URC
Musgrave Park Renamed Virgin Media Park
Munster Rugby are delighted to announce a new partnership with Virgin Media, which will see the province’s Cork home, Musgrave Park, renamed as Virgin Media Park.
The new naming rights sponsorship deal begins today and will run for five years.
As part of the agreement, Virgin Media will have total and exclusive ground naming rights, along with extensive branding at the venue.
Virgin Media will also become the telecommunications and broadband sponsor of Munster Rugby, providing full-fibre connectivity both to Virgin Media Park in Cork and Thomond Park in Limerick.
Virgin Media Park is one of the busiest sports venues in the country, hosting selected Munster senior men’s games in the BKT United Rugby Championship, Munster senior women’s Interprovincial Championship fixtures, as well as home games for the Ireland women’s senior team, the Ireland men’s U20 team, plus multiple club and school matches, and other sports.
The venue is also well known for its series of annual summer concerts, which will take place again this summer.
The dedication and spirit of Munster Rugby players, along with the commitment and support of the local community, inspired Virgin Media to get behind the province and support their journey.
In 2023, Virgin Media rolled out its full fibre broadband to homes and businesses in Cork, ensuring more homes than ever can avail of Virgin Media’s superfast, 99.9% reliability broadband. This forms part of Virgin Media’s ongoing €200m fibre network upgrade for over 1m homes and businesses across Ireland.
Tony Hanway, CEO of Virgin Media Ireland, said: “We are delighted to team up with Munster Rugby. Musgrave Park has always been an institution for sport and indeed the general public in Cork.
“Munster Rugby and Virgin Media Ireland share the same values of community, teamwork and excellence, and we are thrilled to support the team and indeed their famed fanbase who are renowned in world sport.
“We look forward to seeing many more special moments created on the field of play in the coming years at Virgin Media Park.”
Ian Flanagan, CEO of Munster Rugby, said: “We are delighted to announce this new partnership with Virgin Media. Given how special Musgrave Park is, and the meaning it has to Munster Rugby and our community in Cork, we feel the new link between the venue and Virgin Media will work really well.
“We look forward to working with Virgin Media on maximising what we do at this iconic rugby, sports and community venue over the coming years.”
About Virgin Media Park
Two major redevelopments have taken place at Virgin Media Park in recent years.
A new 3,500-seater West Stand was constructed and the East Terrace was covered in 2015.
In 2018, a new modified 3G pitch surface was installed. The state-of-the-art pitch has allowed for a significant increase in games played across a number of sports and disciplines at the venue.
The economic benefit of Virgin Media Park for the surrounding area has grown exponentially in recent years.
The new surface has paved the way for the stadium to become one of the country’s top music venues with Take That among the star acts to perform at Virgin Media Park next summer.
To find out more, go to www.virginmedia.ie.
Images & Content from Munster Rugby
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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