickets here

URC Round 18: Saturday, June 1

Munster v Ulster, Thomond Park, 5.15pm; Buy tickets here

Images & Content from Munster Rugby


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URC

Squad Update | Preparations Continue For Ospreys

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The Munster squad are continuing preparations ahead of Friday night’s URC Round 12 clash against Ospreys in Swansea (7.35pm).

On the injury front, there is good news for John Hodnett (finger), Jack O’Donoghue (knee) and Simon Zebo (knee) as they all return to training this week.

Oli Jager (knee) and Fineen Wycherley (knee) are both due to see specialists this week for possible surgery.

Alex Nankivell is following the return to play protocols following a head injury in training last week.

On the international front, Craig Casey and Jeremy Loughman have returned to the squad after Ireland’s 6 Nations triumph at the weekend.

Continuing to rehab: Dave Kilcoyne (shoulder), Diarmuid Barron (foot), Roman Salanoa (knee), Jean Kleyn (knee/eye), Paddy Patterson (knee), Liam Coombes (shoulder), Patrick Campbell (shoulder).

Tickets

URC Round 13: Saturday, March 30

Munster v Cardiff Rugby, Thomond Park, 7.35pm; Buy tickets here

Women’s 6 Nations Round 3: Saturday, April 13

Ireland v Wales, Virgin Media Park, 4.45pm; Buy tickets here

URC Round 16: Saturday, May 11

Munster v Connacht, Thomond Park, 5.15pm; Buy tickets here

URC Round 18: Saturday, June 1

Munster v Ulster, Thomond Park, 5.15pm; Buy tickets here

Images & Content from Munster Rugby


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URC

British & Irish Lion to join Glasgow Warriors

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Sutherland to join Glasgow Warriors

Glasgow Warriors can confirm that Scotland prop Rory Sutherland will join the club this summer.

The British and Irish Lion joins the Scotstoun-outfit from French side Oyonnax, making the move to Scotstoun on a two-year deal as Franco Smith’s squad continues to take shape.

The confirmation of the loose-head prop’s move to Glasgow also comes on the eve of his involvement in Saturday’s Guinness Six Nations clash with Ireland in Dublin, where he is in contention to win his 30th cap for Scotland, part of the match day squad.

The 31-year-old Sutherland will bring a dynamic ball-carrying presence to the Warriors in addition to a solid platform at the set-piece.

After making his debut for Edinburgh in 2014, the prop went on to make 91 appearances in the capital before a summer switch to Worcester Warriors in 2021.

A short-term stint with Ulster followed after Worcester’s demise in 2022, running out on 12 occasions for the Irish province.

Sutherland’s form for Scotland across the 2020 and 2021 campaigns saw him selected for the 2021 British and Irish Lions tour to South Africa, joining future Glasgow team-mate Zander Fagerson amongst the front-row options.

He became the first Scottish prop to represent the invitational squad since the late Tom Smith when selected for the first Test, playing just under an hour in the 22-17 victory over the Springboks.

Sutherland said: “The past couple of years have been tough since I had to leave Worcester. I’ve been at a few clubs and I haven’t had the consistency I’d have liked in my game. This move to Glasgow, and back to Scotland, offers me the chance to work on getting that back into my rugby.

“Glasgow is a really successful team, so to be offered the chance to come to Scotstoun is attractive for any player. For me, it allows me to come back home, and be closer to my family, which will work wonders for me.

“I’ve gotten close to some of the Glasgow players while in camp with Scotland and they talk highly of Franco and the culture in the club. I’m looking forward to that and getting back to the homeland!”

Head Coach Smith added: “We are pleased to be able to add a prop of Rory’s calibre to our squad ahead of next season.

“His qualities will make him a real asset to our playing group, as we continue to develop our strength in every position.

“We look forward to seeing him in action at Scotstoun over the next couple of seasons and we know that the Warrior Nation will welcome him to our club.”

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