URC
Musgrave Park Renamed Virgin Media Park
Munster Rugby are delighted to announce a new partnership with Virgin Media, which will see the province’s Cork home, Musgrave Park, renamed as Virgin Media Park.
The new naming rights sponsorship deal begins today and will run for five years.
As part of the agreement, Virgin Media will have total and exclusive ground naming rights, along with extensive branding at the venue.
Virgin Media will also become the telecommunications and broadband sponsor of Munster Rugby, providing full-fibre connectivity both to Virgin Media Park in Cork and Thomond Park in Limerick.
Virgin Media Park is one of the busiest sports venues in the country, hosting selected Munster senior men’s games in the BKT United Rugby Championship, Munster senior women’s Interprovincial Championship fixtures, as well as home games for the Ireland women’s senior team, the Ireland men’s U20 team, plus multiple club and school matches, and other sports.
The venue is also well known for its series of annual summer concerts, which will take place again this summer.
The dedication and spirit of Munster Rugby players, along with the commitment and support of the local community, inspired Virgin Media to get behind the province and support their journey.
In 2023, Virgin Media rolled out its full fibre broadband to homes and businesses in Cork, ensuring more homes than ever can avail of Virgin Media’s superfast, 99.9% reliability broadband. This forms part of Virgin Media’s ongoing €200m fibre network upgrade for over 1m homes and businesses across Ireland.
Tony Hanway, CEO of Virgin Media Ireland, said: “We are delighted to team up with Munster Rugby. Musgrave Park has always been an institution for sport and indeed the general public in Cork.
“Munster Rugby and Virgin Media Ireland share the same values of community, teamwork and excellence, and we are thrilled to support the team and indeed their famed fanbase who are renowned in world sport.
“We look forward to seeing many more special moments created on the field of play in the coming years at Virgin Media Park.”
Ian Flanagan, CEO of Munster Rugby, said: “We are delighted to announce this new partnership with Virgin Media. Given how special Musgrave Park is, and the meaning it has to Munster Rugby and our community in Cork, we feel the new link between the venue and Virgin Media will work really well.
“We look forward to working with Virgin Media on maximising what we do at this iconic rugby, sports and community venue over the coming years.”
About Virgin Media Park
Two major redevelopments have taken place at Virgin Media Park in recent years.
A new 3,500-seater West Stand was constructed and the East Terrace was covered in 2015.
In 2018, a new modified 3G pitch surface was installed. The state-of-the-art pitch has allowed for a significant increase in games played across a number of sports and disciplines at the venue.
The economic benefit of Virgin Media Park for the surrounding area has grown exponentially in recent years.
The new surface has paved the way for the stadium to become one of the country’s top music venues with Take That among the star acts to perform at Virgin Media Park next summer.
To find out more, go to www.virginmedia.ie.
Images & Content from Munster Rugby
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