Latest news with #non-Scottish
RTÉ News
3 days ago
- Sport
- RTÉ News
Jacques Nienaber: URC focus not an issue for Leinster
Leinster senior coach Jacques Nienaber has no concerns about Leinster's mental state following a rollercoaster month for the province. Big Champions Cup knockout wins over Harlequins and Glasgow were followed by a crushing semi-final defeat to Northampton at the start of May. In the week following that loss, Leinster had 12 players named in the British and Irish Lions squad, but it was confirmed that captain Caelan Doris faced a lengthy spell in the sidelines and would miss the tour. Soon after that, Leo Cullen's side trounced Zebre to secure top seed in the URC standings, but struggled for periods in subsequent victories over Glasgow Warriors, in a dead rubber, and last Saturday's quarter-final win over Scarlets. Many pundits have described Leinster as out of sorts and lacklustre but ahead of a third meeting this season against Glasgow in Saturday's semi-final at Aviva Stadium, Nienaber insists the team are in good fettle. Asked if he believed mental tiredness was an issue, the former Springboks head coach said: "No, not at all. We're cracking on, it's a privilege. "It's a privilege for any team to be involved in the knockout stages." Asked if he was worried that the players might be struggling to fully focus on the URC, with the play-offs falling between European disappointment and a promising Lions tour, the 52-year-old added: "No, I'm literally a defence coach, I just make them tackle and keep the points as low as possible. "I'm not a mental expert or a mental coach. "That's not my expertise at all. "I just must make sure they are prepared for the challenges from an attacking point of view that Glasgow will throw at us, which is multiple." Lock James Ryan, who will go on the Lions tour this summer, says the fact that Leinster haven't won a trophy in the URC era helps them to keep their eye on the prize. "We've never won the URC so there is huge motivation and hunger so I don't think staying fresh will be an issue," said the 28-year-old Ireland forward. "It's our biggest game of the season this week. "We're playing against a team that's coming into good form, that won't fear coming away to Ireland and getting a result. "You saw that last year when they won in Limerick so we're going to have to be at our very best but I think the lads are motivated." Meanwhile, Glasgow back row Henco Venter, who will depart the club at the end of the season as the Scottish Rugby Union aims to reduce the number of non-Scottish qualified players, says they need "23 dogs and 80 minutes of just everyone giving everything" to beat Leinster. The 33-year-old South African added: "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."
The 42
14-05-2025
- Sport
- The 42
Connacht's Piers O'Conor to join Edinburgh on two-year deal
CONNACHT'S PIERS O'CONOR has agreed a two-year deal with Edinburgh. The province had confirmed the 29-year-old would leave at the end of the season last week, and the Scottish club have now announced O'Conor's signature. The versatile back, who joined from Bristol last year, has scored three tries across his 17 appearances for Connacht. The 29-year-old has recorded the most carries (159), metres gained (710), defenders beaten (32), and clean breaks (19) for the Irish province in the URC this season. O'Conor said: 'I'm really excited to get started. Joining a club like Edinburgh is a big opportunity: it's a new environment and a strong squad. It's a great challenge and I'm looking forward to getting stuck in, meeting the group, and doing my bit to help the team push on and win some silverware. 'It's a fresh start and a move I'm looking forward to. Moving to a new city brings new opportunities, on and off the pitch. I can't wait to get up there, get settled and get to work. Edinburgh's a proper rugby city with a strong identity and I'm keen to make it home. 'Edinburgh are tough to play against, always physical, always competitive, and that's something I want to be part of. The group's been playing some really good rugby, and I'm looking forward to adding to that. I'm excited to join up in the summer and push for a strong, successful season with the team.' O'Conor was born in Sydney but grew up in England, and represented Ireland at U19 level before making his senior debut for Wasps in 2014. O'Conor then played with the England U20s and lined out for Ealing Trailfinders before moving to Bristol in 2018, where he played 137 times, scored 26 tries and won a Challenge Cup medal in 2018. Edinburgh head coach Sean Everitt added: 'Piers is exactly the type of quality operator we look for in a non-Scottish qualified signing. He's an excellent player with the ability to cover multiple positions across the backline, which is hugely valuable for us in managing the demands of a long season. 'His arrival complements the recent re-signing/signing of exciting young Scottish backs like Harry Paterson, Jack Brown and Malelili Satala, and his experience and leadership will be invaluable in helping to get the very best out of other younger players coming through our academy system such as Lewis Wells, Findlay Thomson and Finlay Doyle. Piers isn't here to block anyone's progress; instead, we see him as a catalyst who will further improve those around him. 'His consistent performances and impressive statistics speak for themselves, and his experience and leadership qualities will be a significant asset to our squad both on and off the field. We can't wait to welcome him to the club this summer.'
STV News
14-05-2025
- Sport
- STV News
Edinburgh sign Piers O'Conor on two-year deal from Connacht
Edinburgh have announced the signing of former Bristol back Piers O'Conor from Connacht on a two-year deal. The 29-year-old, who can play at centre, wing and full-back, will move to the Scottish capital this summer. O'Conor has started 15 of Connacht's 17 United Rugby Championship matches this season since joining the Galway club last summer following six years with Bristol. 'Joining a club like Edinburgh is a big opportunity,' O'Conor told the Edinburgh website. 'It's a new environment and a strong squad. 'It's a great challenge and I'm looking forward to getting stuck in, meeting the group and doing my bit to help the team push on and win some silverware. 'It's a fresh start and a move I'm looking forward to. Moving to a new city brings new opportunities, on and off the pitch. 'I can't wait to get up there, get settled and get to work. Edinburgh's a proper rugby city with a strong identity and I'm keen to make it home.' Sydney-born and English-raised, O'Conor has played for Ireland Under-19s and England Under-20s, while he also earned a call-up to an England XV for an uncapped match against the Barbarians in 2019. 'Piers is exactly the type of quality operator we look for in a non-Scottish qualified signing,' said Edinburgh head coach Sean Everitt. 'He's an excellent player with the ability to cover multiple positions across the backline, which is hugely valuable for us in managing the demands of a long season. 'His arrival complements the recent re-signing/signing of exciting young Scottish backs like Harry Paterson, Jack Brown and Malelili Satala, and his experience and leadership will be invaluable in helping to get the very best out of other younger players coming through our academy system. 'Piers isn't here to block anyone's progress. Instead, we see him as a catalyst who will further improve those around him. 'His consistent performances and impressive statistics speak for themselves and his experience and leadership qualities will be a significant asset to our squad both on and off the field. We can't wait to welcome him to the club this summer.' 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
Scotsman
14-05-2025
- Sport
- Scotsman
Edinburgh Rugby's new non-Scottish qualified signing is 'quality operator' who can bring out best in team-mates
Verstaile back O'Conor heads north in search of silverware 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... Edinburgh have signed the versatile Connacht back Piers O'Conor on a two-year deal and the 29-year-old will join the club in the summer. While Scottish Rugby's recent focus has been on Scottish-qualified players, O'Conor is not eligible for Gregor Townsend's squad. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The former Bristol Bears player was born in Australia, raised in England and played for Ireland under-19s and then England under-20s. Piers O'Conor in action for Bristol Bears where he spent six seasons. | Getty Images Sean Everitt, the Edinburgh coach, thinks O'Conor's experience will help with the development of the club's younger players and insists he won't 'block anyone's progress'. 'Piers is exactly the type of quality operator we look for in a non-Scottish qualified signing,' Everitt said. 'He's an excellent player with the ability to cover multiple positions across the backline, which is hugely valuable for us in managing the demands of a long season. 'His arrival complements the recent re-signing/signing of exciting young Scottish backs like Harry Paterson, Jack Brown and Malelili Satala, and his experience and leadership will be invaluable in helping to get the very best out of other younger players coming through our academy system such as Lewis Wells, Findlay Thomson and Finlay Doyle. Piers isn't here to block anyone's progress; instead, we see him as a catalyst who will further improve those around him. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'His consistent performances and impressive statistics speak for themselves, and his experience and leadership qualities will be a significant asset to our squad both on and off the field. We can't wait to welcome him to the club this summer.' Connacht's Piers O'Conor chats with Glasgow Warriors' Adam Hastings during a pre-season match in September. | SNS Group O'Conor has been a regular for Connacht this season, starting 15 of their 17 United Rugby Championship games and scoring three tries. He has played mostly at outside centre but has also been used at full-back and on the wing. He leads the way in stats for Connacht in most carries (159), metres gained (710), defenders beaten (32), and clean breaks (19). He started his professional career with Wasps, then moved to Ealing Trailfinders. He joined Bristol in 2018 and spent six seasons with the club, making 137 appearances, scoring 36 tries and playing in their European Challenge Cup final win over Toulon in 2020. Internationally, O'Conor was part of the England U20 side that won the 2015 U20 Six Nations and reached the final of the World Rugby U20 Championship in Italy later that year. He played for an England XV in an uncapped match against the Barbarians in 2019. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad O'Conor said: 'Joining a club like Edinburgh is a big opportunity: it's a new environment and a strong squad. It's a great challenge and I'm looking forward to getting stuck in, meeting the group, and doing my bit to help the team push on and win some silverware. 'It's a fresh start and a move I'm looking forward to. Moving to a new city brings new opportunities, on and off the pitch. I can't wait to get up there, get settled and get to work. Edinburgh's a proper rugby city with a strong identity and I'm keen to make it home.'
BBC News
07-04-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Edinburgh 24-12 Lions: Three things we learned
Goose cuts looseWith a number of Edinburgh's key players unavailable in recent times, either due to injury or international duties with Scotland, Wes Goosen has become one of the most important players in the was voted the club's players' player of the year last season, a testament to his consistently high level of conversion from wing to full-back has been impressive. Against Lions on his 50th Edinburgh appearance, he set the tone with an early try and looked dangerous every time he got his hands on signed a new deal with the club, Goosen will qualify to play for Scotland on residency grounds in 2027. While there may be dismay in some quarters at the prospect of yet another non-Scottish player coming into the fold, if Goosen maintains this form he will be very hard for the national selectors to brings the tempoEdinburgh brought a tempo in the first half Lions could not live with and much of that can be traced back to the work of Ben scrum-half was buzzing around everywhere, getting the ball away from the breakdown quickly to maintain the attacking was quick to spot a gap to dart through for his try and was at the heart of most of Edinburgh's best has never managed to convince Gregor Townsend he is worthy of competing for the Scotland nine jersey, but he has rarely let Edinburgh ready for more game timeFreddy Douglas is the most exciting talent in Scottish rugby and it's time to take off the L plates and let him did not get a huge amount of time to do his thing against Lions, but his very first involvement was a crucial turnover just when the South African side looked like they might be about to work their way back into the Everitt identified Douglas' maturity in identifying which rucks to compete at and which to leave well alone, and that turnover was a perfect back-row enjoyed a terrific U20 Six Nations and, having made his full Test debut in the autumn, now is the time for Everitt to throw him in to start some is going to be a key player for club and country for years and more exposure to top level rugby can only accelerate his development.
