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Ulster confirm return of former coach

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(Photo by Warren Little/Getty Images)

European Cup winner, and former Ulster Assistant Coach, Jonny Bell, will be making a welcome return to the province on a 3-year deal to take over from outgoing Jared Payne as Ulster’s Defence Coach. Skills Coach, Craig Newby, has also signed a contract extension to remain at Ulster until 2024.

Ulster and Ireland centre, Bell, previously coached at Ulster as Elite Player Development Officer before becoming Assistant Coach from 2011-2015. He then made the move to Gloucester, and spent five years as their Defence Coach before taking over as Attack Coach at Glasgow Warriors for the 2020-21 season.

Bell will return to Kingspan Stadium this summer from Premiership side, Worcester Warriors, where he is currently Defence Coach.

Meanwhile, former All Black, Craig Newby, joined Ulster last summer on a one-year deal as Skills Coach from his role as Director of Rugby at St. John’s School in Leatherhead. Newby also held roles as England U20 Women’s Forwards Coach and was involved in the coaching setup for both Wasps U18s and Harlequins U16s. He has signed on with the province for a further two years.

Head Coach, Dan McFarland, said:

“Jonny’s homecoming to the province is an exciting prospect. Defence has been at the forefront of his game, both as a player and as a coach, and he has a wealth of coaching experience that will be hugely valuable to us.

“I know he will fit in well with our strong group of coaches, and we look forward to welcoming him back into the fold.

“It is also great that Craig has bought into what we are building on as a club, and has agreed to extend his time with us.

“He has integrated seamlessly into our coaching team, and has already done an impressive job of further developing the skills of our Senior and Academy players.“

On his new appointment, Jonny Bell, said:

“I’m really excited to be going back to Ulster Rugby where it began for me all those years ago.

“Ulster are a top-class team, extremely well-coached, and with an exciting crop of young and experienced players.

“They are competing consistently at the business end of domestic and European competitions.

“I am thrilled to be working with Dan McFarland and his coaching team and look forward to adding my knowledge and experience to an already driven and dynamic group.

On his contract extension, Craig Newby, added:

“My time at Ulster has been nothing but fantastic, and when Dan and the club offered me an opportunity to stay on and continue to do what I love, it was a no-brainer to say yes.

“I’ve enjoyed the challenge from Day 1 and I’ve learnt an extraordinary amount about my coaching from the players, the coaches, and the games. I look forward to spending more time adding as much value as I can to keep pushing towards our ultimate goals.

“I’d also love to mention the wonderful city of Belfast, the surrounding countryside, and people of Ulster for making me feel like I’m at home in New Zealand.”


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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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Ulster sign South-African winger

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Werner Kok to sign with Ulster

58 minutes ago

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The powerful South African Sharks winger and former World Rugby Sevens Player of the Year will join the province on a two-year deal in the summer.

A destructive and dynamic winger, who is known for his work-rate, Kok’s all- action play has earned him the nickname ‘Tarzan’, with a nod to his athleticism and flowing locks.

The 31-year-old is a former Blitzbok champion and has been a stalwart for his nation in the Sevens game, with honours including a 2014 Commonwealth Games Gold and a bronze medallist at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio.

Those skills and fitness in the Sevens have transferred to success in the 15s game, with Kok showing impressive try-scoring form for the Sharks since joining in 2020, following stints at Western Province and French Top 14 giants, Toulouse.

Kok has also shown his ball-carrying and tackling ability in the centre position for the Sharks, making him an exciting option for Ulster’s backfield.

Bryn Cunningham, Head of Rugby Operations and Recruitment added:

“Werner will add something different to our group with his vast experience across the Sevens game and 15s, where he has showcased his own exciting brand of rugby.

I think he will fit in well with the talented backs in the squad, as we look to develop our options in the backfield.

Werner’s competitiveness and tenacity in both an attacking sense and defensively, will fit right in with the energy we want this team to play with.”

https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/715f76f7-b5d3-458f-80dd-16612fd64ffc.jpg?crop=3135%3A1764%3Anowe%3A0%3A205

Kok added:

“I am looking forward to starting a new adventure in my career with Ulster Rugby and can’t wait to become an Ulster man!

I want to thank Ulster and the team for this incredible opportunity. I hope to make you proud on and off the field.

Moving from South Africa will be a big change for me and my wife but it’s a challenge that we are very excited for. See you soon Belfast!”

Images & Content – Ulster Rugby


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Munster To Play All Blacks XV

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Munster Rugby are pleased to confirm that the province will take on the All Blacks XV on Saturday November 2nd at Thomond Park (5.30pm).

Since the redevelopment of Thomond Park in 2008, Munster Rugby have hosted international opposition in the form of the All Blacks, Australia and the Māori All Blacks at the Limerick venue.

More recently Munster Rugby have hosted sold-out clashes against South Africa A and the Crusaders in Cork’s SuperValu Páirc Ui Chaoimh in November 2022 and February 2024.

Commenting on today’s announcement Munster Rugby CEO Ian Flanagan said: “We will be delighted to welcome the All Blacks XV to Thomond Park in November as part of their Northern Hemisphere tour.

“We have a long and rich history of hosting international sides and I’m sure November’s match will add another exciting chapter to this tradition.”

Tickets

Priority groups including MRSC, 10-year, 5-year and club season ticket holders can purchase their current ticket through their MRSC Account or Munster Rugby Account Manager ahead of the general sale.

MRSC, 10-year, 5-year and associate members will also receive a presale link to purchase a maximum of four tickets per person.

The general sale will be open on Wednesday March 20th, subject to availability. Please see details below.

Season Ticket Holders | 10am Tuesday March 12th – 5pm Friday March 15th 

MRSC, 10-years, 5-years and club season ticket holders can purchase their current ticket through their MRSC Account or Munster Rugby Account Manager.

Presale | 10am Tuesday March 12th – 5pm Monday March 18th

MRSC members, 10-years, 5-years and associate MRSC members will receive a link with a max purchase of four tickets per person.

General Sale | From 10am Wednesday March 20th 

Any remaining tickets will be on general sale via Ticketmaster.

Pricing

Category  Adult Price Junior Price
Cat A €50 €25
Cat B €40 €20
Cat C €35 €17.50
Cat D/G (East & West Terrace) €30 €15
Cat E/F (North & South Terrace) €25 €12.50
*Family: 2+2 Cat C €70
*Family: 2+2 Cat D/G €60
*Family: 2+2 Cat E/F €50

*Family – 2 Adults & 2 Juniors

Please direct wheelchair accessible ticket requests to [email protected]

Hospitality

Please direct all hospitality queries to [email protected]

Ezine Reminder

Sign up to our mailing list here to receive the ticket link and details ahead of the general sale on Wednesday 20th March.

For all ticketing queries, please email [email protected]

Images & Content from Munster Rugby


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