URC

The remarkable journey of Dan Lydiate

Published

8 months ago

July 19, 2022

When Dan Lydiate damaged his anterior cruciate ligament in Wales’ Six Nations opener against Ireland in February 2021 many feared the worst.

The Ospreys blindside was 33-years-old at the time and such a serious injury has ended the careers of many players. But Lydiate isn’t built like other men, and not for the first time in his career the man from Mid-Wales showed tremendous character and resolve to fight his way back on to the field of play.

Lydiate was phenomenal in the first two Tests with his unrelenting work rate, brutal tackling, and all-round physicality playing a pivotal role in last Saturday’s victory over the world champions in Bloemfontein.

And he revealed the feeling of sheer joy he felt at the final whistle as he reflected on all the sacrifices he has made to get back to this level. “If you could bottle that feeling and sell it you would not have to work again,” he said.

“It is hard to put into words, until you are in that moment. It is not just that moment in time, it’s what you have worked for as a kid with all those sessions you have done that nobody has seen.

“It’s every ounce of your being that you have put into your career and an instant reward as that final whistle goes. You can’t compare it to anything else.

“I am passionate about farming but it’s completely different. The only other thing you get that much emotion out of is family with your kids and your wife and things like that.

“It is difficult to compare, apples and pears, but in the same breath it’s all intertwined because they sacrifice a lot for what you do as well.”

Lydiate took a few minutes to reflect on all the hard work he put in to get his body back up to a level where it could cope with the intensity of international rugby.

He was also quick to praise a few of his Ospreys and Wales teammates, notably Dewi Lake, George North, and Gareth Anscombe who have also recovered from significant injuries to represent their country again.

“It was nice on the weekend because we made sure we had a picture after the game because there were times when we were on crutches going into work in the mornings,” said Lydiate. “It was a good vibe because we pushed each other, especially in the gym where we are all a similar strength, so there was a bit of competition.

“We worked hard during those times when we were injured but enjoyed each other’s company which was perhaps more important to keep each other going. Having banter and fun along the way is half the battle because a knee injury is a long process.

“It can get boring and tedious because you have to do the same thing every day to build things back up. Dewi was the first out of our trio to get back on the field and was called up to the Six Nations.

“That spurred us on to try and get back for Ospreys and here we are now. It’s been a tough road, I am not going to sugar coat it.

“It is not just the boys, it’s the medical and strength and conditioning staff at Ospreys.

“It does hurt, I am not going to lie,” said Lydiate. “That is what I have been picked for years to try and be physical.

“It does take it out of you but if that’s what you are picked to do, that’s what I have to do. It’s all worth it. I have been sore for a few days after that Test last weekend but if we had lost, I would have been a lot more sore.”

Source – Ospreys Rugby

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URC

Squad Update | Preparations Continue For Glasgow At Thomond

Published

2 hours ago

March 20, 2023

Huge Rugby

The Munster squad continued their training schedule at the HPC on Monday morning as preparations continue for Saturday evening’s vital URC clash against Glasgow Warriors at Thomond Park (5.15pm).

It is our final home game of the URC regular season with tickets available here.

See the state of play in the URC ahead of round 16 here.

On the senior international front, Peter O’Mahony and Conor Murray helped Ireland to a Grand Slam-clinching victory over England in Dublin on Saturday.

Tadhg Beirne, Craig Casey, Jack Crowley and Dave Kilcoyne also featured during the successful campaign. Joey Carbery, Gavin Coombes, Keith Earls and Roman Salanoa were part of the squad at different stages over the past two months.

Ben Healy made his Scotland debut as a replacement on Saturday, steering the team to victory over Italy at Murrayfield.

Academy player Ruadhán Quinn (Old Crescent) and fellow Munster men Brian Gleeson (Garryowen) and Danny Sheahan (UCC) helped the Ireland U20s to their second Grand Slam in-a-row with a victory over England at Musgrave Park on Sunday. Gleeson picked up his second Player of the Match award of the campaign after another excellent display.

Academy man Evan O’Connell (UL Bohemian) and Jacob Sheahan (UCC) also featured over the campaign with Academy player Jack Oliver (Garryowen) and Conall Henchy (DUFC) part of the squad.

Craig Casey, Gavin Coombes, Jack Crowley, Dave Kilcoyne, Roman Salanoa and Ben Healy have returned to training at the HPC ahead of Munster v Glasgow.

Peter O’Mahony and Conor Murray are on a down week after both playing in all five games of Ireland’s 6 Nations campaign and will return to the HPC next week.

There is good news on the injury front for Tom Ahern (shoulder) and Mike Haley (ankle) as they both return to full team training this week.

On the Academy front, there is a similarly positive injury update for Edwin Edogbo (ankle) as he also returns to full team training.

Continuing to rehab: Niall Scannell (shoulder), Liam Coombes (thigh), Jeremy Loughman (thigh), Keith Earls (calf), Tadhg Beirne (ankle), Liam O’Connor (neck), Chris Moore (neck), Eoin O’Connor (shoulder), Paddy Kelly (head), Jack Daly (knee), Andrew Conway (knee).

Tickets

URC Round 16 – Saturday, March 25

Munster Rugby v Glasgow Warriors, Thomond Park, 5.15pm; Buy tickets here

Images & Content from Munster Rugby

URC

Munster Rugby Unveil Plans For Limerick Centre of Excellence

Published

5 days ago

March 15, 2023

Huge Rugby

Munster Rugby have submitted a planning application to Limerick City and County Council for the development of a new sports facility in Rosbrien, Limerick.

The proposed new facility would be built primarily for Munster’s underage and development sides, and the surrounding community with local clubs, schools and community groups set to benefit.

Incorporated into the plan is an indoor full-size pitch; a state-of-the-art artificial full-size pitch and grass training pitch, both of which will be floodlit; a gym; clubhouse and administration building. The proposal also makes provision for an amenity walkway, greenspace, secure bicycle parking and limited parking.

This development is hailed as a major expansion of the sports facilities available to the grassroots game and the sporting community across the province, and it will be available for use to a wide range of clubs, schools, and organisations in the region and beyond.

The province, with a base for the elite game at the High Performance Centre in the University of Limerick, is already progressing with a Centre of Excellence in Musgrave Park with work to commence later this year, and last year partnered with Fethard Town Park in establishing a Regional Centre of Excellence.

Commenting on the exciting plans, Munster Rugby CEO Ian Flanagan said, “We are always looking to develop our infrastructure across the province in ensuring we can develop and resource our grassroots game leading to further participation in sport.

“This is an ongoing strategic objective of ours and we believe a facility such as this, in the heartland of Limerick, will hugely benefit the local clubs and schools and ensure young people have access to world class facilities.

“The plans we are submitting will not only benefit rugby, but this development will also improve the sporting and recreational facilities available to the surrounding community and we are hopeful of a positive planning outcome.”

Images & Content from Munster Rugby

URC

Squad Update | Preparations Begin For Glasgow At Thomond

Published

1 week ago

March 13, 2023

Huge Rugby

The Munster team have started preparations for our URC round 16 clash against Glasgow Warriors on Saturday, March 25, at Thomond Park (5.15pm).

You can purchase a Family Pack of four tickets for €40 with adult tickets from €20 available here.

Fourth-placed Glasgow are two points and one place ahead of Munster in the URC table.

See the state of play in the race for the URC play-offs here.

There were four Munster players in action for Ireland and the Ireland U20s in Scotland at the weekend with both sides aiming to win a Grand Slam on home soil next weekend.

Peter O’Mahony and Conor Murray started for the Ireland senior men as they won at Murrayfield to make it four wins from four ahead of Ireland v England in Dublin next Saturday (5pm).

Player of the Match Ruadhán Quinn and Evan O’Connell were the Munster Academy members in action for the Ireland U20s along with fellow Munster men Brian Gleeson and Danny Sheahan. Quinn scored a hat-trick of tries and Sheahan also touched down.

Their Grand Slam decider against England at Musgrave Park takes place on Sunday at 5pm with the game selling out weeks in advance.

In player news, it was confirmed last week that Malakai Fekitoa will join Benetton at the end of the season on completion of his Munster contract.

French club Oyonnax have announced the signing of Chris Farrell after the centre departed the province earlier this month.