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Halaholo returns for Cardiff Blues season opener

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(Photo by Athena Pictures/Getty Images)

Willis Halaholo returns to the Cardiff Blues starting line-up for the Guinness PRO14 curtain raiser against Zebre at Stadio Lanfranchi on Friday (KO 6.00pm GMT).

The centre has been sidelined since suffering a significant knee injury in a Challenge Cup clash against Leicester Tigers last November.

Halaholo is reunited in midfield with Rey Lee-Lo, in a backline that includes six internationals.

Homegrown duo Jarrod Evans and Lloyd Williams combine at half back, while Matthew Morgan and Hallam Amos line-up in the back three alongside Josh Adams, who has been in scintillating form since joining the region, with seven tries in eight outings.

Lock Cory Hill captains the side for the first time since returning to his home region from Dragons over the summer.

He partners Seb Davies in the second row, while academy graduates Corey Domachowski and Liam Belcher are included in the front row with Dmitri Arhip.

Shane Lewis-Hughes and James Botham, who both impressed in the victory over Ospreys on the final day of the 2019/20 campaign, are rewarded with starting spots, as the experienced Josh Turnbull is handed the number eight jersey.
John Mulvihill insists he’s picked the side based on form and merit but is expecting a tough task in Parma.

“I’m hopeful that we can take the form that we had against Ospreys into game one and certainly the selection of the team rewards the boys that played well that day,” said the head coach.

““We need to pick on form if we want to be consistent as a group. The coaches need to show consistency in picking players that put their hands up for selection.

“We’re all excited to get out there and to kick off the new season. We gained a lot from the two derbies we played in August, and the boys have been working hard on the training ground, so we want to see that come into fruition on Friday.

“We all know how tough it can be to visit Italy, and you need to travel there with the correct game-plan and mindset.

“Zebre are a team that can cause teams problems on their day, but we’re fully confident in our group. Preparations have been good, the boys have been sharp and focused and we’re relishing the challenge ahead. We want to build early momentum and we have an opportunity to do that in Parma.

“There will be a small home crowd out there, which is fantastic and we’re really looking forward to playing in front of some spectators after everything that’s happened over the last few months. It should be lively and entertaining affair.”

Five academy products are included on the bench, including lock Ben Murphy and Welsh internationals Rhys Carré and Dillon Lewis.

Cardiff Blues: Matthew Morgan; Josh Adams, Rey Lee-Lo, Willis Halaholo, Hallam Amos; Jarrod Evans, Lloyd Williams; Corey Domachowski, Liam Belcher, Dmitri Arhip, Seb Davies, Cory Hill (capt.), Shane Lewis-Hughes, James Botham, Josh Turnbull
Replacements: Kirby Myhill, Rhys Carré, Dillon Lewis, Ben Murphy, Olly Robinson, Lewis Jones, Jason Tovey, Garyn Smith

The following players were not considered for selection due to injury:
Ellis Jenkins (Knee)
Tomos Williams (Shoulder)
Rhys Gill (Bicep)
Jason Harries (Knee)
Owen Lane (Shoulder)
Mason Grady (Ankle)
Keiron Assiratti (Ankle)
Will Boyde (Calf)
Josh Navidi (Concussion)


URC

Jordan signs for Bristol Bears

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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.”

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Champions Cup

Squad Update | Munster Prepare For All Blacks XV At Thomond

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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


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URC

Ulster ready for interpro derby against Connacht in Belfast

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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


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