URC

Match Report – Harlequins 21 Leinster Rugby 26

Published

2 years ago

September 2, 2022

Leinster Rugby’s young guns came and conquered Harlequins in a really competitive pre-season friendly at The Stoop.

Head coach Leo Cullen used the occasion to have a look at a host of novice professionals, while managing to squeeze out a victory from Scott Penny’s try in the final quarter.

A pinpoint kick-off by Ross Byrne forced an immediate penalty and a lineout in the corner where Jason Jenkins claimed the throw. The pack gathered around for hooker John McKee to make the line, Ross Byrne nailing the conversion in the second minute.

It wasn’t long before Charlie Ngatai and Jenkins were taking the ball up and Byrne was looking to the aerial strength of Rob Russell.

An alert block by Jamie Osborne and grab of the loose ball by Max O’Reilly allied to Ngatai’s cover tackle kept Harlequins in check.

Dave Kearney had to stop lock George Hammond and Will Connors was a nuisance at the breakdown in a watertight defence.

All the while, Leinster were stretched in defence and, from a scrum, Lewis Gjaltema shot between defenders for a fine try, converted by Tommy Allan in the 18th minute.

Leinster looked to Byrne’s boot and the lineout to recover territory where back-to-back turnovers by Vakhtang Abdaladze and Alex Dombrandt provided counter-attack options.

The agility of Ross Molony out of touch on both sides of the throw was eye-catching in allowing the three-quarters to move the ball left and right.

A tremendous piece of skill by O’Reilly stalled a ‘Quins foray forward. But, the patience of Lennox Anyanwu in the centre was forcing Leinster into making decisions in defence.

O’Reilly did well to deal with Dombrandt on the charge. The ball was recycled at speed for Allan to feed Cadan Murley with a superb pass, Allan’s extras making it 14-7 in the 34th minute.

No matter, Leinster bounded forward through the footwork of O’Reilly and the support of Rhys Ruddock and Scott Penny to generate much-needed field position.

A hard-line by Ngatai was supplemented by Michael Milne’s first carry for a try, converted by another replacement Sam Prendergast, on his senior debut, for 14-all at the break.

A period of kicking from both sides in tandem with a number of errors was followed by the kind of lineout athleticism of Alex Soroka and Max Deegan which almost led to a Leinster lead.

It came along soon enough when Deegan’s dummy, acceleration and offload allowed scrum-half Nick McCarthy to slide over for 19-14 in the 51st minute.

Straight away, Harlequins were back on the front-foot. Tom Lawday’s ball out the back was taken to the right corner by Nick David, converted by Allan for a two-point edge in the 55th minute.

The clutch hands of Brian Deeny at the ruck, Prendergast’s lovely tumbling kick and Osborne’s chase and capture of Tyrone Green forced a five-metre lineout.

Soroka was secure from Lee Barron’s throw. Martin Moloney careered away from the maul and Penny, back on, grounded the try for Prendergast to convert for 26-21 in the 68th minute.

The thin Blue line was strong enough to repel the next attack and McCarthy had the gas to hold off Will Evans from a chip.

Increasingly, Leinster were having to work without the ball as the home club

looked to give their supporters what they wanted.

However, an absolute rocket-launcher of a kick from Osborne turned defence into attack and they had the composure to close out the game.

Scorers – Harlequins: L Gjaltema, C Murley, N David try each; T Allan three cons. Leinster: J McKee, M Milne, N McCarthy, S Penny try each; S Prendergast two cons; R Byrne con.

Images & Content from Leinster Rugby

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URC

Squad Update | Munster Prepare For Leinster At Croke Park

Published

3 days ago

October 8, 2024

Huge Rugby

The Munster squad started preparations on Monday ahead of Saturday’s URC round four clash against Leinster at Croke Park (5.45pm).

In player news, Seán O’Brien returns from the Emerging Ireland tour to South Africa ahead of Saturday’s game.

Following Munster’s win over Ospreys on Saturday, Oli Jager (neck) and Peter O’Mahony (hamstring) are both going for scans and are unavailable this weekend.

Mike Haley has a leg contusion and his availability will be determined later in the week.

There is good news for Tom Ahern (ankle) and Alex Nankivell (shoulder) as they are both returning to training this week. Their respective availability for Croke Park will be determined later in the week.

Ruadhán Quinn is following the return to play protocols and his availability will be determined later in the week.

Billy Burns is increasing his training exposure this week and the out-half’s availability will be determined later in the week.

Shane Daly is unlikely to be available this week as he continues to recover from an elbow injury.

Thaakir Abrahams sustained a low-grade thigh injury against Zebre and is unavailable this week.

Long-term absentees Rory Scannell (ankle) and Paddy Patterson (knee) are making good progress and will increase their training exposure this week.

Patrick Campbell will have surgery on a shoulder injury he sustained in AIL action last month.

Josh Wycherley will visit a specialist this week for a neck injury.

Continuing to rehab: Liam Coombes (leg), Diarmuid Kilgallen (leg), Brian Gleeson (shoulder), Cian Hurley (knee), Edwin Edogbo (achilles), Roman Salanoa (knee).

Tickets

Saturday, November 2

Munster v All Blacks XV, Thomond Park, 5.30pm; SOLD OUT

URC Round 7: Saturday, November 30

Munster v Emirates Lions, Thomond Park, 7.35pm; Buy tickets here

Champions Cup Round 1: Saturday, December 7

Munster v Stade Francais, Thomond Park, 5:30pm; Buy tickets here

Champions Cup Round 3: Saturday, January 11

Munster v Saracens, Thomond Park, 5.30pm; Buy tickets here

URC Round 9: Friday, December 27

Munster v Leinster, Thomond Park, 7.35pm; Buy tickets here

URC Round 11: Saturday, February 15

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

URC Round 12: Friday, February 28

Munster v Edinburgh, Virgin Media Park, 7.35pm; Buy tickets here

URC Round 15: Saturday, April 19

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

URC Round 17: Friday, May 9

Munster v Ulster, Thomond Park, 7.35pm; Buy tickets here

URC Round 18: Friday, May 16

Munster v Benetton, Virgin Media Park, 8pm; Buy tickets here

Images & Content from Munster Rugby

URC

Ulster ready to take on Vodacom Bulls in Pretoria

Published

1 week ago

October 4, 2024

Huge Rugby

Ulster ready to take on Vodacom Bulls in Pretoria

10 minutes ago

News

Ulster Head Coach, Richie Murphy, has named his Ulster side to take on Vodacom Bulls at Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Round 3 of the BKT United Rugby Championship.

The starting XV features three players who make their first competitive starts in an Ulster jersey.

Hooker, James McCormick, and centre, Ben Carson, are given the nod for their first starts, with academy lock, Charlie Irvine, in line for his Ulster debut, starting in the second row alongside captain, Iain Henderson.

Joining McCormick in the front row is loosehead prop, Andrew Warwick, and tighthead prop, Corrie Barrett, who scored his first try in an Ulster shirt last weekend against Emirates Lions.

The back row features Development talent, James McNabney, at blindside flanker, with Sean Reffell starting on the openside and David McCann coming in at eight.

The half-back partnership sees Nathan Doak start at scrum-half alongside fly-half, Aidan Morgan, who last weekend made it two tries in his opening two appearances for the province.

Jacob Stockdale starts on the left wing, with Werner Kok starting on the right wing. Kok also scored his first try for the province in last weekend’s match in Johannesburg.

Outside Centre, Stewart Moore, joins Ben Carson at twelve, to form the midfield partnership.

Mike Lowry completes the starting XV at full-back.

Murphy opts for a 5:3 split for the reinforcements on the bench.

Two replacements, hooker Tadgh McElroy and development fly-half, James Humphreys, are also in line to make their debuts for Ulster’s senior side.

Eric O’Sullivan, Tom O’Toole, Alan O’Connor and Nick Timoney form the forward options from the bench, with Dave Shanahan and Ben Moxham providing the back options.

Vodacom Bulls v Ulster Rugby, Saturday 5th October, 3pm, Round 3, BKT United Rugby Championship, Loftus Versfeld Stadium (Live on Premier Sports)

(1-8) Andrew Warwick, James McCormick, Corrie Barrett, Iain Henderson (C), Charlie Irvine, James McNabney, Sean Reffell, David McCann

(15-9) Mike Lowry, Werner Kok, Stewart Moore, Ben Carson, Jacob Stockdale, Aidan Morgan, Nathan Doak;

Replacements: Tadgh McElroy, Eric O’Sullivan, Tom O’Toole, Alan O’Connor, Nick Timoney, Dave Shanahan, James Humphreys, Ben Moxham.

Images & Content – Ulster Rugby

URC

Gavin Coombes Set For 100th Munster Appearance

Published

2 weeks ago

September 27, 2024

Huge Rugby

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.