Challenge Cup
Former Spring Bok to Hang-Up His Boots
A former South African International is set to retire at the end of the season
Former South African lock Flip van der Merwe has confirmed that he will retire from the game at the end of the current season.
Van der Merwe, who is currently playing his trade with Clermont, has only managed 12 appearances this season, only starting four.
The 33-year-old former Bulls and Cheetahs player has struggled for a couple of years now and admits his body is not what it once was and has helped him make the decision.
“The body helps you to say stop. You have to be honest, I can not go on. When I see guys being sheepish… I can’t catch them anymore. It’s a hard decision to make in the sense that it’s something, there is emotion,” he said.
The second-row has 35 caps for his country under his belt along with Super Rugby and Top 14 titles in a glittering career.
Unfortunately van der Merwe made the headlines last year for the wrong reasons after pushing a referee who was in the way of a ruck he wished to enter.
Although the referee took the incident light-heartedly, a disciplinary hearing awarded van der Merwe a four-week ban, while he also missed five-weeks through suspension earlier this year for a red card against Pau.
He retires ahead of his 34th birthday in June and will be sorely missed among the rugby community. However, he will have the chance to add the Challenge Cup to his cabinet when Clermont face La Rochelle in the final next weekend and is in with a chance of adding another Top 14 title too.
With two wins from two in this seasons Challenge Cup Connacht will look to keep their 100% record going this weekend as they face Brive at The Sportsground on Saturday.
Last Saturday saw Connacht beat South African side Sharks in the URC and getting a bonus point win. Speaking ahead of the European tie this weekend Connacht Director of Rugby Andy Friend spoke about the mood in the camp this week.
“With the conditions we had it was lovely to get the win but the bonus point as the name suggests was a bonus” said Friend
“Its very hard to play rugby in those conditions”
“All the scores were slightly different and as a team we felt there was a lot of areas there that we were really happy with coming off the field”
“Our defence was brilliant with a 91% success rate which is the level we’re at and need to keep at”
“Its a happy camp heading into this weeks game but as always we have things to work on”
With everything to play for in both competitions for Connacht Andy feels now is where the squads depth will be really tested especially with a few injuries mounting up.
“Both competitions are important to us and both are still alive, it is good to be back in the Challenge Cup as we are two from two so we would like to continue that momentum”
“In terms of our squad I think the rotation has worked well for us by keeping players fresh”
“We have a few injuries mounting up so we are probably forced to make a couple of changes”
Brive have been in good form of late with three wins from their last three games but with two defeats in the Challenge Cup already questions will be asked about their commitment and if that seeps into the Connacht players mind that this could be an easy day out.
“I think we faced that last week against the Sharks as there was a lot of talk about them resting some of their big players but at the end of the day it was still a Sharks team and we had to be ready” said Friend
“It will be the same for Brive this weekend, post our last game with them they have beaten Clermont, Lyon and Toulon”
“They’re playing good footie and finding that winning mentality and they will be coming here wanting to turn the table on us”
It was announced this week that Connacht’s Attack and Skills coach Mossy Lawler is heading to Munster at the end of the season. The departure will see two of Connacht’s coaching setup leave with this season being Andy Friend’s final season with the province.
“Mossy has been brilliant during his time here at Connacht” said Friend
“As we know he’s a Limerick man, his family is in Limerick so its great he can be closer to his wife and kids”
“I’m pleased for Mossy that he has this opportunity to move home”
“He will be missed here no doubt about that”
“In terms of the wider coaching ticket there’s a process in place at the moment and I have no doubt it will be a strong coaching ticket next year”
Tickets for Saturday’s game available HERE
Images & Content from – Connacht Rugby
It’s back to European Rugby this Saturday as we welcome French side CA Brive to The Sportsground for Round 3 of the Challenge Cup.
Here’s everything you need to know ahead of Saturday’s game.
When’s the game?
Kick-off is 5.30pm on Saturday 14th January.
What’s the state of play so far?
After two wins from two in their opening Round games of Europe Connacht find themselves in a great position to make the knockout stages of the tournament. Last weekend in the URC Connacht beat the Sharks at home 24-12.
Brive are in good form of late having won their last three games in the Top 14 including a 26-17 win over Toulon last weekend.
How’s our recent record against them?
Our last meeting against Brive was back in December where Connacht won 31-24.
- Bri 24-31 Con
- Con 55-10 Bri
- Bri 31-38 Con
How will the two teams line up?
The Connacht management team will announce their squad on Friday at midday when it will be named on connachtrugby.ie and the Connacht Rugby social channels.
How do I get tickets?
Tickets available HERE
What channel is it on?
TV viewing on EPCR TV and Galway Bay FM have live radio commentary.
Images & Content from – Connacht Rugby
Connacht are on the road this week as they travel to France to take on CA Brive this Friday at the Stade Amedee-Domenech in Round 2 of the Challenge Cup, kick-off is 8pm Irish time.
Connacht Director of Rugby Andy Friend was speaking ahead of the game where he discussed last Saturday’s win over Newcastle Falcons at The Sportsground.
‘It was a game where I thought our tenacity and physicality shone through which was pleasing”
“They were a tough side and you know when you are playing an English side that they are going to be big and physical and Newcastle brought were”
“In the end we were happy with the overall all performance”
The attitude from the players this season have been pleasing for Andy and the coaching team but as a whole the squad are still aiming to play their best game.
“I think with each game that goes by there’s a strong belief in our identity which is that never say die attitude” said Friend.
“I know we still need to be better at finishing off some of those opportunities we get”
“We still haven’t played our best game yet but our forward pack continues to grow, defensively we’ve worked really hard so things are coming together and more consistency is showing”
Last Saturday saw some new faces get game time and ahead of this Friday there’s a chance of seeing more change.
“We have good competition for selection this week”
“It was great seeing the likes of Cathal Forde out at the weekend, Oisin McCormack got his first cap and did very well and no doubt you will see a few different names and faces this weekend too”
This Friday its the challenge of Brive in France. French sides at home are always a tough opposition to face but after their heavy defeat to Cardiff last weekend in Wales could Brive have their minds solely on domestic rugby now?
“It will be interesting to see what team they put out”
“We know on the road French sides tend to take it a bit easier with their selection but at home they are very proud of their record so we want to go over there and play against their best side to test ourselves”
The Connacht team for Friday will be announced this Thursday.
Images & Content from – Connacht Rugby
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