Month: September 2024

Gloucester claimed a stunning 31-28 triumph over fellow West Country outfit Bristol Bears in one of the games of the season so far.

It was a thrilling clash throughout as the two sides traded blows. The Cherry and Whites were fastest out of the blocks as Jordy Reid touched down before Sam Bedlow levelled matters.

Val Rapava-Ruskin then restored the hosts’ lead but the teams could not be separated as Piers O’Conor crossed the whitewash for the Bears.

Although Freddie Clarke’s try gave George Skivington’s men a 21-14 advantage at the break, Bristol would not go away and scores from Ellis Genge and Andy Uren moved the visitors ahead for the first time in the match.

However, Rapava-Ruskin once again tied the match before Adam Hastings’ late penalty snatched the win for Gloucester.

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Gloucester changes included England wing Jonny May returning to the starting line-up, with Santiago Carreras moving to full-back, while centre Chris Harris replaced Mark Atkinson, who suffered a season-ending knee injury at Bath last weekend.

Bristol handed scrum-half Tom Whiteley a first start since February, taking over from an injured Harry Randall, with Fitz Harding returning to the back-row alongside Chris Vui and Dan Thomas.

Both teams displayed plenty of ambition in the early stages, with Gloucester’s Wales wing Louis Rees-Zammit proving a considerable attacking threat.

And it was no surprise when Gloucester took an 11th-minute lead, relying on their outstanding driving maul to breach Bristol’s defence as Reid touched down and Hastings converted.

Bristol had opportunities to hit back quickly, but poor ball retention proved their undoing and Gloucester’s powerful counter-ruck led by number eight Ruan Ackermann often sent them into reverse gear.

The visitors did not lose their composure, though, and patient build-up play saw them draw level through a 25th-minute try for Bedlow that Callum Sheedy converted after the centre crashed crashed through weak Gloucester defence.

It was a game of little pattern, yet the excitement levels continued as the sides matched each other blow for blow.

Gloucester went back in front eight minutes before half-time after Harris caused panic in Bristol’s defence and Rapava-Ruskin dived over the top of a ruck to score.

Hastings’ conversion made it 14-7, but Bristol hit back after Genge’s strong midfield charge created enough space for Uren, who replaced Whiteley, to send O’Conor through a huge gap, with Sheedy adding the extras.

But just when Bristol thought they had done enough to go off level at half-time, Ackermann stormed clear from the back of a scrum and Clarke powered over, giving Hastings an easy conversion as Gloucester secured a 21-14 interval advantage.

It took Bristol just five minutes into the second period to draw level for a third time, and this time it was Genge who did the damage, claiming his fourth Premiership try this season.

Sheedy’s conversion tied the game up once more before the impressive Uren went close to a dazzling solo score, but he was hauled into touch by Gloucester’s last defender.

Bristol should have made no mistake just three minutes later following a piercing Charles Piutau break, but flanker Dan Thomas lost the ball under pressure from Rees-Zammit, and the chance went begging.

Gloucester, though, could not escape Bristol’s attacking menace, and Uren put them ahead for the first time with a try that Sheedy converted.

But Gloucester set up a thrilling final quarter by claiming the eighth touchdown of a pulsating contest as Rapava-Ruskin again crossed Bristol’s line, with Hastings converting before he provided the match-winning moment.

Saracens edge past spirited Bath

Saracens overcame a spirited Bath 37-31 in an enthralling back-and-forth Premiership encounter at the StoneX Stadium.

Tries from Alex Goode, Max Malins, Elliot Daly and Alex Lewington and stellar goalkicking from Owen Farrell secured the result for the table-topping hosts.

Bath took the game to the wire, thanks to scores from Matt Gallagher, Joe Cokanasiga, Max Ojomoh and Wesley White along with the boot of Orlando Bailey.

However, they could not force a late winner as Johann van Graan’s men succumbed to a sixth consecutive defeat in the league.

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Northampton withstand Newcastle fightback

Northampton Saints held off a Newcastle Falcons fightback to secure a nerve-jangling 32-31 win at cinch Stadium.

The home side had appeared to be cruising on two occasions during the game, going 13-0 up in the first half before the Falcons scored twice to make it 14-13 at the break.

Northampton then looked to have regained control, going 32-14 ahead via Tom Collins, Juarno Augustus and Ollie Sleightholme tries, but again the Falcons refused to lie down.

They roared back to just a point down with nine minutes to play as Mateo Carreras, Jamie Blamire and George Wacokecoke went over.

There was plenty of tension among the home supporters, but their side saw the game out to secure their second successive bonus-point win in the Gallagher Premiership.

AS Monaco right-back Djibril Sidibé has reached an agreement with Atletico Madrid vis-à-vis contractual terms, according to L’Équipe.

The 25-year-old will be allowed to leave Monaco this summer, but for the right price. At the moment, Atletico Madrid only intend to offer up to €25m, which ASM view as unacceptable and thus have not told the Spanish club their asking price, as they wait for other suitors to come forward.

Sidibé is interested in the Atletico challenge, in a move that he believes would improve his defensive qualities.

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A spirited second-half fightback wasn’t enough for Munster as they went down 15-14 to Ulster in their United Rugby Championship clash at Thomond Park.

Ulster scored all their points in the opening half as crossings from Jordi Murphy, Tom Steward and James Hume sent them into the break leading 15-3.

Munster had produced a disjointed performance up to that point, but they absorbed Malakai Fekitoa’s sin-binning and Jack Crowley kicked three penalties.

Crucially, the post prevented the Munster fly-half from converting Shane Daly’s 66th-minute score and the hosts were unable to avoid their fifth successive interprovincial defeat – and third of the current season.

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Murphy, a late inclusion for the injured Sean Reffell, rewarded Ulster‘s early decision to go for the corner by scoring from a well-executed lineout drive.

Crowley closed the gap to 5-3 with his first penalty, punishing Duane Vermeulen for an off-the-ball scuffle with Diarmuid Barron.

However, the visitors’ maul found another defensive chink and Emerging Ireland hooker Stewart crashed over. The conversion proved too difficult again for Nathan Doak.

Advancing from two breakdown steals by Edwin Edogbo, Munster’s lineout and handling unfortunately let them down inside the opposition 22.

Although David McCann was denied a try due to a Doak knock-on, he was soon the victim of a high tackle from Fekitoa which saw him sin-binned. Hume duly added a third unconverted try.

Some hair-raising running from John Hodnett saw Munster improve on the restart, as Crowley ate into the deficit.

The Cork youngster made it a six-point game in the 54th minute, and Ulster went down to 14 men when replacement Cormac Izuchukwu saw yellow for preventing a quick tap.

Simon Zebo made a big impact on his introduction, running hard out to the right where he flicked a pass over Stewart Moore to put Daly over in the right corner. Crowley’s conversion hit the woodwork.

Despite Munster stopping Ulster from mauling over during a frenetic finish, the home side’s hopes of creating a match-winning score were crushed by a Vermeulen penalty win at the breakdown.

Connacht edge Ospreys on the road

In the late game, Jack Carty’s second-half drop-goal proved just enough for Connacht to edge out Ospreys 22-19 in an entertaining clash in Swansea.

Both teams scored three each but Ospreys will reflect on surrendering an early 12-0 lead as they were left with just one win from their opening seven United Rugby Championship fixtures.

Connacht’s tries came from Alex Wootton, Caolin Blade and John Porch, with Carty converting two to go along with his ultimately crucial drop-goal.

Huw Sutton, Reuben Morgan-Williams and Sam Parry crossed for Ospreys, Jack Walsh adding two conversions.

Dragons cruise past Zebre Parma

Elsewhere, the Dragons’ impressive revival continued in emphatic fashion at Rodney Parade with a five-try 47-7 trouncing of Zebre Parma.

A third victory of the campaign sees the Men of Gwent occupying the relative heady heights of mid-table in the United Rugby Championship, with more wins by the end of October than the two they managed all last season.

While their supporters will have expected no less against an Italian side who arrived in Newport without a win from their first six games, the manner of this success endorsed the feeling that better days lie ahead.

With former Cardiff fly-half Dai Flanagan currently in charge following the messy and as-yet-unresolved departure of Dean Ryan, the new, buoyant mood around the region is palpable.

Tries from Rhodri Williams, Dean Richards (2), Steffan Hughes and Angus O’Brien and the solid boot of Sam Davies saw the Dragons to the maximum.

Stormers fight back to beat Lions

In the early match, the Stormers rediscovered their winning touch but were made to fight hard for a 31-22 bonus-point victory over the Lions in Johannesburg.

John Dobson’s men – the defending URC champions – saw their 14-match winning run in the competition halted by a draw at the Ospreys in Round Five before losing at Cardiff last weekend.

But they arrested that brief slump at Emirates Airline Park on Saturday against a Lions side who have now lost all three of their home matches this season, having won all three away.

The Lions led 22-10 at half-time as Henco van Wyk’s try was complemented by a combined 17 points from the boots of Jordan Hendrikse and Sanele Nohamba.

A Stormers rally in the second half saw Sacha Mngomezulu, Clayton Blommetjies and Nama Xaba all go over, while Manie Libbok kicked 11 points in total.

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French central defender Christophe Hérelle’s agent Khalid Tallas has told L’Est Eclair that OGC Nice have agreed a fee with ESTAC Troyes to sign his client.

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Yahoo Sport report that Nice will meet with Hérelle’s agent on Wednesday in order to reach an agreement over personal terms.

Tallas admitted in his interview with the regional outlet that he and his client “remain open to everything” but it appears to be quasi-certain that Hérelle will join the Ligue 1 club of his birthplace.

Experienced flanker Justin Tipuric has been named Wales captain for the Autumn Nations Series, as he takes over from the injured Dan Biggar.

Tipuric, 33, has won 86 caps for his country since making his debut and has led his country in the past when they faced Uruguay in the 2019 World Cup.

The all-action back-row missed last season due to a shoulder injury he picked up in a British and Irish Lions warm-up match against Japan back in 2021.

Honoured to skipper Wales

Understandably the news is therefore a boost on a personal level for Tipuric as he feels “honoured” to lead as Wales build towards the 2023 World Cup.

“I am honoured,” he said. “I didn’t quite expect it, to be honest.

“To have the responsibility of leading the boys on the field is definitely a highlight of my career.

“When you are out of the game for a while, it shows how much you miss it.”

The fillip for Tipuric is however offset by the news that Ospreys and Wales team-mate Dewi Lake is ruled out of the Autumn Nations Series due to injury.

The hooker suffered a shoulder issue in his side’s United Rugby Championship clash with the Dragons over the weekend in the latest injury blow for Wales.

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Lake has been replaced in head coach Wayne Pivac’s 35-man squad by former Ulster hooker Bradley Roberts who currently plies his trade at the Dragons.

Injuries are mounting up

Pivac is already without Biggar, Liam Williams, Wyn Jones, Leon Brown, Seb Davies, Johnny Williams, Josh Navidi and Taine Basham due to injuries.

There is also concern over George North (knee), Leigh Halfpenny (hamstring), Gareth Anscombe (ribs), Alex Cuthbert (shoulder) and Josh Adams (hand),

Wales begin their end-of-year campaign against New Zealand on November 5 before they face Argentina, Georgia and Australia during their autumn games.

RC Strasbourg have today confirmed the signing of Adrien Thomasson on a free transfer.

The midfielder, who was a free agent after his most recent spell with Nantes, has signed for the Alsace-based side on a three-year deal.

Thomasson, an attacking midfielder who holds dual French and Croatian citizenship, has expressed his delight at signing for Thierry Laurey’s side: “I am ambitious and that’s why I chose the Strasbourg project rather than another one…I felt that I was really wanted through contact made over several months”.

The 24-year-old, who reportedly rejected moves from Angers and Reims, had scored 6 goals in 75 appearances in his most recent spell at the Stade de la Beaujoire.

H.W.

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Australia have made four changes to their XV for their Autumn Nations Series clash with France on Saturday, with Will Skelton named on the bench.

The Wallabies come into the match in Paris on the back of a narrow victory over Scotland last week, but this will no doubt be a tougher test for the team.

Head coach Dave Rennie has freshened his line-up for the challenge ahead, with Jock Campbell, Lalakai Foketi and Nic White coming into the backline.

Four changes to starting XV

That trio replaces Tom Banks, Hunter Paisami and Tate McDermott, with Paisami remaining in the matchday 23 as he features among the replacements.

Taniela Tupou replaces Allan Alaalatoa in the only change to the forward pack, with the latter ruled out after showing concussion symptoms last weekend.

On making consistent changes to his XV, Rennie explained that might not be a trend that continues when the World Cup kicks off in France next year.

“(For) the World Cup we’ll definitely pick and stick next year,” the Wallabies head coach told AAP, with Skelton joined by Tom Robertson, Pete Samu, Jake Gordon and Reece Hodge as new faces riding the pine this week for the clash at the Stade de France.

“What we’ve got to understand is we can put our best side, or try and put our best side out, every week – but that’s a struggle, playing five internationals in a row over here.

“We’ve got a hell of a lot of guys that aren’t here that we think will be part of our World Cup squad and so it is important that we give opportunity for certain guys.

“We look at our three nines; we could play one of them every week but (what) if he gets injured and doesn’t go to the World Cup and we’ve missed an opportunity over here.”

Saturday will be a special occasion for full-back Campbell as he makes his first start for the Wallabies, with Banks suffering with an ankle problem.

Campbell a smart footballer

“We were keen to give Jock a start on this tour,” Rennie explained.

“He’s trained with us for a number of weeks now and he’s really impressed us. He’s a really smart footballer, he’s got good feet and a good skill set.

“He’s not a kid, he’s had to work hard for his opportunity and, at 27, he’s pretty mature, so we reckon he’s ready to go.”

As mentioned, Campbell is joined by Foketi in a tweaked backline and Rennie is looking forward to seeing him on the field against a strong French outfit.

“Lalakai, he’s been excellent this year. He had a massive year for for the Waratahs,” Rennie said.

“He’s a bigger body, he’s got good feet, a very good skill-set and we think that’ll be important this week.”

Australia: 15 Jock Campbell, 14 Andrew Kellaway, 13 Len Ikitau, 12 Lalakai Foketi, 11 Tom Wright, 10 Bernard Foley, 9 Nic White, 8 Rob Valetini, 7 Michael Hooper, 6 Jed Holloway, 5 Cadeyrn Neville, 4 Nick Frost, 3 Taniela Tupou, 2 David Porecki, 1 James Slipper (c)
Replacements: 16 Folau Fainga’a, 17 Matt Gibbon, 18 Tom Robertson, 19 Will Skelton, 20 Pete Samu, 21 Jake Gordon, 22 Hunter Paisami, 23 Reece Hodge

Date: Saturday, November 5
Venue: Stade de France, Paris
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Kick-off: 21:00 local (20:00 GMT)
Referee: Jaco Peyper (South Africa)
Assistant Referees: Ben O’Keeffe (New Zealand), Craig Evans (Wales)
TMO: Tom Foley (England)

Ouest France report that Ligue 1 side Nantes have approached Barcelona over the possible loan without option to buy signing of 27-year-old right-back Douglas Pereira dos Santos.

Les Canaris’ new manager Miguel Cardoso has identified the full-back as a target to replace outgoing captain Léo Dubois, who will join Lyon at the end of the month.

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Australia suffered a setback with the news that star centre Lalakai Foketi has been ruled out of the rest of their end-of-year tour due to a shin injury sustained in Saturday’s loss to France in Paris.

Foketi rounded off an outstanding 95-metre try for the Wallabies in the 18th minute of their 30-29 defeat against Les Bleus but limped off the field five minutes later, after sustaining his injury with Hunter Paisami coming on as a replacement.

Wallabies coach confirms extent of injury

Wallabies head coach Dave Rennie confirmed Foketi would not be in action during the rest of the tour and said management would decide soon on who would come into the squad as a replacement.

Currently, Paisami and Len Ikitau are the Wallabies’ only specialist centres. Other players, like Andrew Kellaway, Reece Hodge and Jordan Petaia, could fill in if required.

Foketi flew to Australia on Sunday and faces a lengthy recovery before returning to action with the Waratahs in Super Rugby which begins in February.

Former Brumbies and Waratahs centre Irae Simone, who has represented the Wallabies in two Tests, was viewed as a possible replacement, but is also on the sidelines currently with an injury and did not play for his current club Clermont Auvergne in the Top 14 over the weekend.

“We’re a bit thin from a midfield point of view,” Rennie told the Sydney Morning Herald. “We’ll look to bring someone in.”

Rennie also provided positive news on full-back Tom Banks and front-row Allan Alaalatoa, who were ruled out of the France Test due to an ankle injury and concussion, respectively.

“Tom is a chance, he ran on Saturday,” Rennie said. “We think he’s a good chance to be available. We’ll see how he goes over the next couple of days.

“Allan has been good. He’s been ticking off a lot of boxes over the last week and if he gets through his contact stuff, we’ll expect him to be available.”

Rennie also revealed that he is set to ring the changes to his matchday squad for the Test against the Azzurri ahead of clashes with Ireland and Wales on their five-Test tour.

Although the New Zealander would not reveal too much about his squad for the Italy Test, players like wing Mark Nawaqanitawase, playmaker Ben Donaldson and prop Sam Talakai are in line for Test debuts if selected.

Experienced duo set to start

Jake Gordon is expected to start at scrum-half as well as behemoth second-row Will Skelton, who caught the eye with an outstanding 26-minute stint as a replacement against France.

“It’s the end of a long season and we just feel if we churn the same team out five weeks in a row we’ll be out of juice come Wales,” Rennie said. “We’ll make some shifts to freshen up guys and it’ll be exciting for the guys who get to play because we reckon we’ll get plenty out of them. They’re jumping out of their skin to get an opportunity.”

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Ireland have called up Leinster fly-half Ross Byrne to their squad as they prepare for their final Autumn Nations Series clash with Australia.

With news that Joey Carbery is injured and Leinster’s Ciaran Frawley has undergone knee surgery that rules him out for several months, a call-up was required.

Carbery suffered a head injury following a high tackle from Albert Tuisue in last weekend’s match against Fiji at the Aviva Stadium, which sidelines the fly-half.

Carbery called in by Ireland

That left just Johnny Sexton and the newly capped Jack Crowley as fly-half options for Ireland heading into the weekend, with Byrne now adding an extra option.

Frawley appeared to be the next in line but his knee surgery means Ireland head coach Andy Farrell has opted for his Leinster team-mate, who is a reliable pivot.

Byrne will now look to impress during training but if Sexton can shake off a knock he suffered against the Springboks, it looks like Crowley will be on the bench.

Ireland have won both their Autumn Nations Series games so far, against South Africa and Fiji, and will be looking to sign off with another against the Wallabies.

Andy Friend to leave Connacht

Elsewhere in Ireland, Connacht have announced that director of rugby Andy Friend will leave the province at the end of the United Rugby Championship season.

The Australian spent four campaigns as head coach before taking up his current position as part of a reshuffle ahead of the 2022/23 season.

Friend has overseen some significant results during his tenure, including a first win over Ulster in Belfast for 58 years and a first victory against Leinster in Dublin in 18, and led the team to the Champions Cup knockout stages for the first time in their history last term.

“My wife Kerri and I have made the decision that our time at Connacht Rugby will finish at the end of this season,” he told the province’s official website.

“This was always on the cards when I signed my two-year extension in 2021, and one that I discussed openly with Willie (Ruane, CEO) and Connacht Rugby.

“It’s certainly not an easy decision to make as we have both genuinely loved everything about our time here in the west of Ireland. From the minute we arrived we were welcomed with open arms and made to feel very much a part of the community and the rich history of the club.

“I am very proud of what we’ve been able to achieve both on and off the field as a team since our arrival, and am driven to do everything in my power to ensure this season is the best one yet.”

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