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Vodacom Bulls welcome back Jake White

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Blue Bulls Company (BBCo.) Director of Rugby, Jake White has made his much-anticipated return to Loftus Versfeld having fully recovered from surgery that saw him sidelined for four weeks.

White is reunited with his troops who too return from a deserved two-week break. The Vodacom Bulls unit assemble at Loftus on Thursday morning (09 February 2023) preparing for a mouth-watering run towards the end of the season.

BBCo. Chief Executive Officer, Edgar Rathbone said having Jake back was a good morale boost for everyone at Loftus.

“It is great to have Jake return. We are happy to not only see him back where he belongs but to have him with us means that he is back at full health and that is comforting knowing the tough period he went through. His influence on everyone at Loftus is immeasurable and knowing that he is back, certainly does give all of us an extra kick in our step,”

“I know he is raring to go after what has probably felt a long time away from what he loves doing. We are incredibly lucky to have his calibre of coach a part of the Vodacom Bulls family and know that there is more great things ahead for us all, with him here. Welcome back, Jake!” Rathbone concluded.

An ecstatic Jake said it is a privilege to be back doing what he loves and being around people who mean so much to him.

“It is good to be back, after what has felt like an eternity away from the game,”

“In my time away I was reminded of how extremely fortunate I am to be coaching rugby, in a country like ours where this sport means so much to the people who follow it. I was also reminded of my privilege to coach rugby at Loftus, a well-known club around the world.”

The Vodacom Bulls mentor already has his sights set on the journey ahead for him and his troops, remarking that there is work to be done.

“I know there is more to life than the sport but I return knowing that we have a lot of work to do and I cannot wait to get going because I have missed this. Perspective on life may have been re-highlighted but I return as that passionate and driven coach, hungry for results,”

“It is good to be around the environment again and it will be good to stand in the middle of the field next weekend, with our incredible supporters in the stands. Time to get to work!” he concluded.

White will assemble his herd as they ready to return to Vodacom United Rugby Championship action as well as their round of 16 trip in the Heineken Champions Cup also on the horizon. The side’s first assignment will be against the DHL Stormers at Loftus on Saturday 18 February.

VODACOM BULLS UPCOMING FIXTURES:

VODACOM UNITED RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP

Saturday 18 February               – Vodacom Bulls vs DHL Stormers | Loftus Versfeld Stadium – kickoff: 17h05pm

Saturday 4 March                      – Vodacom Bulls vs Emirates Lions

Saturday 25 March                   – Ulster Rugby vs Vodacom Bulls

Saturday 15 April                       – Vodacom Bulls vs Zebre Parma

Saturday 22 April                       – Vodacom Bulls vs Leinster Rugby

HEINEKEN CHAMPIONS CUP:

Sunday 02 April                          – Stade Toulousain vs Vodacom Bulls

Match and Parking tickets to all matches at Loftus Versfeld can be purchased through the Vodacom Bulls App and TicketPro

Content & Images from – Vodacom Bulls 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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