Latest news with #Brive
BBC News
a day ago
- Business
- BBC News
Ospreys sign Wales back row Moriarty from Brive
Ospreys have completed the signing of Wales back row Ross Moriarty from French side British and Irish Lion returns to the Swansea-based region, where he was brought up, and is looking forward to playing at Ospreys' new St Helen's home next season."I grew up watching rugby at St Helen's as a child and it's a massive honour for me to play on the same ground as my dad and my uncle did," said Moriarty."It's a big deal for me and I look forward to giving my family the chance to watch me play more regularly."Moriarty's presence will help fill the back-row void left by the retiring Justin Tipuric, who will become the region's defence coach next season in the backroom staff of head coach Mark Jones. Bringing the physicality Moriarty has specialised at blind-side flanker and number eight and will join a squad that includes back-row options like James Ratti, Morgan Morris, Morgan Morse, Harri Deaves and captain Jac Morgan."I want to bring some real physicality to the game," said Moriarty."It's been great to watch what Mark Jones is building at the Ospreys and I can't wait to be a part of it and bring my own flair to the team."Moriarty, 31, remains eligible for Wales, although he was left out of campaigns by former head coaches Wayne Pivac and Warren Gatland before making himself unavailable for the 2023 World left Dragons for France in 2023 having had a previous six-year spell with Gloucester."Ross is a proven international player who brings an edge to everything he does," said Jones."His experience and competitiveness will be a huge asset to us, both on and off the pitch."We're pleased to bring in someone of his calibre as we continue to strengthen our squad and push the standards of this group."
Wales Online
a day ago
- Business
- Wales Online
Welsh region announce signing of Wales and Lions international
Welsh region announce signing of Wales and Lions international The 31-year-old will join the Ospreys after spending two years in France The Ospreys have confirmed the signing of Wales international Ross Moriarty (Image: Ben Evans/Huw Evans Agency ) The Ospreys have confirmed the signing of Wales and British and Irish Lions back-row Ross Moriarty ahead of next season. The 54-cap international joins from French outfit Brive, having spent two full seasons in France's second tier, Pro D2, with Les Gaillards. After previously playing for the Dragons and Gloucester, Moriarty, who toured New Zealand with the Lions in 2017, returns to where he was brought up - with both his father Paul and uncle Richard having been heavily involved with Swansea RFC over the years. That only serves to make the move to the Ospreys all the more symbolic, given their move to St Helen's next season - giving the cult-hero status of his family in Swansea. The Ospreys had been in need of back-row reinforcements, with the talismanic Justin Tipuric hanging up his boots and blue scrum cap to join Mark Jones' coaching staff ahead of next season. Flanker Tristan Davies was also confirmed to be joining local rivals Scarlets this week. The 31-year-old, who still remains eligible for Test selection, last played for Wales in March 2022, before being left out of squads under Wayne Pivac and Warren Gatland. Having fallen out of favour under Gatland, he made himself unavailable for the 2023 World Cup following his move to France. Article continues below Prior to joining Brive, the physical back-row had previously spent five years with the Dragons after joining the Men of Gwent in 2018 following six seasons with Gloucester. 'I'm really looking forward to joining the Ospreys and playing in my hometown," said Moriarty. "I grew up watching rugby at St Helen's as a child and it's a massive honour for me to play on the same ground as my dad and my uncle did. "It's a big deal for me, and I look forward to giving my family the chance to watch me play more regularly. 'I want to bring some real physicality to the game. Sign up to Inside Welsh rugby on Substack to get exclusive news stories and insight from behind the scenes in Welsh rugby. "It's been great to watch what Mark Jones is building at the Ospreys, and I can't wait to be a part of it and bring my own flair to the team.' The back-row had joined Brive early, having left Rodney Parade before the end of the 2022/23 season in a bid to keep the French outfit in the Top 14. Unfortunately, Brive missed out on promotion back to the top flight in each of Moriarty's full seasons in France - with the back-row calling time on an "unforgettable experience" after their play-off semi-final defeat to Montauban. 'Ross is a proven international player who brings an edge to everything he does," added Ospreys head coach Jones. Article continues below "His experience and competitiveness will be a huge asset to us, both on and off the pitch. We're really pleased to bring in someone of his calibre as we continue to strengthen our squad and push the standards of this group.'
Scotsman
2 days ago
- Business
- Scotsman
Inside Henco Venter's Glasgow Warriors exit and a special Scotstoun moment
Cult hero is swapping Scotland for France with a heavy heart Sign up to our Rugby Union newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... It's hard to think of an overseas player who has become so popular so quickly in Scotland as Henco Venter. Glasgow Warriors supporters have taken the South African forward to their hearts and serenaded him on Friday night in what turned out to be his Scotstoun swan-song. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad It was a moving experience for Venter as he came off in the 72nd minute of the victory over the Stormers which kept his team's bid to win the United Rugby Championship for the second year in a row very much alive. Departing Glasgow Warriors forward Henco Venter is a hugely popular figure with the club's supporters. | SNS Group No club has done that before but Glasgow are now through to the semi-finals, thanks in no small measure to another outstanding performance from their No 8 and cult hero, who scored a try in the 36-18 victory. Alas, a parting of the ways is imminent. Venter is off to France next season to play in the second-tier ProD2. It was announced in March that he would be joining Brive and the news of his departure was a source of regret for Franco Smith as well as the club's fans. The Glasgow Warriors coach wanted him to stay and while he acknowledged that the player had received a very good offer from Brive, 'other factors came into play'. The chief one being 'a movement in the direction of having less foreigners' in Scottish rugby. Venter, who arrived in Glasgow from the Sharks in summer 2023 and has played 35 times for the club, hopes he has two more games left. The Warriors travel to Dublin to take on Leinster in the URC semis on Saturday and the final is scheduled for the following weekend. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad He wanted to remain at Glasgow but accepts there is a desire within Murrayfield to try to bring through more homegrown talent. Venter will be joined out the exit door by compatriot JP du Preez and Argentinian winger Sebastian Cancelliere. The appointment by Scottish Rugby last August of performance director David Nucifora was designed 'to provide a roadmap for its next decade of player development'. Being South African and 33, Venter isn't perhaps a poster boy for Nucifora's brave new world - but his contribution to Glasgow's success shouldn't be underestimated. He played a big part in last season's stunning URC triumph and has also been credited by Smith with an important role in helping bring through young Warriors players like Jack Mann and Euan Ferrie. He has also been a vital team cog during international windows when Glasgow have been without their large Scotland contingent. For Venter, it will be tough to leave. Henco Venter poses with the URC trophy after Glasgow's win over the Bulls in the final at Loftus Versfeld. | SNS Group 'With Scotland taking the route, as you all know, of less foreign players I wanted to stay but they all made their rules to make Scotland directly better - I respect it,' he said. 'It's one of those things, it's rugby. You just go to the next thing, stuff happens and you just keep going forward and make yourself better.' No-one could blame Venter for looking elsewhere when no offer of a new Glasgow contract was forthcoming but circumstances seemed to have worked against the player. The focus was on negotiating new deals for the club's frontline Scotland players such as Sione Tuipulotu, George Horne, Zander and Matt Fagerson, Kyle Steyn and Stafford McDowall, whose value had increased on the back of their URC success. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Approaching the final months of his contract, Venter would have been understandably concerned about his future and the offer from Brive was undeniably attractive. Nevertheless, he will leave Glasgow with a heavy heart. The reception he received from the home support on Friday had a profound effect on him, all the more so because so many of his family and friends were either at Scotstoun or watching back home in South Africa. 'You'd never think that would happen,' Venter said of the ovation he received as the supporters sang his name. 'I actually didn't know what to do. It was special, very special. I appreciate it a lot. I didn't expect it and to receive something like that is one of the highlights of my career. Henco Venter, with ball, scores Glasgow Warriors' third try during the URC quarter-final win over the Stormers at Scotstoun as Kyle Steyn celebrates. | SNS Group 'My [immediate] family was here [at Scotstoun] and it was televised in South Africa so my whole family saw it. All the people living on our street were also here, all our neighbours.' Venter's imminent departure also means he is splitting again from Smith, his coach and long-time mentor. The pair had success together in South Africa before lifting silverware with Glasgow Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'It's the second time that we've parted ways and it's not easier than the first time,' said Venter. 'Luckily we're not done. There's another game to go and then if we're successful, there's another one.' The game against the Stormers was Venter's first since returning from a six-game suspension for making contact with the eye of England prop Dan Cole during the win over Leicester in the Champions Cup in early April. It means he missed both of Glasgow's recent defeats by Leinster, the 52-0 hammering in Europe and the narrow 13-5 loss in the URC. If they are to prolong their season beyond this weekend they are going to have to find a way to win in Dublin. It's not been a happy place for Glasgow but Venter feels the Warriors are rediscovering their form and if they can match their hosts' formidable physicality they can progress to the final once again. 'Teams go through a bit of a dip here and there but I think after the weekend everyone's dialled in and everyone's ready to go again,' he said. 'We are prepared to sacrifice everything to win. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad
The Citizen
3 days ago
- Business
- The Citizen
Henco Venter eager for fairy tale Glasgow farewell
The 33-year-old former Cheetahs and Sharks loose forward will be leaving Glasgow Warriors for French side Brive at the end of the season. Henco Venter celebrates his try against the Stormers with Kyle Steyn during their URC quarterfinal at the Scotstoun Stadium on Friday night. Picture: Craig Williamson/SNS Group via Getty Images Former Cheetahs and Sharks loose forward Henco Venter is hoping to enjoy a fairy tale farewell with the Glasgow Warriors by helping them defend their United Rugby Championship (URC) title. But first they must get through their semifinal, against Irish giants, Leinster, in Dublin on Saturday. Venter, back from a six game ban for an accidental eye gouge during their Champions Cup win over Leicester Tigers in April, made a try-scoring return to help Glasgow cruise to a comfortable 36-18 win over the Stormers in their URC quarterfinal over the past weekend. Although this is just his second season with the Scottish side, he has become a firm fan favourite, as evidenced by the standing ovation he received when he was replaced after 72 minutes, with him now set to join French club Brive in the off season. First, however, is the small matter of trying to overcome competition favourites, Leinster, in Dublin, which is a task they will feel they can accomplish. Despite suffering an embarrassing 52-0 loss to them in their Challenge Cup quarterfinal a few months ago, they proved they can challenge them when they pushed them all the way in their final URC pool match, going down 13-5 a couple of weeks ago. The 33-year-old Venter believes they have what it takes to beat any side, and was happy to come away with a win in his final home game at the Scotstoun Stadium. 'It was special. This place is special, I have really enjoyed every second here, so I am just thankful for everything. We definitely can do it (defend their title). We are here for one reason and that is to win the cup, so we are going to be up for it.' Wanted to stay Venter explained in a press conference on Monday that he wanted to extend his stay in Scotland, but was being forced out by a Scottish rugby directive that has instructed their teams to play more 'home grown' players, over non-Scottish qualified players. 'It's a tricky question. It's also from above and all the stuff going on in Scotland regarding foreign players. That's basically one of the main reasons. I love this place and I'd love to stay, but (I'll) leave it there,' said Venter. 'They want more Scottish players and I understand that's their plan going forward and I respect that. I'm not Scottish, so it's a privilege to be here and give back to the club and the country. If they make their plans and have a will to make Scottish rugby better, I hope they succeed in it. 'It's bad and I didn't like it, but it's rugby and you don't take anything personally. Through many years in this game, you learn to accept stuff and just be better where you can be better and perform where you can perform and enjoy every moment. So I'll enjoy this week and hopefully next week.' South African head coach Franco Smith, admitted in April that the situation was out of his hands, and that if he could he would keep Venter, and after the game on Friday night praised his performance, while lamenting him leaving. 'He brought freshness, eagerness, and lifted the group. I'm really proud of him. He's a fantastic player in our environment, a true Warrior, and will be missed,' said Smith.
Wales Online
3 days ago
- Sport
- Wales Online
Today's rugby news as new faces spotted in Wales camp and Moriarty says 'it's been an honour'
Today's rugby news as new faces spotted in Wales camp and Moriarty says 'it's been an honour' These are the rugby stories making headlines on Tuesday, June 3 Ross Moriarty and his family have signed off from their time in Brive (Image: Ross Moriarty/Instagram ) These are your rugby headlines on Tuesday, June 3. New boys arrive in Wales camp Wales players have arrived in camp at the Vale as their summer preparations officially started on Monday. Last week a number of Matt Sherratt's squad turned up early for an optional extra conditioning session at their training base. Several members took up the opportunity, with the likes of Taulupe Faletau, Elliot Dee, Rhodri Williams, Alex Mann and Cam Winnett being put through their paces ahead of a two-Test tour against Japan later this summer. Sign up to Inside Welsh rugby on Substack to get exclusive news stories and insight from behind the scenes in Welsh rugby. The Welsh Rugby Union have now published more photos as the camp officially gets under way, with new uncapped call- ups Cardiff hooker Liam Belcher, Dragons tighthead Chris Coleman, Ospreys loosehead Garyn Phillips, Ospreys scrum-half Reuben Morgan-Williams and Ospreys wing Keelan Giles all pictured in training. Content cannot be displayed without consent Article continues below Fellow new face Macs Page has likely been granted further time off due to his exploits with the Scarlets last weekend in Dublin. Wales will be heading to the Far East for two matches against Eddie Jones' Japan and they will be looking to put an end to their miserable run of 17 straight Test defeats. Moriarty signs off Ross Moriarty has signed off his time in France with Brive, saying it's been "an honour" to serve the club. The Wales international moved to the continent in 2022 and quickly proved a popular addition to the French side's squad, winning multiple awards for his performances in the Pro D2. After three years with the club he's now heading home, with a deal with the Ospreys believed to have been signed and sealed for some time. Moriarty's final appearance for Brive ended in heartache, with his team losing in their Rugby Pro D2 semi-final play-off against Montauban. Content cannot be displayed without consent "What an unforgettable experience," the 54-times-capped man wrote on Instagram. "Thank you to all the incredible supporters for the passion and energy you brought to every game. I'm truly grateful for the opportunity to represent this club and for the memories we've made as a family. It's been an honour." Club to open tonight in tribute to Wales man Ebbw Vale Rugby Club are set to open their doors this evening for anyone wishing to sign a book of remembrance for former player Mark Jones. The Wales No.8 passed away last month, with tributes pouring in from across the rugby world. "Ebbw Vale RFC will be opening a book of remembrance for former player Mark Jones who recently passed away," the club said on social media. "The club will be open from 6pm-8pm Tuesday 3rd June and again on Saturday 7th June from 2pm for anyone wishing to sign and send messages of condolence to Mark's family." An emotional tribute was published to Jones on the club's website after the sad news was confirmed. "Everyone at Ebbw Vale RFC is shocked and heartbroken at the news of the very recent passing of former player and club legend Mark Jones," the club said. "We were lucky enough to have Mark spend the evening with us promoting his book launch last year. Mark was adored by players and supporters during his time as a player, and even more so after he left. "A true legend of the game and his passing leaves an unfillable hole in our hearts. To his family and friends in Wales and overseas, we are truly sorry for your loss. We send our love and deepest condolences. "Finally to Mark himself. Mark you were a legend of this club, and will always be remembered as one of the greatest characters to ever pull on our jersey. We will never see your like again. Rest easy old friend. Much love from everyone at EVRFC." Venter disappointed at exit By Anthony Brown, PA Henco Venter expressed disappointment over his impending Glasgow exit after becoming one of the first victims of Scottish Rugby's drive to reduce the number of non-Scottish-qualified players affiliated to the country's two professional clubs. It was announced in March that the 33-year-old South African back-rower would be leaving Warriors this summer to join French second-tier side Brive. Venter, a fans' favourite at Scotstoun, had hoped to extend his two-year stint at the club, and head coach Franco Smith said in April he would have liked to have retained the forward. However, Scottish Rugby director of rugby David Nucifora is overseeing a shift in strategy to provide more opportunities for Scottish-qualified players to play for Glasgow and Edinburgh. Explaining his reasons for leaving at a press conference on Monday, Venter said: 'Oh, tricky question. It's from above and all the stuff going on in Scotland rugby with the foreigners. That's basically one of the main reasons. I love this place and I'd love to stay here.' Venter has had more than two months to get his head around the fact his Glasgow career will be over once their involvement in the United Rugby Championship play-offs is over this month, but he admits he was not expecting to be released. 'It's rugby, so there's always something and some challenge to overcome, some injury,' he said. 'So, yeah, it's bad and I didn't like it, but it's rugby. You don't take anything personally. 'You learn to accept stuff and just be better where you can be better and perform where you can perform and enjoy every moment. I'll enjoy this week and hopefully next week.' Venter insisted he 'respects' Scottish Rugby's change of policy with regard to foreign players. 'I understand that's their plan going forward and I respect it,' he said. 'I am not Scottish, so it's a privilege to be here and to give back to the club and to the country. 'If they make their plans, they have a will to make Scotland rugby better and I hope they succeed in it.' Venter was the toast of Scotstoun during and after Friday's URC quarter-final victory over Stormers as he scored a try and produced a magnificent display in his final home match for the Warriors. They now face Leinster in the semi-final at Aviva Stadium on Saturday, and the South African is braced for a formidable task as he bids to prolong his Glasgow career by one more week. Article continues below When asked what it would require to win in Dublin, he said: 'Twenty-three dogs and 80 minutes of just everyone giving everything. 'They're a class outfit with world-class players and world-class coaching staff. But it's rugby. So if we do our stuff right, then we can do it. 'These games, this is what you play for. Big stakes, big crowd, everyone just ready to give everything.'
