Month: October 2024

Champions Cup: Garry Ringrose stars as majestic Leinster ease into another semi-final

Leicester Tigers produced a spirited display but it was still nowhere near enough against an outstanding Leinster side, who claimed a 55-24 triumph in their Champions Cup quarter-final on Friday.

The English outfit were resilient in the first half, especially after the hosts went 17-3 ahead following Garry Ringrose’s brace. Anthony Watson’s score kept the Tigers in the contest at the interval, giving them a puncher’s chance, but they simply could not maintain their pace and intensity in the second period.

Leo Cullen’s men played with such tempo and physicality that Leicester eventually wilted, leading to a one-sided final 40 minutes.

The Tigers were forced to name a makeshift midfield, with usual winger Harry Potter named alongside injury-returnee Dan Kelly, and Leinster continually exploited their indecision at centre.

Jamison Gibson-Park and a penalty try took them out of the visitors’ reach before Scott Penny, Jimmy O’Brien and John McKee scores rubberstamped the Irishmen’s passage into the Champions Cup semi-finals, despite consolation efforts from Olly Cracknell and Potter.

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A dozen phases after Hugo Keenan had gathered Ross Byrne’s kick-off, player of the match Ringrose nipped inside Kelly with a classy dummy and burst in behind the posts.

Byrne’s simple conversion – his first kick of an 18-point haul – was cancelled out by a Handre Pollard penalty. The visitors also forced an early scrum penalty.

Nonetheless, from a scrum on the right, a crisp Leinster move put O’Brien motoring through the middle and he fed Ringrose for a simple finish and a 14-3 lead.

Ryan Baird (shoulder) was desperately unlucky to go off injured, and despite a Byrne penalty, Leinster were unable to shake off their quarter-final opponents, who defended powerfully through captain Julian Montoya and Jasper Wiese.

From a late attacking surge, Mike Brown’s quick tap injected pace and then Watson acrobatically scored from a Jack van Poortvliet pass. Pollard nailed the conversion to restore the seven-point differential.

Despite losing Montoya (HIA) permanently, Tigers continued to frustrate the home side and when Wiese was caught high by Doris, the Leinster flanker was sin-binned.

However, the seven-man pack eased the tension among the home crowd with a scrum penalty, slotted over by Byrne, and Leinster had breathing space just two minutes later.

Robbie Henshaw’s nicely-delayed delivery put Ringrose through a gap and his inside pass released Gibson-Park to coast home. His half-back partner Byrne converted.

An unlikely turnover penalty, won by Byrne, led to Tigers pulling down a dominant Leinster maul for the penalty try and replacement hooker Charlie Clare’s yellow.

Replacement Penny broke through a maul and handed off Van Poortvliet for his 61st-minute try, converted by Byrne, before Tigers rallied. Cracknell burrowed over and Potter ran in a 60-metre intercept try.

Yet, Leinster replied to both scores, taking advantage of Brown’s absence for a high tackle. Harry Byrne released O’Brien for the line and McKee was on the end of a snaking forwards dive.

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Bill Tuiloma set to join Portland Timbers

Marseille midfielder Bill Tuiloma is all but a Portland Timbers player, according to American outlet Oregon Live.

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The New Zealand international will sign an initial one-year deal, with the option of a further campaign afterwards.

Since making the move to France from his native New Zealand in 2013, Tuiloma has failed to make a single senior appearance with OM.

S.H.

Champions Cup: Saracens withstand superb Ospreys effort to set up quarter-final with La Rochelle

The Ospreys gave everything at the home of the three-time European champions, but it was not enough as Saracens claimed a 35-20 triumph at StoneX Stadium.

Toby Booth’s men were excellent in the first half and had the hosts under significant pressure, taking a 14-3 lead through Michael Collins and Keiran Williams tries.

Sarries were struggling to find their rhythm, but after Owen Farrell kicked a second three-pointer, Max Malins went over to reduce the arrears to one point at the break.

Successive Owen Williams penalties in the second period once again extended that buffer, but from that point onwards, the home side dominated.

Malins’ second try levelled matters before Farrell took Saracens ahead with just under a quarter of the match remaining.

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The Ospreys still had a chance, but Rhys Webb’s awful error, when his quick lineout was intercepted by Duncan Taylor, effectively sealed their fate. Tom Woolstencroft’s try then rubberstamped the victory as Sarries secured a game with holders La Rochelle in the Champions Cup quarter-finals.

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League form pointed to a comfortable home win with Saracens leading the Premiership and Ospreys sat 12th in the United Rugby Championship, but the only Welsh side left in the knockout phase instead went toe-to-toe in a pulsating clash.

They lost wing George North shortly before kick-off but still paraded nine internationals, and it was not until Malins claimed the second of his two tries in the 57th minute that Saracens were back in the hunt.

It was a far-from-vintage display from the three-time European champions, but they had the resilience to set up a last appointment with La Rochelle next weekend, becoming the third English club behind Leicester and Exeter to reach that stage.

Woolstencroft’s late try distorted the final scoreline, which, from an early stage, seemed beyond Mark McCall’s men.

A Farrell penalty rewarded Saracens’ early dominance, but two tackle-busting carries by centre Williams punched holes in their defence, with full-back Collins crossing to round off the second.

Having seen their try-line breached, the hosts stepped up a gear with a driving maul held up over the line before quick ruck speed and hard running created a chance on the left with only the killer instinct missing.

But in classic rope-a-dope fashion, the Ospreys soaked up the pressure and then pounced on a mistake, Webb grabbing the ball as it squirted out of Nick Tompkins’ hands and launching a move that ended with Keiran Williams touching down.

Nicky Smith and Justin Tipuric were also involved in a superb try, and shortly after, only robust defence prevented Saracens’ line from cracking a third time.

Three points from Farrell rounded off a brief siege on the visitors’ whitewash, and another key moment arrived when the excellent Keiran Williams was shown a yellow card for killing the ball as he halted a dynamic break by Ben Earl.

Malins crossed in first-half overtime to continue the momentum shift, although it was uncertain whether he had properly grounded the ball.

Owen Williams rifled over a penalty to open a four-point lead for the Ospreys, and the contrasting fortunes of the Vunipola brothers were on full display as Billy knocked on twice while Mako made two impactful charges downfield.

Smith continued the theme of props making bullocking runs into space, but the attack ran out of steam and in the 57th minute, Saracens found their ruthless streak as Alex Goode chipped ahead for Andy Christie to send Malins over.

For the first time since the 10th minute, Saracens took the lead through a Farrell penalty, and when Taylor punished Webb’s moment of madness, it was all over.

Europa League PREVIEW | Oostende (2) vs Marseille (4)

Marseille travel to neighbouring Belgium holding a 4-2 lead following last Thursday’s win at Stade Vélodrome. OM can be praised for almost avoiding the banana skin that often presents itself when facing pressured European fixtures while pre-season is yet to finish after a 4-2 victory last time out, but should still be wary going into this second leg. With the influx of undisputed creativity added to OM’s ranks during the past 18 months, goals should not be a problem whatsoever, and Rudi Garcia’s main certainly delivered on that front in the first leg.

Exciting football was back at the Vélodrome thanks primarily to mesmerising play in between the midfield and attacking lines, complimented by Valère Germain’s wonderful finishing. Marseille will need to rely on their experience to guide them through this tricky tie, where bowing out at such an early stage would be inexcusable.

Opponents KV Oostende will undoubtedly continue to be as menacing offensively as they were during their first leg performance. Considering that the first leg tie was the Belgians first ever taste of European football, they were highly impressive at one of the most notorious grounds on the continent.

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This tie will be far more suited to the hosts, contested at a tight knit Versluys Arena, with a tiny capacity of 8,432. The pressure will now firmly be on Marseille’s shoulders following KV Oostende’s respectful 4-2 defeat last week. A lack of fear and insistence to go out playing with confidence may be all that’s required for Oostende to trigger their devastating counter-attacking football, therefore the second leg could yet prove to be a miserable night for Marseille’s history books if they are not defensively sound.

Team News

Marseille will more than likely field a fairly unchanged side. The Frenchmen’s defence clearly lack pace, one of KV Oostende’s weapons, therefore a tactical change to a 5 man defence to protect the lead would not be too surprising. Marseille’s midfield pairing of Morgan Sanson and Luiz Gustavo will likely start the game with their decision-making and positioning potentially significant in resisting KV Oostende’s threatening turn of speed. Similarly, Marseille’s attack is almost irreplaceable following their 4 goals in the first leg, with the tie too closely knit to be able to afford resting stars.

The first leg saw dangerous wide players Dimitri Payet and Florian Thauvin used as playmakers throughout, both responsible for assists of high technical quality. Payet’s ability to make his cross look more of a pass in the build-up to Morgan Sanson’s goal was simply sublime. Most teams would surely head into this fixture in a more cautious, defensive manner in order to protect the lead at all costs. Yet Marseille are one of a limited number of teams who would perhaps be better suited by playing an attacking style from the very beginning. An interesting tactical battle awaits.

KV Oostende will also remain fairly unchanged, but could revert to a more attack based starting line-up in order to blitz the Marseille side early on. Pace merchant and new signing Ricardo Zivkovic surprisingly didn’t start the first leg, but only took five minutes to flick on an aimless long ball in to Knowledge Musona’s path for Oostende’s second at Stade Velodrome, and may have earned himself a start.

If KV Oostende score early, the momentum of the tie could well and truly shift, with Marseille’s experienced players’ reputations on the line at the very beginning of their careers at Les Olympiens. KV Oostende’s second goal of the tie showcased their lethal counter-attacking capability, with a chipped effort which came from almost nowhere. With intense, fast-flowing football complimented by a hostile home crowd backing, Marseille will feel that they must claim vital away goals at some stage on Thursday night.

Star Man:

Valère Germain, Marseille

How on earth could it not be this man following his hat-trick on his competitive debut for Les Olympiens. Germain’s right foot had predatory instinct by tucking away three goals in various manners during the first leg. This is a man who is simply desperate to rid any potential reputation of being the nearly man when it comes to team selection.

He bravely joined Marseille this summer in an attempt to forge himself as the main man at the city of his birth. Oostende’s defence weren’t on the same wavelength as Germain during the first leg, who’s sharp movement was notable in creating his goalscoring opportunities. Rumours are still circulating of new Marseille arrivals, with Loïc Rémy, Olivier Giroud and Carlos Bacca being mentioned, but Germain has simply done everything he could so far to cement his spot as Marseille’s starting striker. Germain is now instantly a man playing with sky high confidence, and will be eager to dominate the scoresheet once again.

Knowledge Musona, KV Oostende

The Zimbabwean winger, similarly to Zivkovic, could turn Marseille’s defence inside out during the second leg. Possessing a strikingly small stature, Musona’s low centre of gravity and acceleration means that he could pose a problem for Marseille’s aging defence. Musona’s classy chip was integral in clawing back an opportunity for Oostende in the first leg, and should Zivkovic start the second tie, the two could build on their partnership which lead to that glorious goal. His international record is highly impressive, boasting 20 goals in 30 international caps for Zimbabwe, most recently scoring a hat-trick against Liberia on the 11th of June. Musona knows where the goal is, and could be Oostende’s hero on home turf.

Prediction: KV Oostende 1-3 Marseille

I.S.

Champions Cup: Stormers too good for Harlequins as they march on to last eight

The Stormers showed their quality on Saturday as they comfortably saw off Harlequins, winning 32-28 in the Champions Cup round-of-16.

Tries from Deon Fourie (2), Steven Kitshoff, Damian Willemse and Willie Engelbrecht saw the Cape Town side progress, with Manie Libbok kicking seven points.

For Harlequins, Alex Dombrandt (2), Andre Esterhuizen and Joe Marchant went over as their European campaign came to an end, despite a late flurry of scores.

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The South African side looked to be cruising to victory as they established a 32-7 lead heading into the final eight minutes at DHL Stadium, but Quins gave them something to think about with three converted tries.

England number eight Dombrandt, with his second score of the match, began the late push and Esterhuizen and Marchant then crossed to make it 32-28 as fly-half Marcus Smith belatedly stamped his authority on the game, but that was as close as Quins would get.

The Stormers showed their colours in the first minute, shaping to box kick from inside their 22 but instead launching an attack which went wide left, then wide right before flanker Fourie ran a supporting line inside to finish off for the try. Libbok started the move and added the conversion.

Harlequins hit straight back, turning down a kickable penalty and going for the corner before Dombrandt peeled round the front to cross over.

Defending URC champions the Stormers showed they have their own variation in lineout drives, also kicking a penalty to the corner and then throwing long to set up a drive which prop Kitshoff finished off.

Another kick to the corner and this time the Stormers threw short, but the result was just the same as Fourie spun off the back of the maul for his second try.

Harlequins had a chance to get back into the game before half-time, but when they spread the ball wide the final pass to wing Cadan Murley was loose when a try was on if it had gone to hand.

Quins also had a stream of kickable penalties as the clock ticked towards and past 40 minutes, but a knock-on meant they ended the half without further points when a penalty would have brought them back within a score – Stormers going into the interval 17-7 ahead.

The first score in the second half was always going to be important and home full-back Willemse did brilliantly to secure it, dabbing the ball down in the corner while his entire body was in the air the other side of the touch line.

The Stormers went over for a fifth try through replacement Engelbrecht from another lineout drive before Quins suddenly came alive as Smith started pulling the strings for Dombrandt, Esterhuizen and Marchant – with the final move of the game – to score.

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Angers register an interest in Thomas Touré

Angers SCO are interested in signing Bordeaux attacker Thomas Touré before the month ends, according to Ouest France.

Touré, once bigged up by Real Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane as the next big thing, is struggling to return to form following a long-term injury.

Bordeaux could be willing to loan the player out, but want to find a replacement first.

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Leicester Tigers: Mike Brown and Cameron Henderson ink new deals at Premiership outfit

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Leicester Tigers have rewarded full-back Mike Brown with a new deal beyond this season after his impressive showings since joining the team.

The 37-year-old arrived at the club on a short-term contract midway through the current campaign and, to date, has made five appearances and scored two tries.

The England international stalwart made the switch to Leicester after stints with Harlequins, where he won two Premiership titles, and Newcastle Falcons.

Brown ran out for 72 Test appearances for England between 2007-2018 during which he won three Six Nations titles, but was later dropped by then head coach Eddie Jones.

Praise from Richard Wigglesworth

Speaking about the new contract for Brown, Leicester Tigers interim head coach Richard Wigglesworth was full of praise for how the full-back has performed since joining.

“I am really pleased for Mike, who has earned the new deal with not only his performances in games but in the way he has come into the club and added to our group,” he said.

“His experience has been invaluable and the professionalism he has is something that we have seen help improve his teammates here at the club.

“The circumstances in which Mike returned were unique and challenging, but you would never known by the way he has approached each day and this contract is just reward for that hard work.”

Discussing the extension, Brown added: “Since arriving, I have been really impressed with the environment here at Leicester Tigers and feel that they fit with the values I have as a person and a rugby player.

“I have really enjoyed working with the quality of players in this squad and coaches, which I want to continue to do and am excited to keep doing.

“The opportunity to play at Mattioli Woods Welford Road with the supporters this club has was something I wasn’t, admittedly, quite sure about after being an opposition player for so long, but they have welcomed me so well and it is great that I can keep doing that.

“It means so much to me to be able to represent a club of this magnitude and, hopefully, people have seen just how much I appreciate that opportunity.

“From the very first conversation I had with Wiggy, I said I wanted to contribute to the environment on and off the field; I want to set examples to the young lads and help them, but also make sure that when I get that chance to pull on the shirt, I am ready and can help the team be the very best it can be.”

New deal for Cameron Henderson

Brown is not alone in inking a new deal at the Premiership club as Leicester Tigers have agreed fresh terms with second-row Cameron Henderson.

The 23-year-old has made 32 appearances for the club since his senior debut in August 2020 and was a member of Scotland’s squad for this year’s Six Nations.

“Cam has shown a great work ethic and want to improve during his time at the club, which has helped him develop his game hugely,” said Wigglesworth.

“He arrived at the club during the pandemic and has gone from strength to strength since then, and in recent time earned his chance to be a part of the side on a regular basis and also earned the call up to Scotland’s national squad.

“Cam is a popular member of the group and a part of the young group that will hopefully continue to drive Leicester Tigers forward long in to the future, together. I am really pleased he has been rewarded with a new deal at the club.”

Discussing the new deal, Henderson added: “It feels like we are really building something special at the club, with a strong young group of players, and being a part of that and contributing to that excites me.

“I have really enjoyed my three years at the club so far and don’t want to be anywhere else, I want to continue to be a part of Leicester Tigers.

“I am loving every minute of playing regularly for the club and grateful to the coaching team, who have backed me, so I want to continue to progress and build on that.

“Leicester Tigers is the biggest club in England and it is quite surreal to be involved in a club like this; it is really special to represent this club and so to have the opportunity to extend my time here was an easy decision for me.”

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Six Nations: Ireland’s Hugo Keenan backs decision to rescind Freddie Steward red card

The player who was the victim of Freddie Steward’s head shot, Hugo Keenan, believes that the disciplinary panel were correct in overturning the red card decision.

The England full-back was controversially sent off towards the end of the first half during the clash at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin.

After Mack Hansen had knocked on, both Keenan and Steward went charging for the ball. The Irishman got to it just ahead of his opposite number, who then only had a split second to react.

Instead of going for a tackle, which could have done more damage to Keenan considering the positions there were in going into contact, Steward decided to brace himself.

Unfortunately for the Ireland player, that resulted in him clattering into the Englishman’s arm and suffering a head injury.

Mitigation

Referee Jaco Peyper decided that a red card was his only option, but the independent panel disagreed, stating that there was enough mitigation to bring it down to a yellow.

“It’s probably fair enough, isn’t it?” Keenan said. “It’s up to the citing commissioners and the refs to make those decisions, but it was a bit of an accident, wasn’t it?

“He was very apologetic nearly straight away after and then after on the pitch as well. As a fellow full-back, I feel for him in those positions. I think it was just one of those sort of rugby incidents; it’s not like it was a reckless high challenge or anything like that.

“I caught him on the pitch and he apologised. I accepted it completely and we had a little chat. He’s a lovely lad in fairness.”

Keenan also felt that the significant size difference between the two contributed to the severity of the incident.

“He’s a very big boy, you don’t realise until you’re on the pitch,” he said.

“He’s probably nearly the biggest player on the pitch, so it probably didn’t help his cause did it? Putting me to shame with my mere height and weight.

“It was a weird incident. You never really see it. They’re just trying to eradicate any contact with the head, and it’s obviously an important issue to get right, but it’s probably more so for the high tackles or dangerous clearouts.

“It’s a tough one to know, so you just have to trust the higher powers and refs and citing commissioners to do their job to the best they can, and make the best call they can.”

Keenan was brought off for a head injury assessment but did not return to the field, instead having to watch the remainder of the game from the sideline.

“I remember it all. It was a good whack but I still knew exactly where I was, what the score was, everything about the game. So it was a pretty close call, I just failed the HIA,” he said.

“I think with the independent doctor, I was a small bit down on one of the tests so between that and the actual video evidence, you just have to trust the advice of the doctors.

“I was obviously mad keen to get back out there and very disappointed not to be able to because I certainly don’t like watching the games from the sideline. Jeez, the stress levels and the anxiety, oh God, I’m not used to it and I don’t want to get used to it.”

Reward for top class performances

Although Keenan’s Six Nations ended with him watching his Ireland team-mates see out a 29-16 victory over England and claim a Grand Slam, the 26-year-old played a crucial part throughout the rest of the competition.

The full-back has been rewarded for his displays after being nominated for the Player of the Championship award alongside fellow Irishmen Mack Hansen and Caelan Doris, as well as French trio Damian Penaud, Antoine Dupont and Thomas Ramos.

Keenan described it as a “nice honour” before adding: “But I think you could have picked anyone of the 1-15 or more of the lads who have played for Ireland.

“It’s definitely been a whole squad effort, and there’s been unbelievable standout performers for the team. It could be anyone.

“It’s been brilliant, we’ve had an enjoyable few days. Saturday was incredibly special, it’s a dream winning a Grand Slam in the Aviva in front of family and friends and that incredible support. We had a good night Saturday and a great day with family on Sunday as well, so it’s been an enjoyable few days.”

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Nampalys Mendy rejects Rennes, open to Nice & St Étienne

Leicester City midfielder Nampalys Mendy has rejected an offer from Rennes, who in recent hours had been in advanced negotiations with the Premier League side to agree a transfer fee, according to L’Équipe.

The player’s advisor told the media outlet the following:

“Rennes had already tried to sign Nampalys a few weeks ago and the response was negative. It is the same today. For the moment, we are still in contact with Nice and St Étienne, with whom we are attentive about what could happen.”

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