URC
Ospreys overcome Saints 31-24
Justin Tipuric returned from injury as Ospreys finished their pre-season in style with 31-24 victory at the Brewery Field thanks to a late Luke Morgan try.
The home side started strongly showing their dominance in the scrum during the early exchanges.
This gave them a platform downfield for an attacking lineout. Rhys Webb delayed his pass to meet the well-timed run of Joe Hawkins who was tackled metres short.
Ospreys pressure forced ill-discipline from Northampton, who gave away a penalty in front of the posts, which Myler converted to give the Ospreys a 3-0 lead.
Saints responded winning a scrum penalty of their own which they kicked to the corner. The resulting driving maul was brought down illegally by Scott Baldwin who was yellow carded, with a penalty try awarded to the visitors.
While the home side were a man down, Northampton piled on the pressure, quick ruck ball resulted in Fraser Dingwall offloading to flanker Angus Scott-Young to score in the corner. Grayson missed the conversion.
On the verge of half-time Ospreys winger Keelan Giles picked up a loose ball in the backfield before using his electric pace to beat several defenders. However, the crucial final pass to Webb didn’t go to hand, wasting a great opportunity.
Half-time: Ospreys 3 – 12 Northampton Saints
In the early stages of the second period Northampton’s Sam Matavesi was sin binned for infringing at a lineout.
The home side took advantage of the extra man, Jac Morgan’s powerful burst down the wing created a try for Cai Evans. Jack Walsh converted.
The Saints responded brilliantly once Matavesi had returned to the field. From a scrum in their own 22 they threw the ball wide to speedster Tom Collins to score a terrific try. Grayson missed the conversion.
Ospreys pounced on a Northampton overthrow at a lineout, Garyn Phillips powered his way over from short range. Walsh added the extras, leaving the score at 17-17.
Moments later Branden Nansen gave Saints the lead once again. Grayson converted.
Phillips then scored his second of the match, bursting over after a powerful Elvis Taione break into the Saints 22. Luke Scully converted.
Northampton played the final 10 minutes a man down after Nansen received a yellow card for a high shot on Walsh.
With just over five minutes left on the clock, Reuben Morgan-Williams sniped towards the Northampton try line. Jack Walsh then threw a brilliant pass to Luke Morgan who scored the winning try out wide. Scully added the extras.
Full-time: Ospreys 31 – 24 Northampton Saints
Image & Content Source – Ospreys Rugby
The abrasive midfielder will earn his club debut having made a summer move from NSW Waratahs, with fellow summer recruits Paul Hill (tighthead) and Ross Thompson (fly-half) also set to start against the Irishmen.
Head Coach Sean Everitt’s first selection of the season also sees Ben Muncaster complete his injury return, to start at number eight tomorrow night.
On the selection, Everitt said: “It’s exciting to be back In BKT URC action this week, and matches don’t get much tougher in this league than facing Leinster.
“We know the challenge they will bring and it’s up to us to rise to that. We can’t wait to get the season started in front of a packed-out Hive Stadium for round one.”
Everitt has named the same back-three that started last Friday’s Scottish Building Society pre-season match against Gloucester, with Wes Goosen at full-back flanked by Scotland internationalists Darcy Graham and Duhan van der Merwe on the wings.
Tuipulotu is partnered by Matt Currie in the centres, fresh from earning his first Scotland caps during the recent summer test window, while Ali Price is reunitedwith former Glasgow teammate Thompson in the halves.
England internationalist Hill is joined in the front row by Scotland pair Pierre Schoeman (loosehead) and Dave Cherry (hooker), who made his debut against Leinster in 2018.
Grant Gilchrist leads the side from lock having been named as club co-captain for his 14th professional season, with Marshall Sykes again accompanying him in the second-row.
Muncaster’s impressive turn against Gloucester sees him rewarded with a starting berth, playing alongside club centurions Jamie Ritchie (blindside) and Hamish Watson (openside) in the back-row.
Edinburgh Rugby side to face Leinster at Hive Stadium in the BKT United Rugby Championship
Friday 20 September (kick-off 7.35pm) – live on Premier Sports
15. Wes Goosen (31)
14. Darcy Graham (64)
13. Mosese Tuipulotu*
12. Matt Currie (40)
11. Duhan van der Merwe (92)
10. Ross Thompson*
9. Ali Price (17)
1. Pierre Schoeman (115)
2. Dave Cherry (93)
3. Paul Hill*
4. Marshall Sykes (62)
5. Grant Gilchrist (205) CAPTAIN
6. Jamie Ritchie (114)
7. Hamish Watson (159)
8. Ben Muncaster (30)
Replacements
16. Ewan Ashman (20)
17. Boan Venter (66)
18. D’arcy Rae (5)
19. Jamie Hodgson (61)
20. Magnus Bradbury (113)
21. Ben Vellacott (61)
22. Ben Healy (23)
23. Emiliano Boffelli (40)
*Edinburgh Rugby debut
Unavailable: Luke Crosbie (neck), Nathan Sweeney (knee), James Lang (quad), Harry Paterson (foot/wound), Glen Young (pec), Sam Skinner (knee), Angus Williams (hamstring), Robin Hislop (knee)
Content & Images from – Edinburgh Rugby
Harry Sheridan commits future to Ulster Rugby
9 minutes ago
News
Ulster Rugby forward, Harry Sheridan, has committed his future to the province, signing a new two-year-deal that will keep him playing in the white jersey until at least 2027.
The combative forward, who can play in the second or back row, had a significant impact in the Senior Men’s side last season, with his performances recognised when he was named the province’s Young Men’s Player of the Year for the 2023/24 season.
The Holywood man has seen a significant number of minutes since Head Coach, Richie Murphy, came into the club, and has been trusted to play a key role in the squad.
Sheridan played his club rugby with Civil Service NI RFC, and schools’ rugby for Sullivan Upper School.
He would join Ulster Rugby’s sub-Academy after playing rugby for Trinity College in Dublin, where he studied.
The powerful forward, has represented Ireland at U20s level, competing in the 2021 Six Nations Championship.
On the news of Sheridan’s contract extension, Ulster Rugby’s Head of Recruitment and Rugby Operations, Bryn Cunningham said:
“We are delighted to secure Harry’s future with this extension, as we see him being an integral part of the team for the present and future.
“He is a throwback of a player, a forward who disrupts the opposition, is aggressive and who brings a proper physical presence for us. At 22-years-old, he is showing great potential and has grown in stature over the past season, showing his versatility at lock and flanker.
“We look forward to seeing how he develops in the seasons ahead in an Ulster jersey.”
On the news on his new deal, Sheridan added:
“I’m so happy to sign for a further two years. Last season was a huge year for me as I got more game-time in the senior side, and it was a massive learning curve in a season full of ups and downs.
I’m looking forward to improving my game and rolling into this year where I finished the last one. We have a great forward pack that I love training and playing alongside.
I am really enjoying the environment and going into training ready to work and learn.
It’s a perfect start to the season for me and I can’t wait to get stuck into another season.”
Images & Content – Ulster Rugby
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