Connect with us

URC

Wales Women announce first full time contracts

Published

on

Rugby Ball - Gilbert - PixaBay

 The first full-time Wales Women players have been contracted by the Welsh Rugby Union including five Ospreys Women.

The 12-month contracts came into force this week with players and management based at the National Centre of Excellence.

The Ospreys in the mix include Wales Captain Siwan Lillicrap, hooker Carys Phillips, second-row Natalia John, scrum-half Keira Bevan and outside half Elinor Snowsill.

Group Chief Executive Steve Phillips said, “This is a very proud day for us as a governing body. I am very pleased to be able to say we have our first full-time female players who will represent Wales on the international stage. This is set to be a very demanding but unforgettable year for women’s rugby and these players – along with the players on retainer contracts and other squad members – will benefit from the full range of our expert on and off-field support to help them reach their potential. This is the start of an exciting journey for women and girls in Wales.

WRU Performance Director Nigel Walker said, “The historic awarding of 12 full-time contracts will enable all these players to be full-time professionals and have regular, weekly contact with head coach Ioan Cunningham, the rest of the coaches and our expert science and medical team. All of this will make a significant difference to the players’ preparation, fitness and skill sets in order to enable us to challenge the best teams in the world.

“We were so pleased with the quality of the players’ autumn performances that an increase to 12 full-time contracts was agreed, and the coaching team felt that working with 12 players who form the spine of the team would make a big impact. These players will be joined by 15 players on retainer contracts in the coming weeks.”

Wales Women head coach Ioan Cunningham said, “It’s been a tough but enjoyable process. Credit to all the players who have given us selection headaches. We are all now super excited to get the programme started.

“Talent and ability was the first element in our selection process and then the potential growth of the individual player along with their attitude.

“The conversations offering contracts were nice ones to have if often quite emotional. Some of the players had logistic issues to work through from a personal and professional perspective but it’s great to have them at the National Centre of Excellence now as we start to put the foundations in place for improvement. We have developed close working relationships with the players’ Allianz Premier 15s clubs and I’m confident our programme will prove beneficial for all parties.

On player selection: “We had to be fairly clinical and even ruthless. We clearly have short and medium term goals in terms of the Six Nations and the Rugby World Cup but we also have an eye on developing the best players for the future of Welsh rugby. Overall, we have gone for the players we feel could make the biggest gains at this time, not forgetting the contribution the players who receive retainer contracts will also make to the programme.

“Props Gwenllian Pyrs and Donna Rose are both dynamic ball-carriers, Carys Phillips is an exceptional talent as a throwing hooker, Natalia John has a huge workrate and was one of our stand-out performers of the autumn. All these front five players have huge potential and getting them into a full-time, professional programme will make a huge difference from a strength and conditioning perspective, along with the technical side of their game.

“In the back row, Siwan Lillicrap and Alisha Butchers are both excellent rugby players and great leaders on the pitch. Alisha has a fantastic skill-set, Siwan is our captain and has an amazing understanding of the game. Both deserve this opportunity to improve further physically and technically.

“We wanted to include two full-time scrum halves in the group and we feel Keira Bevan and Ffion Lewis will complement and challenge each other within the environment. Keira is very sharp, Ffion identifies running opportunities and we want to develop them both to be two of the best scrum halves in the world.

“Elinor Snowsill is an experienced player, understands the game brilliantly, and being part of a full-time environment will help her make a bigger impact in the game physically and provide the opportunity to hone key skills at outside half.

“Hannah Jones loves the physical side of rugby and leads defensively from the centre, Lisa Neumann is a powerful, attacking runner and Jaz’s talents are clearly already world-class with one of the best strike rates in world rugby, but having these players in full-time will give them a chance to develop all aspects of their game and become even better athletes and rugby players.”

The first full-time players:
Forwards:
Alisha Butchers, Natalia John, Siwan Lillicrap, Carys Phillips, Gwenllian Pyrs, Donna Rose,
Backs:
Keira Bevan, Hannah Jones, Jasmine Joyce, Ffion Lewis, Lisa Neumann, Elinor Snowsill 

Source – Ospreys Rugby


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

URC

Ulster sign South-African winger

Published

on

Werner Kok to sign with Ulster

58 minutes ago

News

The powerful South African Sharks winger and former World Rugby Sevens Player of the Year will join the province on a two-year deal in the summer.

A destructive and dynamic winger, who is known for his work-rate, Kok’s all- action play has earned him the nickname ‘Tarzan’, with a nod to his athleticism and flowing locks.

The 31-year-old is a former Blitzbok champion and has been a stalwart for his nation in the Sevens game, with honours including a 2014 Commonwealth Games Gold and a bronze medallist at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio.

Those skills and fitness in the Sevens have transferred to success in the 15s game, with Kok showing impressive try-scoring form for the Sharks since joining in 2020, following stints at Western Province and French Top 14 giants, Toulouse.

Kok has also shown his ball-carrying and tackling ability in the centre position for the Sharks, making him an exciting option for Ulster’s backfield.

Bryn Cunningham, Head of Rugby Operations and Recruitment added:

“Werner will add something different to our group with his vast experience across the Sevens game and 15s, where he has showcased his own exciting brand of rugby.

I think he will fit in well with the talented backs in the squad, as we look to develop our options in the backfield.

Werner’s competitiveness and tenacity in both an attacking sense and defensively, will fit right in with the energy we want this team to play with.”

https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/715f76f7-b5d3-458f-80dd-16612fd64ffc.jpg?crop=3135%3A1764%3Anowe%3A0%3A205

Kok added:

“I am looking forward to starting a new adventure in my career with Ulster Rugby and can’t wait to become an Ulster man!

I want to thank Ulster and the team for this incredible opportunity. I hope to make you proud on and off the field.

Moving from South Africa will be a big change for me and my wife but it’s a challenge that we are very excited for. See you soon Belfast!”

Images & Content – Ulster Rugby


Continue Reading

URC

Munster To Play All Blacks XV

Published

on

Munster Rugby are pleased to confirm that the province will take on the All Blacks XV on Saturday November 2nd at Thomond Park (5.30pm).

Since the redevelopment of Thomond Park in 2008, Munster Rugby have hosted international opposition in the form of the All Blacks, Australia and the Māori All Blacks at the Limerick venue.

More recently Munster Rugby have hosted sold-out clashes against South Africa A and the Crusaders in Cork’s SuperValu Páirc Ui Chaoimh in November 2022 and February 2024.

Commenting on today’s announcement Munster Rugby CEO Ian Flanagan said: “We will be delighted to welcome the All Blacks XV to Thomond Park in November as part of their Northern Hemisphere tour.

“We have a long and rich history of hosting international sides and I’m sure November’s match will add another exciting chapter to this tradition.”

Tickets

Priority groups including MRSC, 10-year, 5-year and club season ticket holders can purchase their current ticket through their MRSC Account or Munster Rugby Account Manager ahead of the general sale.

MRSC, 10-year, 5-year and associate members will also receive a presale link to purchase a maximum of four tickets per person.

The general sale will be open on Wednesday March 20th, subject to availability. Please see details below.

Season Ticket Holders | 10am Tuesday March 12th – 5pm Friday March 15th 

MRSC, 10-years, 5-years and club season ticket holders can purchase their current ticket through their MRSC Account or Munster Rugby Account Manager.

Presale | 10am Tuesday March 12th – 5pm Monday March 18th

MRSC members, 10-years, 5-years and associate MRSC members will receive a link with a max purchase of four tickets per person.

General Sale | From 10am Wednesday March 20th 

Any remaining tickets will be on general sale via Ticketmaster.

Pricing

Category  Adult Price Junior Price
Cat A €50 €25
Cat B €40 €20
Cat C €35 €17.50
Cat D/G (East & West Terrace) €30 €15
Cat E/F (North & South Terrace) €25 €12.50
*Family: 2+2 Cat C €70
*Family: 2+2 Cat D/G €60
*Family: 2+2 Cat E/F €50

*Family – 2 Adults & 2 Juniors

Please direct wheelchair accessible ticket requests to [email protected]

Hospitality

Please direct all hospitality queries to [email protected]

Ezine Reminder

Sign up to our mailing list here to receive the ticket link and details ahead of the general sale on Wednesday 20th March.

For all ticketing queries, please email [email protected]

Images & Content from Munster Rugby


Continue Reading
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

Trending