URC
Samoan centre signs with DHL Stormers
Experienced Samoan international centre Alapati Leiua has signed with the DHL Stormers for the new season.
The powerful midfielder, who started his career at the Hurricanes before moving to the English Premiership where he played for Wasps and the Bristol Bears, has 31 Test caps for Samoa.
Known for his uncompromising physicality on both attack and defence, the 33-year-old brings significant experience with him to Cape Town where he will link up with his new teammates on approval of his work permit.
DHL Stormers Head Coach John Dobson welcomed Leiua, who he expects to have a major influence on some of the younger players in the squad.
“Alapati is a proven performer who will give us a hard edge in midfield while also mentoring some of the talented youngsters we have here.
“We saw the huge influence Jamie Roberts had in a short time here two years ago and we are expecting Alapati to play a similar role for us this season.
“We are looking forward to seeing the impact he makes here both on and off the field,” he said.
Leiua said that he wants to make the most of this opportunity to play for the defending champions in the Vodacom United Rugby Championship.
“We all saw this team play some incredible rugby last season and I want to add to that with my skills.
“This is a great chance to work with some talented young players and experience a completely new rugby culture, so I can’t wait to get stuck in,” he said.
Content & Images from – Stormers Rugby
The abrasive midfielder will earn his club debut having made a summer move from NSW Waratahs, with fellow summer recruits Paul Hill (tighthead) and Ross Thompson (fly-half) also set to start against the Irishmen.
Head Coach Sean Everitt’s first selection of the season also sees Ben Muncaster complete his injury return, to start at number eight tomorrow night.
On the selection, Everitt said: “It’s exciting to be back In BKT URC action this week, and matches don’t get much tougher in this league than facing Leinster.
“We know the challenge they will bring and it’s up to us to rise to that. We can’t wait to get the season started in front of a packed-out Hive Stadium for round one.”
Everitt has named the same back-three that started last Friday’s Scottish Building Society pre-season match against Gloucester, with Wes Goosen at full-back flanked by Scotland internationalists Darcy Graham and Duhan van der Merwe on the wings.
Tuipulotu is partnered by Matt Currie in the centres, fresh from earning his first Scotland caps during the recent summer test window, while Ali Price is reunitedwith former Glasgow teammate Thompson in the halves.
England internationalist Hill is joined in the front row by Scotland pair Pierre Schoeman (loosehead) and Dave Cherry (hooker), who made his debut against Leinster in 2018.
Grant Gilchrist leads the side from lock having been named as club co-captain for his 14th professional season, with Marshall Sykes again accompanying him in the second-row.
Muncaster’s impressive turn against Gloucester sees him rewarded with a starting berth, playing alongside club centurions Jamie Ritchie (blindside) and Hamish Watson (openside) in the back-row.
Edinburgh Rugby side to face Leinster at Hive Stadium in the BKT United Rugby Championship
Friday 20 September (kick-off 7.35pm) – live on Premier Sports
15. Wes Goosen (31)
14. Darcy Graham (64)
13. Mosese Tuipulotu*
12. Matt Currie (40)
11. Duhan van der Merwe (92)
10. Ross Thompson*
9. Ali Price (17)
1. Pierre Schoeman (115)
2. Dave Cherry (93)
3. Paul Hill*
4. Marshall Sykes (62)
5. Grant Gilchrist (205) CAPTAIN
6. Jamie Ritchie (114)
7. Hamish Watson (159)
8. Ben Muncaster (30)
Replacements
16. Ewan Ashman (20)
17. Boan Venter (66)
18. D’arcy Rae (5)
19. Jamie Hodgson (61)
20. Magnus Bradbury (113)
21. Ben Vellacott (61)
22. Ben Healy (23)
23. Emiliano Boffelli (40)
*Edinburgh Rugby debut
Unavailable: Luke Crosbie (neck), Nathan Sweeney (knee), James Lang (quad), Harry Paterson (foot/wound), Glen Young (pec), Sam Skinner (knee), Angus Williams (hamstring), Robin Hislop (knee)
Content & Images from – Edinburgh Rugby
Harry Sheridan commits future to Ulster Rugby
9 minutes ago
News
Ulster Rugby forward, Harry Sheridan, has committed his future to the province, signing a new two-year-deal that will keep him playing in the white jersey until at least 2027.
The combative forward, who can play in the second or back row, had a significant impact in the Senior Men’s side last season, with his performances recognised when he was named the province’s Young Men’s Player of the Year for the 2023/24 season.
The Holywood man has seen a significant number of minutes since Head Coach, Richie Murphy, came into the club, and has been trusted to play a key role in the squad.
Sheridan played his club rugby with Civil Service NI RFC, and schools’ rugby for Sullivan Upper School.
He would join Ulster Rugby’s sub-Academy after playing rugby for Trinity College in Dublin, where he studied.
The powerful forward, has represented Ireland at U20s level, competing in the 2021 Six Nations Championship.
On the news of Sheridan’s contract extension, Ulster Rugby’s Head of Recruitment and Rugby Operations, Bryn Cunningham said:
“We are delighted to secure Harry’s future with this extension, as we see him being an integral part of the team for the present and future.
“He is a throwback of a player, a forward who disrupts the opposition, is aggressive and who brings a proper physical presence for us. At 22-years-old, he is showing great potential and has grown in stature over the past season, showing his versatility at lock and flanker.
“We look forward to seeing how he develops in the seasons ahead in an Ulster jersey.”
On the news on his new deal, Sheridan added:
“I’m so happy to sign for a further two years. Last season was a huge year for me as I got more game-time in the senior side, and it was a massive learning curve in a season full of ups and downs.
I’m looking forward to improving my game and rolling into this year where I finished the last one. We have a great forward pack that I love training and playing alongside.
I am really enjoying the environment and going into training ready to work and learn.
It’s a perfect start to the season for me and I can’t wait to get stuck into another season.”
Images & Content – Ulster Rugby
Team news: Falcons side to face Bristol
Cian Prendergast: Munster preview
MATCH PREVIEW | Sale Sharks v Harlequins
-
URC2 days agoHarry Sheridan commits future to Ulster Rugby
-
URC2 days ago
Stuart McCloskey signs new two-year deal
-
6 Nations2 days agoEasterby Names 33-Player Emerging Ireland Squad For South Africa Tour
-
URC2 days agoTadhg Beirne Named As New Munster Rugby Captain
-
International5 hours agoSlipper to become most capped Wallaby of all-time in Bledisloe One
-
Premiership5 hours agoTeam news: Newcastle Falcons vs Bristol Bears
-
URC5 hours agoEight debutants named in Cardiff squad for Zebre Parma
-
URC4 hours agoTuipulotu to debut against Leinster