URC
Rey Lee-Lo returns to Cardiff!
Cardiff Rugby are overjoyed to bring star centre Rey Lee-Lo back to the club ahead of the 2023-24 season.
The hugely popular Samoan ace was announced as a departure at the end of last season but has now agreed a new deal to remain at Cardiff Arms Park.
Since arriving in 2015, Lee-Lo has established himself as one the BKT United Rugby Championship’s finest centres and a cult hero at the Arms Park.
He made his 150th appearance for the club earlier this year with an imperious performance, in which he created two tries against Ulster and left the pitch to a standing ovation but he is now delighted to stay for more.
Lee-Lo said: “I’m really happy to be back at Cardiff and it has been great to return to pre-season training with the boys. I have kept myself ticking over and I’m now easing back into things with the team.
“It’s obviously a club that means a lot to me. This place is very much home for me and my family, we are settled and love our life here so it was always my intention to stay.
“Since joining some eight years ago I have been shown such support and loyalty by the club, the late Peter Thomas and the amazing supporters and I’m pleased to have another opportunity to repay that.
“I am very grateful to the man above for the talent I have been blessed with and also my family – especially my parents, wife and kids – who support me every day and allow me to do what I love.
“I can’t wait to run out at Cardiff Arms Park in front of that home support again. The atmosphere on game days is amazing – I want to make more memories here and feel I have a lot to give.
“I have a great relationship with Matt Sherratt and the style of play he wants to utilise really suits me. We want to enjoy ourselves, be positive and play attractive rugby but combine that with physicality and abrasiveness.
“I’m also very aware and excited about the responsibility to help the younger boys come through and develop. There is a lot of potential within the group with talented youngsters, who are very eager to learn and improve.
“Now it is about working hard as a group, enjoying each other’s company and doing everything we can to make our supporters proud on a match day.”
During his eight previous seasons in Blue and Black, Lee-Lo has been a key midfield presence, winning the Peter Thomas Player of the Year award in 2017 and becoming a regular in the URC’s end of season dream teams.
The 37-year-old has also bagged 28 tries and rolled back the years with an impressive 2022-23 campaign.
Cardiff Rugby head coach Matt Sherratt is delighted to sign Lee-Lo and has highlighted the key role he will play at the Arms Park next season.
Sherratt said: “Keeping Rey was really important for us as a club as he has consistently been one of the best centres in the URC for a very long time.
“His understanding and reading of the game is second to none. He is extremely effective with the ball due to his ability to make and create line breaks, and offload, while defensively he is one of the best out there.
“He remains hugely influential within the group and that will be more important than ever with such a young group. Rey will be really important in helping to bring the next generation though.
“He is an excellent professional, who really looks after himself, and he cares enormously about the club. Cardiff is home for Rey and his family so it is great that we have been able to get a deal done.”
Content & Images from – Cardiff 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.”
Tags
Spread the word
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
Content & Images from – Glasgow Rugby
Munster Rugby Announce Contract Deals For Murray, Daly & Gleeson
Squad Update | Munster Prepare For Cardiff At Thomond
