URC

Talakai to make debut as Fagerson reaches 150

Published

2 weeks ago

September 20, 2024

Talakai to make debut as Fagerson reaches 150

Sam Talakai will make his Glasgow Warriors debut in the opening round of the 2024/25 BKT United Rugby Championship against Ulster tomorrow night, after being named in a matchday 23 that also sees Zander Fagerson bring up 150 appearances for the Scotstoun outfit.

The tight-heads are part of a squad containing 16 internationals for the club’s first visit to the Kingspan Stadium since the opening match of the 2021/22 season, as Franco Smith’s men open their BKT URC title defence under the Saturday night lights.

Make. Every. Game. Count 👊

2024/25 – we’re ready for you 😤#WhateverItTakes ⚔️🛡️ pic.twitter.com/IbOLjEaeMd

— Glasgow Warriors (@GlasgowWarriors) September 18, 2024

Australian international Talakai packs down alongside Jamie Bhatti and Johnny Matthews in an experienced front-row, the latter having finished on top of the try-scoring charts with 14 in the 2023/24 campaign.

Richie Gray partners Max Williamson in the engine room, forming an all-international combination after Williamson’s senior international debut on Scotland’s summer tour.

Matt Fagerson – Player of the Match in the 2023/24 BKT URC Grand Final – and Rory Darge are named as the flankers, with Henco Venter selected at number eight one year on from making his Glasgow Warriors debut in the opening match of last season.

Behind the scrum, Jamie Dobie is given the nod at scrum-half, whilst Tom Jordan starts at fly-half after reaching a half-century of Glasgow Warriors appearances in the Grand Final win in Pretoria back in June.

Sione Tuipulotu lines up at inside centre three years on from making his club debut in Belfast, whilst Stafford McDowall comes in for his first outing in Glasgow colours since May’s clash with the Emirates Lions in Johannesburg.

The same back-three combination that started the 2023/24 Grand Final is selected for the opening match of the new campaign, as club captain Kyle Steyn and Sebastian Cancelliere line up either side of full-back, Josh McKay.

Fagerson’s inclusion in the matchday 23 means that the tight-head will become just the 15^th Warrior to reach 150 appearances if and when called upon this Saturday, with the British and Irish Lion having become one of the sport’s premier tight-heads since making his Glasgow Warriors debut in 2014.

Also lining up amongst the replacements is Scotland international Adam Hastings, the fly-half set for his first appearance in a Glasgow shirt since 2021 after returning to the club from Gloucester over the summer.

Nathan McBeth and Gregor Brown are included in the matchday squad after both making their senior international debuts for Scotland during the summer tour, the pair both having also come off the bench in the Grand Final victory over the Vodacom Bulls in June.

Alex Samuel and Euan Ferrie complete a six-two split of forwards and backs, with Ben Afshar rounding out the replacements to take on the team against whom he made his professional debut last season.

Speaking following selection, Head Coach Smith told glasgowwarriors.org: “We are looking forward to taking to the field for the first time in 2024/25, with everyone driving each other forward and putting their hand up to be involved.

“Ulster will provide us with a stern test first up; they have recruited well ahead of the new season and will be defending a proud home record in front of a passionate crowd in Belfast.

“We’re pleased to see Sam make his first appearance for us since arriving in Glasgow, and for Zander to reach the 150 mark; anyone that plays 150 matches for their club is someone who clearly is proud to represent their club, and is a top professional as well as a top person.”

Glasgow Warriors team to face Ulster at Kingspan Stadium, Saturday 21 September, kick-off 7.45pm. You can watch the match live on Premier Sports, or follow all the action in our Live Match Centre at glasgowwarriors.org.

1 Jamie Bhatti (106)
2 Johnny Matthews (73)
3 Sam Talakai (0)
4 Max Williamson (19)
5 Richie Gray (115)
6 Matt Fagerson (111)
7 Rory Darge (48)
8 Henco Venter (22)

9 Jamie Dobie (68)
10 Tom Jordan (50)
11 Kyle Steyn (C) (77)
12 Sione Tuipulotu (55)
13 Stafford McDowall (78)
14 Sebastian Cancelliere (38)
15 Josh McKay (49)

Replacements

16 Gregor Hiddleston (9)
17 Nathan McBeth (42)
18 Zander Fagerson (149)
19 Alex Samuel (15)
20 Gregor Brown (20)
21 Euan Ferrie (20)
22 Ben Afshar (8)
23 Adam Hastings (53)

Unavailable for selection: Facundo Cordero (ankle), Scott Cummings (foot), Allan Dell (arm), Jack Dempsey (back), Huw Jones (calf), Ally Miller (calf), JP du Preez (knee), Ollie Smith (knee), Rory Sutherland (groin), Sione Vailanu (knee), Murphy Walker (neck)

Your champions return home 🤩

Be there as your Warriors run out for the first time at Scotstoun as defending #BKTURC champions when we take on Benetton on Friday 27 September!

🎟️ https://t.co/2QkIzRRnKh #WhateverItTakes pic.twitter.com/mHOPmtkoCK

— Glasgow Warriors (@GlasgowWarriors) September 13, 2024

Ulster ready to take on Vodacom Bulls in Pretoria

Published

3 days ago

October 4, 2024

Huge Rugby

Ulster ready to take on Vodacom Bulls in Pretoria

10 minutes ago

News

Ulster Head Coach, Richie Murphy, has named his Ulster side to take on Vodacom Bulls at Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Round 3 of the BKT United Rugby Championship.

The starting XV features three players who make their first competitive starts in an Ulster jersey.

Hooker, James McCormick, and centre, Ben Carson, are given the nod for their first starts, with academy lock, Charlie Irvine, in line for his Ulster debut, starting in the second row alongside captain, Iain Henderson.

Joining McCormick in the front row is loosehead prop, Andrew Warwick, and tighthead prop, Corrie Barrett, who scored his first try in an Ulster shirt last weekend against Emirates Lions.

The back row features Development talent, James McNabney, at blindside flanker, with Sean Reffell starting on the openside and David McCann coming in at eight.

The half-back partnership sees Nathan Doak start at scrum-half alongside fly-half, Aidan Morgan, who last weekend made it two tries in his opening two appearances for the province.

Jacob Stockdale starts on the left wing, with Werner Kok starting on the right wing. Kok also scored his first try for the province in last weekend’s match in Johannesburg.

Outside Centre, Stewart Moore, joins Ben Carson at twelve, to form the midfield partnership.

Mike Lowry completes the starting XV at full-back.

Murphy opts for a 5:3 split for the reinforcements on the bench.

Two replacements, hooker Tadgh McElroy and development fly-half, James Humphreys, are also in line to make their debuts for Ulster’s senior side.

Eric O’Sullivan, Tom O’Toole, Alan O’Connor and Nick Timoney form the forward options from the bench, with Dave Shanahan and Ben Moxham providing the back options.

Vodacom Bulls v Ulster Rugby, Saturday 5th October, 3pm, Round 3, BKT United Rugby Championship, Loftus Versfeld Stadium (Live on Premier Sports)

(1-8) Andrew Warwick, James McCormick, Corrie Barrett, Iain Henderson (C), Charlie Irvine, James McNabney, Sean Reffell, David McCann

(15-9) Mike Lowry, Werner Kok, Stewart Moore, Ben Carson, Jacob Stockdale, Aidan Morgan, Nathan Doak;

Replacements: Tadgh McElroy, Eric O’Sullivan, Tom O’Toole, Alan O’Connor, Nick Timoney, Dave Shanahan, James Humphreys, Ben Moxham.

Images & Content – Ulster Rugby

URC

Gavin Coombes Set For 100th Munster Appearance

Published

1 week ago

September 27, 2024

Huge Rugby

Tomorrow’s Round 2 clash away against Zebre Parma will see Gavin Coombes make his 100th Munster appearance.

Gavin started his rugby career at Skibbereen RFC before lining out with Bandon Grammar School in his teenage years.

Coombes then joined the Munster Rugby Academy ahead of the 2016/17 season where he lined out for Young Munster in Division 1A of the men’s All Ireland League and played a large role in Munster winning the B&I Cup in 2017.

The Skibbereen man made his Munster debut as an Academy player in the opening game of the 2018/19 season against the Cheetahs and went on to make eight Guinness PRO14 appearances over the campaign. The following year he also made a brief appearance in the PRO14 semi-final.

He had an outstanding 2020/21 season, after scoring 15 tries in 22 appearances, a new record for the most tries in one season for the province, and included a try on his Champions Cup debut against Harlequins. He was then named Munster Rugby’s youngest ever Player of the Year at the end of that season.

He missed the start of the 22/23 season due to injury, but returned to full training in October, and ended up scoring 14 tries in 22 Munster appearances in the club’s title winning year.

Last season he played in all 25 games, with 20 of those in the starting XV, playing at number 8 and in the second row. He continued is try-scoring prowess and finished the season with 7 tries to his name.

He has represented Ireland internationally on numerous occasions, including with the U20s, Ireland A, and the Ireland senior squad.

He was called up to the Ireland senior squad during the 2021 Six Nations, made his first two appearances against Japan and the USA in the 2021 Vodafone Summer Series, played against the Maori All Blacks in their 2022 New Zealand tour, and was then selected as part of the wider 2023 Six Nations and World Cup Squads.