#Rugby Pro14 Leinster Munster Connacht Ulster

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It’s official ... the Pro14 is here!

Now that it’s had a few days to sink in, what are everyone’s thoughts on the introduction of the two South African teams?

Personally I think it’s exciting, and is really going to boost the competitiveness of the league.

[sportinnovation]

Bilbao braggings

What would Ireland’s four provincial squads look like if they contained only homegrown players?

To play for Athletic Bilbao, you need to be born or raised in the greater Basque country. Despite these obvious constraints, the club has never suffered the indignity of relegation from Spain’s La Liga. The club side won a couple of leagues in the 1980s and even reached the Europa league final under the guidance of football’s maddest professor Marcelo Bielsa.

So, what if we were to apply this homegrown policy to Irish provincial rugby? Could Leinster, Munster, Ulster, and Connacht field players raised exclusively on their own land and remain competitive in the Pro14 and in Europe?

Munster

Strip out the South Africans, the errant sons of Leinster, and stray Kiwis and where would Munster be?

At present, about 39% of Munster’s squad went through neither the academy system nor the local club game. Of its 17 wild geese, six are from Leinster and another six are South African; but, actually, if they were all to leave in the morning, they’d still be in a pretty good spot.

They would still have two decent front rows, a back row featuring Tommy O’Donnell, Peter O’Mahony, and Jack O’Donoghue, a half-back partnership of Conor Murray and JJ Hanrahan, Rory Scannell at 12, and a back three including Keith Earls and Darren Sweetnam.

However, without their overseas and domestic signings, Munster would lose a lot of heft. Take CJ Stander, Chris Farrell, Jaco Taute, Sam Arnold, Jean Kleyn, and Chris Cloete out of the squad and you miss serious ball-carrying ability and/or ballast.

Remove the players filling the gaps and you see that Munster lack trusted indigenous players at outhalf, second row, back row, and centre. There is a lot of younger talent but is it fully trusted to deliver at the highest level? Outhalf is a case in point, where both Dubliner Ian Keatley and New Zealander Tyler Bleyendaal are preferred to prodigal son JJ Hanrahan,                 while the promising Bill Johnston has understandably been brought through slowly. 

Similarly, during big games, flanker Jack O’Donoghue bides his time on the bench, and they have elected to sign second row Tadhg Beirne (formerly of Leinster) from Scarlets instead of promoting from within. 

Without the influx of domestic and international talent, Munster would still be competitive. They would still be formidable in Thomond but - in contrast to ghosts of Munster teams past - they would be too lightweight to overcome gnarled, elite packs.  

Ulster

You can imagine eyes brimming with tears in the South Africa at the mere mention of the 300 players lost to Europe. Their sons eschewed garish Springbok blazers and went for yawning bank balances and the chance not to get their arses handed to them by Kiwi sides every week instead.

Ulster, too, has become an enclave for these wandering souls. Eight South Africans are numbered among the ranks, along with four Kiwis, a few poached Englishmen, a couple of rogue Munstermen, and a growing Leinster contingent. In all, almost 45% of their squad did not trouble the Ulster underage system.

For the sons of Ulster, the prospect looks set to become even more frightening, with half of south county Dublin set to pitch up in Ravenhill with their artisan coffee, sleeveless puffer jackets, and perfectly pronounced tee haytches.

Leinster alumnus Marty Moore and current backrower Jordi Murphy will make the move next season alongside several former Leinster prospects currently in the Ulster academy, and the four former Leinster players in the senior squad. As Gerry Thornley noted on the excellent Second Captains podcast, Ulster could theoretically name a side next season with numbers 1-10 all having gone through the Leinster system.  

That is not to say they do not have high quality indigenous players. In recent years, Ulster have always had a tidy backline and could even afford to release skilled players including centre Chris Farrell.

They remain strong in midfield, and in the back three in particular, with Jacob Stockdale shining in the November internationals. That said, the sun is setting on the careers of Andrew Trimble and Tommy Bowe, the mesmeric Charles Piutau and stopgap flyhalf Christian Lealiifano won’t be there next season, and who knows what will happen to Paddy Jackson?

On the plus side, Messrs Moore and Murphy should help mend the creaking pack. Were it not for domestic and international signings, Ulster’s pack would be weak even by Pro14 standards, with only Rory Best, Iain Henderson proving proficient at the top level.  

Connacht

This be where town mice become country mice, poached Englishmen become gamekeepers, and Kiwis from islands north and south meet the wildness of the west.

Of the four provincial squads, it is no surprise that the one with the fewest resources is the most reliant world rugby’s diaspora. Two-thirds of their current senior squad come from outside the western province, with 26% coming through the Leinster game alone.

In recent years, Pat Lam made a fine patchwork quilt using the off-cuts of other clubs stitched together and local talent; yet they wouldn’t be competitive without Bundee Aki, Finlay Bealham, Tom McCartney, Matt Healy, Craig Ronaldson, Niyi Adeolokun, and several others. In particular, they couldn’t cope in the tight five and in the centre; but, in fairness, not many teams in the Northern hemisphere would thrive when stripped to the marrow.  

Leinster

The trick the other three provinces should learn is to grow really large populations, expand their reach to 12 counties each if possible (pathetically, Connacht and Munster are just five and six counties respectively), and to speedily introduce a hyper-competitive schools system with pushy parents, quasi-professional coaching set-ups with nutritionists, and bitter decades-old rivalries. Oh, and put the competition on television just like the Leinster Senior Cup. That’s all they need to do to be like the boys in blue.

Leinster have all the natural advantages but – from a player development perspective – they’re making the most of it. In their squad of 45, only 20% (nine players) weren’t Leinster-bred. Of these, Richardt Strauss is fourth choice hooker, Corkman Ian Nagle is fourth choice lock, the ever-reliable Michael Bent is battling Andrew Porter for second spot in the tighthead pecking order, and Jamison Gibson-Park is second choice scrumhalf.  

In a Leinster homespun 23, at least one Lion and half a dozen internationals would be left fuming on the bench. That side would run something like:

First XV: 1. Healy/J McGrath, 2. Tracy 3. Furlong, 4. Ryan, 5. Toner, 6. Ruddock/Leavy, 7. O’Brien/van der Flier, 8. Heaslip/Conan, 9. L McGrath, 10. Sexton, 11. Larmour/Daly, 12. Reid, 13. Ringrose/O’Loughlin, 14. Byrne/McFadden, 15. Kearney/Carbery.  

Bench: Dooley/E Byrne, B Byrne, Porter, Molony/M Kearney, Murphy, R Byrne, D Kearney, McCarthy.

As strong as a combination of these players would be, Leinster would still miss the leadership and guile of Isa Nacewa and Scott Fardy, the go-forward ball and muscular defence provided by Connacht alumnus Robbie Henshaw, and the dynamism of Limerick-reared Seán Cronin.    

Without outside influence, their squad could reach the Champions Cup quarter finals but even the best homegrown sides need a Rocky Elsom or Doug Howlett to help them lift silverware.

Home truths

The profile of Irish rugby looks quite different when the clothes come off. We can see from the spread of players that Connacht and Ulster lean on overseas signings and the Leinster academy system to remain competitive. Munster have decent indigenous talent yet they don’t always trust them in big games. Only Leinster are largely self-sufficient; but, like Bilbao, basking in the satisfaction of a great youth system is one thing; winning trophies without outside help is another.

*Image: Trippyrez/Wikicommons

[diaspora9ja]

Champions Cup – what you need to know

Exeter’s win in October’s ultimate accomplished a decade-long rise from the Championship to champions of Europe

Exeter haven’t had lengthy to admire the European Champions Cup.

Lower than two months in the past, victory over Racing 92 meant Europe’s premier piece of silverware went to south Devon slightly than central Paris.

Now, the title is again on the road as this weekend, the 2020-21 Champions Cup begins.

It appears to be like a bit of totally different to common although.

There are 4 extra groups, three fewer swimming pools and, ominously, 4 tiers in a super-charged, ultra-complex Covid-era format.

Right here, with some assist from La Rochelle’s director of rugby Jono Gibbes, BBC Sport explains all.

The format

The Champions Cup this 12 months options two 12-team swimming pools.

Nevertheless, not each group performs each different group in these swimming pools.

As a substitute, the groups are positioned in tiers primarily based on their home league place final season.

The highest two in every of the Premiership, Pro14 and France’s Prime 14 – Exeter and Wasps in England for instance – are in Tier One.

The following two in every league – Bristol and Bathtub within the Premiership for example – are in Tier Two. And so forth.

Tier One Bordeaux-Begles, Leinster, Wasps Tier Two Bathtub, Edinburgh, Toulon, Tier Three La Rochelle, Sale, Scarlets, Tier 4 Dragons, Montpellier, Northampton

Tier One Exeter, Lyon, Ulster Tier Two Bristol, Munster, Racing 92 Tier Three Clermont, Connacht, Harlequins Tier 4 Glasgow, Gloucester, Toulouse

Every membership’s pool-stage fixture checklist is made up of 4 matches, residence and away in opposition to two different groups.

Their opposition is determined by their tier and nationality.

Tier One golf equipment will play the 2 Tier 4 golf equipment who’re of their pool, however not if they’re in the identical home league.

For instance, in Pool A, Leinster will tackle French aspect Montpellier and Premiership aspect Northampton of their 4 fixtures.

Tier Two and Tier Three groups face off in the same manner.

For instance, in Pool B, Professional 14 aspect Connacht, who’re in Tier Three, will play matches in opposition to Bristol and Racing 92 in Tier Two.

Exeter and Toulouse will meet within the pool levels – a re-run of final 12 months’s semi-final

When all matches are full, the highest 4 groups from every pool will go on to contest the quarter-finals.

The groups positioned fifth to eighth in every pool will drop into the European Problem Cup. The remaining might be left to focus on home issues.

The tier system has not prevented some superpowers rubbing up in opposition to each other early on within the competitors.

Clermont Auvergne, who’ve reached three finals up to now decade, will tackle Munster, unbeaten within the Professional 14 to this point this season.

In probably the most eagerly anticipated tie of the pool levels, defending champions Exeter will tackle free-running French powerhouses Toulouse in a repeat of final 12 months’s semi-final.

The contenders

Camille Chat, Sam Simmonds, Garry Ringrose and Antoine Dupont are among the many stars on present

Saracens, relegated from England’s high flight for breaching the division’s wage cap, are out of the match for not less than two years.

Fellow three-time champions Toulon are usually not the power they as soon as had been.

So might now we have one other new champion to observe Exeter’s maiden success final season? Or will a member of the previous guard pull rank?

Here’s a run-through of 4 of the primary contenders.

Leinster

4-time winners and reigning Professional 14 champions, the Irish province are perennial challengers for the title.

Participant to observe: Garry Ringrose – the Eire centre scored six tries within the competitors final season and is canny locator of house

Exeter

The Premiership aspect had not been past the final eight earlier than final season’s run to raise the trophy. They’ve began this season in the identical wonderful type.

Participant to observe: Sam Simmonds – a speedy quantity eight, Simmonds has scored six tries in Exeter’s first three Premiership video games.

Racing 92

Three-time shedding finalists, the Paris aspect are a potent mixture of ahead energy and backline finesse.

Participant to observe: Camille Chat – a bull-necked hooker who’s a robust presence within the free.

Toulouse

European royalty with 4 earlier titles and an thrilling younger aspect that lives as much as the membership’s status for aptitude.

Participant to observe: Antoine Dupont – presumably the perfect scrum-half on the planet, the France 9 combines silver-service passing with sniping runs across the fringe.

The coach’s view – Jono Gibbes

La Rochelle would possibly simply upset that quartet.

Beneath the steering of former Leinster, Clermont and Ulster coach Jono Gibbes, they’re high of the Prime 14 following wins over Racing, Clermont and Toulon.

Gibbes took on the position of director of rugby at La Rochelle in November 2018

Gibbes, who received eight caps for the All Blacks throughout his taking part in profession, spoke to BBC Sport about a number of the themes behind the 2020-21 match.

It is greater than 5 years for the reason that final French aspect received the Champions Cup, as lengthy a wait as now we have had between Prime 14 successes. How robust will the French problem be this 12 months?

There’s a positivity in France with the best way the rugby is being performed and Sunday’s efficiency [by a second-string France in sudden-death defeat by England] is a credit score to [head coach] Fabien Galthie and his employees. They did themselves actually proud

Traditionally Racing, Toulouse and Clermont have been actually aggressive. For different golf equipment, Prime 14 type and the context of their season determines their ambitions.

There are two groups relegated doubtlessly and you’ll simply end up within the incorrect finish of the desk. It’s good to handle that as finest you may.

The problem of the Prime 14 dictates how you utilize your assets – gamers’ power, psychological power, fatigue. Generally you want to select between video games.

How will the totally different format have an effect on groups’ approaches?

For us it is a chance. The shorter competitors, the totally different format, it provides it a contemporary really feel and we might be going at it as arduous as we presumably can in every match.

We’re constructing good depth to our squad, exposing younger guys in our coaching surroundings earlier, and we hope to be able to play each single recreation to win.

Who’re the gamers to search for in your group?

Our quantity eight Gregory Alldritt has carried out rather well in his quick worldwide profession and, even at a younger age, he’s actually necessary to the environment as a frontrunner and along with his degree of play.

La Rochelle full-back Brice Dulin, who joined the membership from Racing 92 this season, scored France’s solely attempt in opposition to England final weekend

Fijian centre Levani Botia continues to be a massively influential man for us. Dillyn Leyds has joined this season from the Stormers and Springboks and has a number of high quality. You noticed the ball-in-air work from our full-back Brice Dulin on Sunday in opposition to England.

Our power is that we play as a group although. We attempt to use everybody and put folks in the suitable house.

What do you make of the criticism that the sport has turn out to be too tactically conservative?

All the pieces is a steadiness. They wished to even up the competition on the breakdown to guard poachers. That has penalties. Is it secure to have the ball in your half in the intervening time? What are the referees rewarding?

If there are 14 guys in a wall, then the house is not with the ball in hand – it’s behind. You would possibly wish to put the opposition into the nook and assault with out the possession as an alternative.

I get the criticism however you must handle the refereeing and the opposition as finest you may.

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Pro14: What’s at stake for Edinburgh and Glasgow as league returns?

Edinburgh beat Glasgow 29-19 when the perimeters met at Murrayfield in unhurried December

Venue: Murrayfield Stadium Date: Saturday, 22 August Kick-off: 17: 15 BST Protection: Dwell commentary on BBC Radio Scotland, stay text updates on BBC Sport web page & app

Almost about six months for the explanation that Covid-19 pandemic took a sledgehammer to the rugby season, Edinburgh and Glasgow resume their Professional14 campaigns on Saturday.

The well-known of again-to-again Murrayfield derbies brings to an end a 176-day await the clubs to model competitive motion.

Richard Cockerill’s Edinburgh are chasing a maiden league title – will they emerge refreshed from the spoil, or will the kind of lengthy hiatus examine their momentum?

Glasgow rep a novel coach in Danny Wilson nonetheless, after a fluctuating season, will fetch it nearly very now not going to achieve the semi-finals.

These are grudge suits and the well-known alternatives for bruising, bone-on-bone battle, with knockout berths, satisfaction and perchance world locations on the line.

Edinburgh must enjoy being favourites – Watson

Scotland to play in eight-team autumn match

Schoeman to qualify for Scotland subsequent year

How will the season develop?

Every Professional14 team plays two fixtures in opposition to a local rival to entire the extraordinary season. The tip two aspects in Conferences A and B will contest the semi-finals, with every conference winner taking part in residence advantage, forward of the final is played on 12 September.

As a result of persevered severity of the pandemic in South Africa, neither the Cheetahs nor Southern Kings will feature in the final rounds.

The quarter-final stage has additionally been discarded to carry the competition to a speedier finale.

Each and each Scottish derbies will be staged at Murrayfield thanks to Covid-19 restrictions.

What’s at stake?

Edinburgh are gunning for a 2nd play-off appearance in three seasons below Cockerill. They’d never made the knockout rounds of the league forward of the Englishman took mark in 2017.

They’re aiming to wrap up a residence semi-final for the well-known time by retaining their contrivance on the Conference B summit, where they’re currently two facets certain of Munster.

In Conference A, Glasgow want a minor miracle to achieve the final four. Warriors require most facets from the 2 derbies, and Ulster to purchase nothing from their games in opposition to Connacht and Leinster to overhaul them in 2nd.

So what has changed at some stage in ‘lockdown’?

Darcy Graham is fit again and can simply provide stir in assault for Edinburgh

In Edinburgh’s case, now not a colossal deal. Their pack is mighty and has been bolstered additional by a sprinkling of unique additions and academy graduates. Scotland winger Darcy Graham has additionally recovered from a knee injury that saved him out of the Six Countries.

Cockerill has saved the overwhelming majority of the squad that began the season, nonetheless centre Matt Scott, who has joined Leicester Tigers, will be a big loss.

They’re gentle at fly-half of too, with Simon Hickey returning to his native Recent Zealand, leaving Scotland Beneath-20 pivot Nathan Chamberlain the most attention-grabbing veil for Jaco van der Walt.

By distinction, this has been a summer season of upheaval at Scotstoun. Wilson has changed Dave Rennie as head coach, appointing two unique assistants, and aims so that you might perchance add extra defensive grit and contrivance-portion solidity to Glasgow’s searing assault.

Scottish Rugby’s recruitment freeze has denied him the chance to signal the plump-again Warriors desperately want, nonetheless bringing again British and Irish Lion Richie Gray and re-signing Fijian fulcrum Leone Nakarawa are critical objects of business.

What about Scotland?

These inter-metropolis clashes are usually ferociously contested. Glasgow gained by four facets in unhurried December; Edinburgh took the return fixture by 10.

The enmity stems from pitting Scotland competitors in opposition to every different. With Gregor Townsend’s men contrivance to develop their Six Countries campaign in opposition to Wales on 31 October forward of entering a novel eight-team match, these fixtures will rep big implications for different.

Rugby Union Weekly: What’s unique because the Premiership returns?

The Hayley On day by day foundation Merely and hilarious takes on hot issues

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[eire-emblems]

Do you know the history of Ireland’s four provinces? The origins of the provinces of Ireland can be traced to the medieval cóiceda (literally "fifths") or "over-kingdoms" of Ireland. At the start of the 9th century the following are listed: Airgíalla, Connachta, Laigin, Northern Uí Néill (Ailech), Southern Uí Néill (Mide), Mumu, and Ulaid. These seven over-kingdoms are again listed in the 12th-century Lebor na Cert. By the time of the Norman invasion these kingdoms/provinces was now five controlled by Ireland's great Irish dynastic families of Uí Néill/O'Neill (Ulster), Uí Máeilsheáchlainn/O'Melaghlin (Mide/Meath), Uí Briain/O'Brien (Munster), Uí Conchobhair/O'Conor (Connacht) and Mac Murchadha-Caomhánach/MacMurrough-Kavanagh (Leinster). However, when the Normans invaded and occupied Ireland until 1541, the power of Ireland's great families waned and the historic provinces of Leinster and Meath gradually merged into one. This was mainly due to the introduction of the "Pale," the part of Ireland that was directly under the control of the English government. The "Pale" saw heavy colonization of Leinster, forming the province as we know it today. This left us then with four provinces Leinster, Munster, Connacht and Ulster. In modern times the provinces have become associated with groups of counties (32), although they have no legal status. They are today seen mainly in a sporting context, as Ireland's four professional rugby teams in Pro14 play under the names of the provinces, and the Gaelic Athletic Association has separate GAA provincial councils and Provincial championships. Today six of Ulster’s nine counties are still occupied by Britain so the four provinces flag is very popular with Irish Republicans as it signifies Irish Unity and also links us back to Ireland's medieval history. Available from our website see bio — view on Instagram https://ift.tt/2Tz2Cro

[abetheone]

WRAP: PRO14 - Week 5

WRAP: PRO14 – Week 5

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Cape Town – Dates, fixtures, results and match reports for this weekend’s PRO14 tournament.

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 1:

Ulster v Zebre – 21:35 Leinster v Dragons – 21:35 Glasgow Warriors v Southern Kings – 21:35

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 2:

Llanelli Scarlets v Cheetahs – 17:00 Ospreys v Connacht – 19:15 Benetton Rugby v Edinburgh – 19:15 Cardiff Blues v Munster – 21:35

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PRO14 quarter-final previews: Munster vs Benetton; Ulster vs Connacht | Rugby Union News

PRO14 quarter-final previews: Munster vs Benetton; Ulster vs Connacht | Rugby Union News

Can Conor Murray and Munster book a semi-final meeting with rivals Leinster?

This Saturday sees the Guinness PRO14 quarter-finals take place, as Munster host Italians Benetton at Thomond Park and Ulster welcome Irish rivals Connacht to the Kingspan.

With Glasgow Warriors and defending champions Leinster having…

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PRO14 becomes United Rugby Championship with South African sides eligible for Champions Cup

5:06am, 15 June 2021 The maligned PRO14 has given itself a makeover with the arrival of the frontline South African franchises into the mix for next season. With the Cheetahs and the Kings not playing in the tournament since March 2020, the Sharks, the Bulls, the Lions and the Stormers will enter the 2021/22 season with the competition rebranded as the United Rugby Championship.ADVERTISEMENTWith the old Guinness PRO14 viewed as massively inferior to the Gallagher Premiership and Top 14, and with appetites certainly not whetted by the gimmicky Rainbow Cup, officials will hope their rebrand will be the start of something seen as a more credible tournament by fans.  “The United Rugby Championship will be bigger, bolder and stronger than its predecessors,” read a launch statement confirming the end of the PRO14. “Teams from five of rugby’s elite nations – Ireland, Italy, Scotland, Wales and South Africa will transform the competition into a league of super clubs, which will embrace difference and champion its athletes on their journey with the URC proudly representing all of those involved with the game.”

RugbyPass is sharing unique stories from iconic British and Irish Lions tours to South Africa in proud partnership with The Famous Grouse, the Spirit of RugbyMartin Anayi, CEO of United Rugby Championship who was in charge of the PRO14, said: “Fans have always asked more of our league and now we are taking it to new heights. The United Rugby Championship will see World Cup winners, icons of the Guinness Six Nations, the Rugby Championship and stars of the British and Irish Lions tour turning up the intensity in an exciting new league format. “Since the origins of the Celtic League in 2001, the vision has been to innovate and evolve in order to create a compelling competition which would challenge our players and teams to be at their very best every single week. Their potential has never been in doubt and now we can provide them with the arena to be the very best.This is the United Rugby Championship ?Welcome. Failte. Benvenuto. Croeso. Welkom. Wamkelekile!#URC pic.twitter.com/O5pURUloGR— PRO14 RUGBY (@PRO14Official) June 15, 2021“Forming the United Rugby Championship will begin to reshape the world of club rugby. We are creating a league that embraces and celebrates difference and where the only way to succeed will be to match the skill and intensity of the international game.”ADVERTISEMENTOne league table will be used to rank teams and after 18 rounds the top eight sides will qualify for the quarter-finals with teams seeded from one to four receiving a home tie. The URC will use one league table to rank the teams who will reach the knockout stages and compete to reach the title and become the champions. The regular season will take place across 18 rounds with each team’s fixtures comprising of six home and away fixtures against their regional pool opponents and twelve home or away fixtures against the remaining teams in the league.The regional pools are: Irish pool – Connacht, Leinster, Munster, Ulster; Welsh pool – Dragons, Cardiff, Ospreys, Scarlets;  South African pool: Sharks, Stormers, Lions and Bulls; and Italian/Scottish pool: Benetton, Edinburgh, Glasgow Warriors, Zebre.A total of eight teams from the United Rugby Championship will qualify each season for the following season’s Heineken Champions Cup, with the balance of teams participating in the Challenge Cup. Subject to the finalisation of contract terms with EPCR, South African teams will be eligible to qualify for the Heineken Champions Cup from the 2022/23 season if they have finished in the United Rugby Championship qualification places from the prior season.All points won during the URC season will contribute to rankings in the regional pools and the highest-ranking team in each of the four pools will earn a place in the Heineken Champions Cup for the following season. This addition to the format is expected to add even greater intensity to these age-old local rivalries.ADVERTISEMENTThe remaining four places in the Heineken Champions Cup will be awarded to the four highest-ranked teams from the single-standing league table who have not already qualified through the four regional pools.Fans hoping for a full-on final in Italy on June 19 have had their hopes dashed https://t.co/B33Vvp6P2X— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) June 5, 2021

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Kieran Marmion: Ireland scrum-half facing Six Nations fitness race

Kieran Marmion: Ireland scrum-half facing Six Nations fitness race

Kieran Marmion: Ireland scrum-half facing Six Nations fitness race

Kieran Marmion won his 24th cap for Ireland in their win over New Zealand at the Aviva Stadium

Scrum-half Kieran Marmion is facing a battle to be fit for the start of Ireland’s Six Nations title defence.

Marmion, 26, started Ireland’s 16-9 win against New Zealand in Dublin but he was replaced in the 59th minute.

The Connacht player will have surgery this week on an ankle injury and the province say he will be out of action until February.

Grand Slam champions Ireland begin their 2019 Six Nations campaign against England on 2 February.

Marmion, who appeared to suffer an ankle injury against Argentina earlier this month, was one of seven players released from the Ireland camp on Monday and he will now miss the remainder of Connacht’s European Challenge Cup pool games and the inter-provincial matches against Leinster, Ulster and Munster in late December and early January.

Flanker Sean O’Brien is also targeting a Six Nations return as he recovers from the broken arm he sustained against the Pumas.

Leinster’s Luke McGrath and Ulster’s John Cooney will compete for the starting scrum-half role in Ireland’s final autumn international against the United States after Marmion had started the matches against Argentina and the All Blacks in the absence of first-choice number nine Conor Murray.

In a further blow to Connacht, prop Conan O’Donnell has had an operation on a hand injury and will be sidelined until next month while Eoin McKeon, Craig Ronaldson and Conor McKeon are long-term absentees.

Connacht head coach Andy Friend has taken a squad of 25 players to South Africa for their back-to-back Pro14 matches against Southern Kings and Cheetahs with fit-again Paul Boyle, Matt Healy and Peter McCabe all part of the travelling squad.

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With five PRO14 rounds to go, how are the Irish teams looking?

Only five games are left to be played in the Guinness PRO14 until the Final Series knock-out stages begin and the top clubs contest for the title.

With time running out to secure the play-off places, we take a look at the Irish clubs and their chances of contending.

Leinster

Having won 13 from 16 games so far this season, including a ten-try success against Southern Kings in the last round, Leinster are sitting pretty at the top of Conference B.

Losing the core of their team on international duty as Ireland hunt down a Grand Slam has not affected Leinster either, winning two out of three games including a 20-13 victory against defending champions Scarlets.

The province currently lie three points ahead of Scarlets beneath them, with the contest for a place in the semi-final of the Final Series heating up as the season draws to a close.

But Leinster’s fine form, combined with at least 12 players to return after the Six Nations, will give them confidence going into the final rounds, especially with Kiwi winger James Lowe on fire scoring three tries in two games.

INPHO/Tommy Dickson

Munster

Johann van Graan’s men haven’t been at their dominant best but they are also at the top end of their table, lying in second in Conference A on 53 points.

After a comfortable 33-5 win over Zebre in Round 14, Munster then went on to lose 25-18 to Cardiff Blues after conceding two early tries and failing to recover.

Yet last time out, the Red Army managed a stunning 21-10 victory over league-leaders Glasgow to narrow the gap at the top to eight points.

With Round 17’s clash against Edinburgh postponed due to the severe Scottish weather, Munster have slightly longer to rest up but will be eager to get back on the field and continue the momentum into the last handful of games.

INPHO/Kevin Barnes

Ulster

Ulster have suffered over the Six Nations period, with four of their top performers away with the Irish national team, including the Championship’s top try-scorer Jacob Stockdale.

Ulster sit fourth in Conference B on 46 points, five behind Edinburgh in third but only seven in front of Benetton in fifth.

If Jono Gibbes’ men want to hunt down a place in the knock outs, they have to start performing instantly, as only the top three from each conference go into the Final Series.

With only one win from the last four matches, including a sour one-point defeat at the hands of Edinburgh thanks to a last minute Duncan Weir drop-goal, Ulster are under pressure as we reach the business end of the season.

INPHO/Luca Sighinolfi

Connacht

With only 13 points between sixth and third in the middle of Conference A, the contest for that last spot in the Final Series is fiercely intense.

Connacht have some series work to do if they want to contend the title, as they are fifth on 32 points and still have both the current Conference leaders to play in the final five games.

Kieran Keane’s men have only managed two wins in five, including just a three point victory over Benetton last time out, but will hope to use the triumph to spur on in the final stages of the tournament.

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The post With five PRO14 rounds to go, how are the Irish teams looking? appeared first on Life Style Sports Blog.

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Guinness Pro14 Conference format explained ....

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Fred's Northern Hemisphere Previews

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First Edition (Predicted Tables)

Thought being from the NH I’d just do a series of posts previewing the upcoming season will do a team-by-team short summary but thought i’d start with how I think the Pro14 and Aviva Premiership will look at the end of the season. Predicted NH Tables

Pro14

1 Leinster 2 Munster 3 Scarlets 4 Glasgow 5 Cheetahs 6 Ospreys 7 Ulster 8 Edinburgh 9 Cardiff 10 Connacht 11…

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WRAP: PRO14 - Week 4

WRAP: PRO14 – Week 4

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Cape Town – Dates, fixtures, results and match reports for this weekend’s PRO14 tournament.

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 25

Munster 28-12 Ospreys

Ulster 23-14 Cardiff Blues

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 26

Dragons v Glasgow Warriors – 16:00

Benetton Rugby v Kings – 16:00

Connacht v Cheetahs – 18:15

Zebre v Leinster – 18:15

Edinburgh v Llanelli Scarlets – 20:35

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WRAP: PRO14 - Week 3

WRAP: PRO14 – Week 3

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Cape Town – Dates, fixtures, results and match reports for this weekend’s PRO14 tournament.

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 11

Cheetahs v Munster – 18:15

Leinster v Edinburgh – 20:35

Dragons v Connacht – 20:35

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 12

Kings v Ulster – 16:00

Llanelli Scarlets v Zebre – 16:00

Ospreys v Benetton Rugby – 20:35

Glasgow Warriors v Cardiff…

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Three uncapped players in Ireland squad for November internationals

Three uncapped players in Ireland squad for November internationals

Three uncapped players in Ireland squad for November internationals

Ulster utility back Will Addison has played for England Under-20s

Uncapped players Ross Byrne, Will Addison and Sam Arnold have been named in a 42-man Ireland squad for the four-Test November international series.

Ulster utility back Addison has impressed since moving from Sale while fly-half Byrne was part of the squad which toured Australia in the summer.

Scrum-half Conor Murray is an injury absentee but his Munster team-mate Arnold receives a call-up.

Ireland play Italy in Chicago then host Argentina, New Zealand and the USA.

Ireland coach Joe Schmidt is expected to rotate heavily and several regular starters are set to be left at home as the rest of the squad travel to Soldier Field to face the Italians on 3 November.

A number of key men will then return to face Argentina on 10 November and for the meetings of the world’s top two a week later, before the fringe players are given another opportunity to impress against the United States on 24 November.

Addison offers ‘flexibility’

Addison joined the Ireland squad for training in Melbourne during Ireland’s summer tour which saw Schmidt’s side beat the Wallabies 2-1 in the Test series.

The 26-year-old was also part of a 50-strong training squad at Carton House in August and is one of three Ireland-qualified English players brought into the Irish provinces this summer, along with Ulster team-mate Billy Burns and Munster full-back Mike Haley.

Addison’s flexibility in being able to cover a range of key positions could count in his favour as competition for places hots up with less than a year to go until the World Cup.

Only 31 players can travel to Japan and after the autumn internationals Ireland have five Six Nations games and four World Cup warm-ups to fine tune their plans as they target a first-ever semi-final appearance.

Conor Murray has not played since Ireland’s 20-16 deciding Test win over Australia in Sydney in June

Murray seldom missing

Murray has not played for four months since the last Test in Sydney because of a neck injury but recently agreed a new deal to remain with Munster and Ireland until 2022.

The scrum-half has rarely missed a game under Schmidt and his presence is key to the New Zealander’s game plan but Kieran Marmion, Luke McGrath and John Cooney all have creditable claims for the number nine shirt in his absence.

Marmion and Cooney both toured Australia but McGrath is restored to the squad after missing out on the trip down under.

Leinster full-back Byrne was an unused replacement in the third Test while Ulster hooker Best has been short of game time since recovering from the hamstring injury which kept him out of the trip to Australia.

Dan Leavy and Sean O’Brien also need games after injury-disrupted starts to the season.

Joey Carbery is a likely starter against Italy and the United States with Connacht forwards Finlay Bealham and Quinn Roux and Munster trio Darren Sweetnam, Dave Kilcoyne and Arnold rewarded for their early-season from by inclusion in the squad.

Fly-half Ian McKinley uses protective goggles when playing for Italy and Benetton

Italy include McKinley for Chicago contest

Irishman Ian McKinley has been included in the Italy squad for the opening match on 3 November.

Head coach Conor O’Shea has taken the unusual step of naming his team 10 days in advance with McKinley, who lost the sight in his left eye in 2011, selected among the substitutes.

The Dublin-born fly-half, who plays for Pro14 side Benetton, made his Test debut for Italy during last year’s November series but did not feature for the Azzurri during their Six Nations campaign.

Zebre’s South African flanker Johan Meyer will win his first cap for Italy in the back-row with his club-mate Jimmy Tuivaiti also set to make his Test bow from the bench.

Ireland squad for November internationals

Backs: R Kearney (Leinster), W Addison (Ulster), A Conway (Munster), D Sweetnam (Munster), K Earls (Munster), J Larmour (Leinster), J Stockdale (Ulster), R Henshaw (Leinster), G Ringrose (Leinster), B Aki (Connacht), S Arnold (Munster), S McCloskey (Ulster), J Sexton (Leinster), R Byrne (Leinster), J Carbery (Munster), K Marmion (Connacht), J Cooney (Ulster), L McGrath (Leinster).

Forwards: C Healy (Leinster), J McGrath (Leinster), D Kilcoyne (Munster), N Scannell (Munster), R Best (Capt, Ulster), S Cronin (Leinster), R Herring (Ulster), T Furlong (Leinster), A Porter (Leinster), F Bealham (Connacht), John Ryan (Munster), James Ryan (Leinster), I Henderson (Ulster), D Toner (Leinster), Q Roux (Connacht), T Beirne (Munster), P O’Mahony (Munster), S O’Brien (Leinster), D Leavy (Leinster), J Conan (Leinster), R Ruddock (Leinster), CJ Stander (Munster), J van der Flier (Leinster), J Murphy (Ulster).

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Heineken Champions Cup: Holders Leinster draw Wasps, Toulouse & Bath

Heineken Champions Cup: Holders Leinster draw Wasps, Toulouse & Bath

Heineken Champions Cup: Holders Leinster draw Wasps, Toulouse & Bath

Leinster beat Racing 92 15-12 to win their fourth title in May

Holders Leinster will face three other former winners in Pool One of next season’s Heineken Champions Cup.

The Irish Pro14 champions have been drawn against Wasps, Toulouse and Bath, with 11 titles between the four sides.

English Premiership winners Saracens are in Pool Three, alongside Challenge Cup champions Cardiff Blues, Glasgow Warriors and Lyon.

Last year’s runners-up Racing 92 are in Pool Four with Scarlets, Leicester Tigers and Ulster.

Exeter Chiefs, who were beaten by Saracens in May’s Premiership final, are in Pool Two, alongside French Top 14 champions Castres, Munster and Gloucester.

The competition has been renamed from the European Champions Cup, having previously been known as the Heineken Cup from 1995 to 2014.

Leinster and Toulouse are the most decorated sides in the history of the tournament, with four victories each. Wasps won in 2004 and 2007, and Bath took the 1998 title.

Meanwhile, the draw for the Challenge Cup matched 2000 Champions Cup winners Northampton with three-time finalists Clermont Auvergne – Dragons are also in their pool.

The first round of European games will take place on 12-14 October.

Heineken Champions Cup 2018-19 draw

Pool One: Leinster, Wasps, Toulouse, Bath

Pool Two: Castres, Exeter Chiefs, Munster, Gloucester

Pool Three: Saracens, Glasgow Warriors, Lyon, Cardiff Blues

Pool Four: Scarlets, Racing 92, Leicester Tigers, Ulster

Pool Five: Montpellier, Newcastle Falcons, Edinburgh, Toulon

Challenge Cup 2018-19 draw

Pool One: Northampton, Clermont Auvergne, Dragons, Timisoara Saracens

Pool Two: Pau, Ospreys, Worcester, Stade Francais

Pool Three: Sale Sharks, Connacht, Bordeaux-Begles, Perpignan

Pool Four: La Rochelle, Zebre, Bristol, Enisei-STM

Pool Five: Benetton, Harlequins, Agen, Grenoble

‘Playing the champions is huge’ – reaction

Bath qualified for the Heineken Champions Cup by securing sixth place in the Premiership on the final day of the season with a 63-19 thrashing of London Irish.

“Once you do the hard work, like the lads did last year, to fight their way into the Champions Cup, you want the big challenges and you want the big games,” Bath coach Stuart Hooper told BBC Radio Bristol.

“So going to the champions Leinster and having the champions come back to our place is huge.

“History would suggest the best way to get through the group is to win your home games. We’ll be looking to get teams to the Rec and beat them, and then get a couple of results away.”

Exeter director of rugby Rob Baxter said it would be “ridiculous” for his side not to chase European success in favour of regaining the Premiership title.

“We see ourselves as a strong side and we think we can compete on multiple fronts,” he said.

“We’re going to be really enthusiastic about Europe. We’re not going to run away from challenges.”

“It’s a very difficult draw, but that is what you expect when you are playing against the best 19 other teams in Europe,” added Dai Young, Wasps director of rugby.

“It’s exciting to be drawn with the defending champions and Toulouse, who have also won the competition several times. They will be great match-ups.

“We’ve also had some really good games with Bath in recent seasons, including a double-header in Europe three seasons back. They will all be tough games.”

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