URC
Plenty of Positives
The Cell C Sharks can look back at their 40-12 Vodacom United Rugby Championship win over Glasgow Warriors at Hollywoodbets Kings Park on Saturday with pride and encouragement.
The bonus point victory sent the Cell C Sharks into fourth spot on the overall log with a game in hand, and they sit in a good position ahead of their home game against Ulster this weekend.
“We’re very happy with the outcome of this game,” explained Cell C Sharks head coach Sean Everitt after the match, acknowledging that their game management came to the fore.
It wasn’t only in various facets of the game that they dominated, but it was about the way they handled the ebb and flow of the game, countering everything their athletic and physical opponents threw at them, before stepping up a gear later in the game.
“We knew it would be very difficult in the first half, but we also knew we had a lot of power coming off the bench,” the coach admitted. “The guys who played in the first 40 did the hard yards for us, and the game opened up nicely for us later.”
Leading 13-7 at half-time, the result was by no means wrapped up, but the damage had been done and all that was needed was calm heads and direction.
“There were a couple of things we spoke about at half-time, one of them was territory,” Everitt explained. “At times we needed to be a bit more conservative because we put ourselves under pressure territory-wise. That resulted in us giving them field position and we couldn’t get out of our half and play for a 15 minute period.
“But the guys stuck to the task and in the second half we earned territory and possession in the right areas of the field and we were able to score from those opportunities.
“We played well from turnover ball, but we also created lots of opportunities and it was really good that we got both our attack and defence right, we’re very happy with the result.
“It was one of those games where the starting line-up did the hard yards, laying the foundation and tiring out the opposition. There was a big impact off the bench.”
The immense presence and contribution from Eben Etzebeth earned him a deserved Man of the Match award and Everitt was full of praise for the debutant.
“There was much to be admired from his all-round performance, what a great start from him. He is one of the best players in the world, if not the best lock in the world and he certainly played like that and justly deserved his man-of-the-match award.
“Eben has fitted in really well, he did his lineout homework – and did it thoroughly because he was outstanding in the lineouts both on attack and defence. He was immense in disrupting their lineout, and we got quality possession from Hyron and Eben on our ball. When your lineout functions, you lay a good foundation to attack.”
Another debutant Vincent Tshituka also gave a strong contribution despite not being 100% right.
“We’re very happy with his performance and although he wasn’t well and wasn’t feeling in the best shape having woken up with gastro symptoms, he was so excited to play and he managed to push through.
“He may not have felt great, but he certainly played well enough on his debut and we’re very proud of him and he can be justifiably proud of himself.”
Content & Images from – Cell C Sharks 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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