URC
Talakai to make debut as Fagerson reaches 150
Talakai to make debut as Fagerson reaches 150
Sam Talakai will make his Glasgow Warriors debut in the opening round of the 2024/25 BKT United Rugby Championship against Ulster tomorrow night, after being named in a matchday 23 that also sees Zander Fagerson bring up 150 appearances for the Scotstoun outfit.
The tight-heads are part of a squad containing 16 internationals for the club’s first visit to the Kingspan Stadium since the opening match of the 2021/22 season, as Franco Smith’s men open their BKT URC title defence under the Saturday night lights.
Make. Every. Game. Count 👊
2024/25 – we’re ready for you 😤#WhateverItTakes ⚔️🛡️ pic.twitter.com/IbOLjEaeMd
— Glasgow Warriors (@GlasgowWarriors) September 18, 2024
Australian international Talakai packs down alongside Jamie Bhatti and Johnny Matthews in an experienced front-row, the latter having finished on top of the try-scoring charts with 14 in the 2023/24 campaign.
Richie Gray partners Max Williamson in the engine room, forming an all-international combination after Williamson’s senior international debut on Scotland’s summer tour.
Matt Fagerson – Player of the Match in the 2023/24 BKT URC Grand Final – and Rory Darge are named as the flankers, with Henco Venter selected at number eight one year on from making his Glasgow Warriors debut in the opening match of last season.
Behind the scrum, Jamie Dobie is given the nod at scrum-half, whilst Tom Jordan starts at fly-half after reaching a half-century of Glasgow Warriors appearances in the Grand Final win in Pretoria back in June.
Sione Tuipulotu lines up at inside centre three years on from making his club debut in Belfast, whilst Stafford McDowall comes in for his first outing in Glasgow colours since May’s clash with the Emirates Lions in Johannesburg.
The same back-three combination that started the 2023/24 Grand Final is selected for the opening match of the new campaign, as club captain Kyle Steyn and Sebastian Cancelliere line up either side of full-back, Josh McKay.
Fagerson’s inclusion in the matchday 23 means that the tight-head will become just the 15th Warrior to reach 150 appearances if and when called upon this Saturday, with the British and Irish Lion having become one of the sport’s premier tight-heads since making his Glasgow Warriors debut in 2014.
Also lining up amongst the replacements is Scotland international Adam Hastings, the fly-half set for his first appearance in a Glasgow shirt since 2021 after returning to the club from Gloucester over the summer.
Nathan McBeth and Gregor Brown are included in the matchday squad after both making their senior international debuts for Scotland during the summer tour, the pair both having also come off the bench in the Grand Final victory over the Vodacom Bulls in June.
Alex Samuel and Euan Ferrie complete a six-two split of forwards and backs, with Ben Afshar rounding out the replacements to take on the team against whom he made his professional debut last season.
Speaking following selection, Head Coach Smith told glasgowwarriors.org: “We are looking forward to taking to the field for the first time in 2024/25, with everyone driving each other forward and putting their hand up to be involved.
“Ulster will provide us with a stern test first up; they have recruited well ahead of the new season and will be defending a proud home record in front of a passionate crowd in Belfast.
“We’re pleased to see Sam make his first appearance for us since arriving in Glasgow, and for Zander to reach the 150 mark; anyone that plays 150 matches for their club is someone who clearly is proud to represent their club, and is a top professional as well as a top person.”
Glasgow Warriors team to face Ulster at Kingspan Stadium, Saturday 21 September, kick-off 7.45pm. You can watch the match live on Premier Sports, or follow all the action in our Live Match Centre at glasgowwarriors.org.
1 Jamie Bhatti (106)
2 Johnny Matthews (73)
3 Sam Talakai (0)
4 Max Williamson (19)
5 Richie Gray (115)
6 Matt Fagerson (111)
7 Rory Darge (48)
8 Henco Venter (22)
9 Jamie Dobie (68)
10 Tom Jordan (50)
11 Kyle Steyn (C) (77)
12 Sione Tuipulotu (55)
13 Stafford McDowall (78)
14 Sebastian Cancelliere (38)
15 Josh McKay (49)
Replacements
16 Gregor Hiddleston (9)
17 Nathan McBeth (42)
18 Zander Fagerson (149)
19 Alex Samuel (15)
20 Gregor Brown (20)
21 Euan Ferrie (20)
22 Ben Afshar (8)
23 Adam Hastings (53)
Unavailable for selection: Facundo Cordero (ankle), Scott Cummings (foot), Allan Dell (arm), Jack Dempsey (back), Huw Jones (calf), Ally Miller (calf), JP du Preez (knee), Ollie Smith (knee), Rory Sutherland (groin), Sione Vailanu (knee), Murphy Walker (neck)
Your champions return home 🤩
Be there as your Warriors run out for the first time at Scotstoun as defending #BKTURC champions when we take on Benetton on Friday 27 September!
🎟️ https://t.co/2QkIzRRnKh#WhateverItTakes pic.twitter.com/mHOPmtkoCK
— Glasgow Warriors (@GlasgowWarriors) September 13, 2024
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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:
Images & Content – Ulster Rugby
Jordan signs for Bristol Bears
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