URC
Vodacom Bulls welcome back Jake White
Blue Bulls Company (BBCo.) Director of Rugby, Jake White has made his much-anticipated return to Loftus Versfeld having fully recovered from surgery that saw him sidelined for four weeks.
White is reunited with his troops who too return from a deserved two-week break. The Vodacom Bulls unit assemble at Loftus on Thursday morning (09 February 2023) preparing for a mouth-watering run towards the end of the season.
BBCo. Chief Executive Officer, Edgar Rathbone said having Jake back was a good morale boost for everyone at Loftus.
“It is great to have Jake return. We are happy to not only see him back where he belongs but to have him with us means that he is back at full health and that is comforting knowing the tough period he went through. His influence on everyone at Loftus is immeasurable and knowing that he is back, certainly does give all of us an extra kick in our step,”
“I know he is raring to go after what has probably felt a long time away from what he loves doing. We are incredibly lucky to have his calibre of coach a part of the Vodacom Bulls family and know that there is more great things ahead for us all, with him here. Welcome back, Jake!” Rathbone concluded.
An ecstatic Jake said it is a privilege to be back doing what he loves and being around people who mean so much to him.
“It is good to be back, after what has felt like an eternity away from the game,”
“In my time away I was reminded of how extremely fortunate I am to be coaching rugby, in a country like ours where this sport means so much to the people who follow it. I was also reminded of my privilege to coach rugby at Loftus, a well-known club around the world.”
The Vodacom Bulls mentor already has his sights set on the journey ahead for him and his troops, remarking that there is work to be done.
“I know there is more to life than the sport but I return knowing that we have a lot of work to do and I cannot wait to get going because I have missed this. Perspective on life may have been re-highlighted but I return as that passionate and driven coach, hungry for results,”
“It is good to be around the environment again and it will be good to stand in the middle of the field next weekend, with our incredible supporters in the stands. Time to get to work!” he concluded.
White will assemble his herd as they ready to return to Vodacom United Rugby Championship action as well as their round of 16 trip in the Heineken Champions Cup also on the horizon. The side’s first assignment will be against the DHL Stormers at Loftus on Saturday 18 February.
VODACOM BULLS UPCOMING FIXTURES:
VODACOM UNITED RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP
Saturday 18 February – Vodacom Bulls vs DHL Stormers | Loftus Versfeld Stadium – kickoff: 17h05pm
Saturday 4 March – Vodacom Bulls vs Emirates Lions
Saturday 25 March – Ulster Rugby vs Vodacom Bulls
Saturday 15 April – Vodacom Bulls vs Zebre Parma
Saturday 22 April – Vodacom Bulls vs Leinster Rugby
HEINEKEN CHAMPIONS CUP:
Sunday 02 April – Stade Toulousain vs Vodacom Bulls
Match and Parking tickets to all matches at Loftus Versfeld can be purchased through the Vodacom Bulls App and TicketPro
Content & Images from – Vodacom Bulls Rugby
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
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
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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