Ulster wait for scan of Baloucoune injury
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
BBC News
2 days ago
- BBC News
Ospreys 'very positive' about outcome of WRU shake-up
The Ospreys "remain very positive" about their future despite the prospect of the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) cutting at least one of the nation's professional governing body has entered a formal consultation period for the professional game that could see the top tier of the domestic game reduced from four to three or two Scarlets, Dragons and Cardiff are preparing for the start of the United Rugby Championship at the end of September and a final decision is expected from the WRU in western duo opted against signing a new five-year professional rugby agreement because of concerns over the WRU taking over Cardiff when they went into administration in April. 'Uncertainty and concern' Ospreys chief executive Lance Bradley attempted to reassure supporters in an update."I am obviously aware there is a considerable level of uncertainty and concern about the situation with the WRU, especially following their recent announcement about another review into the game," said Bradley."I can't give much of an update on that, other than we are part of that review and we are very much talking to the WRU. I still remain very positive about a good outcome for us."The Ospreys have left the Stadium and Bradley said there had been "no significant objections" to their planning permission application for the redeveloped St Helen's.A decision is expected this month and the region's plan is to start building in September once Swansea's cricket season is Ospreys have announced a pre-season friendly against Exeter Chiefs at Bridgend's Brewery Field on Saturday, 6 September (14:30 BST).Mark Jones' side start their URC campaign at the Bulls on 27 September and remain in South Africa to face the Stormers before a planned first home fixture against Zebre in round three at a venue that is yet to be confirmed.
BreakingNews.ie
3 days ago
- BreakingNews.ie
Leinster to play Munster at Croke Park in October
Leinster have confirmed their home game against Munster in the URC on October 18th will take place in Croke Park. The province also confirmed they will play the majority of their games in the Aviva Stadium, with the RDS undergoing redevelopment. Some games will also take place in Croke Park. Advertisement Leinster will be back at the RDS Arena for the start of the 2026/27 season. Leinster last faced Munster in Croke Park last October, where they ran out 26-12 winners. The URC winners will begin their defence of their title away to the Stormers, before facing the Bulls in a repeat of last seasons final. They will then host the Hollywoodbets Sharks at the Aviva Stadium, before taking on Munster in Croke Park. Tickets for the Munster match will go on public sale on Friday, August 29th, and before the public sale there will be a window for current Leinster Rugby Season Ticket holders to upgrade their tickets.
BBC News
3 days ago
- BBC News
New-look Dragons must get better
Thomas Young has embraced the pressure of helping the new-look Dragons turn around their 33-year-old flanker has moved from Cardiff as part of a substantial recruitment drive by the Rodney Parade team after a nightmare 2024-25 Tiatia's men finished bottom of the United Rugby Championship (URC) after losing 17 straight games following their opening weekend win against the Ospreys."With the signings that have been made and the boys that were already the core here, as a region we have to get better," said Young."That point has been put across to us quite hard over pre-season and it's up to us as players to make sure we go out and do that." Changing the record The Dragons finished 20 points behind 15th-placed Zebre while they also failed to qualify in the Challenge Cup after a solitary success at Newcastle."You play rugby to win and that's definitely our intention, we know that we have got to improve," said Young."That's what pre-season is about, to make sure we improve so that we go out there for the first game and build on what the boys did last year. We've got to get better."Dragons last avoided being Wales' bottom team in 2020, when the Ospreys had that have been plenty of false dawns at Rodney Parade but Young & co are determined to change the record."It's got to turn at some point," he said. "The squad is completely different with a lot of new signings, who have been brought in for a reason."We will soon find out, but it's up to us in the off season to make sure we are on the same page and pushing each other forward, because we should be doing a lot better." Hunting a starting spot Young came through the ranks at Cardiff and then, after spells in England with Gloucester and Wasps, returned to the Arms Park in 2022 to play for his father flanker made 14 appearances last season under Matt Sherratt but eight of those outings were off the hopes to lose his tag as an impact sub and earn the number seven jersey when the URC gets under way against Ulster in Belfast on 26 September."I didn't play as much as I wanted to last year but I still enjoyed it," said Young. "I was involved a fair bit, I only missed the first few games through injury but after that was fit and available."Everyone wants to start but I got seen as something different last year. That was a role I enjoyed but I've come here and want to be starting."Young wants to be in the starting side after effectively swapping clubs with fellow dynamic back-rower Taine he will also be a mentor for young forwards and will soon be joined at training by open-side Harry Beddall, a summer signing from Leicester who is fresh from captaining Wales at the World Rugby U20 Championship."I've seen what he has done with the 20s and it's exciting to work with someone like that," said Young."He is well thought of and hopefully I can also learn stuff off him - as much as I can help him, he can help me. "His legs might be fresher but I'd like to think I'll push him as much as he pushes me."
