URC
Young hails ‘outstanding’ impact of Cardiff signings

Dai Young has hailed the ‘outstanding’ impact of Cardiff’s new signings after the Blue and Blacks secured an opening day win over Munster on Saturday.
Cardiff kicked off their BKT United Rugby Championship campaign with victory, thanks to tries from Max Llewellyn, Kristian Dacey and Aled Summerhill – a late replacement for Owen Lane in the starting line-up.
However, it was number eight Taulupe Faletau who caught the headlines after a Player of the Match display on his debut in the blue and black jersey.
Fellow new signings Thomas Young and Lopeti Timani also made impact while Liam Williams showed sparks of what he can offer, before departing with a first half injury.
Young revealed that the quartet have had a positive impact on the environment since arriving at Cardiff Arms Park and is happy with the depth being built within the squad.
The director of rugby said: “You can’t underestimate how good Toby was. He was outstanding, and even just having him in training has lifted the standards.
“All the signings have lifted the standards without me having to do or say anything.
“Just having these guys out on the park and everyone seeing what they can do on a regular day-to-day basis just lifts the standards right up. It’s what you’re looking for when recruiting these type of players.
“Toby was outstanding, but he’s been outstanding ever since he broke through.
“We’re obviously not going to over-play him because there are requirements by the Welsh squad and we have got to manage him, and rightly so. You want these players playing in your big games, like your derbies and in Europe.
“You’re going to have to mix and max, but we’ve also got someone like James Ratti and James Botham who can both play there as well. So hopefully there’s enough rugby to keep bringing those guys on as well.
“Thomas also had a couple of turnovers and a couple of little darts and Lopeti came on and showed how physical he can be with his ball carrying. But the biggest thing for us is having a strong 23.
“If, on a regular basis, you can have a 23 where we know there’s people coming off the bench that can have an impact, then you’re not necessarily taking people off because they’re playing poorly or they’re injured.
“People will come in to have an impact, and Max didn’t deserve to come off based on the way he was playing. But then you’ve got someone like Willis to come on, and he did exactly what we were hoping he was going to do.
“Very few people could have created a two-on-one in the scenario for the final try.”
Another stand-out performance came from centre Llewellyn, who opened the scoring before playing an key role in Dacey’s try later in the half.
Young believes the academy graduate has benefitted from a run of games in the first team and believes the likes of Llewellyn and Mason Grady can learn from playing alongside their experienced peers such as Rey Lee-Lo and Willis Halaholo.
“The big things for Max was that he played towards last year. He had a couple of games under his belt, and you know with the young players that they’re going to give you a little bit of a rollercoaster,” added the former Wales prop.
“But you’ve got to stick with them. We’re aware that we don’t want to over-play or over-expose them, and we’re also in a really good position in terms of our centres.
“There’s two real experienced players in Willis and Rey, who was outstanding against Munster.
“You’ve also got someone like Mason coming through and we can obviously drip feed those players in when we feel fit.
“But a part of the job is to get the experienced players to give a helping hand to the younger boys.
“Against Benetton last season, our backline had an average starting age of about 21, which is probably not the way to go around it. We don’t want to go chucking them all in together but our hands were tied a little bit.
“In an ideal world, this year we’ll probably play a little bit of youth alongside a bit of experience to try and bring them through.
“Max has come on leaps and bounds in a short space of time and what he’s looking for now is consistency.”
URC
All You Need To Know | Barbarians Double-Header

The Munster Men’s and Women’s team will be in action this weekend in a historic double-header against the Barbarians.
Find out all you need to know ahead of the games below.
There will be a minute’s applause for Greig Oliver ahead of the men’s game following his tragic passing in July. Hawick RFC posted a lovely piece on a commemorative event that was recently held at the club here. Read our tribute to Greig here.
Where?
Thomond Park
When?
The women’s game kicks off at 2pm and the men’s game starts at 4.30pm.
Tickets
Tickets are available to purchase here from €20 for adults and €10 for juniors right up until kick off.
The best value tickets are the Family Packs of four tickets for just €40 which include 2 Adults & 2 Juniors tickets.
Broadcast
Live on Access Munster, brought to you by Pinergy – see full details here.
Did you know?
The URC trophy will be on display for photos behind the North Terrace.
The first-ever Barbarians Women’s game was played against Munster at Thomond Park in 2017.
The Munster men’s team have never faced the Barbarians.
Munster News
Munster Men’s training gallery
Munster Women’s training gallery
Graham Rowntree Signs New Contract
Teams
All four sides will be named before lunchtime on Friday.
Press Pass
Hear from Munster Women’s Head Coach Niamh Briggs and Men’s Head Coach Graham Rowntree ahead of the games.
URC Tickets
Tickets for all Munster men’s home game for the 2023/24 campaign are available here.
Images & Content from Munster Rugby
URC
Cardiff announce signing of new fly-half

Cardiff Rugby have added further depth to their fly-half resources with the signing of former Wales Under-20s star Arwel Robson.
The 26-year-old arrives from Cornish Pirates where he has spent the last two seasons after leaving Dragons RFC in 2021.
Robson has already linked up with the first-team squad and is relishing the opportunity that lies ahead at Cardiff Arms Park.
He said: “I’m incredibly excited to make the move to Cardiff. It’s an honour to be able to play at the Arms Park and I can’t wait to get the chance to run out here for the first time.
“I grew up on the terraces of the Arms Park, in a family of Cardiff season ticket holders and I was a ball boy for years so it is a club that means a huge amount to me and my family.
“After speaking to Matt about the style of play he wants to utilise, I’m confident it will really suit me and also continue to bring my game on.
“I’m very grateful to everyone at Cornish Pirates for the opportunity and support they gave me in the past few years.
“I’ve played a lot of rugby down there and feel I am returning to Wales a better player and I am looking forward to continuing my development at the Arms Park.
“Cardiff also have a reputation for developing talent and the progression of players from the academy right through to the senior national team is testament to that.
“Now I am just looking forward to getting on the training pitch and competing for game-time.”
Robson will fight for a place at fly-half alongside fellow new signing Tinus de Beer, Ben Thomas and academy duo Harrison James and Harri Wilde.
He is the fourth signing this summer, following de Beer, Ciaran Parker and Rhys Litterick, and head coach Matt Sherratt is pleased to add to his fly-half resources.
Sherratt said: “We are delighted have have signed Arwel for this season. He has a good skill set, will challenge the line and having regular game time has improved his in game management.
“He has played a significant amount with Cornish Pirates over the past two seasons which is a sign of a player who was willing to take himself out of his comfort zone to go to a new club and get regular game time. It shows he is driven.
“Added to that he has a connection with the region and a point to prove in the Welsh professional game. He gives us a bit more depth at 10 and has slotted in well to training.”
URC
Spingbok loosehead joins DHL Stormers ranks

Loosehead prop Lizo Gqoboka has joined the DHL Stormers squad ahead of the 2023/24 season.
The 33-year-old Springbok front row forward has made the move to Cape Town and brings considerable experience with him.
Gqoboka only took up the game at the age of 19 and within two years had already secured his first professional contract. He has accumulated over 150 senior caps since then and made his Springbok debut in 2019.
DHL Stormers Head Coach John Dobson said that Gqoboka’s proven track record means he will be ready to hit the ground running when the season gets underway.
“Lizo is an experienced player who would be a valuable asset for any squad in what is an important position.
“He has already settled in well here in the pre-season and we are all looking forward to seeing what he can do when the season gets underway,” he said.
Gqoboka said that having played against the DHL Stormers many times in his career, he is excited about feeling the support of the Faithful.
“This is a great team with some incredible supporters and I can’t wait to run out in the blue and white jersey and give my all.
“My family and I have felt at home right away here, my teammates and the coaches have been so welcoming and I want to repay that when I get the chance to take the field as a DHL Stormer,” he said.
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