URC
Glasgow name team to face Ulster in pre-season clash
Head Coach Franco Smith has named a starting XV showing two changes from last weekend’s win over Ayrshire Bulls, as Glasgow Warriors welcome Ulster to Scotstoun for tomorrow night’s The Famous Grouse Pre-Season Challenge.
The fixture marks the final opportunity for Smith and his squad to fine-tune any aspects of their game before the 2022/23 season gets underway, with the opening round of United Rugby Championship matches just one week away.
Next ?
It’s been a long time, but we’re finally back at Scotstoun next weekend ?
Get your tickets for @thefamousgrouse Pre-Season Challenge against @UlsterRugby today!
?️ https://t.co/dwr1u4AnBc pic.twitter.com/GEFCj2czr6
— Glasgow Warriors (@GlasgowWarriors) September 2, 2022
One of Smith’s two changes comes in the front-row, as Murphy Walker replaces Simon Berghan in a trio completed by Nathan McBeth and Johnny Matthews.
An unchanged engine room sees Lewis Bean retained in the second-row, packing down alongside Richie Gray for the visit of the Irish province.
The other alteration from last weekend sees Jack Dempsey – a try-scorer off the bench in Inverness – come in at number eight in place of Sione Vailanu, joining Sintu Manjezi and Thomas Gordon in an all-action back-row.
George Horne and Domingo Miotti continue their combination in the half-backs, the former having also found his way over the whitewash at the Caledonian Stadium last weekend.
The centre partnership is once again formed by Tom Jordan and Stafford McDowall, the former Ayr duo having linked up well last time out.
Kyle Steyn captains the side from the wing, with Walter Fifita and Cole Forbes completing the starting lineup for tomorrow night.
A quartet of internationals are brought onto the bench having missed the clash in Inverness, with 12 replacements in total named by Smith and his coaching team.
Duncan Weir is included amongst the replacements after recovering from an off-season injury, whilst Sebastian Cancelliere is included after touring with the Argentina XV over the summer.
Sam Johnson and Jamie Bhatti both come into the matchday squad for their first taste of pre-season action, the pair having toured with Scotland to South America over the summer.
Ryan Wilson and Fraser Brown once again bring a wealth of experience to proceedings from the replacements bench, whilst Sione Vailanu and JP du Preez are included after their first pre-season outings in Glasgow colours last weekend.
Lucio Sordoni and Cam Jones are likewise included after taking to the field for the first time for the Warriors in Inverness, with academy prospects Ross McKnight and Euan Ferrie completing the matchday squad.
Speaking to glasgowwarriors.org, Head Coach Smith said: “We’re looking forward to welcoming Ulster to Scotstoun tomorrow night.
“We are all motivated to build on last weekend’s performance against Ayrshire Bulls as we continue to build towards the new season.
“Ulster have a well drilled pack and will present a real challenge up font and an in defence.
“Tomorrow will be the first time we run out in front of our fans at Scotstoun for five months and everyone is looking forward to experiencing the special atmosphere that the Warrior Nation brings.”
Glasgow Warriors team to face Ulster at Scotstoun, Friday 9 September, kick-off 7.30pm. You can watch the match live on the Recast app, as well as following live updates on Twitter at @GlasgowWarriors.
1. Nathan McBeth
2. Johnny Matthews
3. Murphy Walker
4. Lewis Bean
5. Richie Gray
6. Sintu Manjezi
7. Thomas Gordon
8. Jack Dempsey
9. George Horne
10. Domingo Miotti
11. Walter Fifita
12. Tom Jordan
13. Stafford McDowall
14. Kyle Steyn (C)
15. Cole Forbes
Replacements: Fraser Brown, Jamie Bhatti, Lucio Sordoni, JP du Preez, Ryan Wilson, Sione Vailanu, Euan Ferrie, Cam Jones, Duncan Weir, Sam Johnson, Ross McKnight, Sebastian Cancelliere.
Content & Images from – Glasgow Warriors Rugby
The Munster squad have started preparations at the HPC ahead of Saturday’s sold-out clash against the All Blacks XV at Thomond Park (5.30pm).
The game will be exclusively live-streamed on Access Munster, sign up here.
Pinergy, Munster Rugby’s official energy partner, are the presenting partners for the clash.
On the injury front, there were no fresh concerns following Saturday’s clash against the Sharks in Durban.
Peter O’Mahony (hamstring), who has been included in Ireland’s Autumn Nations Series squad but is continuing his rehabilitation at the HPC, will increase his training load this week. His availability for this weekend’s clash against the All Blacks XV will be determined later in the week.
Brian Gleeson (shoulder) and Diarmuid Kilgallen (leg) came through the weekend with no issues after returning to action with Garryowen in the AIL.
On the international front, Tadhg Beirne, Craig Casey, Jack Crowley, Conor Murray, Calvin Nash and Alex Kendellen have travelled to Portugal with the Ireland squad ahead of the Autumn Nations Series.
Continuing to rehab: Shane Daly (leg), Jeremy Loughman (knee), Alex Nankivell (hip), Josh Wycherley (neck), Mark Donnelly (ankle), Dave Kilcoyne (ankle), Oli Jager (neck), Liam Coombes (leg), Thaakir Abrahams (thigh), Patrick Campbell (shoulder), Cian Hurley (knee), Edwin Edogbo (Achilles), Roman Salanoa (knee).
Tickets
Saturday, November 2
Munster v All Blacks XV, Thomond Park, 5.30pm; SOLD OUT – Watch live on Access Munster here
URC Round 7: Saturday, November 30
Munster v Emirates Lions, Thomond Park, 7.35pm; Buy tickets here
Champions Cup Round 1: Saturday, December 7
Munster v Stade Francais, Thomond Park, 5:30pm; Buy tickets here
Champions Cup Round 3: Saturday, January 11
Munster v Saracens, Thomond Park, 5.30pm; Buy tickets here
URC Round 9: Friday, December 27
Munster v Leinster, Thomond Park, 7.35pm; Buy tickets here
URC Round 11: Saturday, February 15
Munster v Scarlets, Thomond Park, 5.15pm; Buy tickets here
URC Round 12: Friday, February 28
Munster v Edinburgh, Virgin Media Park, 7.35pm; Buy tickets here
URC Round 15: Saturday, April 19
Munster v Bulls, Thomond Park, 5.15pm; Buy tickets here
URC Round 17: Friday, May 9
Munster v Ulster, Thomond Park, 7.35pm; Buy tickets here
URC Round 18: Friday, May 16
Munster v Benetton, Virgin Media Park, 8pm; Buy tickets here
Images & Content from Munster Rugby
Ulster ready for interpro derby against Connacht in Belfast
41 minutes ago
Fixture News
Ulster Head Coach, Richie Murphy, has named his Ulster side to take on Connacht on Saturday night in Round 4 of the BKT United Rugby Championship (kick-off 8pm).
Iain Henderson captains the side and is joined in the second row by Kieran Treadwell.
Prop, Andrew Warwick, and lock, Alan O’Connor, are in line for their 200th Ulster caps this weekend.
Limited tickets are still available for Saturday’s big game via the link below.
Warwick starts at loosehead prop, joined by experienced hooker, John Andrew, and Irish international prop, Tom O’Toole, at tighthead prop.
In the back row, David McCann, starts as the openside flanker, with Sean Reffell starting on the blindside.
Nick Timoney starts at eight and marks a milestone of his own, making his 150th cap for Ulster.
The half-back partnership this weekend sees John Cooney start alongside Aidan Morgan, who has two tries in his opening three matches for Ulster.
After scoring a superb individual try against the Bulls last weekend, Jacob Stockdale, starts on the left wing, with Werner Kok making his first start at Kingspan Stadium on the right wing.
Jude Postlethwaite returns to the team, following an impressive Emerging Ireland tour, that saw the Lisburn man score a try against Western Force last weekend, before being released to play for the province.
He starts at inside centre and is joined by Stewart Moore, who scored a great try last weekend against the Bulls.
Ethan McIlroy starts at full-back, completing the back-field.
Murphy opts for a 5:3 split on the bench, with James McCormick, Callum Reid, Corrie Barrett, Alan O’Connor and Marcus Rea providing the forward replacement options.
Nathan Doak, Ben Carson and Mike Lowry provide the back options from the bench.
Ulster Rugby v Connacht Rugby, Saturday 12 October, 8pm, Kingspan Stadium (Live on BBC Two, BBC iPlayer, BBC Sounds, Premier Sports and TG4):
(1-8) Andrew Warwick, John Andrew, Tom O’Toole, Iain Henderson (C), Kieran Treadwell, David McCann, Sean Reffell, Nick Timoney;
(15-9) Ethan McIlroy, Werner Kok, Stewart Moore, Jude Postlethwaite, Jacob Stockdale, Aidan Morgan, John Cooney.
Replacements: James McCormick, Callum Reid, Corrie Barrett, Alan O’Connor, Marcus Rea, Nathan Doak, Ben Carson, Mike Lowry.
The Opposition:
Images & Content – Ulster Rugby
The Munster squad started preparations on Monday ahead of Saturday’s URC round four clash against Leinster at Croke Park (5.45pm).
In player news, Seán O’Brien returns from the Emerging Ireland tour to South Africa ahead of Saturday’s game.
Following Munster’s win over Ospreys on Saturday, Oli Jager (neck) and Peter O’Mahony (hamstring) are both going for scans and are unavailable this weekend.
Mike Haley has a leg contusion and his availability will be determined later in the week.
There is good news for Tom Ahern (ankle) and Alex Nankivell (shoulder) as they are both returning to training this week. Their respective availability for Croke Park will be determined later in the week.
Ruadhán Quinn is following the return to play protocols and his availability will be determined later in the week.
Billy Burns is increasing his training exposure this week and the out-half’s availability will be determined later in the week.
Shane Daly is unlikely to be available this week as he continues to recover from an elbow injury.
Thaakir Abrahams sustained a low-grade thigh injury against Zebre and is unavailable this week.
Long-term absentees Rory Scannell (ankle) and Paddy Patterson (knee) are making good progress and will increase their training exposure this week.
Patrick Campbell will have surgery on a shoulder injury he sustained in AIL action last month.
Josh Wycherley will visit a specialist this week for a neck injury.
Continuing to rehab: Liam Coombes (leg), Diarmuid Kilgallen (leg), Brian Gleeson (shoulder), Cian Hurley (knee), Edwin Edogbo (achilles), Roman Salanoa (knee).
Tickets
Saturday, November 2
Munster v All Blacks XV, Thomond Park, 5.30pm; SOLD OUT
URC Round 7: Saturday, November 30
Munster v Emirates Lions, Thomond Park, 7.35pm; Buy tickets here
Champions Cup Round 1: Saturday, December 7
Munster v Stade Francais, Thomond Park, 5:30pm; Buy tickets here
Champions Cup Round 3: Saturday, January 11
Munster v Saracens, Thomond Park, 5.30pm; Buy tickets here
URC Round 9: Friday, December 27
Munster v Leinster, Thomond Park, 7.35pm; Buy tickets here
URC Round 11: Saturday, February 15
Munster v Scarlets, Thomond Park, 5.15pm; Buy tickets here
URC Round 12: Friday, February 28
Munster v Edinburgh, Virgin Media Park, 7.35pm; Buy tickets here
URC Round 15: Saturday, April 19
Munster v Bulls, Thomond Park, 5.15pm; Buy tickets here
URC Round 17: Friday, May 9
Munster v Ulster, Thomond Park, 7.35pm; Buy tickets here
URC Round 18: Friday, May 16
Munster v Benetton, Virgin Media Park, 8pm; Buy tickets here
Images & Content from Munster Rugby
IRFU Announces Return Of ‘A’ Interprovincial Championship
Squad Update | Munster Prepare For All Blacks XV At Thomond
