URC
Pete Wilkins: Preview to Connacht v Ulster
This Friday at The Sportsground there is a massive Interprovincial derby as Connacht welcome Ulster to Galway for Round 10 of the BKT United Rugby Championship, k/0 7.35pm.
Connacht left France last weekend with their second win in this season’s Challenge Cup but the win did come at a cost with injuries to Gavin Thornbury and Paul Boyle. Connacht Head coach Pete Wilkins was asked if he felt foul played occurred and if he feels punishment should have happened.
“We’re more concerned about the two lads really than anything”
“Once we get an update on the seriousness and duration of the injury layoff we will have a better map of how long they will be out for”
“Away games in France can get very emotional and physical”
“For Gavin (Thornbury) who had a few bad injury layoffs over the last few seasons its so disappointing to see him get such a bad injury because the work that guy has done to get himself back into shape is of a proper professional and a real example to younger players, but now he’s been dealt this blow but we are hoping it isn’t as bad as feared”
“We want to make sure both Gav and Paul are alright and there’s plenty of support around them during this rehab period”
Attention for the rest of the squad now turns to a crunch derby fixture at home this Friday with Ulster coming to town. Pete gave his thoughts on how both teams look coming into the game.
“Its an interesting one coming into it”
“There’s the angle for us which is that we enjoy playing against Ulster as we love the challenge of it, we love the intensity of the matches whether at Kingspan or The Sportsground”
“Its a special week and an exciting week for the lads”
“We’ve added in the disappointment of how we played when we were up there in Kingspan this season”
“We have improved a lot since that game but for us to close the loop on that we need to win this weekend”
“Ulster’s narrative is that they come looking to bounce back after their last three weeks of defeat where a lot has been written about them”
“They won’t lack for motivation or intent at the start of the game so its up to us to impose our personality on the occasion and opposition and make sure we get a chance to fire some shots and make a statement ourselves”
Coming into Friday’s game Connacht have a number of players back in selection contention with the likes of Finlay Bealham and Mack Hansen. After two good performances in Europe the Connacht coaching ticket have a bit of picking and choosing to do ahead of announcing the squad.
“We’ve got some established first team and international players back fresh and available but at the same time we have lads that have put their hands up over the last few weeks”
“Its not an easy week to pick a 23 when you have so many good players to choose from and really giving us coaches headaches in a positive way”
“The important thing during this period is we have games coming thick and fast so which ever guys aren’t involved this week will have important parts to play”
Tickets for Friday’s game can be got HERE
The Connacht match day squad will be announced on Thursday.
Images & Content from – Connacht 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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