Latest news with #URCEliteXV
Irish Examiner
4 days ago
- Sport
- Irish Examiner
Unlucky trio to miss out on selection for Ireland
Lee Barron The Leinster hooker has impressed on loan with Munster in his two appearances off the bench since joining alongside Michael Milne for the final weeks of the season ahead of their permanent moves to the southern province this summer and Wednesday's Ireland selection may confirm the reasons for his departure. Barron had already been passed out in the pecking order by academy hooker Gus McCarthy, who was first capped by Ireland in November but now he has been overlooked in favour of another Leinster academy player in Stephen Smyth. No wonder the 24-year-old has left Leinster in search of quality game time with Munster. John Hodnett With another impressive, 22-game, seven-try campaign for Munster now in the books, it would not have been a surprise to see the 26-year-old former Emerging Ireland flanker named in a touring party alongside fellow back-rowers from his province Tom Ahern, Gavin Coombes and Alex Kendellen. Yet Hodnett's niche as a genuine, out and out openside, and his comparative height at 6ft 0ins, may have counted against the West Cork man, which a real shame for talented forward with a huge appetite for the hard yards. Tom Farrell Perhaps the cruellest omission of all, Farrell's snub came a day after the uncapped Munster centre was named the URC's Playmaker of the Year, and on the same day he was voted the outstanding number 13 in the URC Elite XV of the year. The citation for the former award reads: 'Adaptability, creativity, and composure under pressure define a true playmaker. The Playmaker award is given to the player who creates chances and tries for his team, with three key metrics used to decide the winner – try assists for his team, successfully completed offloads, and defenders beaten on the pitch.' Throw in a joint league-leading nine tries, then consider the absences of Ireland's three frontline midfielders, Aki, Henshaw and Ringrose, and one wonders what more Farrell could have done to make this squad.
The Citizen
5 days ago
- General
- The Citizen
Cameron Hanekom crowned URC young star
Cameron Hanekom has been named the 2024-25 URC Next-Gen Player of the Season following a standout campaign as the Bulls chase a second-consecutive final appearance. The 22-year-old met the criteria for the award, which honours players aged 23 or under with no more than five international caps at the start of the season, and who played at least nine matches. He has featured regularly at No 8, while also offering versatility across the back row, and his performances have pushed him into the Springbok conversation for the upcoming international season. With Jasper Wiese sidelined due to injury, Hanekom is seen as a strong candidate to fill the vacancy in the national setup. Stormers lock Ruben van Heerden added to the South African accolades by claiming the Tackle Machine award, which recognises the competition's most effective defender. Hanekom was one of three Bulls players named in the URC Elite XV. He was joined by Wilco Louw and Jan-Hendrik Wessels. South Africa was further represented in the team of the season by Sharks centre Andre Esterhuizen, Scarlets hooker Marnus van der Merwe, Stormers Flyhalf Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu and Leinster bruiser RG Snyman. The post Hanekom crowned URC young star appeared first on SA Rugby magazine. Breaking news at your fingertips… Follow Caxton Network News on Facebook and join our WhatsApp channel. Nuus wat saakmaak. Volg Caxton Netwerk-nuus op Facebook en sluit aan by ons WhatsApp-kanaal.
