Magners League Round 20 Previews

Posted on Apr 12, 2011 in Latest Rugby News

After a weekend that saw two of the three Irish Provinces in action proceed to the semi final stage of their relevant European competitions, all eyes once again turn to the Magners League and the battle to join Munster in one of the three remaining Play-Off spots.

Mathematically seven teams could still accumulate enough points to finish in the top four, but Newport Gwent Dragons’ hopes lie in the results of others. Anything less than three match points from their Friday night derby against Ospreys will see them drop out of contention, and depending on other results even a victory may not be enough.. Their opponents Ospreys on the other hand will be looking for the victory to reinforce their place in the top four and stay on course to retain their title.

Also on Friday night Cardiff Blues, who are just outside the Play-Off spots but have a game in hand over all the teams above them, travel to Galway knowing that Connacht who will be looking to maintain their best ever league run that has seen them record five straight victories in the hope of achieving their highest ever finish in the Magners League.

There are two vital fixtures on Saturday – firstly top of the table Muster could secure a home semi-final with a victory over Scarlets, who themselves need the win to keep their chances of making the top four alive. Then the weekend wraps up with the perhaps the pick of the round as fourth placed Leinster face second in the table Ulster at the RDS.

Both were in Heineken Cup action last weekend, but with differing results. Ulster not only have to overcome their disappointment at their exit from that competition, but also an impressive home record that has seen Leinster win their last 24 regular season home games in Dublin. Another home victory is required if the Leinstermen are to avenge the one game they lost at the venue – last season’s Grand Final.

By the end of this round we may have a much clearer picture of who is still in contention to carry off the Magners League title this year.

G-Dog back to sniff out first away win: Aironi v Glasgow

Posted on Mar 31, 2011 in Latest Rugby News

Glasgow Warriors welcome back the club’s longest serving player, Graeme Morrison, for Saturday’s Magners League match against Aironi (2 April, kick-off 3.30pm local time) as the team goes in search of its first away win of the season.

The Warriors will travel to Italy for the first time on league duties where they will play Aironi at the Stadio Zaffanella – the venue of their 18-15 Heineken Cup win over Viadana in 2008 – with this year’s test set to be another evenly-matched affair.

Glasgow head coach Sean Lineen said: “We’ve had a couple of wins over in Italy in the Heineken Cup but we know it’s going to be a tough ask this time around.

“Aironi got their first win in the league last week over Connacht – a team which has beaten us twice this year.

“They’ll have a little bit of momentum and a strong squad with some quality players. We haven’t won away from home yet this season so we are under no illusions.”

Morrison’s recovery from a knee injury means that not only is the midfield bolstered but the Warriors receive a further injection of experience and leadership as he takes over captaincy duties.

The centre’s return is one of five personnel changes from the team that lost narrowly to Ulster last weekend. There are a further two positional switches.

Henry Pyrgos is given the scrum-half jersey ahead of Colin Gregor whilst Peter Murchie moves from centre to fullback in place of Bernardo Stortoni who has been struck down by a stomach bug.

In the pack, hooker Pat MacArthur takes over from Fergus Thomson and the competition at prop continues to see Ryan Grant and Jon Welsh vie for a place in the starting team. This week, Grant has the honour of taking the field first.

Lock Tom Ryder also makes a comeback as his thigh injury clears up in time for the trip to Aironi. He is re-instated to the second-row and Rob Harley moves into the back-row as a result.

In addition to Glasgow’s injury list [detailed below] it has been agreed that Scotland internationalists John Barclay, Richie Gray and Alastair Kellock will not feature in the club’s four remaining Magners League matches. This decision has been made following discussion between the respective coaching and medical staffs of Glasgow Warriors and the Scotland national team.

The decision has been taken to allow the club’s key international players to be in the best possible position to contribute to a winning performance for both Scotland at the forthcoming Rugby World Cup and for Glasgow in the 2011/12 Magners League and Heineken Cup season.

Dr James Robson, Scottish Rugby’s head of medical services, explained: "These players have experienced a large amount of high intensity rugby this season and it is felt that a period of rest will enable them to be in the best possible condition for the Rugby World Cup and the 2011/12 Magners League and Heineken Cup season.”

Lineen understands this position and replied: “It’s important to manage players’ welfare and that is something we take very seriously at Glasgow Warriors. John [Barclay], Richie [Gray] and Al [Kellock] have been outstanding for the club so, although I’d love to see them putting on a Glasgow jersey, I respect the decision to manage their workload for the remainder of the current campaign.”

Glasgow Warriors team to play Aironi in the Magners League at the Stadio Zaffanella on Saturday 2 April (kick-off 3.30pm local time)

15 Peter Murchie

14 DTH van der Merwe
13 Federico Aramburu
12 Graeme Morrison CAPTAIN
11 Alex Dunbar

10 Ruaridh Jackson
9 Henry Pyrgos

1 Ryan Grant
2 Pat MacArthur
3 Moray Low
4 Aly Muldowney
5 Tom Ryder
6 Robert Harley
7 Ryan Wilson
8 Richie Vernon

Substitutes: 16 Dougie Hall, 17 Jon Welsh, 18 Kevin Tkachuk, 19 James Eddie, 20 Johnnie Beattie, 21 Colin Gregor, 22 Duncan Weir, 23 Hefin O’Hare

Unavailable for selection: John Barclay (rested), Chris Cusiter (knee), Rob Dewey (knee), Max Evans (ankle), James Fleming (knee), Calum Forrester (knee), Finlay Gillies (Scotland 7s), Richie Gray (rested), James Johnstone (Scotland 7s), Ed Kalman (back), Alastair Kellock (rested), Murray McConnell (back), Colin Shaw (knee), Bernardo Stortoni (stomach bug).

Ulster name experienced team to face Scarlets

Posted on Mar 31, 2011 in Latest Rugby News

Brian McLaughlin has named an experienced team to face the Scarlets in tomorrow night’s vital Magners League game at Ravenhill.

BJ Botha and Ian Humphreys are drafted straight into the starting line up after spells out injured. Botha (elbow) has not featured since the Heineken Cup match against Biarritz in January, while Humphreys (hamstring) has not played since the end of February.

Andrew Trimble also returns to the starting team after missing the last two games through injury but Stephen Ferris continues to be ruled out with a knee problem.

Rory Best takes over the captaincy from Johann Muller on his return to the starting XV. He played 15 minutes against Glasgow last week after returning from 6 Nations duty and will start alongside Botha and Tom Court in an all-international front row. In the back row Willie Fallon gains a start at openside flank in place of Chris Henry who drops to the bench.

The backline has also been re-shuffled as Ruan Pienaar moves back to scrum half to allow Humphreys to take the No10 jersey. Adam D’Arcy comes in at fullback as Simon Danielli moves to the wing and Craig Gilroy starts on the bench. The other wing berth is occupied by Trimble who has replaced 20 year old Conor Gaston.

Ulster are on a run of five straight wins, with three of those coming courtesy of last-gasp kicks. The last time Ulster won six in a row they went on to win the league in 2005/06.

They currently occupy third position in the table and will face a stern test against their fellow play-off contenders. A win tonight is not only important for their Magners League challenge but they will be hoping for victory and an improved performance ahead of next week’s Heineken Cup quarter final against Northampton.

Ulster Team v Scarlets (Magners League, Ravenhill, Friday 1st April, kick-off 7.05pm)

(15-9): A D’Arcy; A Trimble, N Spence, P Wallace, S Danielli; I Humphreys, R Pienaar;
(1-8): T Court, R Best, BJ Botha, J Muller (capt), D Tuohy, R Diack, W Faloon, P Wannenburg;
Replacements (16-23): A Kyriacou, P McAllister, D Fitzpatrick, T Barker, C Henry, P Marshall, I Whitten, C Gilroy.

Ulster Rugby would advise supporters coming to the game (gates open 5.30pm) to avoid parking in the immediate vicinity of the Ravenhill Grounds and that the following roads are only accessible for residents and closed to everyone else:

1. Onslow Parade
2. Ravenhill Park
3. Ravenhill Park Gardens

There will also be parking restrictions in place in the Castlereagh area (Mount Merrion Avenue). Supporters are encouraged to make use of the Park ‘n’ Ride facilities at Pirrie Park and along Montgomery Road.

Ulster Squad v Scarlets

Posted on Mar 29, 2011 in Latest Rugby News

Ulster coach Brian McLaughlin has named a 35 man squad ahead of Friday’s Magners League encounter against the Scarlets at Ravenhill (ko 7.05pm).

Ian Humphreys and BJ Botha return to the preliminary squad which will face their Welsh play-off rivals. Botha has not played since injuring his elbow before Christmas while Humphreys pulled a hamstring during training in February. The return of both players will be a timely boost for Ulster with a string of important matches coming up.

Captain Rory Best is back in contention for a starting place after coming on after 50 minutes last week against Glasgow. Conor Gaston is named in the preliminary squad for the third week running after impressive performances in his first two appearances.

(more…)

Magners League Grand Final Kick-Off Confirmed

Posted on Mar 21, 2011 in Latest Rugby News

Celtic Rugby has confirmed that the second Magners League Grand Final will kick-off at 5.05pm on Saturday, 28 May.

The dates and kick-off times for the two Play-Off semi-finals have also been scheduled after a recent meeting with the tournament’s broadcast partners. The first semi-final will start at 7.05pn on Friday, 13 May, with the second one kicking-off at 6.30pm the next day, Saturday, 14 May.

There are five rounds of the regular Magners League to go now that the RBS 6 Nations has come to a conclusion and there is still all to play for in one of the most competitive league seasons on record.

Table-topping Munster have a nine point lead over reigning champions the Ospreys in second at present, but the 2003 and 2009 winners still have to travel to Wales twice in the closing stages to meet both the Ospreys and the Blues.

Munster also have to host arch-rivals Leinster and Connacht at home in a run-in that could still see them come under pressure for the top spot and a guaranteed home tie in the semi-finals.

The top two finishers in the regular Magners League season will enjoy home advantage in the semi-finals – 1 v 4 and 2 v 3 – the Grand Final will be played at the home venue of the highest rank team reaching last two.

“We have an incredible final five rounds to go in the Magners League and it is anyone’s guess who will fill the top four places. There are still seven sides within striking distance and the battle for home advantage is set to go down to the wire,” said Celtic Rugby chairman Andy Irvine.

“We have some world class fixtures to come before the end of the regular season and then three fantastic matches to determine who will follow the Ospreys as the Grand Final champions.

“It has been the Ospreys’ stated intention from the start of the season to become the first team to successfully defend the Magners League crown and they are well in the mix at the moment in second place and with a home game to come against Munster.

“The 2009 champions Leinster, who are still in the race for Heineken Cup glory along with Ulster, are lurking in third and there are quality teams preparing for their final assault over the next few months.

“While every one of the 12 teams can still have an influence on the final shape of the top four teams, they can’t all make it. However, there is still national pride and World Cup places to be played for over the final five rounds of the regular season.”

MAGNERS LEAGUE PLAY-OFF DATES / KICK-OFF TIMES

Semi-Finals
Friday, 13 May 7:05pm
Saturday, 14 May 6:30pm

Grand Final
Saturday, 28 May 5:05pm