URC
Young expects a formidable Welsh derby showdown
Dai Young has warned Cardiff to expect a fired up and confident Scarlets at Saturday’s BKT United Rugby Championship derby.
The Scarlets arrive at Cardiff Arms Park on the back of three victories in their last four fixtures, having endured a difficult start to the season.
They triumphed over the Dragons last week, despite spending the majority of the game down to 14, and cruised to victory during their last visit to the capital.
With the Blue and Blacks sat at the top of the Welsh Shield and determined to finish a block of three consecutive derbies on a high, it is set to be another full-blooded encounter in front of a bumper Arms Park and Young is relishing the opportunity.
He said: “We’re expecting another good crowd so it will be a big occasion.
“We were disappointed last week. It’s always disappointing to lose a home game but we’ve got an opportunity to put that right this week against the Scarlets, who we know are a formidable outfit. Last time they played at the Arms Park, they did a real job on us.
“We know we will have to be on our mettle and play as well as we can to get the result. They’ve had a lot of players back from injury over the last couple of weeks and you have seen that right across all the regions. If you can get your best team on the field, we all take some beating but three or four injuries and all of a sudden those narrow wins turn to narrow losses.
“We’re expecting nothing else but a real tough game against a real good team. But we are concentrating on ourselves first, getting our things right and playing the game that we want to try to play. But we know how good the Scarlets can be as well.”
Cardiff were starved of possession in atrocious conditions last week as the Ospreys flexed their set-piece muscle.
Young expects more rugby to be played on this occasion but he is acutely aware that the Blue and Blacks must play with a greater level of discipline to prevail.
He added: “The Scarlets will play more rugby than the Ospreys. But we need to be far more disciplined, get more possession and play in the right areas of the field, which we failed to do last week.
“Against the Dragons, the Scarlets kept the ball well. If you want to take advantage (of the opposition being a man down), then you have to have the ball. That extra man only counts if you have the ball but the Scarlets controlled the ball really well.
“They will take a lot of confidence and a lot of belief out of that win because sometimes, and we’ve been there, you take three or four steps backwards to find your foot in behind you and use that as a springboard to move forward. I’m sure the Scarlets believe they have gone through that process and in the last couple of weeks they’ve started to move forward so this will be a big game for them.
“They won’t be afraid of coming here and getting a result and they probably feel they’ve turned their season around after a couple of good result, and an excellent result on the weekend. It’s up to us to stop that.”
Tickets for Cardiff versus Scarlets are limited at Cardiff Arms Park but can be purchased by calling 029 20 302030 or clicking here.
Content & Images from – Cardiff 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.”
Tags
Spread the word
Related news
Awards 2023/24 sponsored by The Malcolm Group
Tennent’s Best Seat in the House
What’s On | Cardiff Rugby
Stafford McDowall selected for Ireland clash
Easter Open Training | Monday 1 April
Five Warriors players included in U20s Scotland clash against Ireland
Mann signs new contract with Glasgow Warriors
Horne to make first Guinness Six Nations start
Hart named as co-captain for Scotland U20
Afshar signs first professional contract with Glasgow Warriors
Content & Images from – Glasgow Rugby
Munster Rugby Announce Contract Deals For Murray, Daly & Gleeson
Squad Update | Munster Prepare For Cardiff At Thomond
