URC
Leinster Name Strong Team to Face Scarlets
Changes all round!
Leinster have named their team to take on the Scarlets on Friday, with Cullen showing how strong his selection will be during the international period.
The Irish province will be looking for revenge after falling to a 23-21 loss to the Scarlets at the start of the season. With both teams missing key players due to 6 Nations duties other players have been given the chance to shine.
Rob Kearney captains Leinster from full-back, looking to prove his fitness to Joe Schmidt before Ireland’s opening game against England next Saturday.
He is joined in the back three by Barry Daly and James Lowe who returns from his three-match suspension he received after a red card against Munster.
Rory O’Loughlin and Conor O’Brien start in the centre with the latter looking to continue his recent rise for the blues. Ciaran Frawley will be at No 10, joined by Hugh O’Sullivan in the half-backs, who makes his first start for Leinster.
Cullen has named a strong pack with Jack McGrath, James Tracy, and Michael Bent in the front-row. They are joined by Ross Molony and Mick Kearney in the second-row. While Max Deegan, Scott Penny, and Caelan Doris slot into the back-row.
Leinster have strength on the bench where the likes of Bryan Byrne, Ed Byrne, Jamison Gibson-Park and Noel Reid available to be called on. With Jack Dunne ready to come on to make his debut.
WATCH: @KearneyRob captains #LeinsterRugby against Scarlets tomorrow with Jack Dunne in line to make his senior debut. #LEIvSCA #FromTheGroundUp pic.twitter.com/UUFOdzZlU1
— Leinster Rugby (@leinsterrugby) January 24, 2019
On the Scarlets side, Jake Ball has the same opportunity as Kearney to prove his fitness before the opening matches of the 6 Nations.
They also name Johnny McNicholl at full-back, a player Leinster know all too well after his hat-trick in last seasons final.
With 11 players getting an international call, the rest of the Scarlets team is relatively new with only five remaining from last weekend’s loss to Racing 92.
Along with McNicholl, the survivors are Dan Jones, David Bulbring, Dan Davis and Josh Macleod.
Team Announcement | Cyhoeddiad Tîm
— Scarlets Rugby (@scarlets_rugby) January 24, 2019
Here's the team heading to Dublin to face @leinsterrugby tomorrow evening⬇️
Dyma'r tîm sy'n teithio i Ddulyn i wynebu Leinster nos yfory ⬇️#inthepack #ynypac pic.twitter.com/Z9r3UBoerE
Both sides are aware of the opportunity the international break gives to players with Scarlets coach Wayne Pivoc noting that the game will be good for both sets of players.
“When their internationals are away, they get excited like our guys do, so we’re expecting a very stern test,” he said.
While returning Leinster winger Lowe pointed towards the threat the Scarlets pose going forward.
“It’s an exciting challenge,” he said when asked how he felt about facing them, “Scarlets are a very very good attacking team,” he added.
Leinster are currently top of conference B, 19 points ahead of Edinburgh and 20 above their opponents on Friday. Both teams will be looking to impress while the regular starters are away and will be hoping to kick-off the international break with a win.
URC
Jordan signs for Bristol Bears
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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Champions Cup
Squad Update | Munster Prepare For All Blacks XV At Thomond
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
URC
Ulster ready for interpro derby against Connacht in Belfast
Ulster ready for interpro derby against Connacht in Belfast
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