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Squad Update

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The Munster squad are on a down week following Saturday evening’s BKT URC game against Ulster at Thomond Park.

The players and coaches will return to the HPC next Monday in preparation for the sold-out Munster v South Africa Select XV game, in association with Pinergy, at Pairc Uí Chaoimh on Thursday, November 10 (7.30pm).  Planning and operations are well underway for hosting the first ever rugby game at Cork GAA’s headquarters in what is sure to be a memorable occasion.

There are 13 Munster players in Ireland camp preparing for the respective Bank of Ireland Nations Series and Ireland ‘A’ game against the All Blacks XV, while Malakai Fekitoa is training with the Tonga camp this week.

Tom Ahern was ruled of of involvement in this week’s Ireland ‘A’ fixture as he waits to meet with the specialist for a shoulder injury sustained against Leinster.

Niall Scannell was removed for a HIA during Saturday’s Round 7 encounter and will undergo return to play protocols.

RG Snyman had a routine consultation with his surgeon last week and following the review the lock is not expected to be available for selection before the end of December.

Rehabbing Players: RG Snyman (knee), Jack Daly (knee), Paddy Kelly (head), Keith Earls (thigh), Andrew Conway (knee), Fineen Wycherley (shoulder), Antoine Frisch (calf), Jack O’Sullivan (knee), Stephen Archer (ankle), Tom Ahern (shoulder), Jean Kleyn (ribs), Liam Coombes (hamstring).

There were six players, including four Greencore Academy players, in All Ireland League action at the weekend.

Chris Moore and the academy duo of Fionn Gibbons and Conor Phillips started for Young Munster RFC at Tom Clifford Park.

James French lined out for Highfield RFC as they suffered a narrow defeat away to Old Wesley.

Academy prop Kieran Ryan was in action for Shannon RFC with fellow academy player, Jack Oliver, the starting scrum half for Garryowen FC in their derby game against Cork Con.

Images & Content from Munster Rugby


Champions Cup

Leinster give update on Sexton injury

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Leinster Head Coach Leo Cullen has issued an injury update ahead of Saturday’s Heineken Champions Cup match against Ulster in Aviva Stadium.

Over 48,000 tickets have already been sold for the match. You can buy the last remaining tickets for the Round of 16 clash here.

Johnny Sexton will see a specialist on Tuesday and have a procedure on the groin injury picked up in Ireland’s Guinness Six Nations game against England which will likely keep him sidelined for the remainder of the Leinster Rugby season.

Garry Ringrose, Hugo Keenan and Caelan Doris will continue to follow the Graduated Return to Play Protocols this week.

Ed Byrne came through the game at the weekend with no issues after his return from a knee injury.

There are no further updates on:
Jamie Osborne (knee), Rónan Kelleher (shoulder), Joe McCarthy (ankle), Cormac Foley (hamstring), Martin Moloney (knee) and  Charlie Ngatai (hamstring)

Images & Content from Leinster Rugby


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URC

Our Boks are Back

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Cell C Sharks Director of Rugby Neil Powell has the pleasure of a full squad to select from and has chosen a Springbok-heavy side to take on Scarlets this Saturday at the Parc Y Scarlets in Wales.

After an enforced break due to this year’s Rugby World Cup, the Springboks have been unleashed on the Vodacom United Rugby Championship once more as they look to maintain a hold on a place in the knock-out rounds.

Scarlets have not quite enjoyed the success this season they would have hoped for and languish near the bottom of the log, in 14th position. Last year’s fixture, at Hollywoodbets Kings Park, ended in a 37-20 victory for the Cell C Sharks, a bonus point win with many of the same players who will do duty in this season’s clash, almost exactly a year later.

However, we know that no team can be written off and the Springboks in the Cell C Sharks side will be bringing their own level of intensity, leadership, character and standards that will drive their team-mates to deliver a special performance.

Springbok captain Siya Kolisi leads the team out and his all-Bok front row of Ox Nche, Bongi Mbonambi and Thomas du Toit will be called upon to deliver results upfront. Throw in Eben Etzebeth and you know this is a pack that will back down for nothing.

An athletic and mobile back row will provide impetus on attack while Springbok halfbacks Jaden Hendrikse and Curwin Bosch will be called on to direct traffic. Then there’s the powerful duo of Rohan Janse van Rensburg and Lukhanyo Am to keep everything in the midfield under control, while the likes of Makazole Mapimpi and co, will be called upon to deliver the killer blow.

Cell C Sharks
1. Ox Nche
2. Bongi Mbonambi
3. Thomas du Toit
4. Eben Etzebeth
5. Emile van Heerden
6. Siya Kolisi (c)
7. Vincent Tshituka
8. Phepsi Buthelezi
9. Jaden Hendrikse
10. Curwin Bosch
11. Makazole Mapimpi
12. Rohan Janse van Rensburg
13. Lukhanyo Am
14. Werner Kok
15. Boeta Chamberlain

Replacements
16. Kerron van Vuurren
17. Ntuthuko Mchunu
18. Carlu Sadie
19. Gerbrandt Grobler
20. Sikhumbuzo Notshe
21. Grant Williams
22. Ben Tapuai
23. Thaakir Abrahams

Content & Images from – Cell C Sharks Rugby


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Ulster ready for arrival of Bulls in Belfast

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Ulster ready for arrival of Bulls in Belfast

6 minutes ago

Match Previews

Ulster go into Round 16 of the BKT United Rugby Championship against Vodacom Bulls hoping to make it three wins in succession, as they hunt down a top two finish in the league.

Dan McFarland’s men have fared well against South African opposition this season, becoming the only northern hemisphere team to win both away games against the Emirates Lions and the Cell C Sharks, as well as dominating DHL Stormers at Kingspan Stadium back in January.

Tickets are still available for Saturday’s big game at ulster.rugby/buytickets.

The win against Stormers was the last time the Ulster men ran out at Kingspan Stadium as the province faced a three match away block after the international break.

The stakes are high as Ulster currently sit third in the URC table on 54 points, knowing a win could see them draw level with DHL Stormers, currently in second on 59 points. A win would only increase Ulster’s hopes of securing a home advantage in the URC Play-Offs.

Meanwhile, the Bulls, who sit in sixth position, will hope to turn their form around after a tough spell of results, and with returning Springboks in their squad they will be looking to cause an upset in Belfast.

Ulster Forwards Coach Roddy Grant told reporters at the media briefing earlier this week that the province will be looking to continue their positive form:

“We feel refreshed, we’ve had a good week of training and everybody is raring to go this Saturday in front of a home crowd. Bulls are a good side, full of big physical guys, and our focus is fully on them.”

Vermeulen to captain Ulster against old side

Springbok Duane Vermeulen skippers the Ulster men against a side he knows all too well, having captained the Bulls when he played for them from 2019- 2021.

Leading the front row against the South African opposition, Ballymena man Andy Warwick starts at loosehead prop and is joined by Tom Stewart at hooker, who is back with the province after being part of Ireland’s Grand Slam winning training squad. They will be packing down with Jeff Toomaga-Allen at loosehead prop.

Kieran Treadwell, who featured for Ireland in the Grand Slam win against England, is back starting in the second row alongside experienced Wallaby lock, Sam Carter.

David McCann and Nick Timoney join Vermeulen in the back row, with both flankers hoping to continue their positive form from the last match against Cardiff.

Nathan Doak keeps the 9 shirt after a Player of the Match performance against Cardiff where he scored a try and slotted six out of six conversions. Billy Burns joins him at fly-half, hoping to build on a good try-scoring performance against Cardiff.

The midfield is kept the same as last time out, as young pair Stewart Moore and James Hume keep their places in Ulster’s centre positions.

The back three sees a welcome return for explosive winger Rob Baloucoune who hasn’t featured for Ulster since early January. He is joined by Jacob Stockdale and full back Mike Lowry.

McFarland has opted for a six-two split on the bench with John Andrew, Eric O’Sullivan, Gareth Milasinovich, Alan O’Connor, Harry Sheridan and Marcus Rea named as forward options, and John Cooney and Jude Postlethwaite covering the backline.

Ulster team to face Vodacom Bulls, Round 16 BKT United Rugby Championship, Saturday 25 March at Kingspan Stadium (KO 7 35pm), live on BBC NI, RTÉ, Viaplay and URC.tv

(15-9) Mike Lowry, Rob Baloucoune, James Hume, Stewart Moore, Jacob Stockdale, Billy Burns, Nathan Doak;

(1-8) Andy Warwick, Tom Stewart, Jeff Toomaga-Allen, Kieran Treadwell, Sam Carter, David McCann, Nick Timoney, Duane Vermeulen (Captain).

Replacements: John Andrew, Eric O’Sullivan, Gareth Milasinovich, Alan O’Connor, Harry Sheridan, Marcus Rea, John Cooney, Jude Postlethwaite.

Images & Content – Ulster Rugby


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