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Irish Daily Mirror
03-07-2025
- Sport
- Irish Daily Mirror
Paul O'Connell warns things will be far from 'perfect' against Georgia
Paul O'Connell has, more or less, been left holding the fort as Ireland's front-line players are away with Andy Farrell, Simon Easterby, John Fogarty and Andrew Goodman and the British and Irish Lions in Australia. It is up to the former Ireland and Munster captain to assemble a team, that is essentially an Ireland 'A' side and with little time to prepare, to take on Georgia who are ranked no11 in the world. "It won't be perfect," he admits of the forthcoming challenge. "We are aware of when we play, even with the most experienced internationals in the group, that it won't be perfect. "It's a huge chance for all these players coming in, but how do you get them in the frame of mind that they're going to play their game rather than freezing on the night, and actually take responsibility for what they're doing? "You almost have to experience that and go through it a little bit to learn how to figure it out, that's why we want them, that's why we wanted them in this two-week prep window, that's what international rugby is all about. "They really get to learn how to come in, how to learn quickly, how to get aligned quickly so trying to make the players aware of that as well is really important, and we just have to crack on - that's the challenge for them and I'm sure that. The simple is that Georgia are a very proud rugby nation but it also glib, there is a lot more to Lelos. "They're really well coached as well and we know a lot of their coaches, obviously, Conor McPhillips, Roddy Grant. I would have learned an awful lot from Roddy Grant when I first came into the job in Ireland, he was working at Ulster at the time. "You could see it in how they played, they were very well organized. They are, I suppose, a little bit like us, they're quite passionate about what they do and they're able to combine that now with some really good organisation and really good structure to what they do. O'Connell's homework looks to have been impressive and he specifically namechecks a second-row and a back-row from the Black Lions. "They have a mixture of players playing in France who bring a real, I suppose, flair to what they do and the Black Lion players have impressed a lot of the coaches as well. The likes of Mikeil Babunashvili and Luke Ivanashvilli from a forward point of view, these kinds of guys are really tough, well organised, smart rugby players. "They had a good Autumn, nearly beating Italy, they had a good summer, they put 29 points on Australia down there although they didn't beat them. They beat a tier one nation in Japan. They've been steadily beating tier one nations in the last number of years. So it's a brilliant test match for our players." It is an unfamiliar group of players, after all Ireland have 16 players in Australia at the moment along with Caelan Doris and Robbie Henshaw being ruled out through injury. "That's the great thing for this tour as we have had so many players selected for the Lions. There's another bonus for us in that we get this really tough test match in a place, I suppose, against a country that are full of confidence in how their rugby is going. "So these guys know they have a real challenge on their hands and it's not a game of small significance. "It's a really significant test match where they have to perform so they're going to learn a lot and we learn a lot as coaches as well." The last fortnight has seen Ireland working on learning the overarching game-plan, this means certain forwards assigned to loitering out wide, wingers turning up in midfield and the centre deploying a shoot-up defence. "It has been a great few weeks of preparation, challenging in that we've coached with new players so they're kind of trying to learn our way first and foremost before they can do it well so that's been a bit of a challenge. "We were lucky to get an extra day last Thursday week. So we got an extra day's prepping and I suppose the exciting thing for the players is the real challenge of being international players. "You are trying to come together on a Monday, trying to be ready to play a test match with no excuses on the following Saturday. Two weeks ought to have been enough to get pretty comfortable with it. There's similarities between how we play in all the different provinces, they pick things up quickly, trying to pick up the (rugby) language, trying to pick up the little nuances of how we feel. "And the more experienced guys around the group have been very good with the new players as well. I suppose Craig Casey is able to explain to Tom Ahern at home, this is the word for that and they get aligned a little bit quicker so I think the more senior players in the group have been excellent with the younger guys." Saturday's game will be about contending with their own problems as well as those posed by Georgia. "As I said, it's not going to be perfect. I'm sure there'll be plenty of nerves but that's part of it. We've spoken to them quite a lot and a big part of what we do is about the players staying present, not taking mistakes with them. "We do a lot of work on that, speak a lot about that but, ultimately, until you're in the middle of it and you're making a mistake and you're trying to have to figure out how to get out of your own way, you know, it's only by getting on the field and experiencing it that you really learn." Ireland team & replacements *denotes uncapped 15. Jimmy O'Brien (Naas/Leinster) (8) 14: Tommy O'Brien (UCD/Leinster)* 13: Jamie Osborne (Naas/Leinster)(7) 12: Stuart McCloskey (Bangor/Ulster)(19) 11: Jacob Stockdale (Lurgan/Ulster)(38) 10: Sam Prendergast (Lansdowne/Leinster)(8) 9: Craig Casey (Shannon/Munster)(captain)(18) 1: Jack Boyle (UCD/Leinster)(2) 2: Gus McCarthy (UCD/Leinster)(4) 3: Thomas Clarkson (Dublin University/Leinster)(6) 4: Cormac Izuchukwu (Ballynahinch/Ulster)(1) 5: Darragh Murray (Buccaneers/Connacht)* 6: Ryan Baird (Dublin University/Leinster)(27) 7: Nick Timoney (Banbridge/Ulster)(3) 8: Gavin Coombes (Young Munster/Munster)(2) Replacements: 16: Tom Stewart (Ballynahinch/Ulster)(2) 17: Michael Milne (UCD/Munster)* 18: Jack Aungier (Clontarf/Connacht)* 19: Tom Ahern (Shannon/Munster)* 20: Cian Prendergast (UCD/Connacht)(4) 21: Ben Murphy (Clontarf/Connacht)* 22: Jack Crowley (Cork Constitution/Munster)(24) 23: Calvin Nash (Young Munster/Munster)(10) Ireland Men's Squad – Summer Tour 2025Player/Club/Province/CapsBacks (14): Shayne Bolton (Connacht)*, Craig Casey (Shannon/Munster)(captain)(18), Jack Crowley (Cork Constitution/Munster)(24), Nathan Doak (Banbridge/Ulster)*, Ciaran Frawley (UCD/Leinster)(8), Hugh Gavin (Galwegians/Connacht)*, Stuart McCloskey (Bangor/Ulster)(19), Ben Murphy (Clontarf/Connacht)*, Dermot Kilgallon (Munster)*, Jimmy O'Brien (Naas/Leinster)(8), Tommy O'Brien (UCD/Leinster)*, Jamie Osborne (Naas/Leinster)(7), Sam Prendergast (Lansdowne/Leinster)(8), Jacob Stockdale (Lurgan/Ulster)(38) Forwards (18): Tom Ahern (Shannon/Munster)*, Jack Aungier (Lansdowne/Connacht)*, Ryan Baird (Dublin University/Leinster)(27), Jack Boyle (UCD/Leinster)(2), Thomas Clarkson (Dublin University/Leinster)(6), Gavin Coombes (Young Munster/Munster)(2), Max Deegan (Lansdowne/Leinster)(2), Cormac Izuchukwu (Ballynahinch/Ulster)(1), Alex Kendellen (UCC/Munster)*, Gus McCarthy (UCD/Leinster)(4), Paddy McCarthy (Dublin University/Leinster)*, Michael Milne (UCD/Munster)*, Darragh Murray (Buccaneers/Connacht)*, Tom O'Toole (Ballynahinch/Ulster)(16), Cian Prendergast (UCD/Connacht)(4), Stephen Smyth (Old Wesley/Leinster)*, Tom Stewart (Ballynahinch/Ulster)(2), Nick Timoney (Banbridge/Ulster)(3), Scott Wilson (Queens University/Ulster)* IRELAND SUMMER TOUR SCHEDULESaturday, 5th July: Georgia v Ireland, Mikheil Meskhi Stadium, Tbilisi (kick off 9pm local time, 6pm Irish time);Saturday, 12th July: Portugal v Ireland, Estádio Nacional do Jamor, Lisbon (kick off 7pm local, same Irish time)Ireland Men's Squad – Summer Tour 2025, departing for Tbilisi on Wednesday, 2nd July.
The Irish Sun
03-07-2025
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
Paul O'Connell issues warning to Ireland debutants ahead of ‘challenging' Georgia clash with two starting
PAUL O'Connell has warned his Ireland debutants that they will have no easy introduction to Test rugby. Tommy O'Brien and Darragh Murray will make their international bows as starters Advertisement 2 The former Munster captain is standing in for the absent Andy Farrell 2 Murray, 23, starts in second row after impressing with Connacht last season Munster duo Michael Milne and Tom Ahern as well as Connacht pair Jack Aungier and Ben Murphy are also poised to win their first caps off the bench. A further 11 members of the matchday 23 are in single figures when it comes to Test appearances. But, while Georgia might, on paper, look like an easier assignment than what they could have been handed, The interim Ireland coach said: 'We've had so many players selected for the Lions. There's another bonus for us in that we get this really tough Test match in a country that is full of confidence in how their rugby is going. Advertisement Read more on Irish sport 'These guys have a real challenge on their hands. It's not a Test match of small significance. It's a really significant Test match where they have to perform. So they're going to learn a lot. 'Georgia are an excellent side. They're a very proud rugby nation, but they're really well coached as well. 'We know a lot of their coaches, obviously Conor McPhillips, Roddy Grant. I would have learned an awful lot from Roddy Grant when I first came into the job at Ireland. He was working in Ulster at the time. 'You can see it in how they play. They're very well organised. I suppose a little bit like us. Advertisement Most read in Rugby Union "They're quite passionate about what they do and they're able to combine that now with some really good organisation and really good structure to what they do. 'They have a mixture of players playing in France who bring a real, I suppose, flair to what they do. And the Black Lions players have impressed a lot of the coaches as well. 'Big weekend' - Peter O'Mahony embarking on hectic gardening project as he aims to add '300 plants' 'They did a good autumn. They obviously beat Tonga. They had a good summer last year. They put 29 points on Australia down there. "They beat a tier-one nation in Japan. They've been steadily beating tier-one nations. So, yeah,It's a brilliant Test match for our players.' Advertisement And O'Connell admitted he cannot expect the perfect performance from a group of players who are not overly familiar with each other. He said: 'Really you're trying to come together on a Monday and trying to be ready to play a Test match with no excuses on the following Saturday. 'It won't be perfect. We're aware that when we play even with the most experienced internationals in the group that it won't be perfect so trying to make the players aware of that as well is really important and we just have to crack on then. 'I'm sure there'll be plenty of nerves, but that's part of it. You almost have to experience that and go through it a little bit to learn how to figure it out.' Advertisement IRELAND: J O'Brien (Leinster), T O'Brien (/Leinster), Osborne (Leinster), McCloskey (Ulster), Stockdale (Ulster), S Prendergast (Leinster), Casey (Munster, captain); Boyle (Leinster), McCarthy (Leinster), Clarkson (Leinster), Izuchukwu (Ulster), Murray (Connacht), Baird (Leinster),Timoney (Ulster), Coombes (Munster). Replacements: Stewart (Ulster), Milne (Munster), Aungier (Connacht), Ahern (Munster), C Prendergast (Connacht), Murphy (Connacht), Crowley (/Munster), Nash (Munster).
BBC News
13-06-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
'An incredibly exciting group in a successful environment'
Glasgow Warriors' new assistant coaches gave their reaction to their new Forrest: "I'm really looking forward to working with everyone – it's an incredibly exciting coaching group."Having had the opportunity to work alongside Franco and Nigel over the past season in my role with the club's A team and academy, I'm excited to take this a step further over the coming seasons."I'd also like to mention that working alongside Pete Murchie this season has been of huge benefit – he leaves huge large shoes to fill, but I'm excited to build on the excellent work he's done since leading the team's defence."Roddy Grant: "The opportunity to come into such a successful environment and such a top-level culture was one I jumped at, and I'm looking forward to being able to contribute to that environment."It's a really exciting group here. Having coached against Franco for a number of years, I can't wait to work alongside him. I'm a huge admirer of Nigel's work as well, he's been hugely successful wherever he's been. "To have the chance to work with Scott, too, is a special opportunity. We've known each other since 2006, so to be able to coach alongside each other is an exciting prospect."Nigel Carolan: "I've really enjoyed my time at Scotstoun so far, and I'm excited to continue on the journey that this club is on."We've got a strong group as we build towards next season, with a mix of established internationals, players looking to push on to that next level, and some exciting new talent coming through."
BBC News
12-06-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Warriors announce trio of new assistants
Former Scotland Sevens internationals Scott Forrest and Roddy Grant have joined existing Glasgow Warriors attack coach, Nigel Carolan, as the Franco Smith's new assistant has been at Scotstoun since 2021, overseeing their attack during their URC triumph last a former Scotland Sevens captain, worked with Warriors academy last season, while former Edinburgh flanker Grant is the Georgia national team's assistant coach - and will join up after his they face South Africa next coach Pete Murchie departed at the end of the URC title defence came to an end with defeat to Leinster in Saturday's semi-final and Smith is acting quick to prepare for next season."We are pleased to be able to retain Nigel's services as we prepare for the new campaign – he is someone that is thoroughly respected by everyone in both the playing group and backroom team, and his experience and expertise are valuable assets to the club," said head coach Smith."We are also excited to welcome Roddy and Scott into their new roles – both men have already shown that they are fully bought into what we are looking to build here, and the players and I are looking forward to working closely with them when pre-season gets underway."
Scotsman
12-06-2025
- Sport
- Scotsman
Glasgow Warriors announce significant coach update as two major appointments made
Scotstoun outfit start to make plans for upcoming campaign Sign up to our Rugby Union newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Glasgow Warriors have confirmed their assistant coaching team for the 2025/26 campaign. Attack coach Nigel Carolan has agreed a new contract with the Scotstoun side, while he will be joined by two new members of staff in Roddy Grant and Scott Forrest to mitigate for the departure of defence coach Pete Murchie. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Carolan, Grant and Forrest will assist head coach Franco Smith for next season, with the Warriors having reached the semi-finals of the United Rugby Championships having lost to Leinster in Dublin. Smith left some doubt over his long-term future at Glasgow, saying he would take time to reflect. He led the team to the URC title in South Africa a year ago. Roddy Grant has joined the Glasgow Warriors coaching staff. | SNS Group In terms of keeping continuity, Carolan has been with Warriors since 2021 and speaking after signing his new contract, the Irishman said: 'I'm pleased to be able to extend my contract with the club – I've really enjoyed my time at Scotstoun so far, and I'm excited to continue on the journey that this club is on. 'We've got a strong group as we build towards next season, with a mix of established internationals, players looking to push on to that next level, and some exciting new talent coming through. 'I'm looking forward to being a part of it and continuing to build towards the new campaign – the atmosphere that the Warrior Nation created in the win over the Stormers a couple of weeks ago shows the passion with which this club is held by everyone connected with Glasgow Warriors.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Forrest knows Warriors well A former Scotland 7s captain, Rutherglen-born Forrest officially joins the club's coaching team after being involved with the Glasgow Warriors academy during the 2024/25 campaign, working alongside Shade Munro. The 40-year-old served as head coach for Great Britain's women's 7s squad at the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo, having previously held the same position for the Scotland Women's 7s squad. Forrest will join pre-season preparations at Scotstoun following the conclusion of the World Rugby Under-20 Championship, where he will be serving as one of Scotland U-20's assistant coaches under Kenny Murray. 'I'm really looking forward to working with everyone – it's an incredibly exciting coaching group,' said Forrest. 'Having had the opportunity to work alongside Franco and Nigel over the past season in my role with the club's A team and academy, I'm excited to take this a step further over the coming seasons. Scott Forrest coached Glasgow Warriors A. | SNS Group 'I'd also like to mention that working alongside Pete Murchie this season has been of huge benefit – he leaves huge large shoes to fill, but I'm excited to build on the excellent work he's done since leading the team's defence. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'My time spent coaching the U20s over the past few years, as well as my time with Scotland 7s, mean that I know a lot of the players at the club, and having been in the environment over the last year or so I'm looking forward to continuing to build those relationships. 'I've always tried to give players the autonomy to make decisions as ultimately they are the ones that have to perform in high pressure situations. I'd say that I have a positive approach whilst always working to instil the standards required to perform at the highest level. 'I know Roddy well from our times playing for Scotland 7s together, and I've seen him go on to develop into a top-class coach. It'll be great to work alongside him once again and I'm confident we both have a lot to contribute to the environment at the Warriors.' Grant aware of Glasgow's potential Former Edinburgh Rugby flanker Grant will join Glasgow Warriors following the conclusion of his current role as assistant coach of Georgia, with whom he will work ahead of their matches with Emerging Ireland and South Africa next month. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Born in Botswana, the 38-year-old was a firm fan favourite over a six-year spell with Edinburgh, for whom he amassed 138 appearances in the back-row, as well as in a Scotland 7s career that saw him represent his country at the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. 'I've had so much respect for Glasgow over the last two decades of being involved in the BKT URC – Franco [Smith] is such an impressive coach, and such an impressive person,' said Grant. 'The opportunity to come into such a successful environment and such a top-level culture was one I jumped at, and I'm looking forward to being able to contribute to that environment. 'It's a really exciting group here. Having coached against Franco for a number of years, I can't wait to work alongside him. I'm a huge admirer of Nigel's work as well, he's been hugely successful wherever he's been. To have the chance to work with Scott, too, is a special opportunity. We've known each other since 2006, so to be able to coach alongside each other is an exciting prospect. 'I like to believe that I treat people how I'd like to be treated, both on and off the field. I appreciate technique, and the art and science behind everything we do. The great thing about pro sport is that you're around incredible people, and I hope to make those strong connections with everyone here at Scotstoun.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Al Dickinson will also continue in his role as consultant Scrum Coach, with Munro working with the club's academy prospects. On the coaching appointments, Smith said: 'We are pleased to be able to confirm our coaching group as we turn our attention towards the new season. Glasgow Warriors head coach Franco Smith. | SNS Group 'I would first like to once again thank Pete [Murchie] for everything that he has done for this club on and off the field over the past three seasons, and everyone at the club wishes him and his family well with their new adventure. 'We are pleased to be able to retain Nigel's services as we prepare for the new campaign – he is someone that is thoroughly respected by everyone in both the playing group and backroom team, and his experience and expertise are valuable assets to the club. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad
