URC
PREVIEW: Some Big Hitters Return for Leinster’s Trip to Edinburgh
Leinster will welcome back some key men as they head to Edinburgh
After a three-week break the Guinness Pro14 is back and with it so are a host of Leinster players as they prepare for battle against Edinburgh at BT Murrayfield on Friday at 19 35.
The big names to be included are Joe Tomane, Luke McGrath and Dan Leavy, who all return from long spells out and are all included in the starting XV.
The game will provide them with a chance to build their fitness and put themselves in contention for a place in the 23 for next week’s Champions Cup quarter-final against Ulster.
In the front-row sees Ed Byrne, Sean Cronin and Michael Bent knuckle-down. Cronin will be hoping to prove between now and the end of the season that he should take a seat on the plane to Japan for this year’s World Cup after being dropped during the Six Nations.
Josh Murphy and Mick Kearney are in the second-row. While captain Rhys Ruddock is at blindside flanker, fit-again Leavy at openside and Max Deegan at No 8 in a formidable looking back-row.
McGrath makes a welcome return at scrum-half and was due to join Ross Byrne, who is at fly-half. He has been a late withdrawal which sees Ciaran Frawley move from 15 to 10. Tomane starts at 12, with Noel Reid standing at outside centre.
The back-three is made up of Barry Daly on the left-wing, Fergus McFadden on the right and Jimmy O’Brien starts at full-back.
With the likes of Bryan Byrne, Jack McGrath, Andrew Porter and Conor O’Brien among the subs Leinster will be hoping to continue their impressive run at the top of Conference B.
Here is your team to represent Leinster tomorrow against @EdinburghRugby at BT Murrayfield in the #GuinnessPRO14 (KO 7.35pm, live on @eirSport). #EDIvLEI pic.twitter.com/AguMEJoRa0
— Leinster Rugby (@leinsterrugby) March 21, 2019
Speaking ahead of the game Leinster veteran McFadden has talked about how impressed he’s been with the younger players that have come through the ranks this season.
“To be fair to a lot of the young guys that have come in, with the academy system the way it’s set up they seem to be ready made to just play at a high-level, which is great,” he said.
The away side will be wary of an Edinburgh team that welcomes back the likes of Darcy Graham, Hamish Watson, Ben Toolis and WP Nel from the Scottish camp and John Barclay who will make his debut for the side.
Leinster start the game in first place in Conference B, 22-points above second-place Benetton, and will be looking to continue their impressive form. However, Edinburgh currently sit in fifth in the conference, seven points adrift of the play-off spots and will be eager to cut the gap when the host the reigning champions.
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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