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Leo Cullen on the return to pre-season

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Pre-season training ahead of the 2022/23 season began this week with the Leinster Rugby squad having their first pitch session at Energia Park on Monday.

Leinster Rugby Head Coach, Leo Cullen says that the entire group is looking forward to the new season. “Everyone is very excited to get back in. I think for all of us watching the Ireland games over the last three weeks, seeing how well so many of the guys did out there, in achieving something incredibly special, it was great to see that.

“So, for a lot of the players here, some guys were very close to going on that tour and narrowly missed out. So, they want to get back and get working and try to improve.

“We also have a host of younger players here with us as well. So a lot of academy players that would have strong aspirations to go on and achieve great things in the game. So, first day back and it’s good to see the guys in pretty good shape overall.”

There were also a number of new faces at the first training session of the year and Cullen is looking forward to seeing what they can add to the group. “It’s great to welcome the new players as you need that bit of energy.

“Charlie Ngatai is a player that’s played for the All-Blacks and he’s been in France with Lyon for the last few years. He’s a player that we have followed quite closely. He’s a more mature player, which I think is good for the group that we have here at the moment.

“He can pass on some of his experience, and hopefully he’ll be able to deliver some big performance to the team as well. I think it was a great acquisition for us to be able to get Charlie in.”

“Jason Jenkins has played for South Africa in the past. A huge, physical man. So we’re looking forward to him getting up and running as well.

“We’ve also had a few guys coming in from AIL clubs, which I think is important because some guys have gone well during the club season. So we’ve a couple of guys in to help boost numbers and it’s also a great opportunity for them to showcase what they can do as well.

 “We also have the young guys coming into the academy, as is normally the case, but we have a number of those Academy players still to return because they were away with the Irish U-20’s over the summer.

“So it’s a very nice mix that we have. Every year you’re here, you’re a year older. But, the players seem to stay at the same age!”

There was also a well known face back in the blue of Leinster as Sean O’Brien began his new role as Contact Skills Coach.

“It was great to see him deliver his first coaching session, and hopefully he has a bright future in coaching as well.” Says Leo Cullen.

“He had such a great career as a player, and hopefully he will be able to transfer some of the great knowledge that he has accumulated in the game and he’ll be able to pass that onto the younger guys, but some of the older guys as well who would have such great respect for him.

Hopefully he goes on to have a great career in coaching. We’re looking forward to see what he can add to the group.”

Leinster Rugby will play Harlequins in London in a pre-season friendly on Friday, 2 September, with a 7.30pm kick-off time.

Images & Content from Leinster Rugby


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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