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 Men’s and Women’s team will be in action this weekend in a historic double-header against the Barbarians.
Find out all you need to know ahead of the games below.
There will be a minute’s applause for Greig Oliver ahead of the men’s game following his tragic passing in July. Hawick RFC posted a lovely piece on a commemorative event that was recently held at the club here. Read our tribute to Greig here.
Where?
Thomond Park
When?
The women’s game kicks off at 2pm and the men’s game starts at 4.30pm.
Tickets
Tickets are available to purchase here from €20 for adults and €10 for juniors right up until kick off.
The best value tickets are the Family Packs of four tickets for just €40 which include 2 Adults & 2 Juniors tickets.
Broadcast
Live on Access Munster, brought to you by Pinergy – see full details here.
Did you know?
The URC trophy will be on display for photos behind the North Terrace.
The first-ever Barbarians Women’s game was played against Munster at Thomond Park in 2017.
The Munster men’s team have never faced the Barbarians.
Munster News
Munster Men’s training gallery
Munster Women’s training gallery
Graham Rowntree Signs New Contract
Teams
All four sides will be named before lunchtime on Friday.
Press Pass
Hear from Munster Women’s Head Coach Niamh Briggs and Men’s Head Coach Graham Rowntree ahead of the games.
URC Tickets
Tickets for all Munster men’s home game for the 2023/24 campaign are available here.
Images & Content from Munster Rugby
Cardiff Rugby have added further depth to their fly-half resources with the signing of former Wales Under-20s star Arwel Robson.
The 26-year-old arrives from Cornish Pirates where he has spent the last two seasons after leaving Dragons RFC in 2021.
Robson has already linked up with the first-team squad and is relishing the opportunity that lies ahead at Cardiff Arms Park.
He said: “I’m incredibly excited to make the move to Cardiff. It’s an honour to be able to play at the Arms Park and I can’t wait to get the chance to run out here for the first time.
“I grew up on the terraces of the Arms Park, in a family of Cardiff season ticket holders and I was a ball boy for years so it is a club that means a huge amount to me and my family.
“After speaking to Matt about the style of play he wants to utilise, I’m confident it will really suit me and also continue to bring my game on.
“I’m very grateful to everyone at Cornish Pirates for the opportunity and support they gave me in the past few years.
“I’ve played a lot of rugby down there and feel I am returning to Wales a better player and I am looking forward to continuing my development at the Arms Park.
“Cardiff also have a reputation for developing talent and the progression of players from the academy right through to the senior national team is testament to that.
“Now I am just looking forward to getting on the training pitch and competing for game-time.”
Robson will fight for a place at fly-half alongside fellow new signing Tinus de Beer, Ben Thomas and academy duo Harrison James and Harri Wilde.
He is the fourth signing this summer, following de Beer, Ciaran Parker and Rhys Litterick, and head coach Matt Sherratt is pleased to add to his fly-half resources.
Sherratt said: “We are delighted have have signed Arwel for this season. He has a good skill set, will challenge the line and having regular game time has improved his in game management.
“He has played a significant amount with Cornish Pirates over the past two seasons which is a sign of a player who was willing to take himself out of his comfort zone to go to a new club and get regular game time. It shows he is driven.
“Added to that he has a connection with the region and a point to prove in the Welsh professional game. He gives us a bit more depth at 10 and has slotted in well to training.”
Content & Images from – Cardiff Rugby
Loosehead prop Lizo Gqoboka has joined the DHL Stormers squad ahead of the 2023/24 season.
The 33-year-old Springbok front row forward has made the move to Cape Town and brings considerable experience with him.
Gqoboka only took up the game at the age of 19 and within two years had already secured his first professional contract. He has accumulated over 150 senior caps since then and made his Springbok debut in 2019.
DHL Stormers Head Coach John Dobson said that Gqoboka’s proven track record means he will be ready to hit the ground running when the season gets underway.
“Lizo is an experienced player who would be a valuable asset for any squad in what is an important position.
“He has already settled in well here in the pre-season and we are all looking forward to seeing what he can do when the season gets underway,” he said.
Gqoboka said that having played against the DHL Stormers many times in his career, he is excited about feeling the support of the Faithful.
“This is a great team with some incredible supporters and I can’t wait to run out in the blue and white jersey and give my all.
“My family and I have felt at home right away here, my teammates and the coaches have been so welcoming and I want to repay that when I get the chance to take the field as a DHL Stormer,” he said.
Content & Images from – Stormers Rugby
Kolisi honoured to lead the Boks for the 50th time
All You Need To Know | Barbarians Double-Header
