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Young reacts to back three injuries

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Dai Young admits his first thoughts were with Liam Williams after the full back suffered a collarbone injury during Cardiff’s BKT United Rugby Championship win over Munster on Saturday.

The British and Irish Lions, who had enjoyed a sparkling opening 20 minutes to his Blue and Blacks career before departing, is expected to be sidelined for 12 to 16 weeks with the injury.

Young revealed that his options in the number 15 jersey took a double blow, with youngster Jacob Beetham also facing a lenthy lay-off after suffering an ACL injury in Cardiff RFC’s win over Merthyr.

However, while the Director of Rugby admits it’s disappointing to lose a player of Williams’ pedigree, he is happy to have other options to fill the vacant full back spot: “I’m more disappointed than anything for Liam because he was really eager to have a good season here. 

“He’s done everything that’s been asked of him since coming to Cardiff and he was looking really sharp in the game.

“I’m really gutted for him and it’s a big blow for both us and Wales. But more importantly it’s really gutting for Liam.

“You never quite know how they’ll recover but we don’t see it as being much before 12 weeks. If everything goes smoothly then hopefully he’ll hit that 12-week mark.

“But as with any injury, you’re not going to rush a player back just to get him a week earlier and so on. It could be anything between 12 and 16 weeks, but hopefully closer to the 12.

“There’s not much more you can say. He’s been in to have his operation on Monday and he’ll have a couple of days for everything to settle down before coming back in.

“He’s offered to help where he can off the field, like with the analysis, and we’ll certainly have him involved as much as we can.

“Sometimes this sport can be ugly. He’s worked really hard and looked really sharp but it’s one of those injuries that you can’t do anything about.

“There’s nothing you can say or do that will make it any better. The medical staff did a great job in looking after him but there wasn’t much I could say or do apart from a bit of a tap on the back and giving him my best wishes.

“We’ve had another bit of bad news too. The process here is that the youngsters coming through the ranks will play for the RFC, which is predominantly the Rags, and will then move up to play for us.

“Jacob Beetham, who we believe is a strong contender for playing 15 moving forward, played for the Rags and has unfortunately done his ACL on the weekend, so he’s out of contention there.

“We’ve obviously got Matthew Morgan who is a well-established 15 for us, and Josh Adams is one that Wayne Pivac would like us to play at 15 on occasions as well.

“That’s something that may happen in the World Cup so it’s about seeing if he can get some experience there.

“So we do have options there, but they’re big shoes to fill.”

Another casualty from Saturday’s opening day win was Owen Lane, who pulled out of the encounter at the eleventh hour after rolling his ankle in the warm-up.

While Young admits the back three division is currently being tested following a number of set-backs, he hopes there are short-term comebacks ear-marked for a trio of wings.

He added: “What we have got issues with as well is our wings. Jason Harries also played for Cardiff but got concussed and will go through the 12-day protocol.

“Owen Lane will be out for a couple of weeks and Theo is currently  coming back from an injury.

“Wing is normally a position where we have a number of options but probably not week.”

Content & Images from – Cardiff 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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