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Turnbull captains Cardiff in Gloucester pre-season clash

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Josh Turnbull will captain Cardiff Rugby as they kick off their pre-season fixtures against Gloucester on Friday (KO 7.45pm).

With only two weeks remaining until the Blue and Blacks welcome Munster to the capital for the United Rugby Championship opener, Dai Young has named an experienced side for the trip to Kingsholm.

Wales’ summer tourists are absent, as they continue to be integrated into training, but Cardiff’s matchday squad still contains a total of 13 internationals, alongside a number of the club’s promising youngsters.

Jacob Beetham – who made his senior debut in last season’s memorable tussle with Toulouse in Europe – is given the nod at full back, and is joined by fellow homegrown talent Owen Lane and Aled Summerhill in the back three.

Mason Grady links up with Max Llewellyn in the midfield while Lloyd Williams and Jarrod Evans form a familiar half back partnership.

Captain Turnbull, who was awarded the Peter Thomas Player of the Season award in 21/22, is joined by Shane Lewis-Hughes and James Botham – last season’s Players’ Player of the Year.

The front five consists of front row Corey Domachowski, Kristian Dacey and Dmitri Arhip alongside a second row partnership of Matthew Screech and Seb Davies.

Director of Rugby, Young, said: “We’re really looking forward to it. It’s a great venue to play at and I’m sure it’ll be a packed house because they have a great following.

“Gloucester went really well last season and have started off again with a good win out in Munster. We know from our own experiences that going out there isn’t easy, so it will be a big challenge for our team, especially without our internationals involved.

“But these are the challenges you want and it will certainly give us an indication of where we are before the season starts. 

“That’s what you’re looking for in friendlies, is to find out what’s working and things you still need to work on to get to an area where you’re comfortable.

“Pretty much everyone who is available for us is involved. Anyone not involved will either have a niggle, a longer term injury or are the international boys. Our internationals are still going through their early pre-season, but these players have been here from the start and deserve an opportunity.

“I know they’re really eager to go out and show they can put their hands up, because in many ways the slate is wiped clean. 

“That happens every season. Internationals have earned a right for everyone to understand where they are, but throughout the squad everyone is jockeying for positions, which is healthy.”

An extended bench includes a combination of youth and experience, with Wales under-20 hooker Efan Daniel , having made his solitary first team appearance in January’s win over Leinster.

Ellis Bevan, Teddy Williams and Gwilym Bradley are amongst the other youngsters looking to make their mark from the bench, while Director of Rugby, Young, also has the experience of Rhys Priestland, Matthew Morgan and Rory Thornton to call upon.

Cardiff Rugby: Jacob Beetham; Owen Lane, Mason Grady, Max Llewellyn, Aled Summerhill; Jarrod Evans, Lloyd Williams; Corey Domachowski, Kristian Dacey, Dmitri Arhip, Matthew Screech, Seb Davies, Shane Lewis-Hughes, James Botham, Josh Turnbull (capt.)

Replacements: Efan Daniel, Brad Thyer, Keiron Assiratti, Rory Thornton, Teddy Williams, Gwilym Bradley, Ellis Bevan, Rhys Priestland, Harri Millard, Jason Harries, Matthew Morgan

Content & Images from – Cardiff Rugby


URC

Squad Update | Munster Prepare For Cardiff At Thomond

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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


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URC

Squad Update | Preparations Continue For Ospreys

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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


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URC

British & Irish Lion to join Glasgow Warriors

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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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