URC
Stand-off Savala pens three-year extension
Savala, 22, has enjoyed a breakout campaign in 2022/23, making 16 appearances in total, with eight as a starter in the number 10 jersey.
The stand-off scored his first try for the club away to Vodacom Bulls in Round 2 of this season’s BKT United Rugby Championship, with his first home score coming in December’s Heineken Championship victory against Castres Olympique at DAM Health Stadium.
Savala has notched up 23 points on the season so far, starting in impressive wins against Cardiff Rugby [A], Zebre Parma [A], Castres Olympique [A] and Saracens [H].
Fresh from penning a new deal, the stand-off now gears up to face Scarlets in Llanelli this Saturday (18 February, kick-off 5.15pm) as Edinburgh Rugby return to BKT United Rugby Championship action.
Savala said: “I’m absolutely delighted to re-sign. Edinburgh is home for me now and I feel honoured every time I pull on the jersey and represent the club.
“There’s no better feeling than playing footie with your mates and that’s exactly how I feel being part of this group of players.
“We’re a really tightknit squad who all take great pride in playing for Edinburgh Rugby. It’s amazing that I can continue to be part of this team for another three years.”
Born in Sydney, Savala qualifies for Scotland through his Ayr-born father, while his grandmother still lived in Ayr until moving to Australia last year.
Savala still has a number of strong family connections in the west and even turned out for the Millbrae club aged nine when visiting family on holiday and electing to wear Ayr socks against Emirates Lions earlier this season for the capital side’s annual ‘Club Appreciation Night’ fixture.
The stand-off has now made 26 appearances for Edinburgh after making his professional debut against Cardiff Rugby in March 2021, where he started at stand-off, kicking a single conversion and penalty in a 34-15 defeat at the Arms Park.
Savala continued: “Edinburgh is the perfect place for me to continue my development as a player. We’ve got a brilliant group of 10s at the club and there’s isn’t a day where we’re not challenging each other to get better.
“I’ve loved this season so far and it’s been awesome to win the trust of the coaches too. I’ve been handed starts in some pretty big games for the club and that’s only made me feel more confident as a stand-off.
“I feel like I’m getting better and better every match I play and, with the great players we’ve got at this club around me, I know I can keep pushing on to that next level.
“The Edinburgh fans have been massive for me too. The players and supporters have got such a great connection at The DAM right now – I can’t wait to keep running out for a few more years yet!”
Head Coach Mike Blair added: “Charlie is a brilliant guy to have around the club. He’s hugely self-driven and strives to get better every day while his confidence is infectious – he really brings out the best in the players around him.
“We want to see Charlie continue to grow and mature as a player and he’ll definitely do that with more minutes under his belt.
“We’ve been impressed with his contributions this season so far and we’ve seen a different side to his game at times – with a bigger emphasis on game-management.
“Charlie is obviously Scottish qualified and still relatively young at 22, so we’re delighted that we’ve been able to retain his services on a new long-term deal.”
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