Home Blog Page 223

U20 Six Nations – Ireland 53 Wales 5

Credit: @IrishRugby.

Ireland began their U20 Six Nations campaign with an impressive 53-5 win over Wales at Musgrave Park in Cork on Friday night.

Tries from Chay Mullins, Matthew Devine and Mark Morrissey during the first 40 minutes, while five-pointers from Reuben Crothers, James McNabney, Mullins again, James McCormick and Ben Brownlee in the second half ensured the Welsh suffered a heavy defeat in this Six Nations U20 opener.

Three tries in opening half

Early pressure from Ireland saw the visitors concede three penalties. The final in a series of penalties gave Lansdowne’s Charlie Tector a relatively straightforward kick at the posts, which he duly scored, for an early 3-0 lead.

The strength and power of the Irish scrum was soon rewarded as it set up the speedsters from the back. Munster’s Patrick Campbell cut like a scythe through the Welsh defence and as he drew in men in red, he freed up winger Chay Mullins who touched down in the corner for the opening try of the game.

Tector’s conversion attempt, from a difficult position on the touchline, just drifted left of the posts and wide, leaving Ireland with an 8-0 advantage after 16 minutes.

Wales down to 14 players

On 22 minutes the Wales side was reduced to 14 men when winger Ollie Andrew was sent to the sin bin. The player’s outstretched arm led to a deliberate knock on as Ireland attacked. The team of officials took little time in deciding the young Welsh player’s fate.

Matthew Devine soon made the visitors pay as he burst through the Welsh defensive line to touch down in a central position, allowing Tector an easy kick for the conversion. Ireland U20s were comfortably in control at this stage and had a 20-0 on the score board with only 25 minutes on the clock.

Mullins thought he had bought up a brace of five-pointers just after the half hour as he again touched down in the corner. On review of the TV footage the try was ruled out for obstruction earlier in the move.

Lock Mark Morrissey of Leinster soon made up for the cancellation of Mullins’ try as he scored his side’s third try of the evening within ten minutes of the half time whistle. With Tector adding the conversion, Richie Murphy’s side has a 22 point advantage at the break.

Half time: Ireland U20 22  Wales U20 0

Plenty more Irish tries in second half

It didn’t take lone for the hosts to extend their lead at the beginning of the second half. Ireland U20s showed ambition when awarded a penalty and opted to kick to the slide line. A win from the resultant lineout and a strong drive from the boys in green saw captain Reuben Crothers claimed the score, which kicker Tector converted successfully.

The points had barely registered on the scoreboard when Ballymena’s James McNabney  got in on the scoring action with a try. Though Tector’s conversion effort went left of the posts this time, Ireland were up to 34 points.

That didn’t remain the situation for long, however, as they claimed their sixth try of the game through Chay Mullins, who was claiming a brace of tries on the night. Tector’s last piece of action before his substitution was to add the extras for 41-0.

Another try, this time from hooker James McCormick extended the lead to 46-0 while the  conversion attempt that followed went astray.

Wales U20 finally got on the score board when Oli Andrew breached the Irish defence to claim his side’s only score of the game with a try five minutes from the end, but Ireland had the final say as Ben Brownlee scored a try which was converted by Aitzol King.

Final score: Ireland U20 53 Wales U20 5

Ireland U20 Team:

15. Patrick Campbell (Young Munster RFC/Munster), 14. Chay Mullins (Bristol Bears/IQ Rugby), 13. Fionn Gibbons (UCD RFC/Leinster), 12. Ben Brownlee (Blackrock College/Leinster), 11. Shane Mallon (UCD RFC/Leinster), 10. Charlie Tector (Lansdowne FC/Leinster), 9. Matthew Devine (Corinthians RFC/Connacht).

1. Jack Boyle (UCD/Leinster), 2. James McCormick (Ballymena RFC/Ulster), 3. Scott Wilson (Queen’s University Belfast/Ulster), 4. Conor Ó Tighearnaigh (UCD RFC/Leinster), 5. Mark Morrissey (UCD RFC/Leinster), 6. James McNabney (Ballymena RFC/Ulster), 7. Reuben Crothers (Ballynahinch FC/Ulster)(Captain), 8. James Culhane (UCD RFC/Leinster).

Ireland U20 Replacements:

16. Josh Hanlon (Ballynahinch RFC/Ulster), 17. Oisín Michel (Lansdowne FC/Leinster), 18. Rory McGuire (UCD/Leinster), 19. Adam McNamee (Malone RFC/Ulster), 20. Ronan O’Sullivan (Highfield RFC/Munster), 21. Ethan Coughlan (Shannon RFC/Munster), 22. Tony Butler (Garryowen FC/Munster), 23. Aitzol King (Clontarf FC/Leinster).

Wales U20 Team:

15. Cameron Winnett (Cardiff Rugby), 14. Harri Houston (Ospreys), 13. Bryn Bradley (Harlequins), 12. Eddie James (Scarlets), 11. Oli Andrew (Dragons), 10. Daniel Edwards (Ospreys), 9. Harri Williams (Scarlets).

1. Joe Cowell (Cardiff Metropolitan University), 2. Efan Daniel (Cardiff Rugby), 3. Nathan Evans (Cardiff Rugby), 4. Joe Peard (Dragons), 5. Lewis Jones (Ospreys), 6. Alex Mann (Cardiff Rugby), 7. Ethan Fackrell (Cardiff Rugby), 8. Ben Moa (Dragons).

Wales U20 Replacements:

16. Morgan Veness (Ealing Trailfinders), 17. Rhys Barratt (Cardiff Rugby), 18. Ellis Fackrell (Ospreys), 19. Benji Williams (Ospreys), 20. Tom Cowan (Bath Rugby), 21. Morgan Lloyd (Dragons), 22. Jac Lloyd (Bristol Bears), 23. Joe Hawkins (Ospreys).

Ireland
Try: Mullins (2), Devine, Morrissey, Crothers, McNabney, McCormick, Brownlee.
Conversion: Tector (4), King.
Penalty: Tector

Wales
Try: Andrew
Conversion:
Penalty:

List of Live Six Nations Rugby Matches on RTE and Virgin Media

We have the schedule of all the live Six Nations Rugby matches with channel and kick-off start times.

Friday 4th February
Ireland U20 27-44 Wales U20 Result

Saturday
Ireland v Wales, 2:15pm – Live on RTE2
Scotland v England, 4:45pm – Live on BBC1 & Virgin

Sunday
France v Italy, 4pm – Live on Virgin

RTÉ and Virgin Media Television today announced details of its historic partnership to bring all of the 2022 Six Nations Rugby action, free-to-air for Irish sports fans. Starting on Friday 4 February with Ireland U-20’s taking on France, coverage includes all matches from Ireland Men’s, Women’s and U-20s tournaments.

The partnership will see all matches in the Guinness Six Nations equally aired across both broadcasters, showcasing the agonies and ecstasies of Rugby’s Greatest Championship. Ireland open the 2022 edition of the Championship on Saturday 5 February against reigning champions, Wales. Then on 26 March the Women’s Six Nations begins with current title holders England taking on their age-old rivals Scotland.

Commenting, Dee Forbes, RTÉ Director General said: “There’s always great excitement among sports fans at this time of the year about the start of the Six Nations Rugby action and more so this year with all three tournaments – Men’s, Women’s and Under-20s – being available, free-to-air, on RTÉ and Virgin Media Ireland. We are delighted to have the Guinness Six Nations back on RTÉ and we are looking forward to bringing great coverage and analysis of all three Championships to audiences across our services.”

Paul Farrell, Virgin Media Television Managing Director said: “This unique partnership puts sport and rugby fans first and we’re delighted that this historic agreement ensures that the Six Nations Rugby, across Men’s, Women’s and Under 20s competitions will continue to be available to Irish audiences on free-to-Air Television”.

RTÉ’s comprehensive Six Nations Rugby coverage of all 45 matches across the three tournaments includes exclusive free-to-air matches on RTÉ2, RTÉ Radio and RTÉ Player, while RTÉ.ie/Sport will have minute-by-minute match coverage alongside news, analysis and interviews and on @RTErugby. Against The Head returns with the latest news and discussions on Monday nights on RTÉ2 and RTÉ sport will bring fans closer to all things Six Nations on The RTÉ Rugby Podcast. RTÉ News will have the latest coverage around the Six Nations, including updates on the RTÉ News Now app.

Virgin Media Television will broadcast live and exclusive coverage across Virgin Media One, Virgin Media Two, Virgin Media Sport and Virgin Media Player. Coverage will be live every weekend with weekly studio highlights, starting on Sunday at 8pm on Virgin Media Two. The weekly VMTV Rugby Podcast will keep you up to date with all things Six Nations. There will also be updates across Virgin Media News bulletins and on the @VMSportIE twitter page. If you miss any of the action Virgin Media Sport will have extended highlights of all the matches from the weekend throughout the week.

Fans will also see a new Six Nations promotional campaign, created by RTÉ and Virgin Media Television broadcast on both channels, a first for both stations.

Guinness Six Nations Men’s Rugby coverage on RTÉ and Virgin Media is sponsored by Vodafone.

Hansen and Aki in Ireland starting team to play Wales in Six Nations

Mack Hansen and Bundee Aki are both starting for Ireland against Wales on Saturday, kick-off time 2:15 pm. Both could be seen as surprising.

Andy Farrell has named the match day 23 to kick start Ireland’s 2022 Guinness Six Nations Championship campaign against Wales at the Aviva Stadium on Saturday.

The 23 includes one new cap and two players set to make their Championship debuts.

Johnny Sexton will captain the team on his 102nd cap for Ireland and his 53rd appearance in the Championship.  Sexton is joined at half-back by Jamison Gibson Park while Bundee Aki and Garry Ringrose link up in the centre for a fifteenth time for Ireland.

 

Mack Hansen – Mandatory Credit ©INPHO/Billy Stickland

The uncapped Connacht wing Mack Hansen lines out on the left wing with Andrew Conway on the right and Hugo Keenan at fullback starting his seventeenth consecutive Test match.

In the pack, the front row features Andrew Porter, Ronan Kelleher and Tadhg Furlong with Tadhg Beirne and James Ryan locking down the second row.  Caelan Doris, Josh van der Flier and Jack Conan are named in the backrow.

In the replacements James Hume and Dan Sheehan are set to make their Championship debuts. They are joined on the bench by Cian Healy, Finlay Bealham, Ryan Baird, Peter O’Mahony, Conor Murray and Joey Carbery.

Ireland Team & Replacements (v Wales, Guinness Six Nations, Saturday, February 5, 2:15pm)

15. Hugo Keenan (Leinster/UCD) 16 caps
14. Andrew Conway (Munster/Garryowen) 27 caps
13. Garry Ringrose (Leinster/UCD) 37 caps
12. Bundee Aki (Connacht/Galwegians) 33 caps
11. Mack Hansen (Connacht) uncapped
10. Johnny Sexton (Leinster/St Mary’s College) 101 caps CAPTAIN
9. Jamison Gibson Park (Leinster) 12 caps
1. Andrew Porter (Leinster/UCD) 40 caps
2. Ronan Kelleher (Leinster/Lansdowne) 16 caps
3. Tadhg Furlong (Leinster/Clontarf) 52 caps
4. Tadhg Beirne (Munster/Lansdowne) 25 caps
5. James Ryan (Leinster/UCD) 40 caps
6. Caelan Doris (Leinster/St Mary’s College) 12 caps
7. Josh van der Flier (Leinster/UCD) 35 caps
8. Jack Conan (Leinster/Old Belvedere) 22 caps

Replacements
16. Dan Sheehan (Leinster/Lansdowne) 2 caps
17. Cian Healy (Leinster/Clontarf) 112 caps
18. Finlay Bealham (Connacht/Buccaneers) 18 caps
19. Ryan Baird (Leinster/Dublin University) 6 caps
20. Peter O’Mahony (Munster/Cork Constitution) 79 caps
21. Conor Murray (Munster/Garryowen) 92 caps
22. Joey Carbery (Munster/Clontarf) 27 caps
23. James Hume (Ulster/Banbridge) 1 cap

 

Stuart McCloskey returns from injury to start for Ulster against Connacht

Stuart McCloskey has returned from injury to start alongside Angus Curtis in midfield. Mike Lowry and Robert Baloucoune have been released from international duties, and are named at full-back and right wing respectively, with Ethan McIlroy making a positional switch to the left wing. Billy Burns and Nathan Doak have been retained from last Friday’s victory over Scarlets.

CONNACHT TEAM TO PLAY ULSTER

Andrew Warwick is set to start at loosehead alongside John Andrew at hooker, and Gareth Milasinovich makes his first start for Ulster this season at tighthead. Alan O’Connor is once again captain, and will be joined by Sam Carter in the second row. The back row remains unchanged from last week – Greg Jones is named as blindside flanker with Marcus Rea at openside, and Duane Vermeulen at Number Eight.

Declan Moore, currently with the province on loan from Munster and set to officially join Ulster on a two-year deal this summer, is named among the forward replacements alongside Callum Reid, Ross Kane and Mick Kearney. Nick Timoney is also released from Ireland camp to be named on the bench. The back line reinforcements are David Shanahan, Ben Moxham and Rob Lyttle.

Ulster team to play Connacht Rugby, United Rugby Championship Round 8, Friday 4 February at Kingspan Stadium, 8.15pm kick-off, live on BBC NI, TG4 & Premier Sports:

(15-9) Mike Lowry, Robert Baloucoune, Angus Curtis, Stuart McCloskey, Ethan McIlroy, Billy Burns, Nathan Doak;

(1-8) Andrew Warwick, John Andrew, Gareth Milasinovich, Alan O’Connor (Capt.), Sam Carter, Greg Jones, Marcus Rea, Duane Vermeulen.

Replacements: Declan Moore, Callum Reid, Ross Kane, Mick Kearney, Nick Timoney, David Shanahan, Ben Moxham, Rob Lyttle.

Daly, Prendergast, Buckley and Porch in Connacht team to play Ulster

Tom Daly is one of a number of players Andy Friend has in the Connacht team for Fridays’s URC interpro against Ulster in Belfast (k/o 8.15pm).

ULSTER TEAM TO PLAY CONNACHT

Daly has missed the last three months with a knee injury he sustained against Ulster at the Aviva Stadium, but now makes a welcome return to inside-centre alongside Sammy Arnold.

The starting XV also includes Denis Buckley for the first time since June, Conor Fitzgerald and John Porch who were unavailable last week, and Cian Prendergast who has returned from a stint with Ireland as a development player.

In all there are 11 changes to the side that disappointingly lost to Glasgow last weekend. Buckley is named in a new-look tight five with Shane Delahunt at hooker and Tietie Tuimauga who’s named at tighthead, while Niall Murray and Oisín Dowling are paired together in the second row. Jarrad Butler captains the side from number 8, with Prendergast and Conor Oliver on the flanks.

In the backs, out-half Conor Fitzgerald is handed his first start of the season with Kieran Marmion alongside him, while a new-look back three features Porch at full-back with Alex Wootton and Peter Sullivan on the wings.

Commenting on the team announcement, Head Coach Andy Friend says:

“We’ve had an honest week with difficult conversations about what happened last weekend. The performance wasn’t nearly good enough and we need to see a major improvement tomorrow against a strong Ulster team who are on a good run of form.

We’re welcoming back a number of players for various reasons which is always a plus, and we can take confidence from a good record up in Belfast the last few years.”

CONNACHT RUGBY MATCHDAY 23 VS ULSTER RUGBY
Friday 4th February, 20:15 @ Kingspan Stadium

Number/Name/Caps
15. John Porch (48)
14. Peter Sullivan (17)
13. Sammy Arnold (29)
12. Tom Daly (53)
11. Alex Wootton (28)
10. Conor Fitzgerald (45)
9. Kieran Marmion (198)
1. Denis Buckley (201)
2. Shane Delahunt (113)
3. Tietie Tuimauga (4)
4. Niall Murray (26)
5. Oisín Dowling (17)
6. Cian Prendergast (20)
7. Conor Oliver (32)
8. Jarrad Butler (86) (C)

Replacements
16. Jonny Murphy (17)
17. Jordan Duggan (22)
18. Greg McGrath (3)
19. Leva Fifita (6)
20. Paul Boyle (66)
21. Colm Reilly (8)
22. Cathal Forde (1)
23. Oran McNulty (6)

Charlie Tector and Matthew Devine named in the half-backs for Ireland

Charlie Tector and Connacht scrum-half Matthew Devine are named in the half-backs for Ireland’s against Wales in U20 Six Nations.

Head Coach Richie Murphy has named the Ireland Match Day squad, sponsored by PwC, for Friday’s opening game of the U20 Six Nations against Wales at Musgrave Park (Kick-off 8pm, live on RTÉ).
Reuben Crothers will captain the team as the Ireland U20s return to their home at Musgrave Park for a Championship game for the first time since March 2020.
Crothers is one of four players named in Murphy’s starting XV who featured in last year’s Six Nations. Second row Mark Morrissey has been ever-present for Ireland in the engine room during the lead-in to the Six Nations, while prop Jack Boyle and winger Chay Mullins also add previous U20s experience to Friday’s team.
Patrick Campbell, who made his Munster senior debut against Wasps before Christmas, starts at full-back, with Mullins and Shane Mallon on the wings. Leinster duo Fionn Gibbons and Ben Brownlee are paired in midfield, with Charlie Tector and Connacht scrum-half Matthew Devine named in the half-backs.
Boyle starts in the front row alongside Ulster duo James McCormick and Scott Wilson, while Morrissey is joined in the second row by UCD team-mate Conor O’Tighearnaigh. Crothers leads from the back row, with James McNabney of Ulster selected at openside and Leinster’s James Culhane at number eight.
Murphy will be hoping his bench can make a big impact, with Josh Hanlon, Oisin Michel, Rory McGuire, Adam McNamee and Ronan O’Sullivan providing the options up front. Ethan Coughlan, Tony Butler and Aitzol King complete the match day 23.
Commenting ahead of the game, the Ireland Head Coach said: “We have been building towards Friday for a number of weeks now and the group have put in a huge amount of work in preparation for the Six Nations.

“We’re excited about the challenges ahead, starting with the visit of Wales to Musgrave Park under Friday Night Lights. The prospect of returning to Cork and playing in front of a big crowd, including family and friends, is a really exciting one for the players and the management team.”

Friday’s game is live on RTÉ and tickets can be purchased via Ticketmaster.ie.
 
Ireland U20s (v Wales):

15. Patrick Campbell (Young Munster RFC/Munster)
14. Chay Mullins (Bristol Bears/IQ Rugby)
13. Fionn Gibbons (UCD RFC/Leinster)
12. Ben Brownlee (Blackrock College/Leinster)
11. Shane Mallon (UCD RFC/Leinster)
10. Charlie Tector (Lansdowne FC/Leinster)
9. Matthew Devine (Corinthians RFC/Connacht)

1. Jack Boyle (UCD/Leinster)
2. James McCormick (Ballymena RFC/Ulster)
3. Scott Wilson (Queen’s University Belfast/Ulster)
4. Conor O’Tighearnaigh (UCD RFC/Leinster)
5. Mark Morrissey (UCD RFC/Leinster)
6. James McNabney (Ballymena RFC/Ulster)
7. Reuben Crothers (Ballynahinch RFC/Ulster)(Captain).
8. James Culhane (UCD RFC/Leinster).

Replacements:

16. Josh Hanlon (Ballynahinch RFC/Ulster)
17. Oisin Michel (Lansdowne FC/Leinster)
18. Rory McGuire (UCD/Leinster)
19. Adam McNamee (Malone RFC/Ulster)
20. Ronan O’Sullivan (Highfield RFC/Munster)
21. Ethan Coughlan (Shannon RFC/Munster)
22. Tony Butler (Garryowen FC/Munster)
23. Aitzol King (Clontarf FC/Leinster).

Malakai Fekitoa to join Munster Rugby

Munster Rugby has announced that Malakai Fekitoa will join from Premiership side Wasps ahead of the 2022-23 season.The World Cup winner with New Zealand in 2015 is 29-year-old and can play in either centre position. The Tongan-native has signed a two-year contract with the province.Prior to joining Wasps in 2019, he spent two years at Toulon. He played in the side defeated by Munster in the 2018 Champions Cup quarter-final at Thomond Park.

Born and raised in Ha’apai, Tonga, Fekitoa moved to Auckland as a teenager after earning a scholarship at Wesley College. He made his All Blacks debut against England as a 22-year-old in 2014. The following year he helped the Highlanders to their first-ever Super Rugby title.Fekitoa played for the All Blacks between 2014 and 2017. He was a member of the New Zealand squad that won the 2015 Rugby World Cup. He scored eight tries in 24 appearances for the All Blacks but now represents his native Tonga.Fekitoa departed the Highlanders for Toulon in 2017 and spent two seasons in France before joining Wasps.He recently missed both Heineken Champions Cup games against Munster due to a should injury. He returned to the Wasps side last weekend.

Goffs continues sponsorship of Dublin Racing Festival

Goffs is set to continue its sponsorship of the Goffs Future Stars INH Flat Race at the Dublin Racing Festival. The race will be run on the opening day, Saturday 5 February at Leopardstown. Goffs will also sponsor the stable staff canteen on both days of the two-day Festival.

Past winners include Envoi Allen, Appreciate It and Kilcruit

Goffs Future Stars Bumper (Grade 2) has lived up to its name as a springboard for stars of National Hunt. Past winners that include Envoi Allen (2019) before taking the Grade 1 Weatherbys Champion Bumper at Cheltenham and five subsequent Grade 1 victories.  Appreciate It won the Goffs (2020) before being placed in the Champion Bumper and winning three times at Grade 1 level include the 2021 Supreme Novices Hurdle at Cheltenham. Kilcruit, winner of the 2021 Goffs Future Stars, was runner up in the Cheltenham Champion Bumper before taking the Grade 1 Champion Bumper the Punchestown Festival.

High-class list of entries

Commenting on the sponsorship, Goffs Group Chief Executive Henry Beeby said:

“This time of year marks the launch of the 2022 Goffs Land Rover Sale as we begin the selection of the future jumps stars that will be on offer at Goffs in June.  As part of our commitment to Irish National Hunt Racing, we are proud to sponsor the Goffs Future Stars Bumper at Leopardstown which has attracted another high-class list of entries, and we are delighted to broaden our association with the Dublin Racing Festival through sponsorship of the stable staff canteen”.

2022 European Rugby Player of the Year – Five Irish nominees

2022 EPCR European Player of the Year nominees – Caelan DORIS, Michael LOWRY, Jimmy O’BRIEN, Jack O’DONOGHUE & Josh VAN DER FLIER

Stade Toulousain’s Antoine Dupont, who is the current holder of the EPCR European Player of the Year and World Rugby Player of the Year awards, is again in the running to capture one of the game’s most prestigious individual accolades following the announcement of the longlist of nominees for the 2022 EPCR European Player of the Year award.

Dupont, who also captained Stade Toulousain to a record-breaking fifth Heineken Champions Cup success last season, is included in a list of 15 elite players who have delivered outstanding performances during the pool stage of the tournament.

Leinster Rugby lead the way with three in-form players in the longlist – Caelan Doris, Jimmy O’Brien and Josh van der Flier – while Harlequins have two nominees in Alex Dombrandt and Marcus Smith, and not surprisingly, all 12 clubs with representatives in contention for the award have qualified for the knockout stage of the Heineken Champions Cup.

As rising stars of the English game, the Harlequins pair have made a significant impact this season with Dombrandt scoring six tries from his four appearances and with Smith topping the scoring charts with 46 points from the same number of matches.

Leinster’s O’Brien hit the headlines by becoming the first player to score four tries for the club in a European fixture when he starred in the comprehensive Round 4 victory over Bath Rugby, while Sam Simmonds of the Exeter Chiefs – winner of the award in 2020 – has been on the try-trail once again with a magnificent seven to date.

The impressive Grégory Alldritt has made 45 carries and seven offloads for Stade Rochelais during their push for the Round of 16, and Ulster Rugby’s Michael Lowry has been in scintillating form for the Irish province, topping the statistics categories in Metres (563), Defenders Beaten (23) and Line Breaks (8).

The winner of the award which is in its 12th season will receive the Anthony Foley Memorial Trophy in memory of the former Munster Rugby Head Coach and captain. Voting is now open HERE and fans will be in the running to win a signed ball and a signed jersey courtesy of one of the Heineken Champions Cup finalist clubs.

The list will be reduced to five players, following the Heineken Champions Cup and EPCR Challenge Cup semi-finals in May, by a combination of the public vote and the verdict of the judging panel, and players who have not been included in the initial longlist, but who make a significant impact during the knockout stages, may be considered for the shortlist.

The voting will then re-open and the winner of the 2022 award will be announced following the Heineken Champions Cup final in Marseille on Saturday, 28 May.

2022 EPCR European Player of the Year nominees

Grégory ALLDRITT (Stade Rochelais)
Alex DOMBRANDT (Harlequins)
Caelan DORIS (Leinster Rugby)
Antoine DUPONT (Stade Toulousain)
Gaël FICKOU (Racing 92)
George FORD (Leicester Tigers)
Michael LOWRY (Ulster Rugby)
Jimmy O’BRIEN (Leinster Rugby)
Jack O’DONOGHUE (Munster Rugby)
Damian PENAUD (ASM Clermont Auvergne)
Semi RADRADRA (Bristol Bears)
Sam SIMMONDS (Exeter Chiefs)
Marcus SMITH (Harlequins)
Josh VAN DER FLIER (Leinster Rugby)
Cameron WOKI (Union Bordeaux-Bègles)

Judging Panel – Erik Bonneval (beIN SPORTS), Bryan Habana (two-time Heineken Champions Cup winner), Lee McKenzie (Channel 4), Alan Quinlan (Virgin Media), Dimitri Yachvili (France Télévisions)

Roll of Honour – 2021: Antoine Dupont (Stade Toulousain); 2020: Sam Simmonds (Exeter Chiefs); 2019: Alex Goode (Saracens); 2018: Leone Nakarawa (Racing 92); 2017: Owen Farrell (Saracens); 2016: Maro Itoje (Saracens); 2015: Nick Abendanon (ASM Clermont Auvergne); 2014: Steffon Armitage (RC Toulon); 2013: Jonny Wilkinson (RC Toulon); 2012: Rob Kearney (Leinster Rugby); 2011: Sean O’Brien (Leinster Rugby); 2010: Ronan O’Gara (Munster Rugby – best player of first 15 years of European professional club competitions)

Record deal announced as PDC & Winmau team up

An exciting new era for the Professional Darts Corporation has begun following the announcement that PDC events will be played exclusively using Winmau dartboards in a record five-year partnership.

In the biggest deal of its kind in the sport’s history, the revolutionary Winmau Blade 6 Triple Core dartboard will be used in all PDC events through to 2027, starting from Thursday’s opening Cazoo Premier League night in Cardiff.

In addition to the deal as official equipment provider to the PDC, Winmau will be supporting the stars of the future through title sponsorship of the Challenge Tour, Development Tour and World Youth Championship.

Winmau are already a partner of the PDC-affiliated Junior Darts Corporation and also sponsor many top professional stars – including Michael van Gerwen, Joe Cullen, Daryl Gurney, Simon Whitlock and Steve Beaton – as well as emerging talents from around the world.

“This record-breaking deal is a massive moment for the PDC, Winmau and the sport of darts,” said PDC Chairman Eddie Hearn.

“Winmau is a brand known across the world and it’s exciting that their products, led by the Blade 6 Triple Core dartboard, will be used by the PDC in the coming years and showcased globally in our biggest events.

“Their support will also extend to backing our developmental tours in addition to their existing partnership with the JDC, matching our ambition to produce future generations of stars to take this sport forwards.

“We’re delighted to be working alongside Winmau and can’t wait to see their Blade 6 dartboard in action in the Cazoo Premier League on Thursday.”

The new partnership will see Winmau dartboards used across televised events, the European Tour, Players Championships, Challenge Tour, Development Tour and Women’s Series for the next five years.

The company’s Blade 6 Triple Core dartboard was launched in 2021, featuring a three-part sisal base and sixth-generation Blade technology to provide the ultimate playing experience.

The Blade 6 Triple Core’s anti-glare number ring and new graphics will now be accompanied by the PDC logo on the surface of the dartboard, which is fitted with the easy-to-adjust Rota-Lock mounting system that allows the board to be hung on any wall within minutes by players worldwide.

Winmau Managing Director Vincent Bluck said: “The Professional Darts Corporation are the undisputed leaders in the global distribution of world-class darts, by delivering performances and moments not thought possible even a decade ago.

“They have captured millions of new fans and players for the game that we all love and we’re absolutely delighted to be embarking on this new partnership with the superb team at the PDC.

“Winmau’s passion for grassroots and top televised darts stretches back over 70 years and we look forward to joining forces with the PDC and their global platform in helping continue darts’ growth as one of the most vibrant and dynamic sports on the planet.

“Broadcasting to countless millions worldwide and driving engagement like we’ve never seen before, the PDC’s televised majors have created top stars such as the latest World Champion Peter Wright.

“So to supply the official dartboards for the PDC is an absolute honour and privilege and testament to the passion that our engineers, designers and production staff all have for darts, working tirelessly to ensure Blade dartboards exceed the exacting requirements demanded by the world’s top professionals and every player alike.

“Darts is one of those unique sports with no barriers to playing the game. Irrespective of age, race, gender, fitness or budget, anyone can have a go and the PDC now have a pathway for players to progress to the very top if they have the ability.

“With the PDC’s prize fund of £15 million in 2022, there has never been a more exciting time in the history of the entire sport to be involved in darts as we embark on this exciting new partnership.”

Winmau was founded in 1946 by ex-Sargeant Major Harry Kicks, who named the company after his wife Winifred Maud – with the name pronounced as “win-more”.

Winmau first launched the original Blade Dartboard in 1997. Over the last 25 years, the board has been continuously developed to incorporate the very latest technical and innovative features, resulting in the phenomenal Blade 6 Triple Core Carbon.

1...222223224...607Page 223 of 607

EDITOR PICKS

POPULAR POSTS

POPULAR CATEGORY

ABOUT US

SportsNewsIreland is an Irish website launched in 2009 to offer sports fans in Ireland an alternative and independent source to keep them up to date with all the news from around the country. Every week we bring you live score updates from all levels of GAA, rugby, soccer, racing and athletics. Contact

Contact us: Email: info@sportsnewsireland.com

FOLLOW US

Design by SportsMediaIreland.ie