Connect with us

URC

Ulster name team to face Sale Sharks

Published

on

Ulster men back in European action against Sale Sharks

8 minutes ago

News

Dan McFarland’s men will kick-off this season’s Heineken Champions Cup campaign when they travel to Salford to face Sale Sharks at AJ Bell Stadium on Sunday afternoon (KO 1pm).

After an unbeaten pool stage campaign last year, which saw home and away victories over Northampton Saints and ASM Clermont Auvergne, Ulster will be aiming to get the 2022/23 pool stages off to a winning start.

With Sunday’s opposition currently sat second in the Gallagher Premiership, the road to the knockout stages is set to be a challenging one, with a home fixture at Kingspan Stadium against reigning champions La Rochelle due to follow next Saturday 17 December. Tickets for the La Rochelle game are still available at ulster.rugby/buytickets.

Ulster’s Defence Coach, and 1999 European Cup winner, Jonny Bell, is in no doubt about the battle that lies ahead for the squad in Round 1:

“Sale are a different animal. They are a big, physical, and aggressive side that are playing very well in the Premiership. It’ll be a huge test for us, but we’re looking forward to it.”

Marty Moore to make 50th European appearance

If called upon from the bench, Marty Moore is set to earn his 50th cap in European rugby after a decade of appearances. He’ll provide the cover for Tom O’Toole who is named as the starting tighthead prop.

Joining O’Toole in the front row are Ulster born and bred loosehead prop, Andy Warwick, and Ireland international hooker, Rob Herring, who put in a try-scoring performance off the bench last week against Leinster.

Alan O’Connor assumes the role of captain, and lines out in the second row alongside Ireland international, Kieran Treadwell, who enjoyed success over the summer as part of the Test-winning tour of New Zealand.

World Cup-winning Springbok, Duane Vermeulen, is named at Number 8, with Matty Rea at blindside flanker and another of Ulster’s Ireland internationals, Nick Timoney, completing the back row.

Mike Lowry, who made more metres with ball in hand than any other player in the Champions Cup last year with a total of 662m, is named at full back. Ethan McIlroy, who racked up the metres himself last week in the BKT United Rugby Championship to score a try, gets the call up for the back three, together with Jacob Stockdale.

Stuart McCloskey and James Hume get the nod in midfield, as Billy Burns, one of the few Ulster players to have already played at Sale Sharks’ home ground, is named at fly half. Nathan Doak steps up as scrum half to complete the starting line-up.

The forward cover alongside Moore on the bench is Tom Stewart, Eric O’Sullivan, Sam Carter and Marcus Rea. Dave Shanahan, Stewart Moore, and Ben Moxham will be hoping to get the call in the backline.

Ulster team to play Sale Sharks, Heineken Champions Cup Round 1, Sunday 11 December at AJ Bell Stadium (KO 1pm), live on BT Sport.

(15-9): Mike Lowry, Ethan McIlroy, James Hume, Stuart McCloskey, Jacob Stockdale, Billy Burns, Nathan Doak;

(1-8): Andy Warwick, Rob Herring, Tom O’Toole, Alan O’Connor (Captain), Kieran Treadwell, Matty Rea, Nick Timoney, Duane Vermeulen.

Replacements: Tom Stewart, Eric O’Sullivan, Marty Moore, Sam Carter, Marcus Rea, Dave Shanahan, Stewart Moore, Ben Moxham.

Images & Content – Ulster Rugby


URC

Squad Update | Munster Prepare For Cardiff At Thomond

Published

on

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


Continue Reading

URC

Squad Update | Preparations Continue For Ospreys

Published

on

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


Continue Reading

URC

British & Irish Lion to join Glasgow Warriors

Published

on

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.”

Spread the word

Newsletter Sign-up

Sign up to our newsletter today to receive the latest updates, content and releases from Glasgow Warriors.

Sign-up

Content & Images from – Glasgow Rugby


Continue Reading
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

Trending