URC
Steyn and Dempsey return for Toulon showdown
Steyn and Dempsey return for Toulon showdown
Glasgow Warriors will field a starting XV containing 11 internationals for the club’s pivotal Investec Champions Cup showdown with Toulon at Scotstoun, with Kyle Steyn and Jack Dempsey set to make their return to action tomorrow night.
The pair – both amongst the 15 Warriors selected in the Scotland squad for the 2024 Guinness Six Nations – have recovered from their respective injuries to line up under the Friday night lights for Franco Smith’s squad, knowing a win will be enough to secure a place in the knockout stages of Europe’s premier club competition.
An all-new front-row sees George Turner and Lucio Sordoni come into the starting XV alongside Jamie Bhatti, the loose-head having agreed to extend his contract with Glasgow Warriors earlier this week.
Max Williamson makes his first professional start for the club in the second-row, joining the experienced figure of Richie Gray in the engine room for tomorrow’s clash.
Dempsey’s return sees the Scotland international line up at number eight in an otherwise unchanged back-row, with Ally Miller and Matt Fagerson continuing after impressive performances at Sandy Park last weekend.
Behind the scrum, George Horne is paired with Tom Jordan in the half-backs, the latter having featured in all three of the club’s Investec Champions Cup matches to date in 2023/24.
Sione Tuipulotu shifts to inside centre for the first time in 2024, as he links up with Huw Jones in the midfield to resume their partnership in the centres.
Steyn returns to captain the lineup from the wing, joining Kyle Rowe and Josh McKay – both try-scorers in the Investec Champions Cup this season, against Exeter Chiefs and Bayonne respectively – in the back-three.
An all-international trio lie in wait as the front-row cover amongst the replacements, as Oli Kebble and Zander Fagerson join the club’s top try-scorer, Johnny Matthews.
Scott Cummings and Henco Venter rotate to the bench after their all-action displays in Exeter last weekend, with Euan Ferrie retained amongst the replacements after making his first appearance of the season at Sandy Park.
The back-line is covered by Ben Afshar and Stafford McDowall, the former awaiting his first European appearance after being an unused replacement at Sandy Park.
Speaking following selection, Head Coach Smith told glasgowwarriors.org: “Our performance at Sandy Park last weekend was the level that we know we need to produce again tomorrow night.
“Toulon are a team with a proud history in European competition, and we know that we will have to be on top of our game as they come here aiming to secure their own qualification.
“We’re pleased to welcome Kyle and Jack back into our starting lineup after their hard work alongside our medical team, and we look forward to running out at home again tomorrow night.”
Glasgow Warriors team to face Toulon at Scotstoun, Friday 19 January, kick-off 8pm. Tickets are still available for the match at glasgowwarriors.org.
1 Jamie Bhatti (98)
2 George Turner (98)
3 Lucio Sordoni (23)
4 Max Williamson (6)
5 Richie Gray (111)
6 Ally Miller (23)
7 Matt Fagerson (101)
8 Jack Dempsey (40)
9 George Horne (107)
10 Tom Jordan (36)
11 Kyle Rowe (10)
12 Sione Tuipulotu (45)
13 Huw Jones (66)
14 Kyle Steyn (C) (67)
15 Josh McKay (37)
Replacements
16 Johnny Matthews (60)
17 Oli Kebble (95)
18 Zander Fagerson (138)
19 Scott Cummings (115)
20 Euan Ferrie (10)
21 Henco Venter (8)
22 Ben Afshar (5)
23 Stafford McDowall (68)
Unavailable for selection: Fraser Brown (knee), Gregor Brown (knee), Sebastian Cancelliere (neck), Rory Darge (knee), Jamie Dobie (ankle), Nathan McBeth (shoulder), Enrique Pieretto (knee), JP du Preez (knee), Ollie Smith (knee), Sione Vailanu (knee), Murphy Walker (knee).
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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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