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BBC News
3 days ago
- Business
- BBC News
Leinster beat Scarlets to reach URC semi-finals
United Rugby Championship quarter-finalLeinster (15) 33Tries: Lowe, Gibson-Park, Osborne, Keenan Pens: Prendergast 3 Con: Prendergast 2Scarlets (14) 21Tries Rogers, Murray, Williams Cons: Costelow 3 Leinster set up a United Rugby Championship semi-final against Glasgow with victory over Scarlets at Aviva Stadium. The Irish province, who finished the regular season top of the table, opened up an early lead thanks to James Lowe and Jamison Gibson-Park tries. However, eighth seeds Scarlets hit back through Tom Rogers and Blair Murray before half-time to keep alive hopes of a shock Osborne and Hugo Keenan stretched Leinster's lead in the second half before Johnny Williams' try breathed new life into Scarlets' challenge. However, the home side were allowed to eased their way through the closing stages after Vaea Fifita's yellow card for a high tackle on Keenan took the wind out of the Scarlets' sails. While Scarlets' season comes to an end, they can look forward to a return to the Investec Champions Cup next term. Leinster, meanwhile, will face Glasgow - who they have beaten twice this season - at home next weekend for a place in the final on 14 June as they chase a first trophy since will, however, be concerns over British and Irish Lions flanker Josh van der Flier, who was injured and forced off in the first half. Coming into the game, Leinster had enough ammunition to guard against complacency, having fallen to the Scarlets in the URC last month before their European dreams were shattered by Northampton on this ground. However, despite racing into a 12-0 lead inside the opening 10 minutes, the firm favourites still made tough work of the first and Irish Lions squad members Lowe and Gibson-Park both crossed early to put the hosts in cruise control, but Scarlets were undeterred and hit back to cut the arrears to a point before the break. First, Rogers finished off a fine move in Scarlets' first visit to the Leinster 22 before a chaotic sequence to the opening half ended in Murray bringing the visitors back to within striking distance. In the last play before the interval, Leinster pushed for third try, but after Sam Prendergast spilled a pass in front of the Scarlets posts, Ellis Mee broke clear before Murray beat Jordie Barrett in a footrace to dot down, with the try standing after a television match official check on the full-back's grounding. With momentum on the side of a spirited Scarlets, Leinster rose to the challenge and responded strongly. Five minutes after the restart, Prendergast atoned for his part in Murray's to send Osborne through with a well-judged chip for another try which stood after a TMO check for grounding. Having stretched their lead, Leinster showcased their impressive squad depth by introducing Ireland hooker Dan Sheehan and South Africa's two-time World Cup winner RG Snyman. And after Scarlets prop Alec Hepburn was sin-binned for playing the ball on the ground at a ruck, it was Sheehan who charged down a kick and gave Barrett the opportunity to send Keenan through for Leinster's fourth Scarlets boss Dwayne Peel having replaced fly-half Sam Costelow with Ioan Lloyd, Williams briefly revived Scarlets' dream of toppling the hosts. However, after Fifita was sent to the bin, the game petered out, allowing Leinster to wrap up the win and set up a rematch with Glasgow. Line-ups Leinster: Hugo Keenan; Jimmy O'Brien, Jamie Osborne, Jordie Barrett, James Lowe; Sam Prendergast, Jamison Gibson-Park; Andrew Porter, Ronan Kelleher, Thomas Clarkson, Joe McCarthy, James Ryan, Ryan Baird, Josh van der Flier, Jack Conan (capt).Replacements: Dan Sheehan, Jack Boyle, Rabah Slimani, RG Snyman, Max Deegan, Scott Penny, Luke McGrath, Ciaran Blair Murray; Tom Rogers, Joe Roberts, Johnny Williams, Ellis Mee; Sam Costelow, Archie Hughes; Alec Hepburn, Ryan Elias, Henry Thomas, Alex Craig, Sam Lousi, Vaea Fifita, Josh Macleod (capt), Taine Marnus van der Merwe, Kemsley Mathias, Sam Wainwright, Dan Davis, Jarrod Taylor, Efan Jones, Ioan Lloyd, Macs Hepburn '55, Fifita '72Referee: Hollie Davidson (SRU)Assistant referees: Gianluca Gnecchi (FIR), Federico Vedovelli (FIR)TMO: Andrew McMenemy (SRU)
BBC News
5 days ago
- Business
- BBC News
No 'quick fix' for Ulster struggles
Ulster general manager Bryn Cunningham says the "rebuild and reshaping" of the the province is heading in the right direction but that patience will be required to see "significant change".Richie Murphy's side finished 14th in the United Rugby Championship (URC) last season and failed to qualify for the Champions Cup for the first time in their history. Their Test representation was limited through the November series and Six Nations, while they will not provide any players for the British and Irish Lions tour to Australia this however, says he believes there is a group of young players with a "very high ceiling" and that it is imperative Ulster have structures in place to ensure that in "three or four years' time" they are providing "seven or eight" players to an Ireland match-day squad."It's never a quick-fix when you've a reset and a rebuild and you're less than a year in," Cunningham told BBC Sport NI."I don't think anyone in their right mind would think it'll be a quick fix and we'll be going out and winning the URC next season. We'll be going out with that objective."This is about the development of a core that we believe has a high ceiling."After the season, Cunningham said there have "open and honest conversations" about the side's failings last season with "uniform agreement" on what needs to improve."Will there be pain? There could well but we also believe that we're moving in the right direction," he added. Ulster have already initiated change in their coaching group and playing squads for next such as John Cooney, Alan O'Connor, Kieran Treadwell and Andy Warwick are among those moving on, while the province have recruited Australian international Angus Bell on a short-term deal and Northampton Saints' number eight Juarno attack coach Mark Sexton will join the ticket at Kingspan Stadium, with Willie Faloon already in situ after he stepped in for defensive specialist Jonny Bell during last season. Away from playing and coaching personnel, Cunningham feels it is vital that Ulster define a "clear identity" for the organisation."It's easy to reflect and say we're miles off, we're not capable of performing against the top table sides," said Cunningham who was part of the squad when Ulster won the European Cup in 1999. "We showed on occasions that we can and that's what we have to get back towards."Part of the building blocks we have to get in place is a very clear identity and culture of what we're about as a club. "What that leads towards is a level of consistency that we've not had."While asking Ulster fans to "stick with" the province during the downturn, Cunningham said he is "confident" in the direction. "My hope is it's not going to take 10 years. My hope is that we see significant change in a two to three-year period."You can never dispute the amount that people want it. We're passionate about the province."
News.com.au
5 days ago
- General
- News.com.au
Chelsea match-winner! QLD avoid sweep
State of Origin: Chelsea Lenarduzzi has scored the match-winning try to give Queensland an important game three victory, avoiding a first ever sweep in a three-game Women’s State of Origin series.
The Herald
6 days ago
- General
- The Herald
Home crowd will give Sharks bite, says Etzebeth
Home-ground advantage will give the Sharks a huge boost when they face Munster in a winner-takes-all United Rugby Championship quarterfinal showdown in Durban on Saturday, lock Eben Etzebeth says. The giant lock is raring to go at Kings Park Stadium after injuries kept him on the sidelines for extended periods during the Sharks' bid to lift silverware. An added incentive for the Sharks is that victory will earn them a crucial semifinal on home soil. Etzebeth says the Sharks' big 41-24 win over Munster in a league clash during October will count for nothing when the teams scrum down on Saturday. 'This season I have been frustrated by injuries,' Etzebeth said. 'With the concussion, there is no timeline to return. It depends on your symptoms and how you respond to certain treatments. 'That was the frustrating part, thinking you'd be back in a week or two, and then it is longer. 'I eventually returned and then picked up a hamstring injury and had to sit out a bit more. It was quite a frustrating time. 'But I am back and it was good to get my first 80 minutes under the belt against Scarlets. 'When you play 20 minutes here or 60 minutes there, it's good, but once you finally get that full 80 minutes of rugby, that is when you feel you are back in the mix. 'Hopefully, I can kick on from here and play a couple of games without any niggles or problems.' Etzebeth says it will require a supreme effort from the Sharks if they want to advance to the next round. 'This is the first time we are hosting a quarterfinal, so it is definitely an advantage,' he said. 'Two seasons ago, Munster played a semi and final away. 'They are used to playoff success and winning away from home in knockout games, which is important because what you did before does not count (any longer). 'It is a good opportunity for us to progress further in the competition. 'We have the home crowd advantage and we are doing it in front of our fans, so it's a huge bonus.' Sharks centre Andre Esterhuizen believes his team's razor-sharp attack holds the key to victory against the Irishmen. 'We have a lot of confidence going into this game with four good wins in a row,' he said. 'We haven't played our best rugby, but we know how to win ugly, especially at a wet Kings Park. 'It doesn't look wet, but the dew sets in quickly. It's like the field's been sprayed before kickoff. 'We never want to grind games out. The Sharks want to win them comfortably, like we know we can. 'We're getting better every week and we're confident we're close to clicking. 'Our defence shows how much we care. We've been solid and we want to explode on attack now, and maybe spoil the party.' Meanwhile, former Sharks wing Thaakir Abrahams returns to Durban for Saturday's showdown. Abrahams made 23 appearances for the Sharks from 2020 to 2024, while having a stint with French club Lyon in 2023-24. The speedster then joined Munster on a two-year deal and has started seven URC matches this season. Munster squad: Forwards: Tom Ahern, Stephen Archer, Diarmuid Barron, Lee Barron, Tadhg Beirne, Gavin Coombes, Ronan Foxe, John Hodnett, Alex Kendellen, Jean Kleyn, Jeremy Loughman, Michael Milne, Jack O'Donoghue, Peter O'Mahony, John Ryan, Niall Scannell, Fineen Wycherley, Josh Wycherley. Backs: Thaakir Abrahams, Tony Butler, Craig Casey, Jack Crowley, Tom Farrell, Mike Haley, Diarmuid Kilgallen, Conor Murray, Alex Nankivell, Calvin Nash, Seán O'Brien, Paddy Patterson, Rory Scannell, Andrew Smith. URC quarterfinals: Friday: Glasgow Warriors v Stormers (Glasgow). Saturday: Bulls v Edinburgh (Pretoria), Leinster v Scarlets (Dublin), Sharks v Munster (Durban). The Herald
Daily Mail
6 days ago
- General
- Daily Mail
Moment daredevil somersaults down cheese-rolling hill - as organisers call in RUGBY PLAYERS to stop flying participants after council banned tradition over safety fears
This is the terrifying moment a contestant somersaulted down a huge hill before slamming into the ground during an annual cheese rolling competition. The man, who was dressed as a wizard, was attempting to break the course record for fastest descent at the event on Bank Holiday Monday. He could be seen doing a cartoon-style flip down Cooper's Hill in Gloucestershire before landing flat on his back. Members of the crowd looked on in horror - but it is believed the man managed to escape without breaking any bones. It comes as organisers were this year forced to call in rugby players to stop flying participants after the council banned the cheese-rolling event due to safety fears. One local posted on X: 'I'm 10 minutes from where this is. It's technically [been] an official event for some time because the council banned it (safety). 'So they get lads from the local rugby teams to tackle those who come down the hill.' Photos from this year's event showed one man being carried away from the event on a stretcher, while an air ambulance was seen landing in a nearby field. The man, who was dressed as a wizard, was attempting to break the course record for fastest descent at the event on Bank Holiday Monday He could be seen doing a cartoon-style flip down Cooper's Hill in Gloucestershire before landing flat on his back A man is helped by a rugby player and medic after injuring himself during the race on Monday Will Matthews, 23, spoke to the man who somersaulted down the hill before the start of the race. The gardener from Thornbury, Gloucestershire, said according to The Sun: 'He was dressed as a wizard and he said his name was Tye. 'Apparently he was trying to break the record for the fastest descent. 'I understand he was in the pub afterwards. There were a few people who had to go to hospital with injuries but he wasn't one of them.' Every year dozens of hardy racers hurtle down Cooper's Hill at Brockworth in pursuit of a 7lb Double Gloucester cheese. The renowned bank holiday tradition began as a small local event but now garners worldwide media attention. The official competition was cancelled back in 2010 due to health and safety fears - but rebel cheese rollers have been staging their own unofficial event. This year's race prompted a safety warning from the local ambulance, police and fire services, who said they could be overwhelmed if there were 'mass causalities'. Members of the crowd looked on in horror - but it is believed the man managed to escape without breaking any bones Photos showed a man being carried away from today's cheese rolling on a stretcher An air ambulance was seen landing in a nearby field on Monday during the race But it went ahead as planned, with Tom Kopke, a 23-year-old YouTuber from Munich, retaining the title he won last year. After taking an early lead and seeing the win through, he told the BBC: 'I've never felt better in my life. 'This year I just gave it everything I had - I just dashed forward and tried to get the win, and then I just blacked out.' Mr Kopke, 23, added: 'It was crazy. This year was different. Last year the hill was muddy and this year it was dry and dangerous and people got injured. The second men's race was won by Luke Preece, from Gloucester, who flew down the hill race dressed in a Superman costume. He said afterwards: 'I am absolutely buzzed, amazing - the adrenaline. My dad did it. I can't believe it, it's amazing.' The women's race was won by Ava Sender Logan, 20, who was racing for the Refugee Community Kitchen, which supports displaced people in northern France and homeless people in London and Edinburgh. The university student from London said: 'This is my first time. I thought it was such a tradition, and I will probably feel it tomorrow. I can't believe it, I can't believe it. One cheese pursuer in a Superman costume was among those toppling down the steep incline Tom Kopke, from Munich in Germany, has won the opening men's race for the second year running - he is pictured here celebrating his latest victory Crowds gathered for the annual Cheese Rolling races at Cooper's Hill in Brockworth There was carnage on the course as racers hurtled after the 3kg Double Gloucester '"It felt quite long coming down and then I hit my head. I'm down, that's what matters. I'm fine".' During the event, competitors chase the cheese down the 180m-high hill, with many tripping and tumbling on their way. The first runners to catch the cheese, which can reach speeds of up to 70mph, are declared victors in various races across the event that dates back to the 1800s. But competing is not without its risks - in 1993, 15 people were injured in the racing, four of them seriously hurt, and officials have ramped up warnings in recent years. In 2009 and 2011 the race was cancelled over safety concerns but the event has continued unofficially, though the 2020 and 2021 versions were called off as a result of Covid-19 pandemic lockdown restrictions before a return in June 2022. Long-time cheese-maker Rod Smart, who has produced cheese for the chase for more than 25 years, once again provided the wheels for this year's event. Four cheeses weighing about 3kg each and three smaller ones, weighing about 1.5kg, are used.
