Latest news with #PierreSchoeman
RTÉ News
10-05-2025
- Sport
- RTÉ News
Connacht's play-off hopes ended after Edinburgh loss
Connacht's slim BKT URC play-off hopes were ended as they lost 31-21 to Edinburgh at the Dexcom Stadium. Needing two wins and for other results to go their way, Cullie Tucker's side are now mathematically out of contention, and they will play Challenge Cup rugby for the second year in a row next season. This was the team's 12th defeat of a disappointing season, during which they parted company with head coach Pete Wilkins. The visitors, who moved to ninth in the table and still with their own play-off hopes, scored twice in the opening half, with Lions prop Pierre Schoeman barging over for an early try. Soon after Connacht captain Cian Prendergast (above) had a try chalked off for obstruction following a late TMO intervention, Scotland flanker Hamish Watson sprinted down the wing for a second try on 27 minutes with Ross Thompson adding the conversion. Finn Treacy got Connacht on the scoresheet two minutes into the second half after Shayne Bolton burst up the middle to create space out wide, with JJ Hanrahan adding the conversion. The flying winger scored his second ten minutes later, running a perfect line close to a ruck on the 22 and taking a pop pass off scrum-half Ben Murphy before running in under the posts, the conversion squaring up the game. However, Connacht were made to pay for the concession of three penalties in quick succession with Edinburgh flanker Ben Muncaster crashing over after a lineout maul. But the momentum was to swing again when out-half Thompson missed touch from a penalty and Connacht took advantage moments later with Bolton diving in at the corner. Hanrahan, alongside Conor Oliver and Santiago Cordero making their final home appearances for the club, converted from the sideline to level proceedings again. Connacht twice went close to scoring a fourth before replacement scrum-half Charlie Shiel took advantage of poor defending at a ruck 10 metres inside his own half to race in under the posts. Former Munster out-half Ben Healy converted and added a late penalty to deny Connacht, who face Zebre away next weekend, even the consolation of a losing bonus point. SCORERS Connacht Tries: Treacy (2) Bolton Cons: Hanrahan (3) Edinburgh Tries: Schoeman, Watson, Muncaster, Shiel Cons: Thompson (3), Healy Pen: Healy Connacht: Santiago Cordero; Shayne Bolton, Hugh Gavin, Bundee Aki, Finn Treacy; JJ Hanrahan, Ben Murphy; Denis Buckley, Dave Heffernan, Finlay Bealham; Josh Murphy, Darragh Murray; Cian Prendergast (capt), Conor Oliver, . Sean Jansen. Replacements: Dylan Tierney-Martin (for Heffernan 63), Peter Dooley (Buckley 63), Jack Aungier (Bealham 63), Oisín Dowling (Murray 54-72 (hia)), Paul Boyle (Jansen 54), Caolin Blade (Murphy 67), Cathal Forde, David Hawkshaw (Hugh Gavin h/t). Edinburgh: Wes Goosen; Darcy Graham, Matt Currie, Mosese Tuipulotu, Jack Brown; Ross Thompson, Ali Price; Pierre Schoeman, Ewan Ashman, D'arcy Rae; Marshall Sykes, Sam Skinner; Ben Muncaster, Hamish Watson, Magnus Bradbury (capt). Replacements: Paddy Harrison (Ashman 63), Boan Venter (Schoeman 63), Javan Sebastian (Rae 50), Glen Young (Sykes 72), Liam McConnell (Muncaster 74), Charlie Shiel (Price 68), Ben Healy (Thompson 72), Findlay Thomson (Tuipulotu 55).
BBC News
09-05-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
'Fighter' Graham will bounce back from Lions hurt
Darcy Graham is a "fighter" who will bounce back from missing out on selection for the British and Irish Lions, according to Edinburgh head coach Sean Scots were selected in Andy Farrell's 38-man squad for this summer's tour to Australia, but the omission of Graham was a surprise to says the 27-year-old - who has been in fine form in the URC and in European games after missing a chunk of the Six Nations - was upset but insists that his chance will come again."He's obviously disappointed," the Edinburgh coach said. "I did tell him that he's young enough to make the next one. His opportunity will come."He's a fighter. It wasn't an easy year for him with the injuries that he had. He came back flying and that's the type of guy he is."The character that you see on the field is the character that you have off the field. He'll be back fighting for a place and hoping that an opportunity arises." Graham's Edinburgh team-mates Pierre Schoeman and Duhan van der Merwe will be heading to Australia with the Lions this with injury replacements playing a significant role in previous Lions tours, Everett has impressed on Graham, back row Jamie Ritchie and lock Grant Gilchrist - among others - the importance of staying sharp and ready in case that call comes."There's a lot of rugby to be played between now and the Lions trip," Everett said."More than likely, there'll be one or two guys that drop out because of injuries and then the door opens. "You don't know who they're going to select next. There's certain areas within that squad that are thin, so there could be more than just one guy putting his hand up."You've got to take the rough with the smooth, show resilience, and keep on fighting."
Scotsman
09-05-2025
- Sport
- Scotsman
Edinburgh Rugby duo celebrate British and Irish Lions call-up for Australia tour
Watch more of our videos on and on Freeview 262 or Freely 565 Visit Shots! now The Edinburgh Rugby duo are amongst eight Scotland stars to be named in the British and Irish Lions squad to tour Australia this summer. Sign up to our daily newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, 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... Edinburgh Rugby and Scotland duo Pierre Schoeman and Duhan van der Merwe have given emotional responses to being named in the British and Irish Lions squad that will tour Australia this summer. For Schoeman, the call up means he will be part of a Lions tour for the first time as he is rewarded for some outstanding performances for club and country in recent years and he will hope to force his way into Andy Farrell's 15 starters when the first test against the Wallabies takes place at Lang Park in Brisbane on Saturday, July 19. The former Blue Bulls front row forward will face intense competition in a Lions squad packed with talent - but Schoeman has revealed he is ready to put in the hard work as he gets to live out one of his dreams. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'I'm so excited, humbly, I'm grateful and now the hard work starts,' said the prop in an interview shown via Edinburgh Rugby's social media channels. Duhan van der Merwe joins his close friend Pierre Schoeman in celebrating his Lions call-up. | SNS Group 'It's amazing, if you have a dream and you work hard, you go through any storm, any season, you just crack on and have to believe in that dream. Everyday, you chipping in the right direction, changing trajectory, you have to work hard and you have to believe in yourself. But it's your peers as well, your team members, the family you surround yourself with and probably the biggest thing for me, it's my faith, God, to believe in God, to believe if you are born with the talent, you can do anything if you believe.' For Van der Merwe, representing the Lions will not be a new experience. The powerful wing was part of the squad that were suffered a 2-1 series defeat in South Africa four years ago and started all three tests against the Springboks as well as scoring six tries in five warm up fixtures. However, there will be a new experience for Van der Merwe when he heads down under with the current crop of Lions as they will be backed by an impressive band of travelling support after Covid-19 restrictions meant supporters were unable to travel to South Africa four years ago. Reflecting on his selection and what lies ahead, Van der Merwe added: 'It's been a tricky time for me over the last couple of weeks by not playing. So I always had that in the back of my head. I've not had any days off since I picked up the niggle in my ankle and the club decided to give me today off, which you can imagine was long and brutal. It was a long wait but I am absolutely buzzing to be in the squad. Just to get that second opportunity, four years ago I didn't get the opportunity to play in front of our fans, hopefully this time around I do. I feel very privileged to be selected for the squad for a second time. I was very nervous waking up this morning because I really wanted to go on a second tour and have that experience of having fans over there. I guess when I get home and I sit down hopefully it will all sink in but I am so shocked but at the same time, so happy.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad What has Sean Everitt said about Duhan van der Merwe and Pierre Schoeman being named in the British and Irish Lions squad? Edinburgh Rugby head coach Sean Everitt (Photo by Ewan Bootman / SNS Group) | SNS Group The Edinburgh Rugby head coach told the club website: 'We are absolutely thrilled for Duhan and Pierre on their selection for the British & Irish Lions tour to Australia. It is a testament to their hard work, dedication, and the consistent high level of performance they have delivered for Edinburgh Rugby. Duhan has proven himself on the international stage with the Lions before, and for Pierre to earn his first call-up is fantastic and richly deserved. As a club, we are incredibly proud to have them representing Edinburgh on such a prestigious international platform this summer.' Your next Scotland rugby read: Eight Scotland players named in British & Irish Lions squad for 2025 tour of Australia
Scotsman
08-05-2025
- Sport
- Scotsman
Pierre Schoeman's Lions journey: Four-year plan, weird animals, his rock and selling the caravan
Hard work pays off for dedicated prop with 'pinnacle' call 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... Pierre Schoeman shed tears upon discovering he had made the cut for the British and Irish Lions' summer of tour of Australia, given the burning desire within him to be part of the 38-man squad. However, the work doesn't stop there for the Scotland and Edinburgh Rugby prop. Schoeman is now desperate to bring the very best version of himself to the 'pinnacle' of rugby as he competes with Ireland's Andrew Porter and England's Ellis Genge for the loosehead spot in the Test front row. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Schoeman watched the squad announcement at his Edinburgh home with wife Charissa before heading back to Murrayfield to speak to the press. It was fitting that he shared the moment with his partner, to whom the 31-year-old gives so much credit to his success in the sport. Pierre Schoeman shows off the Lions shirt with pride. | SNS Group 'It's an amazing moment,' said Schoeman. 'For me personally, it is my faith that has carried me through the whole time. Faith and a great wife. I always say that my name, Pierre, in French means rock – my wife is my rock, as well as god, and it was a dream that we believed in. So, we believed and we prayed and we hoped, and we worked every day. And if you have hope then you can inspired action and make it happen. 'I was bracing for the moment, but it was exceptional and we shared some tears. No one preps you for that moment. All the sacrifice, then you get that reward – but this is not the final destination, I have a long road to climb. The hard work only starts now. You want to play in as many games and Tests as you can, and represent yourself well on and off the pitch.' Schoeman's four-year dream Schoeman has been open about his ambitions to make the Lions squad over the past year and his performances for Scotland in the Six Nations helped convince head coach Andy Farrell to select him. The South Africa native revealed it has been on his radar for the past four years after watching close friends Duhan van der Merwe - who was also selected for this summer - and Rory Sutherland tour his homeland in 2021. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Duhan van der Merwe joins his close friend Pierre Schoeman in celebrating his Lions call-up. | SNS Group 'Probably like four years ago when it was Duhan's first time, and Suz's [Rory Sutherland] – a good friend of mine – as well,' continued Schoeman. 'I just thought 'go for Scotland but surely this has to be a dream'. If you don't have a dream then I don't think you will give your best every day to get better and just to add any value you can in abundance. 'Even as a young lad and lassie playing sport, in rugby this is the pinnacle of the dream you can achieve in the UK – not as a team winning trophies but personally pushing up, up and up to reach the highest level you can get to. We know the sacrifices and its much better with the reward.' 'Weird and different animals' He is revelling creating a bond with his fellow specialists. 'I think loosehead is a special kind of breed,' he said. 'We're all weird and different animals. I specially look forward to spending a lot of time with Ellis Genge and Andrew Porter and it will be amazing on and off the pitch.'
BBC News
08-05-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
The sword has to be sharpened and ready for battle
Tom English, chief sports writer BBC ScotlandPierre Schoeman said that he was full of cheers and tears when he made Andy Farrell's Lions squad bound for Australia next month."I'm feeling extremely proud and grateful as well," said the Edinburgh and Scotland prop. "It's a massive privilege to be part of that group. You know, you work so bloody hard and you have dreams and aspirations and to now, get rewarded, it just makes you want to work even harder, to put more fuel on the fire."We watched the announcement at home, myself and my wife. We were in the house, chilling. A beautiful sunny day. I think the neighbours thought maybe I burned my steak on the coals because I shouted very loud (when his name was read out) and there were a few tears from the prop. It's magnificent."It's something that you should cherish because you have dark days and storms, but also moments like this, great moments. You should celebrate the victory moments like the tears he talked about?"Yeah, especially as me and my wife hugged each other. I think she grabbed my cauliflower ear. So, maybe that's why I was crying. It is emotional."Schoeman gave thanks for his faith, something that's always been an important part of who he is. "You pray, you have faith in God that he'll bless you with a talent to be able to do these things," he said. "My wife and I left South Africa with two suitcases just to make our life here and I'm so happy."Schoeman was hotly fancied to make the squad and he allowed himself to dream about it, explaining: "It was a clear vision. I had written it down as a goal that I will achieve, but humbly said as well. It's nerve-wracking."Himself and Duhan van der Merwe phoned each other during the preamble, which felt endless. "The magnitude of the whole globe watching this and the massive responsibility that comes with it," he added."And that's why I say, leave no stone unturned, work every day to add that value. You have to be prepped and ready to go. The sword has to be sharpened and ready for battle every bloody day, every bloody week."
