URC
Glasgow Warriors Head Coach Franco Smith has named a 30-man squad for tomorrow night’s pre-season opener
Glasgow Warriors Head Coach Franco Smith has named a 30-man squad for tomorrow night’s pre-season opener against Ayrshire Bulls in Inverness, in a match that doubles as Smith’s first fixture in charge since taking over at Scotstoun this summer.
The team news follows last night’s confirmation of the Bulls as tomorrow night’s opponents at the Caledonian Stadium, following the withdrawal of Worcester Warriors late yesterday afternoon. Tickets and car parking purchased for the original fixture remain valid.
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The show goes on in Inverness ?
We’re delighted to confirm that reigning @Super6Rugby champions @AyrshireBulls will step in to help us fulfill our fixture at Caledonian Stadium this Friday.
Read: https://t.co/REivfimBHx pic.twitter.com/1wDCqfthZJ
— Glasgow Warriors (@GlasgowWarriors) August 31, 2022
Fresh from being announced as club captain earlier this week, Kyle Steyn will lead out his team for the first time tomorrow night as part of a starting XV containing seven internationals for the fixture, which also serves as part of the centenary celebrations for Highland RFC.
One of those internationals, Simon Berghan, lines up at tight-head, joining Nathan McBeth and Johnny Matthews – last season’s top try-scorer – in the front-row.
Richie Gray is the most experienced Warrior named in Smith’s starting lineup, the 2013 British and Irish Lion partnering Lewis Bean in the engine room.
Thomas Gordon starts at openside, whilst two of the club’s summer signings get their first taste of action in Glasgow colours alongside him in the back-row; Sintu Manjezi starts at blindside following his off-season arrival from the Vodacom Bulls, with Tongan international Sione Vailanu packing down at number eight.
An all-international half-back combination sees George Horne line up at scrum-half, pairing up with Argentinian fly-half Domingo Miotti.
The centre combination sees a brace of former Millbrae men come up against their former side, as Stafford McDowall and Tom Jordan – a standout in the inaugural FOSROC Super6 prior to signing a professional deal with the Warriors – link up in the midfield.
Walter Fifita joins club captain Steyn on the wings, with Cole Forbes completing the starting lineup at full-back.
Smith has named an extensive cohort of replacements blending experienced Warriors with fresh faces, as he looks to cast an eye over his new charges for the first time.
Ryan Wilson and Fraser Brown bring a combined total of over 300 appearances in Glasgow colours to proceedings, more than triple the total of the rest of the replacements combined.
At the other end of the experience spectrum, four of the club’s 2022/23 senior academy intake are included amongst the 30-strong group, with Scotland U20 talents Euan Ferrie, Ben Afshar, Ross McKnight and Andy Stirrat all ready to make an impact as and when called upon.
Joel Hodgson and Lucio Sordoni are both named on the bench after signing short-term deals earlier this summer, as are Cam Jones and Will Hunt; both men usually ply their trade with the Bulls, but have been involved with the Warriors over the off-season.
Second-row duo Alex Samuel and JP du Preez could also make their first outing in a Glasgow shirt, having been named amongst the replacements by Smith and his coaching team.
The bench is completed by Murphy Walker, Jack Dempsey and Sebastian Cancelliere, each of whom will be looking to continue where they left off after impressing in their first season as a Warrior.
Content & Images from – Glasgow Warriors Rugby
Jordan signs for Bristol Bears
Glasgow Warriors can confirm that Tom Jordan will depart the club at the end of the 2024/25 campaign, after agreeing to join English Premiership side Bristol Bears from next season.
The Auckland-born play-maker moves on from Scotstoun after four seasons with the club, having initially signed for the club in November 2021 after impressing for Ayrshire Bulls in the FOSROC Super Series.
Jordan played an integral role in Glasgow’s historic BKT United Rugby Championship triumph in 2023/24, featuring in all 21 of the club’s fixtures en route to lifting the title.
He has made 55 appearances to date for Franco Smith’s side, scoring 104 points, a tally that includes nine tries.
Equally comfortable at fly-half, centre and full-back, the 26-year-old made his Scotland debut in the opening match of The Famous Grouse Nations Series, coming off the bench against Fiji at Scottish Gas Murrayfield before winning Player of the Match in the win over Portugal a fortnight later.
“I’ve had an incredible time with Glasgow Warriors and I’m really grateful to the club for the opportunities they have given me,” Jordan told glasgowwarriors.org.
“Thank you to all the players, coaches, staff and fans I’ve met over the years, and I’m completely committed and focused on finishing the season on a high and giving my all for this club.”
Following an international break, we’re back in action on Friday 29 November 🙌
Get your tickets for our upcoming fixtures in Glasgow, including our biggest home game ever at Hampden Park 👉 https://t.co/X4CVuBDT3V pic.twitter.com/cgR7tTKWbn
— Glasgow Warriors (@GlasgowWarriors) October 27, 2024
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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
Jordan signs for Bristol Bears
IRFU Announces Return Of ‘A’ Interprovincial Championship
