International
Bok coaches still undecided on quarter-final team
SA Rugby director of rugby Rassie Erasmus said on Tuesday the Springbok coaches were still undecided about their team selection for Sunday’s Rugby World Cup quarter-final showdown against France at the iconic Stade de France, saying they are considering all options with seven, six or five forwards on the bench.
Springbok coach Jacques Nienaber will announce his team on Friday as opposed to earlier in the week – a decision that has attracted a media interest at the global spectacle.
“We’ve been mixing and matching for the last year to make sure we have players on par with one another in each position, so we’ll keep our options open for a seven-one, six-two and five-three split,” said Erasmus.
“The coaches will sit Wednesday morning and confirm things, and then the players will slot in. The way the French team looks could also influence what selection we decide on.
“The one thing for certain is that we have the right bunch of players here.”
Erasmus was proud of the team’s disciplinary record in the tournament so far, and he hoped they could continue on that path as they attempt to book a spot in the semi-final.
“We’ve had no cards in the competition so far and we are in fourth place on the penalty count list, so we are pleased with where we are in that regard,” said Erasmus.
Jesse Kriel.
The former Springbok, as well as centre Jesse Kriel and flyhalf Manie Libbok – both of whom will be in contention for places in the 23-man squad – said the experience of playing against France in Marseille 11 months ago had prepared them well for the challenge ahead this weekend.
“It was a fantastic experience even though we got a red card and lost the match,” said Erasmus.
“In the changeroom after the match, it was probably one of the proudest moments for me with how players made plans and actually enjoyed with all respect towards the French guys. It was an unbelievable experience.
“To get a red card and be in the game in the last three or four minutes was something I hope will help us on Sunday because many of the players here were involved in that match. In my whole rugby and coaching career it was probably one of the most intense and delightful situations to be in and I am pretty sure Sunday is going to be the same.”
Kriel echoed these sentiments: “Personally I’m excited about the fact that I may have a chance to play against France in front of a packed stadium. It’s something the whole team is embracing, and I think it will be an exciting spectacle. We fought hard in the last game against France and as a team we can take comfort from that.”
Libbok added: “It’s going to be tough. Fortunately, we had the opportunity to play against them last year in front of their home crowd, and that was good for us.
Manie Libbok.
“That said the focus for us is on how we want to play the game and that will be our mindset going into the match.”
Both players were ready for any eventuality if they were in the match day squad.
“I don’t think the Bok No 13 jersey is ever yours,” said Kriel. “It’s good to have Lukhanyo (Am), who has put himself back up for selection in the squad, and Canan (Moodie) is also doing well there.
“Lukhanyo is a world class player and both Canan and I have been learning from him. I was injured in the last World Cup, so it’s great to be here.”
Libbok felt the same about the No 10 jersey and said: “It’s nice to have Handre (Pollard) back. We help each other where we can. It doesn’t matter who starts. I know he’ll do a great job. He’s a world class player and he’s done it before.”
When quizzed about the possible return of French captain and scrumhalf Antoine Dupont, Erasmus had no doubt he would play on Sunday: “A lack of fitness will not be a problem for him. He always looks in control, and France and the world have respect for him. He’s not afraid to tackle also. I have no doubt he’ll play, and it will be a big challenge to contain him.”
Content & Images from – South Africa Rugby
The Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU) is delighted to announce the return of the ‘A’ Interprovincial Men’s Championship which will kick off next month.
The times and dates of the opening three rounds of the Championship before Christmas have been confirmed, with a similar points-scoring system as used in the URC. A Championship winner will be declared after the final round of matches in May and the IRFU will be commissioning a legacy trophy to mark the 150th anniversary celebrations.
Welcoming the news, IRFU Performance Director David Humphreys commented:
“We’re delighted to kick-start the Men’s ‘A’ Interprovincial Championship which will provide a host of players with a further means of developing in a meaningful competition. With the success of the Emerging Ireland Tours, coupled with the return of an ‘A’ international against England next year, it is vital that we continue to provide players at provincial and Club levels with opportunities to impress outside of the traditional URC and EPCR fixture windows.
“Discussions have been ongoing for some time to provide players with meaningful games and all four provinces are unanimously supportive of this competition. It is also great to see provinces taking matches around their local Clubs.
“It is anticipated that as the competition progresses over the coming seasons these fixtures won’t clash with Energia All-Ireland League fixtures for the most part, thus potentially also offering players from the Club game with an opportunity to impress.
“This competition will form another important part of the representative pathway from Energia AIL to URC levels for Academy players upwards over the coming seasons.”
The dates for the post-Christmas fixtures will be confirmed in due course. Ticket details will be confirmed via the respective provinces.
IRFU 150 Interprovincial ‘A’ Championship Fixtures:
Saturday, 16th November:
Connacht Eagles v Leinster ‘A’ (Creggs RFC, 1pm)
Friday, 22nd November:
Ulster ‘A’ v Connacht Eagles (Ballymacaran Park, 3pm), Leinster ‘A’ v Munster ‘A’ (Lakelands, 5pm)
Friday, 29th November:
Munster ‘A’ v Ulster ‘A’ (New Ormond Park, 3pm)
Friday, 20th December:
Ulster ‘A’ v Munster ‘A’ (tbc, 3pm)
Saturday, 21st December:
Leinster ‘A’ v Connacht Eagles (Ollie Campbell Park, 2pm)
Weekend of 28/29 December:
Connacht Eagles v Ulster ‘A’ (tbc), Munster ‘A’ v Leinster ‘A’ (tbc)
Weekend of 9/10 May:
Connacht Eagles v Munster ‘A’ (tbc), Leinster ‘A’ v Ulster ‘A’ (tbc)
Weekend of 16/17 May:
Munster ‘A’ v Connacht Eagles (tbc), Ulster ‘A’ v Leinster ‘A’ (tbc)
Images & Content from Irish Rugby & Images © Inpho Photography
The Emerging Ireland team to face the Cheetahs in the final game of the three-match series in Bloemfontein on Wednesday evening (kick off 6pm Irish time, 7pm local time) has been named.
Leinster’s James Culhane will lead the team and he forms a new back-row alongside Harry Sheridan and Sean Edogbo, who makes his first start of the tour having come on as a replacement in the 29-24 win over Western Force on Sunday afternoon. Former Ireland Under-20 captain Evan O’Connell locks down with Darragh Murray, who featured in the opening 36-24 victory over the Pumas, with Alex Usanov named in the front row alongside hooker Stephen Smyth and Jack Aungier.
Darragh Murray of Emerging Ireland scores his sides second try – Mandatory Credit ©INPHO/Steve Haag Sports/Darren Stewart
In the backline, Sam Prendergast starts his third game of the tour at out-half and he will be partnered by Cormac Foley, who featured as a second half replacements against the Australian Super Rugby side last time out. Connacht’s Hugh Gavin forms a midfield partnership with Hugh Cooney, with Ulster’s Zac Ward named in an exciting back tree alongside the returning Ben O’Connor at full-back and Andrew Osborne who moves to the right wing.
Munster loosehead prop George Hadden, who was called up to the squad last weekend, is set to make his first appearance after being named on the bench alongside Conor O’Tighearnaigh and Alex Soroka who started Sunday’s win. Hadden’s provincial team-mate Danny Sheahan provides cover once more at hooker, while Scott Wilson and Charlie Tector are also named on the bench for the Toyota Stadium clash alongside out-half Jack Murphy.
Looking ahead to the game, Emerging Ireland Head Coach Simon Easterby said: “When we set out at the beginning of our pre-camp in Dublin, we knew about the challenge of facing three sides in a week and we knew that every player in the group would have the opportunity to play his part. To a man each player has given his all so far and we are aiming to finish off the series with another positive performance on Wednesday.
The Cheetahs are a fiercely proud and strong side and it should be a lively game with a vocal home support behind them. It has been a fruitful past few weeks to date and we have learned a lot. While our performances haven’t been perfect, the players have embraced the challenge and played some brilliant rugby at times. The action has come thick and fast and we know that we have to be clinical in our execution. We will need to go up another level on Wednesday to get the performance we want and hopefully finish the tour on a high.”
Wednesday’s game will be broadcast once more on IrishRugby+ – click here.
Emerging Ireland (v The Cheetahs, Wednesday, October 9, 7pm local time, 6pm Irish time)
15: Ben O’Connor (UCC RFC/Munster)
14: Andrew Osborne (Naas RFC/Leinster)
13: Hugh Cooney (Clontarf FC/Leinster)
12: Hugh Gavin (Galwegians RFC/Connacht)
11: Zac Ward (Ballynahinch RFC/Ulster/Ireland Sevens)
10: Sam Prendergast (Lansdowne FC/Leinster)
9: Cormac Foley (Lansdowne FC/Leinster)
1: Alex Usanov (Clontarf FC/Leinster)
2: Stephen Smyth (Old Wesley RFC/Leinster)
3: Jack Aungier (Clontarf FC/Connacht)
4: Evan O’Connell (Young Munster RFC/Munster)
5: Darragh Murray (Buccaneers RFC/Connacht)
6: Harry Sheridan (Dublin University FC/Ulster)
7: Sean Edogbo (UCC RFC/Munster)
8: James Culhane (UCD RFC/Leinster) (captain)
Replacements:
16: Danny Sheahan (Cork Constitution FC/Munster)
17: George Hadden (Garryowen FC/Munster)
18: Scott Wilson (Queen’s University Belfast RFC/Ulster)
19: Conor O’Tighearnaigh (UCD RFC/Leinster)
20: Alex Soroka (Clontarf FC/Leinster)
21: Matthew Devine (Corinthians RFC/Connacht)
22: Jack Murphy (Clontarf FC/Ulster)
23: Charlie Tector (Lansdowne FC/Leinster)
Images & Content from Irish Rugby & Images © Inpho Photography
Following Emerging Ireland’s 29-24 victory over Western Force in Bloemfontein on Sunday three players, Gus McCarthy (Leinster), Sean O’Brien (Munster) and Jude Postlethwaite (Ulster) will return to their provinces.
The trio will leave South Africa on Monday afternoon and will be available for selection for their respective URC fixtures this weekend.
The squad will visit Heidedal Township this afternoon and will conclude the three-match series on Wednesday evening against The Cheetahs (kick off 7pm local, 6pm Irish time). That match will be live on irishrugby+
Watch the full match back here on irishrugby+
Check out the highlights from the win against Western Force below.
Images & Content from Irish Rugby & Images © Inpho Photography
Jordan signs for Bristol Bears
IRFU Announces Return Of ‘A’ Interprovincial Championship
