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Van der Merwe to start against Benetton Rugby

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Van der Merwe – who scored 32 tries in 67 appearances for Edinburgh before moving to Worcester in 2021 – will run out at DAM Health Stadium for the very first time, after re-joining the club this week, in a line-up that includes seven changes to the side that faced Emirates Lions in Round 4.

Van der Merwe’s inclusion on the wing sees Argentine international Emiliano Boffelli move to full-back, with current URC top-try scorer Darcy Graham continuing on the opposite wing. Scotland cap Mark Bennett returns from injury to start at outside centre.

A revamped front-row combination sees hooker Dave Cherry – who takes the place of the injured Stuart McInally – pack down alongside props Pierre Schoeman (loosehead) and WP Nel (tighthead).

Scotland lock Sam Skinner returns to the second-row to partner club co-captain Grant Gilchrist.

With Hamish Watson missing out through injury, Scotland internationalist Nick Haining (blindside flanker) comes into the back-row, as Luke Crosbie shifts to the openside. Fijian number 8 Viliame Mata once again anchors the pack.

James Lang (inside centre) continues in midfield alongside Bennett as Blair Kinghorn (stand-off) and Henry Pyrgos (scrum-half) form an unchanged half-back pairing.

Ahead of the fixture, Head Coach Mike Blair, said: “We were obviously disappointed with last weekend’s result but, after further review, there were a lot many positives to take into this week’s training and the squad have reacted brilliantly.

“We’ve had a really strong week of training and the guys have been switched on and fully focussed, ready take the field again this Saturday night where’ll face a Benetton side full of confidence.

“We’re delighted to name Duhan [van der Merwe] in the starting line-up and he’ll no doubt get an excellent reception from our supporters who’ll be excited to see him back in Edinburgh colours.

“The squad are eager to get back to winning ways and the crowd at DAM Health Stadium will have a huge part to play in driving us forward for the full 80 minutes.”

 

Edinburgh Rugby team to face Benetton Rugby at DAM Health Stadium in the BKT United Rugby Championship
Saturday 15 October (kick-off 5.15pm) – live on Premier Sports

15. Emiliano Boffelli (19)

14. Darcy Graham (54)
13. Mark Bennett (74)
12. James Lang (23)
11. Duhan van der Merwe (67)

10. Blair Kinghorn (122)
9. Henry Pyrgos (74)

1. Pierre Schoeman (87)
2. David Cherry (61)
3. WP Nel (175)
4. Sam Skinner (3)
5. Grant Gilchrist (178) CAPTAIN
6. Nick Haining (27)
7. Luke Crosbie (72)
8. Viliame Mata (98)

Replacements

16. Adam McBurney (14)
17. Boan Venter (29)
18. Luan de Bruin (11)
19. Jamie Hodgson (41)
20. Ben Muncaster (18)
21. Charlie Shiel (45)
22. Charlie Savala (15)
23. Chris Dean (124)

Unavailable: Stuart McInally, Jamie Ritchie, Ben Vellacott, Hamish Watson

 

Content & Images from – Edinburgh Rugby


URC

Squad Update | Preparations Continue For Glasgow At Thomond

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The Munster squad continued their training schedule at the HPC on Monday morning as preparations continue for Saturday evening’s vital URC clash against Glasgow Warriors at Thomond Park (5.15pm).

It is our final home game of the URC regular season with tickets available here.

See the state of play in the URC ahead of round 16 here.

On the senior international front, Peter O’Mahony and Conor Murray helped Ireland to a Grand Slam-clinching victory over England in Dublin on Saturday.

Tadhg Beirne, Craig Casey, Jack Crowley and Dave Kilcoyne also featured during the successful campaign. Joey Carbery, Gavin Coombes, Keith Earls and Roman Salanoa were part of the squad at different stages over the past two months.

Ben Healy made his Scotland debut as a replacement on Saturday, steering the team to victory over Italy at Murrayfield.

Academy player Ruadhán Quinn (Old Crescent) and fellow Munster men Brian Gleeson (Garryowen) and Danny Sheahan (UCC) helped the Ireland U20s to their second Grand Slam in-a-row with a victory over England at Musgrave Park on Sunday. Gleeson picked up his second Player of the Match award of the campaign after another excellent display.

Academy man Evan O’Connell (UL Bohemian) and Jacob Sheahan (UCC) also featured over the campaign with Academy player Jack Oliver (Garryowen) and Conall Henchy (DUFC) part of the squad.

Craig Casey, Gavin Coombes, Jack Crowley, Dave Kilcoyne, Roman Salanoa and Ben Healy have returned to training at the HPC ahead of Munster v Glasgow.

Peter O’Mahony and Conor Murray are on a down week after both playing in all five games of Ireland’s 6 Nations campaign and will return to the HPC next week.

There is good news on the injury front for Tom Ahern (shoulder) and Mike Haley (ankle) as they both return to full team training this week.

On the Academy front, there is a similarly positive injury update for Edwin Edogbo (ankle) as he also returns to full team training.

Continuing to rehab: Niall Scannell (shoulder), Liam Coombes (thigh), Jeremy Loughman (thigh), Keith Earls (calf), Tadhg Beirne (ankle), Liam O’Connor (neck), Chris Moore (neck), Eoin O’Connor (shoulder), Paddy Kelly (head), Jack Daly (knee), Andrew Conway (knee).

Tickets

URC Round 16 – Saturday, March 25

Munster Rugby v Glasgow Warriors, Thomond Park, 5.15pm; Buy tickets here

Images & Content from Munster Rugby


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URC

Munster Rugby Unveil Plans For Limerick Centre of Excellence

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Munster Rugby have submitted a planning application to Limerick City and County Council for the development of a new sports facility in Rosbrien, Limerick.

The proposed new facility would be built primarily for Munster’s underage and development sides, and the surrounding community with local clubs, schools and community groups set to benefit.

Incorporated into the plan is an indoor full-size pitch; a state-of-the-art artificial full-size pitch and grass training pitch, both of which will be floodlit; a gym; clubhouse and administration building. The proposal also makes provision for an amenity walkway, greenspace, secure bicycle parking and limited parking.

This development is hailed as a major expansion of the sports facilities available to the grassroots game and the sporting community across the province, and it will be available for use to a wide range of clubs, schools, and organisations in the region and beyond.

The province, with a base for the elite game at the High Performance Centre in the University of Limerick, is already progressing with a Centre of Excellence in Musgrave Park with work to commence later this year, and last year partnered with Fethard Town Park in establishing a Regional Centre of Excellence.

Commenting on the exciting plans, Munster Rugby CEO Ian Flanagan said, “We are always looking to develop our infrastructure across the province in ensuring we can develop and resource our grassroots game leading to further participation in sport.

“This is an ongoing strategic objective of ours and we believe a facility such as this, in the heartland of Limerick, will hugely benefit the local clubs and schools and ensure young people have access to world class facilities.

“The plans we are submitting will not only benefit rugby, but this development will also improve the sporting and recreational facilities available to the surrounding community and we are hopeful of a positive planning outcome.”

Images & Content from Munster Rugby


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URC

Squad Update | Preparations Begin For Glasgow At Thomond

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The Munster team have started preparations for our URC round 16 clash against Glasgow Warriors on Saturday, March 25, at Thomond Park (5.15pm).

You can purchase a Family Pack of four tickets for €40 with adult tickets from €20 available here.

Fourth-placed Glasgow are two points and one place ahead of Munster in the URC table.

See the state of play in the race for the URC play-offs here.

There were four Munster players in action for Ireland and the Ireland U20s in Scotland at the weekend with both sides aiming to win a Grand Slam on home soil next weekend.

Peter O’Mahony and Conor Murray started for the Ireland senior men as they won at Murrayfield to make it four wins from four ahead of Ireland v England in Dublin next Saturday (5pm).

Player of the Match Ruadhán Quinn and Evan O’Connell were the Munster Academy members in action for the Ireland U20s along with fellow Munster men Brian Gleeson and Danny Sheahan. Quinn scored a hat-trick of tries and Sheahan also touched down.

Their Grand Slam decider against England at Musgrave Park takes place on Sunday at 5pm with the game selling out weeks in advance.

In player news, it was confirmed last week that Malakai Fekitoa will join Benetton at the end of the season on completion of his Munster contract.

French club Oyonnax have announced the signing of Chris Farrell after the centre departed the province earlier this month.

Final Home Game Of Regular Season

Saturday, March 25

URC Round 16: Munster v Glasgow Warriors, Thomond Park, 5.15pm; Buy tickets from €20 here

Images & Content from Munster Rugby


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