Latest news with #Darge
The Herald Scotland
3 days ago
- Sport
- The Herald Scotland
Jamie Ritchie & Rory Darge react to British & Irish Lions snub
Both Edinburgh's Ritchie and Glasgow Warriors' Rory Darge were not included in the squad for the tour of Australia as eight Scots made the cut. Scott Cummings, Zander Fagerson and Pierre Schoeman are the Scottish representatives among a 21-strong selection of forwards for the Lions. Huw Jones, Blair Kinghorn, Finn Russell, Sione Tuipulotu and Duhan van der Merwe feature in the 17-man backs selection. The eight-man Scotland inclusion matches the number of Scots involved in the last tour in 2021, and is one shy of the all-time record from 1989. Ritchie and Darge were overlooked but neither player required support after the decision with the experience to be used as motivation moving forward as both men remain satisfied with their efforts even if they were not selected. 'Personally, I feel like I'd done all I could in terms of how I performed and stuff, so I was comfortable with that," said Ricthie on the BBC Scotland Rugby Podcast. 'At the end of the day, it's down to someone's opinion and decision-making and what they feel they need in their squad. At that point, it's outside of my control. For 2021, I feel like I was further away than I was this year, but I was more upset then. Read more: 'I'm a bit more mature now in terms of how I react to these things. Obviously, it would have been nice to have that moment, but I'm comfortable with the performances that I've put in to put myself in the mix. I said this to my wife because she was quite upset when we watched it together. 'I said to her, if you look at the position we were in a year ago after Six Nations, where it hadn't gone the way I wanted to in terms of selection and missing out on the captaincy and humming and hawing about whether or not I was going to go on the summer tour, if we'd said we'd be sitting here at the Lions announcement day, feeling like we were in with a real shout and then disappointed when it didn't happen, we would absolutely have taken it. 'That's the perspective that I'm taking on at the moment. I felt like I did all I could. The call didn't come, and that's OK.' Ritchie discussed the thinking behind selections with Lions and Scotland coach John Dalziel but has not had any official word over making a standby list for the tour. 'I know how much I put into this game and how much I put into preparing and going out and playing and putting my body through, so why should other people get to experience that?' said Darge. 'And I'm not saying that from a negative point of view, it's purely a positive point of view. 'I was delighted for the guys that are involved and it just was a bit of a motivator for me, really, and something to aspire to. 'You have to have that initial bit where you are gutted and you're like, 'why can't I be involved in that?' But then, really quickly you're able to be like, that's something to aspire to, that's something to hopefully one day be a part of.'
BBC News
17-04-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
How do Edinburgh beat Russell's Bath? Will Glasgow sign a stand-off?
BBC Scotland's chief sportswriter Tom English has been answering some of your Scottish rugby asked: Besides 'everything', what do Edinburgh need to get right to beat Finn Russell, Cam Redpath and their Bath compadres in the Challenge Cup semis?Tom answered: Let's look at this. The Finn Russell-inspired Bath are 10 points clear at the top of the Premiership. They score an average of more than five tries per game and more than 37 points per game. They've played 13 and have lost only domestically and in Europe, they've played 19 games and have lost four - against La Rochelle (by four points), Leinster (by 26), Northampton (one point) and Benetton (one point).I'm discounting the Benetton loss (22-21) because Bath had a drastically weakened team out that day and it doesn't have much their fully-loaded team has only lost to a double European champion, a four-time European champion and the current champions of England (and current European Cup semi-finalists).When we're looking for weaknesses there's not a lot to go on. Certainly, Bath failed to cope with La Rochelle's physicality. The French forwards dominated and Bath's discipline was poor amid the threatened a comeback, but couldn't pull it out. So, all Edinburgh have to do is bring the same monstrous power that La Rochelle have and things will go swimmingly. Edinburgh can just do what Leinster did - seven tries to three, 21 clean breaks to four, 41 defenders beaten to 19, eight penalties given away as opposed to Bath's 16. Bath also got a red card. All because of the relentless, suffocating pressure Leinster applied. Ask Glasgow about beat them in a one-point belter. Bath conceded 19 turnovers that day. They missed a lot of tackles and conceded double-figure penalties as are the games Sean Everitt will be studying. Allow Russell to dictate the game and they can forget about the Edinburgh forwards (who are playing well right now) into a demonic mood and there's a definite chance. A home game as well. That'll help. It's a big task but not an impossible one if the Edinburgh pack takes the battle to asked: Will the Lions coaches have noticed Rory Darge's inability to quit? He was in the top three in the tackle stats after this round, and while on a well beaten team, he kept answered: He's a terrific player, but the Lions coaches already know that. John Dalziel is in that coaching group and he'll know more than most about Darge's work-rate and problem is back-row is a place of infinite strength for the Lions. At openside alone you have Josh van der Flier, Ben Curry, Tom Curry, Jack Willis, Jac Morgan and the coming boy, Henry Pollock. As much as I'd love to see Darge make it, I think he's going to fall short amid savage asked: Given Edinburgh's recent decision not to replace departing scrum-half Ali Price but instead look to develop existing young talent, can we expect a similar approach from Glasgow in relation to the pending departure of stand-off Tom Jordan?Tom answered: I can't see a new fly-half being signed - the money's not there. That's the brutal reality now. The SRU is a major loss-making exit is horrible and was, I believe, avoidable. Anyway… they have Adam Hastings and, for another season, they have Duncan Weir, who's a fantastic will continue to play lots of games next season plus, you'd imagine, he will be working overtime in trying to develop the next Glasgow needs to be one in place for when he exits the stage the season after next. That's one of the biggest challenges facing the club, in my view.
Yahoo
08-02-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Scotland's Rory Darge backs Tom Jordan to make impact on first Six Nations start
Scotland co-captain Rory Darge backed his Glasgow team-mate Tom Jordan to continue his 'whirlwind' journey by taking his first Six Nations start in his stride against Ireland on Sunday. The 26-year-old back will wear the number 12 jersey usually reserved for injured centre and national team captain Sione Tuipulotu after a strong display as a second-half replacement for Stafford McDowall in last weekend's 31-19 win over Italy. New Zealand-born Jordan – who initially joined semi-pro side Ayrshire after moving to Scotland in 2019 and then signed for Glasgow in 2022 – won his first four caps for Gregor Townsend's side in November after qualifying on residency grounds. Scotland v Ireland 🏴🍀#AsOne — Scottish Rugby (@Scotlandteam) February 8, 2025 Darge has watched Jordan's rise to prominence at close quarters over the past few years and has been impressed at the way his versatile clubmate – who has played at inside centre, stand-off and full-back this season alone – has taken to life in the Test arena. 'It's been pretty whirlwind, hasn't it? He's just gone from strength to strength,' said the back-rower. 'With Tom, he's already shown that he can play at Test-match level. I think last week when he came on, he brought real energy. In his first cap, he was playing at full-back and he slotted in really well and did a job. 'He'll be really excited to go out and play at 12, where he's probably played most of his rugby. But then at Glasgow, he's played a lot at 10, which just shows the sort of quality player he is, that he can cover and play to a really high standard in all those positions.' Much has been made of the impact Tuipulotu's absence could have on Scotland's championship prospects, but Darge has no doubt Jordan is equipped to handle the pressure of deputising for the influential skipper. 'Of course he is, yes,' he said. 'Sione being out of the squad is something that (means) almost everyone has to maybe bring a little bit more of their sort of leadership, because he's a massively important player to us in terms of leadership in his performances. But I'm really excited to see Tom go tomorrow.' Scotland are aiming to end a 10-game losing streak against Ireland and Darge, who has played in three of those matches, respects their durability. 'Ireland are obviously world-class, and I think that's the danger when you play them, is they don't necessarily go away,' he said. 'They stay at it, and there are so many words you can use to describe their qualities. They're clinical. If you give them those opportunities, they usually take them. 'Their breakdown work's world-class. We know that it's going to be some challenge to get a result tomorrow, but rather than focus on that too much, we just have to really bring our focus and attention to what we can do well.' Darge, who will line up alongside his Glasgow colleagues Jack Dempsey and Matt Fagerson in the back-row, is braced for a formidable test from Ireland's trio of Peter O'Mahony, Josh van der Flier and Caelan Doris. 'The whole back row, you look at Pete, you look at Caelan as well, they're going to bring a massive amount of quality around the breakdown, and try and slow us down and speed their ball up,' said Darge. 'As a back row and as a team, we've got a massive challenge on our hands to get parity there and try and give ourselves the best chance.'
The Independent
08-02-2025
- Sport
- The Independent
Scotland's Rory Darge backs Tom Jordan to make impact on first Six Nations start
Scotland co-captain Rory Darge backed his Glasgow team-mate Tom Jordan to continue his 'whirlwind' journey by taking his first Six Nations start in his stride against Ireland on Sunday. The 26-year-old back will wear the number 12 jersey usually reserved for injured centre and national team captain Sione Tuipulotu after a strong display as a second-half replacement for Stafford McDowall in last weekend's 31-19 win over Italy. New Zealand-born Jordan – who initially joined semi-pro side Ayrshire after moving to Scotland in 2019 and then signed for Glasgow in 2022 – won his first four caps for Gregor Townsend's side in November after qualifying on residency grounds. Darge has watched Jordan's rise to prominence at close quarters over the past few years and has been impressed at the way his versatile clubmate – who has played at inside centre, stand-off and full-back this season alone – has taken to life in the Test arena. 'It's been pretty whirlwind, hasn't it? He's just gone from strength to strength,' said the back-rower. 'With Tom, he's already shown that he can play at Test-match level. I think last week when he came on, he brought real energy. In his first cap, he was playing at full-back and he slotted in really well and did a job. 'He'll be really excited to go out and play at 12, where he's probably played most of his rugby. But then at Glasgow, he's played a lot at 10, which just shows the sort of quality player he is, that he can cover and play to a really high standard in all those positions.' Much has been made of the impact Tuipulotu's absence could have on Scotland's championship prospects, but Darge has no doubt Jordan is equipped to handle the pressure of deputising for the influential skipper. 'Of course he is, yes,' he said. 'Sione being out of the squad is something that (means) almost everyone has to maybe bring a little bit more of their sort of leadership, because he's a massively important player to us in terms of leadership in his performances. But I'm really excited to see Tom go tomorrow.' Scotland are aiming to end a 10-game losing streak against Ireland and Darge, who has played in three of those matches, respects their durability. 'Ireland are obviously world-class, and I think that's the danger when you play them, is they don't necessarily go away,' he said. 'They stay at it, and there are so many words you can use to describe their qualities. They're clinical. If you give them those opportunities, they usually take them. 'Their breakdown work's world-class. We know that it's going to be some challenge to get a result tomorrow, but rather than focus on that too much, we just have to really bring our focus and attention to what we can do well.' Darge, who will line up alongside his Glasgow colleagues Jack Dempsey and Matt Fagerson in the back-row, is braced for a formidable test from Ireland's trio of Peter O'Mahony, Josh van der Flier and Caelan Doris. 'The whole back row, you look at Pete, you look at Caelan as well, they're going to bring a massive amount of quality around the breakdown, and try and slow us down and speed their ball up,' said Darge. 'As a back row and as a team, we've got a massive challenge on our hands to get parity there and try and give ourselves the best chance.'
Yahoo
08-02-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Sir Chris Hoy's Murrayfield appearance can inspire Scotland
Scotland co-captain Rory Darge expects Sir Chris Hoy's presence at Murrayfield to inspire his side ahead of Sunday's Guinness Six Nations showdown with Ireland. The 48-year-old former cyclist – with six Olympic gold medals and 11 world titles to his name – will drive a Lead the Legends car at the front of the team bus as they arrive at the stadium and will then deliver the match ball on to the pitch. Hoy revealed in October that he has terminal cancer and was told by doctors that he had two to four years to live. Six-time Olympic Gold medallist and 11-times world champion Sir Chris Hoy will be back at Scottish Gas Murrayfield this Sunday delivering the match ball for the game against Ireland. Read more ➡️ — Scottish Rugby (@Scotlandteam) February 6, 2025 And back-rower Darge is anticipating 'a special moment' when one of Scotland's sporting greats – Edinburgh born and bred – is welcomed by the Murrayfield crowd before kick-off. Darge said: 'He's obviously a massive inspiration, from his sporting achievements in cycling, but obviously what he's going through personally is really inspiring, so I'm sure he'll get a good reception at Murrayfield tomorrow, and it'll be a special moment and a good start to the game, hopefully. 'I'm sure the Murrayfield crowd will get behind that, and make it an even more special moment, and that energy will hopefully be something that we can feed off as players and put into the performance.'
