URC
Red card costly for Connacht as Leinster secure bonus point win
Leinster Rugby wore down Connacht with six second-half tries to leave The Sportsground with all the points in Round 14 of the United Rugby Championship.
In hindsight, it all hinged on an early red card for Tom Daly, Connacht’s brave resistance eventually giving way to precision strike play for Leinster to move five points clear at the head of the table.
A challenge by Tommy O’Brien on Niall Murray in the air from Ross Byrne’s kick-off resulted in a yellow card for the winger.
One man down, Leinster opted to hold onto the ball. Daly did not wrap in the tackle on Ciarán Frawley, making contact with the neck for a red card.
Referee Chris Busby having a quick chat with the respective captains about the discipline of the opening exchanges.
This break in play was quickly followed by a Tiernan O’Halloran burst and Oran McNulty punt out of defence against a Jimmy O’Brien counter from the long ball.
A bout of kick-tennis concluded with a Leinster lineout which Byrne translated into a touch-finder deep inside the 22.
A crooked throw by Dave Heffernan made for a scrum and a subsequent scrum penalty led to a lineout.
James Tracy broke away from the maul for multiple drives, leading to Rory O’Loughlin’s try from an overlap on the left, Byrne converting in the 15th minute.
The Leinster rush defence forced Kieran Marmion to kick the ball away, relying on Murray and Jarrad Butler to carry the fight.
Leinster’s commitment to the counter-ruck was compromised by failing to keep their feet, Jack Carty slicing the posts for 7-3 in the 22nd minute.
The interprovincial intensity left little space to move the ball, pressure causing mistakes. When Frawley left for a Head Injury Assessment, 20-year-old Chris Cosgrave entered for his debut in the 32nd minute.
A Connacht scrum penalty was the catalyst for a Tom Farrell charge and Scott Penny had to take Marmion around the ankles.
The home side chose a scrum ahead of a penalty and when the forwards couldn’t breach, Carty whipped a high, wide pass for full-back O’Halloran to dive in for 8-7 at the break.
Frawley returned for Cosgrave shortly after David Hawkshaw came on for Byrne as Leinster’s kicking game delivered sound field position.
Wing John Porch wrangled a penalty at the breakdown to spark a nice attack in which left-wing McNulty could not hold a pass on the outside.
The Leinster front row of Peter Dooley, James Tracy and Michael Alaalatoa cranked out a penalty at the scrum and Tracy snatched a penalty on the floor.
The commitment of Connacht’s 14 men showed in how Carty and Butler covered across to bundle O’Loughlin into touch
The Blues’ scrum provided another penalty advantage to play off and the backs spread it for Tommy O’Brien to cut inside and for Rhys Ruddock to take off up the middle.
The ball was recycled for Hawkshaw to drive through Murray for the lead try and, also, the conversion in the 55th minute.
Luke McGrath’s strip of Ultan Dillane enabled Hawkshaw to spot space in the backfield. His kick was gobbled up by the Leinster counter-ruck for McGrath to shoot a gap for the third try, Hawkshaw converting for 21-8 in the 57th minute.
Jamie Osborne’s sweet out-to-in line was taken on by Jimmy O’Brien only for Sammy Arnold to conquer a ruck.
It was difficult to see how Connacht could launch a comeback with their numerical disadvantage, Jimmy O’Brien accelerating away and Hawkshaw tickling a kick in behind Porch for Frawley to scoop up the bonus-point try in the 65th minute.
The Westerners were all out of energy and Frawley’s playmaking skills were key to putting Tommy O’Brien outside Diarmuid Kilgallen for a sharp finish up the left.
The replacements were making an impact, Josh Murphy streaming through the cover and the forwards queuing up for Max Deegan to carry to the line, Hawkshaw converting in the 72nd minute.
Subtle involvements of Osborne and Cosgrave, on a decoy line, allowed Tommy O’Brien to move into overdrive for his second try, Hawkshaw adding the extras and capping a fine second half.
URC
British & Irish Lion to join Glasgow Warriors
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.”
Tags
Related news
Awards 2023/24 sponsored by The Malcolm Group
Tennent’s Best Seat in the House
What’s On | Cardiff Rugby
Stafford McDowall selected for Ireland clash
Easter Open Training | Monday 1 April
Five Warriors players included in U20s Scotland clash against Ireland
Mann signs new contract with Glasgow Warriors
Horne to make first Guinness Six Nations start
Hart named as co-captain for Scotland U20
Afshar signs first professional contract with Glasgow Warriors
URC
Ulster sign South-African winger
Werner Kok to sign with Ulster
The powerful South African Sharks winger and former World Rugby Sevens Player of the Year will join the province on a two-year deal in the summer.
A destructive and dynamic winger, who is known for his work-rate, Kok’s all- action play has earned him the nickname ‘Tarzan’, with a nod to his athleticism and flowing locks.
The 31-year-old is a former Blitzbok champion and has been a stalwart for his nation in the Sevens game, with honours including a 2014 Commonwealth Games Gold and a bronze medallist at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio.
Those skills and fitness in the Sevens have transferred to success in the 15s game, with Kok showing impressive try-scoring form for the Sharks since joining in 2020, following stints at Western Province and French Top 14 giants, Toulouse.
Kok has also shown his ball-carrying and tackling ability in the centre position for the Sharks, making him an exciting option for Ulster’s backfield.
Bryn Cunningham, Head of Rugby Operations and Recruitment added:
“Werner will add something different to our group with his vast experience across the Sevens game and 15s, where he has showcased his own exciting brand of rugby.
I think he will fit in well with the talented backs in the squad, as we look to develop our options in the backfield.
Werner’s competitiveness and tenacity in both an attacking sense and defensively, will fit right in with the energy we want this team to play with.”
Kok added:
“I am looking forward to starting a new adventure in my career with Ulster Rugby and can’t wait to become an Ulster man!
I want to thank Ulster and the team for this incredible opportunity. I hope to make you proud on and off the field.
Moving from South Africa will be a big change for me and my wife but it’s a challenge that we are very excited for. See you soon Belfast!”
Images & Content – Ulster Rugby
URC
Munster To Play All Blacks XV
Munster Rugby are pleased to confirm that the province will take on the All Blacks XV on Saturday November 2nd at Thomond Park (5.30pm).
Since the redevelopment of Thomond Park in 2008, Munster Rugby have hosted international opposition in the form of the All Blacks, Australia and the Māori All Blacks at the Limerick venue.
More recently Munster Rugby have hosted sold-out clashes against South Africa A and the Crusaders in Cork’s SuperValu Páirc Ui Chaoimh in November 2022 and February 2024.
Commenting on today’s announcement Munster Rugby CEO Ian Flanagan said: “We will be delighted to welcome the All Blacks XV to Thomond Park in November as part of their Northern Hemisphere tour.
“We have a long and rich history of hosting international sides and I’m sure November’s match will add another exciting chapter to this tradition.”
Tickets
Priority groups including MRSC, 10-year, 5-year and club season ticket holders can purchase their current ticket through their MRSC Account or Munster Rugby Account Manager ahead of the general sale.
MRSC, 10-year, 5-year and associate members will also receive a presale link to purchase a maximum of four tickets per person.
The general sale will be open on Wednesday March 20th, subject to availability. Please see details below.
Season Ticket Holders | 10am Tuesday March 12th – 5pm Friday March 15th
MRSC, 10-years, 5-years and club season ticket holders can purchase their current ticket through their MRSC Account or Munster Rugby Account Manager.
Presale | 10am Tuesday March 12th – 5pm Monday March 18th
MRSC members, 10-years, 5-years and associate MRSC members will receive a link with a max purchase of four tickets per person.
General Sale | From 10am Wednesday March 20th
Any remaining tickets will be on general sale via Ticketmaster.
Pricing
Category | Adult Price | Junior Price |
Cat A | €50 | €25 |
Cat B | €40 | €20 |
Cat C | €35 | €17.50 |
Cat D/G (East & West Terrace) | €30 | €15 |
Cat E/F (North & South Terrace) | €25 | €12.50 |
*Family: 2+2 Cat C | €70 | |
*Family: 2+2 Cat D/G | €60 | |
*Family: 2+2 Cat E/F | €50 |
*Family – 2 Adults & 2 Juniors
Please direct wheelchair accessible ticket requests to [email protected]
Hospitality
Please direct all hospitality queries to [email protected]
Ezine Reminder
Sign up to our mailing list here to receive the ticket link and details ahead of the general sale on Wednesday 20th March.
For all ticketing queries, please email [email protected]
Images & Content from Munster Rugby