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The Munster squad began their training week on Monday ahead of Saturday night’s BKT URC clash against Vodacom Bulls at Thomond Park (7.35pm).
Buy match tickets here.
The nine Munster players who were in Bloemfontein with Emerging Ireland will rejoin the squad at the HPC this week.
There were six Munster players in AIL action at the weekend.
Senior players Eoin O’Connor and Chris Moore helped Young Munster to a 26-23 victory over Garryowen in their Limerick derby.
Academy pair Tony Butler and Cian Hurley lined out for Garryowen with Butler scoring all of his side’s 23 points.
Paddy Patterson started for Cork Constitution as they were beaten by Terenure College.
Kieran Ryan was in action for Shannon as they fell to a defeat in Ballynahinch.
Read a full round-up of the action here.
In player news, Shannon RFC prop Luke Rigney has completed his time at the province having joined Munster on a short-term training contract over the summer.
On the injury front, Peter O’Mahony is being assessed for a neck injury and his availability will be determined later this week.
Liam Coombes (hamstring) will return to training this week.
Fineen Wycherley (shoulder) will be further assessed by the medical team this week.
Mike Haley will be unavailable this weekend due to a groin injury.
Greencore Munster Rugby Academy back-row forward Daniel Okeke has undergone surgery on a hamstring injury and has been ruled out for the coming months.
Unavailable: RG Snyman (knee), Jack Daly (knee), Alex Kendellen (head), Paddy Kelly (head), Keith Earls (thigh), Andrew Conway (knee), Simon Zebo (calf).
URC Round 5
Saturday, October 15
Munster v Vodacom Bulls, Thomond Park, 7.35pm; Buy tickets here
URC Round 7
Saturday, October 29
Munster v Ulster, Thomond Park, 5.15pm; Buy tickets here
URC Round 8
Saturday, November 26
Munster v Connacht, Thomond Park, 7.35pm; Buy tickets here
Champions Cup Round 1
Sunday, December 11
Munster Rugby v Stade Toulousain, Thomond Park, 3.15pm; Buy tickets here
URC Round 10
Monday, December 26
Munster v Leinster, Thomond Park, 7.35pm; Buy tickets here
Champions Cup Round 3
Saturday, January 14, 2023
Munster Rugby v Northampton Saints, Thomond Park, 3.15pm; Buy tickets here
Images & Content from Munster Rugby
Pete Wilkins: Big challenge awaits on Friday
Lawrie: Van der Merwe arrival has already energised the squad
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Pete Wilkins: Big challenge awaits on Friday
Lawrie: Van der Merwe arrival has already energised the squad
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This Friday Connacht welcome Leinster to The Sportsground in Round 5 of the BKT United Rugby Championship for what will be a mouth watering Interprovincial-derby (k/o 7.35pm).
Connacht got their season up and running after last weeks win over Munster in Galway. While there were brilliant individual performances along with the teams performance, there is still plenty of improvement to be made for the boys in green.
Connacht Head coach Pete Wilkins spoke to the media about the mood in the camp heading into Friday.
“Its a different feeling we’re having going into work on a this week for sure”
“We have the spring in the step and bounce coming off the back of a good weekend”
“At the same time though, win or lose we look at the things we need to do better after every game”
“We can acknowledge the good bits and parts that played a key role in helping us win but at the same time we are aware of what’s needed to keep improving”
“With the opposition this week we know we’ve got to be better again”
It was a much needed win for the Western province after three tough games away from home with nothing got. Pete spoke about what changed for Connacht last Friday to the previous games played in the BKT URC.
“I think our accuracy to exploit space when we saw it and pull the trigger to get those rewards for our efforts was a big part in not getting anything in the first three games”
“I think we were more successful with our final passes on Friday which we weren’t in the previous games”
“These first four weeks were a growing process for us but we can’t use that as an excuse as we’ve got to keep getting better and get results”
Pete discussed about some of the big positives from Connacht’s play against Munster were.
“I think our game management was very good particularly around the half-way during half-time when we used a bit of fuel our decision making was good”
“Having Jack Carty back is great and when you have one of the best players in Ireland on the field that’s going to help your controlling of the game, plus Conor Fitzgerald at full-back and David Hawkshaw at 12 really adds to that”
“We had three sets of eyes and three brains there looking at how we use the ball”
With all eyes now solely focused on the challenge on Leinster, what is Pete expecting to see from Leo Cullen’s men?
“Its a big challenge”
“All aspects of your game need to be in good order against them and then you need to make sure you nullify their strengths”
“We’re well aware of what there strengths are, whether that’s the team or individual players”
“When Leinster attack and defend there is a relentless effectiveness and accuracy about them”
“They are a team that wan’t to play possession, so that means at some point they will concede turn overs but we’ve got to apply the right kind of pressure to get those turn overs”
Tickets for Friday’s game against Leinster can be got HERE
Images & Content from – Connacht Rugby
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Speaking to the media, Forwards Coach Stevie Lawrie hailed the winger’s early impact, with Van der Merwe in contention for his ‘second debut’ this coming weekend.
“Duhan’s looking magic,” said Lawrie. “The boys are energised to have him and we’ve already had some comedy moments from him in a couple of meetings.
“He’s been referencing his super strength! he’s brought a bit of energy and a bit of fun.
“It’s great to have Duhan back in with the group. It creates a lot of competition within the back three but also, he brings his own energy and his own vibe. The boys really like him. I’m excited for him to be in the mix for selection this week.”
Van der Merwe re-joins a team with a different playing style than he was perhaps used to under the previous regime.
With a new fast track at DAM Health Stadium, the winger will slot into a backline who’ve enjoyed playing with creativity and freedom, instilled by Head Coach Mike Blair.
“He played for Cockers here before, went to Worcester to play for Steve Diamond and now he’s back here to play for Mike. And he played for Mike before at Scotland.
“But I see Duhan slotting in just fine. I think he’ll enjoy the shapes that we’re running and how we can get him on the ball. He’s a devastating runner.
“At Worcester he was one of the top line-breaking wingers in world rugby. His stats are very impressive. I think he’ll go well under Mike and Mike will enjoy thinking of ways to get him on the ball.”
Van der Merwe returns to a positional group that is perhaps the most competitive in the playing group.
Winger Darcy Graham has already ran in six tries in four matches while Argentine international Emiliano Boffelli has returned to the capital XV following a hugely successful Rugby Championship campaign with Los Pumas.
“How good was the wee man [Darcy] at the weekend? “continued Lawrie.
“He could beat a man in a phone box. He was brilliant. He’s on form just now. And there’s quite a nice balance there in terms of individuals.
“Whoever’s in the back three knows they need to perform. And from a coach’s perspective that’s a positive place to be.”
Van der Merwe’s return brings an added boost to the squad as the capital side gear up for Saturday night’s Scottish x Italian Shield conference match-up with Benetton.
Having been edged out by Emirates Lions on Friday night, Edinburgh will be keen to return to winning ways at DAM Health Stadium where they’ve only lost two league fixtures since moving in last season.
“I think we’ve played some tough teams, for sure, but we’ve also reflected on how ruthless we can be. Mike’s spoken about it – what we’re controlling, and how we’re going to get ourselves over the line in these tight games.
“Because we had opportunities to win that game at the weekend, probably similar to Bulls away, and we’ve just fallen short. That’s the straightforward fact.
“We’re probably looking around our contact area and how physical we can be when we’re actually in the opposition finish zone, inside their 22 – how we can be more efficient or more ruthless.
“Last year, Scarlets first game of the season was one that could have gone either way. We were on the right side of that result, now we’ve found ourselves on the wrong side of a couple of results.
“So it’s important this weekend against Benetton that we play with the confidence and belief that’s in the group, but that we’re also just physical, and able to play on top of them when we get into their 22.
“We conceded a number of turnovers, not through overplaying – it was more things like getting stripped or going off our feet – things that we feel were in control of that didn’t quite click at the weekend. So we’ve got a real laser focus on that this week.”
Content & Images from – Edinburgh Rugby
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Rhys Priestland says it was crucial that Cardiff showed their fighting spirit during Saturday’s BKT United Rugby Championship win over Scarlets.
The Welsh international wore the number 15 jersey at Parc y Scarlets, as a Tomos Williams try proved decisive in the Blue and Blacks’ win over the hosts.
The playmaker was pleased with the character shown by the squad in Llanelli and believes they were rewarded for their ability to stay in the fight, despite second half pressure from the hosts.
“After the start we’ve had to the season, it was so important that we, probably not won but just showed a bit more fight in us,” said Priestland.
“I can’t remember being part of the Cardiff team that has shown more fight than we did today. The attitude we showed today was great.
“It’s a pleasure to be a part of that on the field. We’d like to think that every game we can show that.
“Last Friday [against Lions] was very disappointing and you’re going to have games or periods in games where you don’t play well.
“But then you have to show that fight we showed tonight. It wasn’t perfect, and we had our backs against the wall for most of the second half, but we hung on in there and that’s sometimes more important than the way you play.
“That’s how you grind out victories and stay in games. It’s a very competitive league but if you show that fight for 60-70 minutes, you might nick a game at the end.
“That’s what the best teams in the league do. They don’t always play well but they’re always in the game and that’s probably something we’ve lacked, certainly since I’ve come to the club.”
Next up for the Blue and Blacks is the visit of Dragons RFC to the Arms Park on Saturday.
With Cardiff heading into the encounter with 13 consecutive league victories over the Gwent outfit, Priestland expects a fierce challenge and insists Cardiff must be at their best on Saturday.
“The Dragons are much improved this year. They were excellent against Munster,” added the Welsh international.
“They look like a team that’s very much improving and it’s funny sometimes what a change can do.
“We were lucky to win at Rodney Parade last year and they will definitely be coming down with a spring in their step, thinking they can get a victory.
“I know we’ve had a good run against them over the last few years but it’s going to be a huge challenge for us next week against a much improved Dragons team.
“Some of the resolve that we showed in the second half, derbies quite often are not classic games, and that’s what it will come down to.
“Who is going to jump on the loose ball, put their body on the line and willing to put their shoulder in. We’ll need to repeat that aspect of the game next week and hopefully improve on them again, particularly when we have ball-in-hand.
“We showed good glimpses of that in the first half but in the second half it was very much backs against the wall.”
Tickets for Cardiff Rugby versus Dragons RFC are available now. Call 029 20 302030 or click here to purchase yours today.
Cardiff v Dragons will be celebrating the superb work done by the Cardiff Rugby Community Foundation, who use the power and values of sport to INSPIRE, ENGAGE and IMPROVE opportunities for all people within our community. For more information on how to support the Foundation, please click HERE
🎙 “You have to show that fight we showed, and the attitude we showed was great. It was a pleasure to be a part of that on the field.”
🗣 @Rhys_Priestland reacts to Saturday’s away win over Scarlets. pic.twitter.com/PPO80f0DjJ
— Cardiff Rugby (@Cardiff_Rugby) October 10, 2022
Content & Images from – Cardiff Rugby
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