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Union Bordeaux Begles vs Cell C Sharks Match Preview

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The Cell C Sharks will face one of their sternest challenges in recent rugby history when they take on Bordeaux Bègles in tonight’s Heineken Champions Cup clash in France.

Adapting from a 30 or more degree turnaround in weather conditions is one challenge, so to playing a French team at their home ground, and against a passionate and hostile home crowd to add to the hype.

Cell C Sharks Director of Rugby Neil Powell pointed out that it’s been a challenging week, but an exciting opportunity for his team to grown and build momentum in this prestigious competition.

“We spent 27 hours travelling to Bordeaux, we also have a short week and we have the weather difference, so it’s not the easiest of weeks,” he explained in the build-up to the game.

“But we can only control what’s in our hands so it’s about how we emotionally and mentally approach this game. We know we’re here to do a job and everyone is focussed and committed to doing that job tonight.

“Our preparations have gone well and although we know it’s going to be cold when we play, if we keep talking about how difficult that’s going to be, then we have to just embrace the conditions and face whatever comes our way.”

While no coach wants to harp on about difficulties and challenges, and let that take the focus off the job at hand, Powell explained that every week is a new challenge, given weather conditions or the opposition.

“We analysed the opposition and look at the weather forecast and from there work out a game plan based on that and on how we want to play against a specific team in a specific environment. It’s important that we adapt from week to week and we’ve done that this week.

“It’s not about changing the whole game plan but small adaptations for things we want to do differently against Bordeaux.”

The conditions and travel challenges aside, there has been the loss of one player but the return of a couple which has been a real boost for the side.

“We’ve had a look at Bordeaux’s game against Gloucester last weekend and it’s important that we scrum well against them because it’s an area we feel we can target” Powell explained. “It’s a pity we don’t have Ox available, he contributes a lot to the game, but we have hope and belief in what Nthuthuko Mchunu is capable of and it’s a great opportunity for him.

“In terms of Lukhanyo Am’s return, he’s been injured for quite some time and it’s important that we get him back on the field and give him a fair bit of time off the bench.

“Will he shoot the lights out? He’s a quality player, we all know what a talent he is and he’s an x-factor player who can create opportunities from nothing. He might show a bit of rustiness but we’re keen to see him back and see what kind of form he’s in. It’s good to have him and his experience back and hopefully he’ll enjoy his 20 minutes or so on the field.”

A novel experience awaits many of the players, not all of them have played in France or in front of a French home crowd that really gets behind their team.

“That could pose a challenge, but we will rely on players who have played in France before as well as our international players who played here so recently, and in similar conditions.

“This is my first experience in front of a French crowd as a coach in 15s, but I’ve spoken to the coaches in our system who have been in this situation before, I’ve chatted to [Springbok coach] Jacques Nienaber as well, so we’ll rely on their experiences to navigate the team and the system through this challenge.”

Content & Images from – Cell C Sharks Rugby


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Ulster ready to take on Vodacom Bulls in Pretoria

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Ulster ready to take on Vodacom Bulls in Pretoria

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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


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Gavin Coombes Set For 100th Munster Appearance

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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.

                

Images & Content from Munster Rugby


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Cardiff make two changes for Welsh derby clash

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Content & Images from – Cardiff Rugby


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