URC
Leinster vs Munster Preview; Leinster Make Changes While Stars Return for Munster
Leinster have made some changes to the side that faced Saracens in the Champions Cup Final, while Munster have welcomed back a couple of key men
Leinster and Munster have made some changes to their sides ahead of their Pro 14 semi-final in the RDS on Saturday at 14 30.
There is a massive boost for the home side with the return of Josh van der Flier who slots straight into the starting XV, while Johnny Sexton takes a place on the bench with Ross Byrne opens at fly-half.
On the other hand, Munster welcome back Keith Earls and Joey Carbery into their 15.
Leinster start with Cian Healy, Sean Cronin and Tadhg Furlong in the front-row, with Devin Toner and James Ryan in the engine room in what is the same front-five that started last Saturday.
Rhys Ruddock captains the side from blindside flanker with Scott Fardy switching to the bench, while van der Flier makes his return from injury on the openside, while Jack Conan retains his place at No 8.
Luke McGrath partners Byrne in the half-backs, with Irish centre duo Robbie Henshaw and Garry Ringrose opening at 12 and 13 respectively.
Powerhouse James Lowe continues on the left-wing, with Dave Kearney on the right and Jordan Larmour at full-back.
There is plenty to call upon on the bench with Andrew Porter and Rory O’Loughlin among those joining Fardy and Sexton amongst the replacements.
Full-back Larmour has called upon his side to repay their fans with a big performance on Saturday.
“We want to give something back to the supporters this weekend,” he said.
Munster also have an Irish trio up front with Dave Kilcoyne, Niall Scannell and John Ryan starting, with Jean Kleyn and Tadhg Beirne slotting in behind in the second-row.
Peter O’Mahony captains the men in red from six, with Arno Botha at seven, and CJ Stander finishing up the pack at eight.
Conor Murray opens the game at scrum-half with the returning Carbery alongside him at fly-half, with Rory Scannell at inside-centre and Chris Farrell at out-side centre.
Earls also returns to take up his place on the left-wing, with Andrew Conway on the opposite wing and Mike Haley at 15.
There is strength on the bench too for the visitors with Stephen Archer, Billy Holland, Alby Mathewson and JJ Hanrahan among those ready to impact the game if they get a chance.
Former Leinster star Joey Carbery is looking forward to facing his old side and is excited about the semi-final.
“It’s going to be crazy, it’s going to be a good game,” he said.
This game is a rematch of last seasons semi-final which Leinster won 16-15 and Munster will want to stop their arch-rivals from having the opportunity to win back-to-back Pro 14 titles and this could be as close as last years classic.
The prize for the winner is a trip to Celtic Park next weekend to face either Glasgow Warriors or Ulster who face off on Friday night.
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
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
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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