URC

Ulster men back in action against Glasgow Warriors

Published

2 years ago

February 16, 2023

Huge Rugby

Ulster men back in action against Glasgow Warriors

2 minutes ago

Fixture News

Dan McFarland’s side will make the trip over to Scotstoun Stadium in a bid to secure an important win on the road in Round 14 of the BKT United Rugby Championship this Friday (KO 7 35pm).

After a break for the opening rounds of the Guinness Six Nations, Ulster will re-start their URC campaign this weekend against fifth-placed Glasgow Warriors, who are currently enjoying a successful run of games in both domestic and European competitions.

A result for the province on Friday, to follow-up an important 35-5 bonus point victory at Kingspan Stadium in Round 13 against the DHL Stormers, could see Ulster move closer to table-topping Leinster ahead of their upcoming re-arranged fixture in Durban versus Cell C Sharks next week.

Head Coach, Dan McFarland, knows his side will face a real challenge against Franco Smith’s troops:

“Glasgow are nine games unbeaten now. They play a very exciting brand of rugby and are extremely dangerous. We saw they have a bit of steel about them when they played Edinburgh back-to-back over Christmas.

“They’ll definitely come into this game as favourites off the back of the run of wins they’ve had, and the position they are in the league. I see it that it’s all up for grabs.”

Eric O’Sullivan hits 100 caps milestone

Loosehead prop, Eric O’Sullivan, will earn his 100th cap for the province this Friday in Glasgow. He will be joined in the front row by hooker, Tom Stewart, who returns from involvement with Andy Farrell’s Ireland squad, and Jeff Toomaga-Allen, who was crowned Player of the Match last time out.

The side will be skippered by lock, Alan O’Connor, who is joined in the second row by Irish international, Kieran Treadwell.

Ulster Rugby Academy player, Harry Sheridan, who made his Ulster debut against European champions Stade Rochelais last month, joins versatile back-rower Jordi Murphy, and Nick Timoney, who was one of the try-scorers in Ulster’s 35-29 win at Kingspan Stadium the last time the two sides faced each other.

Nathan Doak also made his presence known on the score sheet that night in Belfast, with the 21-year-old named at scrum-half this weekend, as he is paired with Billy Burns at fly-half, while the duo of Stewart Moore and James Hume is retained in the Ulster midfield.

Jacob Stockdale, following his recent involvement with Ireland, forms the back three with Ben Moxham, who scored his first try for Ulster in the province’s most recent win, together with full back Ethan McIlroy.

Replacement cover for the forwards comes from John Andrew, Rory Sutherland, who returns from international duty with Scotland, Andy Warwick, Cormac Izuchukwu, and Greg Jones. John Cooney, Luke Marshall and Craig Gilroy provide the backline cover.

Ulster team to play Glasgow Warriors, BKT United Rugby Championship Round 14, Friday 17 February at Scotstoun Stadium (KO 7 35pm), live on ViaPlay and URC.tv.

(15-9): Ethan McIlroy, Ben Moxham, James Hume, Stewart Moore, Jacob Stockdale, Billy Burns, Nathan Doak.

(1-8): Eric O’Sullivan, Tom Stewart, Jeff Toomaga-Allen, Alan O’Connor (Captain), Kieran Treadwell, Harry Sheridan, Jordi Murphy, Nick Timoney.

Replacements: John Andrew, Rory Sutherland, Andy Warwick, Cormac Izuchukwu, Greg Jones, John Cooney, Luke Marshall, Craig Gilroy.

Images & Content – Ulster Rugby

Related Topics:6 Nations Cell C Sharks Edinburgh Featured Glasgow Warriors Ireland Leinster Rugby Scotland Stormers Ulster Ulster RSS

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URC

Squad Update | Munster Prepare For Leinster At Croke Park

Published

3 days ago

October 8, 2024

Huge Rugby

The Munster squad started preparations on Monday ahead of Saturday’s URC round four clash against Leinster at Croke Park (5.45pm).

In player news, Seán O’Brien returns from the Emerging Ireland tour to South Africa ahead of Saturday’s game.

Following Munster’s win over Ospreys on Saturday, Oli Jager (neck) and Peter O’Mahony (hamstring) are both going for scans and are unavailable this weekend.

Mike Haley has a leg contusion and his availability will be determined later in the week.

There is good news for Tom Ahern (ankle) and Alex Nankivell (shoulder) as they are both returning to training this week. Their respective availability for Croke Park will be determined later in the week.

Ruadhán Quinn is following the return to play protocols and his availability will be determined later in the week.

Billy Burns is increasing his training exposure this week and the out-half’s availability will be determined later in the week.

Shane Daly is unlikely to be available this week as he continues to recover from an elbow injury.

Thaakir Abrahams sustained a low-grade thigh injury against Zebre and is unavailable this week.

Long-term absentees Rory Scannell (ankle) and Paddy Patterson (knee) are making good progress and will increase their training exposure this week.

Patrick Campbell will have surgery on a shoulder injury he sustained in AIL action last month.

Josh Wycherley will visit a specialist this week for a neck injury.

Continuing to rehab: Liam Coombes (leg), Diarmuid Kilgallen (leg), Brian Gleeson (shoulder), Cian Hurley (knee), Edwin Edogbo (achilles), Roman Salanoa (knee).

Tickets

Saturday, November 2

Munster v All Blacks XV, Thomond Park, 5.30pm; SOLD OUT

URC Round 7: Saturday, November 30

Munster v Emirates Lions, Thomond Park, 7.35pm; Buy tickets here

Champions Cup Round 1: Saturday, December 7

Munster v Stade Francais, Thomond Park, 5:30pm; Buy tickets here

Champions Cup Round 3: Saturday, January 11

Munster v Saracens, Thomond Park, 5.30pm; Buy tickets here

URC Round 9: Friday, December 27

Munster v Leinster, Thomond Park, 7.35pm; Buy tickets here

URC Round 11: Saturday, February 15

Munster v Scarlets, Thomond Park, 5.15pm; Buy tickets here

URC Round 12: Friday, February 28

Munster v Edinburgh, Virgin Media Park, 7.35pm; Buy tickets here

URC Round 15: Saturday, April 19

Munster v Bulls, Thomond Park, 5.15pm; Buy tickets here

URC Round 17: Friday, May 9

Munster v Ulster, Thomond Park, 7.35pm; Buy tickets here

URC Round 18: Friday, May 16

Munster v Benetton, Virgin Media Park, 8pm; Buy tickets here

Images & Content from Munster Rugby

URC

Ulster ready to take on Vodacom Bulls in Pretoria

Published

1 week 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

2 weeks 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.