URC
Hiddleston to make Glasgow Warriors debut
Hiddleston to make Glasgow Warriors debut
Gregor Hiddleston will make his professional debut for Glasgow Warriors at Sandy Park tomorrow afternoon, after the former Scotland U20 hooker was named in the starting XV for this weekend’s Investec Champions Cup clash with Exeter Chiefs.
The 22-year-old – who earned Player of the Match honours in the FOSROC Super Series Final when helping Stirling Wolves to the title – is one of six changes to the team for Glasgow’s first match of 2024, as Franco Smith’s side go in search of a first away win in Devon since 2014.
Oli Kebble and Zander Fagerson pack down either side of Hiddleston in the front-row, the former making his first start in the 2023/24 Investec Champions Cup.
Scott Cummings continues in the second-row, whilst Alex Samuel – Hiddleston’s former captain at Scotland U20 level – returns to the starting lineup after starting in the 12-11 win away to Aviron Bayonnais in round two.
Matt Fagerson is named at openside after recovering from a facial injury sustained against Northampton Saints at the start of December, joining Ally Miller and Henco Venter in the back-row for the trip to Exeter.
Behind the scrum, Duncan Weir comes into the squad to start at fly-half nine years on after coming off the bench in the 2014 victory over Exeter, partnering George Horne in the half-backs.
Sione Tuipulotu captains the side for the fourth match in succession as he lines up at outside centre, Stafford McDowall joining the skipper in midfield after his try-scoring display at Scottish Gas Murrayfield last time out.
An unchanged back-three sees Huw Jones slot in on the wing alongside Kyle Rowe, with Josh McKay completing the starting XV by continuing at full-back.
Euan Ferrie is in line for his first appearance of the 2023/24 campaign after being selected amongst the replacements, the man from East Kilbride covering the back-row in a six-two split of forwards and backs.
Jamie Bhatti rotates to the bench to provide cover in the front-row alongside Scotland colleague George Turner, Lucio Sordoni completing the trio of front-row replacements after recovering from a shoulder injury.
Richie Gray wears the number 19 jersey, whilst Max Williamson continues amongst the replacements after impressing across the month of December.
The backs are covered by Ben Afshar and Tom Jordan, the former set for his first taste of away European rugby after being an unused replacement in Bayonne.
Speaking following selection, Head Coach Smith told glasgowwarriors.org: “Everyone has come back in well-prepared ahead of this match, and training this week has been competitive with everyone putting their hand up for selection.
“Exeter are a team in excellent form and have started the season strongly – they do not lose many matches at home and we know that there will be an electric atmosphere at Sandy Park tomorrow afternoon.
“We are also excited to see Gregor take to the field for his Glasgow Warriors debut; he is a young player who has worked hard, taken on board feedback from the coaches and his peers, and has earned his opportunity.”
Glasgow Warriors team to face Exeter Chiefs at Sandy Park, Saturday 13 January, kick-off 1pm. You can watch the match live on ITV, STV and TNT Sports, or follow all the action on our Live Match Centre at glasgowwarriors.org
1 Oli Kebble (94)
2 Gregor Hiddleston (0)
3 Zander Fagerson (137)
4 Scott Cummings (114)
5 Alex Samuel (10)
6 Ally Miller (22)
7 Matt Fagerson (100)
8 Henco Venter (7)
9 George Horne (106)
10 Duncan Weir (141)
11 Kyle Rowe (9)
12 Stafford McDowall (67)
13 Sione Tuipulotu (C) (44)
14 Huw Jones (65)
15 Josh McKay (36)
Replacements
16 George Turner (97)
17 Jamie Bhatti (97)
18 Lucio Sordoni (23)
19 Richie Gray (110)
20 Max Williamson (6)
21 Euan Ferrie (9)
22 Ben Afshar (5)
23 Tom Jordan (35)
Unavailable for selection: Fraser Brown (knee), Gregor Brown (knee), Sebastian Cancelliere (neck), Rory Darge (knee), Jack Dempsey (face), Jamie Dobie (ankle), Sintu Manjezi (foot), Nathan McBeth (shoulder), Enrique Pieretto (knee), JP du Preez (knee), Ollie Smith (knee), Kyle Steyn (ankle), Sione Vailanu (knee), Murphy Walker (knee).
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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.”
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:
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