Ulster wait for scan of Baloucoune injury
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Belfast Telegraph
7 hours ago
- Belfast Telegraph
Osian Pryce looks to give top seeds a run for their money in Ulster Rally
Pryce has put a deal together with C&M Motorsport to tackle the Northern Ireland Motor Club event in a Hyundai i20 N Rally2 alongside experienced Irish navigator, Andy Hayes. Given the competitiveness of the South Korean supermini, the expectation is that Pryce can ask all the right questions of top seed Callum Devine (Skoda Fabia RS Rally2) as well as David Kelly and Darren Gass (Volkswagen Polo GTI R5) and Kevin Eves (Ford Fiesta Rally2). Pryce is no stranger to visiting the top step of the Ulster Rally podium having conquered the now defunct Rally NI element back in 2013 using a Citroen DS3 R3. It was not deemed an outright triumph, however, due to international top seed Garry Jennings traversing the competitive route in a quicker combined time aboard a Subaru Impreza S12B World Car. 'We have always been in the mix and on the pace at the Ulster - it is one of my favourite events and I was lucky to win Rally NI in 2013, but it was such a long time ago,' said Pryce. 'Since then, the rally has moved to new locations several times and I have not done a lot in the area in which it is now based apart from one stage from 2021 I recognise because it was the one that I crashed on. This time, however, it is going to run in a different direction. 'It is a good rally but as for our chances I am not really sure how we will get on – the car is new, but it should be good and, so far, everything is being done in the proper, professional way. Adding someone into the mix like Andy is going to really help me as well. All the key ingredients are there, so we can just focus on the job in hand and try to enjoy ourselves.' Pryce last featured at the Ulster Rally four years ago and came within touching distance of clinching the British Rally Championship crown only to retire on the penultimate test. His demise handed a third consecutive title to fellow Welshman Matt Edwards – a first for the series – before putting the record straight 12 months later with Noel O'Sullivan's help. 'The Ulster Rally is one of those events that is renowned for its challenging stages and its incredible atmosphere,' said Pryce who will immediately return home from the Ulster and turn his focus to the British and European Rally Championship counting Rali Ceredigion. 'C&M and I had a chat and we managed to come to an agreement that suited us both – it made a lot of sense, really – which means that I get a bit of time in the car for Ceredigion, but also they get the Hyundai out for the Ulster, which is their priority as it is a round of the Irish Tarmac Championship. That was the reason for doing the Ulster – it works both ways.'
Wales Online
7 hours ago
- Wales Online
All Blacks players lift car in Argentina after it gets stuck on parking block
All Blacks players lift car in Argentina after it gets stuck on parking block The All Blacks displayed their strength in an unconventional way prior to their opening round clash against Argentina. This is the moment the New Zealand players lifted the car. (Image: ScrumRugby) Three All Blacks players lifted a car over a parking block in Argentina to get the vehicle on its way. The New Zealand squad are currently in Buenes Aires ahead of their opening Rugby Championship encounter against Los Pumas this weekend and came across the stricken driver as they walked through the streets. However, it wasn't the big, burly forwards that lifted the car, it was creative backs Damian McKenzie, Jordie Barrett and Beauden Barrett who did the honours. The vehicle was stuck on top of a chunky parking block and wouldn't have been able to move without the help of the rugby stars. The intervention was a hit with fans on social media, with one saying: 'These lads grew up on the farm, light work for the boys." It's the first time that players have been called on to shift a vehicle. During the 2023 World Cup in France, members of the squad needed to move a Land Rover that blocked the team bus. Utility back Jordie has just come back from playing for Leinster in the United Rugby Championship, and will be playing his first game of Test rugby since his stint in the northern hemisphere. Check out the clip below. Article continues below Content cannot be displayed without consent McKenzie and the Barrett brothers are all likely to start in the first match of the upcoming tournament. Following the pandemic, New Zealand had won The Rugby Championship every year until South Africa reclaimed the title last summer. The last time Rassie Erasmus' side had won the competition was six years ago, the same year they won the World Cup. Having beaten New Zealand in last year's Test in Wellington, Scott Robertson's side are wary of the challenge presented by Los Pumas. All Blacks star Will Jordan spoke about the significance of passion ahead of their clash. "We built some good combinations [against France]," explained Jordan. "The whole squad got to go, so everyone's ready to play if needed. On attack, we built some good flow. "We expect a lot of passion from Argentina. They'll come hard at our breakdown. "Over the last few years, they've challenged us, particularly in the first game. We've lost a couple of those, so the first 20 minutes can be important. "Matching their energy and passion in the first 20 minutes playing at home [is a challenge]. They're going to be up for it, so it is important we come out firing. "The challenge for us is to be able to start with the right intensity that allows us to play and be able to use the ball when moving around the park. Article continues below "I like having the ball in my hands so I try and get involved and have an influence where I can, and sometimes it ends up in my hands."
BBC News
2 days ago
- BBC News
Absence of Ireland stars 'can be positive'
Ulster's Paige Smyth believes running the Women's Interprovincial Championship alongside the World Cup will give others opportunities to winger made her first start for her province on Sunday in their 37-21 loss to holders Leinster in Dublin. Being handed the number 11 jersey for the clash marked another impressive landmark in the transition between sports for Smyth who is also an All-Ireland junior GAA winner with her native Down. The 2025 edition of the interpros has a slightly different feel, with provinces forced into changes with many star names called up to the Ireland squad for the World Cup that starts this month in will be without four big names with Claire Boles, Brittany Hogan, Sadhbh McGrath and Fiona Tuite all called up to Scott Bemand's panel for the tournament they begin on Sunday, 24 August against Japan in missing their obvious talent, Smyth sees it as a chance for others to shine when give opportunities. "You know, the Ulster girls that are involved with the Ireland set-up, they're a massive loss to us obviously," she said told BBC Sport NI."But I think it can be a positive opportunity too because it means it's a chance for other players that aren't contracted. I think if we look at it that way it can be positive."Ulster, who face Connacht in Galway on Sunday, will play their final group game against Munster just one day before the Irish World Cup campaign kicks off, while the championship's play-off round is scheduled to take place 24 hours before the national side face Spain in their second pool fixture. While the eyes of many will be fixated on the events and happenings at the global showpiece, Smyth believes the increased exposure will help the women's game across the board. "The more coverage the better. I think for women's sport specifically, the more that's shown, the more that's put out there, the better it is for the sport because the women are putting in as much hard work and training and the set-up and what they're doing," she said,"So it's nice to have something to show for it as well and to get more support and more people watching."Ulster's trip to the Dexacom Stadium on Sunday (16:15 BST) features two sides looking to bounce back from opening-round defeats. The Westerners also lost their first game of the campaign with a thumping 44-5 defeat at Munster.
