URC
Leinster Rugby To Play Historic Double Header
Leinster Rugby have this morning confirmed a first ever double-header in Energia Park on the 17th August 2019 to kick start the Leinster season.
At 3.00pm Leo Cullen’s defending Guinness PRO14 champions will play their first game of the Bank of Ireland Pre-Season Schedule against Coventry, while at 5.30pm Ben Armstrong’s defending Interprovincial Women’s Champions will get the defence of their title underway against Connacht.
At the announcement this morning in Energia Park, were both Head Coaches, Leo Cullen and Ben Armstrong and Leinster Rugby players Ed Byrne and Michelle Claffey.
The Leinster Rugby men’s team finished out their 2018/19 season in dramatic fashion, in the rain in Celtic Park, with a 18-15 win against the Glasgow Warriors in the final of the Guinness PRO14, while the Leinster Rugby women’s team had a nervy end to their own campaign as a 14-14 draw with Munster was just enough to win the title in Energia Park.
August 17th, in Energia Park, will kick off both 2019/20 seasons!
Bank of Ireland Pre-Season Schedule:
17th August 2019, Leinster Rugby v Coventry, Energia Park (KO: 3.00pm)
24th August 2019, Canada v Leinster Rugby, Tim Hortons Field (KO: TBC)
w/c 9th September 2019, 3rd Fixture TBC Later This Week
Irish Rugby Women’s Interprovincial Schedule:
17th August 2019, Leinster Rugby v Connacht Rugby, Energia Park (KO: 5.30pm)
24th August 2019, Ulster Rugby v Leinster Rugby
31st August 2019, Munster Rugby v Leinster Rugby
The post Leinster Rugby Confirm Historic Double Header appeared first on Leinster Rugby.
Images & Content from Leinster Rugby
URC
Gavin Coombes Set For 100th Munster Appearance
Tomorrow’s Round 2 clash away against Zebre Parma will see Gavin Coombes make his 100th Munster appearance.
Gavin started his rugby career at Skibbereen RFC before lining out with Bandon Grammar School in his teenage years.
Coombes then joined the Munster Rugby Academy ahead of the 2016/17 season where he lined out for Young Munster in Division 1A of the men’s All Ireland League and played a large role in Munster winning the B&I Cup in 2017.
The Skibbereen man made his Munster debut as an Academy player in the opening game of the 2018/19 season against the Cheetahs and went on to make eight Guinness PRO14 appearances over the campaign. The following year he also made a brief appearance in the PRO14 semi-final.
He had an outstanding 2020/21 season, after scoring 15 tries in 22 appearances, a new record for the most tries in one season for the province, and included a try on his Champions Cup debut against Harlequins. He was then named Munster Rugby’s youngest ever Player of the Year at the end of that season.
He missed the start of the 22/23 season due to injury, but returned to full training in October, and ended up scoring 14 tries in 22 Munster appearances in the club’s title winning year.
Last season he played in all 25 games, with 20 of those in the starting XV, playing at number 8 and in the second row. He continued is try-scoring prowess and finished the season with 7 tries to his name.
He has represented Ireland internationally on numerous occasions, including with the U20s, Ireland A, and the Ireland senior squad.
He was called up to the Ireland senior squad during the 2021 Six Nations, made his first two appearances against Japan and the USA in the 2021 Vodafone Summer Series, played against the Maori All Blacks in their 2022 New Zealand tour, and was then selected as part of the wider 2023 Six Nations and World Cup Squads.
Gavin Coombes | Record 15 Munster Tries In 2020/21
Images & Content from Munster Rugby
URC
Cardiff make two changes for Welsh derby clash
URC
Ulster ready for Emirates Lions in Johannesburg
Ulster ready for Emirates Lions in Johannesburg
Head Coach, Richie Murphy, has named his Ulster side to take on Emirates Lions tomorrow at Emirates Airline Park in Round 2 of the BKT United Rugby Championship. (KO: 11.55AM)
Alan O’Connor captains the team in the second row, where he is joined by Kieran Treadwell.
Andy Warwick starts at loosehead prop, joined by John Andrew at hooker and tighthead prop, Tom O’Toole, to form the front row.
Packing down behind the front five, Matty Rea gets the nod at blindside flanker, with Sean Reffell starting on the openside. Nick Timoney retains his position at number eight.
The half back partnership sees John Cooney make a return at scrum-half after a hamstring injury ruled him out of the opening round last weekend.
After scoring a try on his debut last week against Glasgow Warriors, Aidan Morgan, again starts at ten.
Richie makes two changes to the backline of Round 1, with Stuart McCloskey back in the squad and starting at inside centre, alongside outside centre, Stewart Moore.
After getting a taste of action from the bench last week, this weekend will see South African winger, Werner Kok, make his first start in an Ulster jersey.
Jacob Stockdale provides the threat going forward from the left wing.
Ethan McIlroy retains his spot at full-back, completing the starting XV.
Murphy opts for a 6:2 split on the bench, with James McCormick, Eric O’Sullivan, Corrie Barrett, Iain Henderson, James McNabney and David McCann providing the forward options.
Scrum-half, Nathan Doak, and Mike Lowry form the backline options.
Emirates Lions v Ulster Rugby, Saturday 28 September, Round 2 BKT United Rugby Championship, 11.55am, Emirates Airline Park. (Live on Premier Sports)
(1-8) Andrew Warwick, John Andrew, Tom O’Toole, Kieran Treadwell, Alan O’Connor (C), Matty Rea, Sean Reffell, Nick Timoney;
(15-9) Ethan McIlroy, Werner Kok, Stewart Moore, Stuart McCloskey, Jacob Stockdale, Aidan Morgan, John Cooney.
Replacements:
James McCormick, Eric O’Sullivan, Corrie Barrett, Iain Henderson, James McNabney, Nathan Doak, Mike Lowry, David McCann.
Our opposition
Images & Content – Ulster Rugby
-
Premiership7 days ago
Connacht v Sharks Team Announcement
-
6 Nations1 week ago
Emerging Ireland Update As Mullins, Donnelly & Tector Added To Squad
-
URC7 days ago
Ulster ready for Emirates Lions in Johannesburg
-
URC1 week ago
Ulster travelling squad confirmed for South Africa trip
-
URC1 week ago
All You Need To Know | Zebre v Munster
-
URC7 days ago
Cardiff make two changes for Welsh derby clash
-
Premiership7 days ago
Team News: Chiefs Change Matchday 23 for Trip to Reigning Champions
-
Premiership7 days ago
TEAM NEWS | Sale Sharks v Saracens