
Hume ruled out of Ulster's Leinster contest
Centre James Hume will miss Ulster's United Rugby Championship contest against leaders Leinster in Dublin on Saturday (19:35 BST) because of a back injury. Hume sustained the injury in the Investec Champions Cup last-16 defeat by Bordeaux nine days ago.He joins Iain Henderson (hamstring), Jake Flannery (knee), Ethan McIlroy (knee), Rob Baloucoune (hamstring), Ben Carson (neck), Ben Moxham (knee), Eric O'Sullivan (knee) and Sean Reffell (calf) on Ulster's injury list.On the plus side for Richie Murray's squad, Cormac Izuchukwu (ankle), Werner Kok (hamstring) and Jude Postlethwaite have all recovered from recent injuries and will be available for the Aviva Stadium game.A three-match winning run in March moved Ulster up to the play-off positions in sixth spot as they defeated Scarlets, Dragons and Stormers, with the latter 38-34 win coming after the Irish province trailed 17-0 early on.However, it remains a congested table with 13th-placed Connacht only four points behind Ulster.
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Wales Online
an hour ago
- Wales Online
Wales head coach twist as Steve Tandy ruled out after new WRU chief's arrival
Wales head coach twist as Steve Tandy ruled out after new WRU chief's arrival Wales' search for a new head coach is almost at an end with an appointment imminent Steve Tandy was a leading contender for the Wales job (Image:) Wales' search for a new head coach has taken a twist after Scotland boss Gregor Townsend poured cold water on the prospect of Steve Tandy succeeding Warren Gatland. WalesOnline understands Tandy was the clear front runner at one stage but the Welsh Rugby Union's new director of rugby and elite performance, Dave Reddin, started the process almost from scratch upon getting appointed. Tandy is currently Scotland defence coach and Townsend is adamant he will not be leaving his backroom team as things stand. 'Steve Tandy is going nowhere," said Townsend. 'Yeah, unless something changes that's not happened now, which would be another club or country approaching him and whether that would be allowed to happen anyway. Sign up to Inside Welsh rugby on Substack to get exclusive news stories and insight from behind the scenes in Welsh rugby. "But nothing has happened other than media speculation, and Steve is one of the best coaches in the world with a great experience, a really good connection with our group, with our players, and he's been really excited about this tour. Article continues below "So nothing to add from just pure speculation.' Despite Townsend's comments, Tandy was in the process throughout but it appears Reddin will go down a different path. The likes of Glasgow's United Rugby Championship head coach Franco Smith and Ireland's Simon Easterby have been heavily linked with the Wales job. Join WalesOnline Rugby's WhatsApp Channel here to get the breaking news sent straight to your phone for free Franco Smith, head coach of Glasgow Warriors (Image:) Cardiff boss Matt Sherratt is leading Wales to Japan on an interim basis but is not thought to be in contention for the job on a permanent basis. Turning around Welsh rugby's fortunes will be difficult with the men's national side having lost a record 17 Test matches in a row. Article continues below The professional game is also struggling with the WRU seriously considering dropping from four to three or even two professional clubs. Get the latest breaking Welsh rugby news stories sent straight to your inbox with our FREE daily newsletter. Sign up here. But the challenge of turning around Wales' fortunes could be appealing and the WRU are set to make an appointment in the very near future.


Scottish Sun
2 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
Huddersfield appoint former Man Utd defender as he joins Lee Grant's revolution at League One club
The 39-year-old is joined by Steven Gerrard's former No. 2 RETURN OF THE MAC RETURN OF THE MAC Huddersfield appoint former Man Utd defender as he joins Lee Grant's revolution at League One club Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) HUDDERSFIELD TOWN have announced Paul McShane is joining as an assistant coach. The Irish centre-back, 39, has spent he past three years as a youth coach at Manchester United. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 2 Paul McShane has been announced as an assistant manager at Huddersfield Credit: Getty 2 Ex-United keeper Lee Grant was appointed Town boss last month Credit: PA McShane began his near two-decade playing career with the Red Devils before spells with Hull, West Brom and Reading. And he teams up with former United goalkeeper Lee Grant at the John Smith's Stadium. The Terriers appointed Grant - a former assistant at Ipswich - last month after a lengthy managerial search. Huddersfield sacked Michael Duff in March with the club seventh in League One. READ MORE ON FOOTBALL RUDE JUDE Bellingham meltdown during England loss as he boots cooler & chases assistant ref Club legend Jon Worthington was put in charge for the remainder of the campaign. But Town lost 10 of their last 12 league games, eventually finishing 14 points outside the playoffs. McShane has now joined Grant's backroom staff in West Yorkshire. The 39-year-old teams up with Marc Bridge-Wilkinson, a former youth coach at Liverpool. BEST ONLINE CASINOS - TOP SITES IN THE UK Jonathan Robinson, Steven Gerrard's No. 2 at Saudi Pro League side Al-Ettifaq, also joins the League One setup. Grant has already been backed by wealthy American owner Kevin Nagle in the transfer market. Birmingham become first EFL club to win promotion as Tom Brady's club bounce back to Championship at first attempt Huddersfield have so far brought in highly-rated Joe Low from Wycombe, along with Sean Roughan, Marcus Harness and Ryan Ledson. Grant told the club website: "I am thrilled to welcome Marc, Paul, and Jonathan to Huddersfield Town – three exceptional professionals who join us as Assistant Coaches. "Their diverse backgrounds, dedication, and commitment to excellence will be invaluable to us as we continue to grow and build something special at this club. "Each brings a unique outlook and energy that aligns with our values and future aspirations." Huddersfield have suffered an alarming slide after dropping out of the Premier League in 2018. Carlos Corberan almost led the club back to the Prem in 2022 through the playoffs. But the club fought relegation from the Championship for multiple seasons before dropping to League One in 2024. They had been expected to mount a strong push for promotion last term. Duff led his side on an impressive 16-game unbeaten run midway through the campaign. But the Terriers lacked bite where it mattered, with their 58 goals the lowest of any team in the top half.


STV News
3 hours ago
- STV News
Russell hoping for strong showing from Bath fans at Premiership final
Scotland fly-half Finn Russell is looking forward to running out at the Allianz Stadium to the roar of Bath's sell-out support rather than with the jeers of England fans ringing in his ears. The British and Irish Lions number 10 kicked 14 points to help Bath beat rivals Bristol and secure a return to the Gallagher Premiership final. Russell, who has recovered from cramp which forced him off during the closing stages at The Recreation Ground, hopes to feel plenty of positive vibes from the Twickenham stands on Saturday – in stark to his previous visits when in Scotland blue. 'From what I have heard, a lot of Bath fans bought tickets a while back to make sure they had them, as they did last year,' Russell said. 'A lot of them will be getting the train over to Twickenham at the weekend and it is always good playing in front of a sold-out stadium. 'Having your home fans there, hopefully the majority of tickets are Bath fans, that will be special.' Scotland vice-captain Russell added: 'I know the other side of playing at Twickenham – usually when I am there, it is 70-odd thousand fans against me. 'But it is always special playing in that stadium and hopefully our fans can make as much noise as possible.' Russell, 32, remains determined to see Bath put last season's defeat by Northampton behind them and land a first title since 1996. 'I think that motivation has been there for everyone,' said Russell, who has been called up for his third successive Lions tour this summer. 'After getting that final and losing it last year, it is always quite tough to come back in that next year. 'But I think everyone came back in pre-season in good shape and kind of ripped in straight away. 'At the start of the year, the goal was to win the Premiership. We have gotten ourselves in a good spot just now to hopefully go and do that. 'We have almost got back to where we wanted to be and hopefully can go one step further this year.' Bath finished 11 points clear of Leicester at the top of the Premiership table, having won 14 games. Johann van Graan's side have already lifted the Premiership Rugby Cup and European Challenge Cup this season as they look to close out the campaign with yet more silverware. 'The playing group have been fantastic and it is great that everybody wants to play in the final, but ultimately, we can only select 23 players,' said Bath head of rugby van Graan. 'In our training again today, it doesn't matter what team you were in, everybody was in (to the session). 'Yes, some individuals will be disappointed, but that's natural. 'We see that as a positive, because everybody wants to play for this team and pulls in the same direction because they want to achieve something together.' Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country