Steve Bruce set to leave Newcastle after Takeover

Steve Bruce set to leave Newcastle after Takeover

According to reports, Amanda Staveley is set to relieve current manager Steve Bruce from his duties this week.

Bruce is to have crunch talks with Staveley this afternoon and is expected to be sacked prior to their Super Sunday showdown with Tottenham at St. James’s Park.

The Newcastle director has been quick to dismiss any speculation surrounding Bruce’s status after last Friday’s takeover that saw PCP’s Capital Partners take control of the club.

She had planned to meet with Bruce and the players last week, but both manager and players were off on international duty. She did, however, speak with Newcastle captain Jamaal Lascelles on the phone.

Steve Bruce 🗣

"I know I may be sacked at Newcastle but I won't be bitter." pic.twitter.com/t2rlTthMgk

— Footy Accumulators (@FootyAccums) October 7, 2021

Staveley, who is the current chief executive of PCP Capital Partners and a major figure on the Newcastle board is said to be disappointed with the club’s current league position, languishing in 19th.

With Bruce set to leave the club, an adequate replacement has yet to be lined up. It is very likely that current Newcastle assistant manager Graeme Jones will take charge of the first team on an interim basis.

In a recent interview, Bruce was fully aware that the new owners could seek out other alternatives to match their high ambitions.

He said;

“I’m happy for the club that this has gone through. It’s a great night for the fans, I’m delighted for them,”

“I want to continue [as manager] but I have to be realistic. I’m not stupid and aware of what could happen with new owners.”

Bruce joined the club in the summer of 2019, after replacing fan favourite manager Rafa Benitez, finishing 13th and 12th in his first two seasons.

In 96 competitive matches with the club, he holds a 43% win percentage, winning 29, drawing 25 and losing 42.

Steve Bruce set to leave Newcastle after Takeover

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Energia Women’s All-Ireland League: Results Round-Up

It was a busy weekend in the women’s All-Ireland League as four more entertaining rugby matches took center stage of Round Three

Ireland Women’s captain Ciara Griffin enjoyed a try-scoring return to the pitch in UL Bohemians’ barnstorming 46-17 win over title rivals Old Belvedere.

Griffin, who was sprung from the UL bench, played for the first time since Ireland’s Rugby World Cup Qualifier heartbreak in Parma two weeks ago.

The Kerry native burst off the back of a late scrum, absorbing a cover tackle before crashing over the try-line.

Bohs bagged eight tries in all as they moved to the top of the Energia Women’s All-Ireland League, taking advantage of the cancellation of the Covid-19 affected match between round two leaders Railway Union and Malone.

Old Belvedere was missing some key players, most notably top-scoring out-half Hannah Tyrrell who was unavailable, and the loss of captain Jenny Murphy to a first-half red card was a huge setback.

The hosts’ powerful set-piece work provided the platform for a number of scores, with teenager Courtney Duhig – a real prospect at scrum-half – crossing from a dominant five-meter scrum.

The Red Robins were full of running, try-scoring captain Chloe Pearse charging away down the right-wing with a trademark hand-off as her side led 29-7 at the break. Out-half Nicole Cronin also touched down in a player-of-the-match performance.

‘Belvo had their moments, taking the few chances they could create with centre Ailbhe Dowling slicing through in the 38th minute.

They had two more unconverted efforts from Lesley Ring (66 minutes) and Clare Gorman (74).

Ballincollig’s impressive form since their promotion continued with a second home victory of the campaign. Fiona Hayes’ side is now just a point outside of the top four ahead of a week’s break in fixtures.

In a 31-17 bonus point success against Galwegians, ‘Collig’s 19-year-old scrum-half Gemma Lane was clinical in putting away two tries. She was sharp in open play and lock Denise Redmond was the pick of the forwards before getting injured.

Front rowers Roisin Ormond and Clare Coombes claimed the other tries for the Cork outfit, while ‘Wegians’ standout back, center Orla Dixon, ran in two of their three tries.

Facing high-ranking opposition for the third week running, Wicklow’s young guns went down 63-0 to Blackrock College. Beth Roberts’s cross-field kick found Emer Staunton but that elusive first try was foiled by Blackrock’s scramble defense.

Ireland prop Laura Feely made her ‘Rock debut in a runaway 11-try triumph.

Young replacement Maggie Boylan helped her to four, with a hat-trick for Eimear Corri and a brace from captain Michelle Claffey.

Number 8 Hannah O’Connor’s quartet of conversions took her to the top of the league’s scoring charts on 34 points. Connacht’s Nicole Carroll also kicked well for Suttonians, finishing with 13 points in their 28-12 defeat of Cooke.

It was Sutts’ first league win under new head coach Stephen Costelloe and owed much to a 22-point first-half salvo. Leinster’s Emily McKeown showed her finishing skills with a brace from the right-wing, and prop Julia Bauer was prominent throughout the forward exchanges.

Cooke’s two tries were registered by in-form lock Naomi McCord, who made it three in three rounds, and Ulster skipper Beth Cregan who showed her versatility by reverting to the back row.

ENERGIA WOMEN’S ALL-IRELAND LEAGUE – ROUND 3 RESULTS:

BALLINCOLLIG 31 GALWEGIANS 17, Tanner Park

Scorers: Ballincollig: Tries: Roisin Ormond 2, Clare Coombes, Gemma Lane 2; Cons: Denise Redmond 2, Alison Kelly
Galwegians: Tries: Orla Dixon 2, Ursula Sammon; Con: Mary Healy
HT: Ballincollig 24 Galwegians 7

BALLINCOLLIG: Lauren Fahey; Jayne Pennefather, Christine Arthurs, Mona Fehily, Heather Kennedy; Kelly Griffin, Gemma Lane; Roisin Ormond, Clodagh Walsh (capt), Clare Coombes, Denise Redmond, Gillian Coombes, Eimear Perryman, Katelyn Fleming, Eimear Minihane.

Replacements: Gerda Coyne, Olivia Hay Mulvihill, Laurileigh Baker, Kira Fitzgerald, Meaghan Kenny, Sinead O’Reilly, Alison Kelly.

GALWEGIANS: Casie O’Connell; Chloe McCrann, Orla Dixon, Ursula Sammon, Laoise McGonagle; Saskia Morrissey, Mary Healy (capt); Jessica Loftus, Tracy Lawlor, Ellen Connolly, Rebecca Dunne, Celia Killilea, Lea Turner, Lisa-Marie Murphy, Deabhla Canty.

Replacements: Sarah O’Rourke, Kiara Irwin, Ruby Lynch, Ines Delgado, Camille Lassalle, Rhiann Heery, Catriona Shally.

BLACKROCK COLLEGE 63 WICKLOW 0, Stradbrook

Scorers: Blackrock College: Tries: Michelle Claffey 2, Eimear Corri 3, Emma Hooban, Aoife Moore, Maggie Boylan 4; Cons: Hannah O’Connor 4
Wicklow: –
HT: Blackrock College 43 Wicklow 0

BLACKROCK COLLEGE: Natasja Behan; Eimear Corri, Michelle Claffey (capt), Ciara Scanlan, Orla Molloy; Jackie Shiels, Niamh Griffin; Laura Feely, Emma Hooban, Christy Haney, Mairead Holohan, Anna Potterton, Aoife Moore, Aoife Browne, Hannah O’Connor.

Replacements: Meadhbh O’Callaghan, Caoimhe Molloy, Hannah Hodges, Katie Fitzhenry, Caoimhe O’Callaghan, Maggie Boylan.

WICKLOW: Eva Phelan; Naoise O’Reilly, Aoibhin Stone, Sarah Gleeson, Emer Staunton; Beth Roberts, Erin McConnell (capt); Lauren Barry, Robyn Mullen, Kathy Byrne, Ciara Brennan, Caitlin Griffey, Shauna Soady, Emily Ryan, Jessica Schmidt.

Replacements: Maya McDevitt, Amy Barry, Laura Newsome, Nicola Schmidt.

MALONE 0 RAILWAY UNION 0, Gibson Park

Match Cancelled – Please note that due to a confirmed case of Covid-19 in the Malone Women’s squad, and the subsequent directions from the Public Health Authority, the match between Malone and Railway Union has been called off.

As per the IRFU Rugby Committee decision on Covid-19 affected games, the match will not be replayed and each team is awarded two league points with a 0-0 score being applied.

SUTTONIANS 28 COOKE 12, JJ McDowell Memorial Grounds

Scorers: Suttonians: Tries: Emily McKeown 2, Catherine Martin; Cons: Nicole Carroll 2; Pens: Nicole Carroll 3
Cooke: Tries: Naomi McCord, Beth Cregan; Con: Amanda Morton
HT: Suttonians 22 Cooke 5

SUTTONIANS: Sophie Gibney; Emily McKeown, Catherine Martin, Jools Aungier, Lena Kibler; Jessica Kelleher, Lauren Farrell McCabe; Julia Bauer, Julia O’Connor, Katie Grant Duggan, Brenda Barr, Ciara O’Brien, Roisin O’Driscoll, Louise Catinot, Aifric O’Brien.

Replacements: Mary Healy, Megan Cullen, Aislinn Layde, Nicole Carroll.

COOKE: Teah Maguire; Tamzin Boyce, Claire Johnston, Dolores Hughes, Georgia Boyce; Amanda Morton, Hannah Kilgore; Ilse van Staden, Megan Simpson, Aishling O’Connell (capt), Sorcha Mac Laimhin, Naomi McCord, Beth Cregan, Katie Hetherington, Helen McGhee.

Replacements: Caolinn McCormack, India Daley, Eimear McQuillan, Lucy Thompson, Hannah Allen.

UL BOHEMIANS 46 OLD BELVEDERE 17, UL Arena

Scorers: UL Bohemians: Tries: Sarah Quin, Courtney Duhig, Aoife Corey, Chloe Pearse, Nicole Cronin, Stephanie Nunan, Helen McDermott, Ciara Griffin; Cons: Nicole Cronin 3
Old Belvedere: Tries: Ailbhe Dowling, Lesley Ring, Clare Gorman; Con: Jemma Farrell
HT: UL Bohemians 29 Old Belvedere 7

UL BOHEMIANS: Aoife Corey; Stephanie Nunan, Alana McInerney, Rachel Allen, Helen McDermott; Nicole Cronin, Courtney Duhig; Chloe Pearse (capt), Kate Sheehan, Fiona Reidy, Claire Bennett, Sarah Garrett, Clodagh O’Halloran, Edel Murphy, Sarah Quin.

Replacements: Lily Brady, Eilis Cahill, Laura Delaney, Eva McCormack, Ciara Griffin, Abbie Salter-Townshend, Shannon Dawson.

OLD BELVEDERE: Grace Miller; Laura Carty, Elise O’Byrne-White, Ailbhe Dowling, Clare Gorman; Aine Donnelly, Jemma Farrell; Alice O’Dowd, Rachel Murphy, Vic Dabanovich O’Mahony, Oonagh Hynes, Jan Carroll, Ivanna Dempsey, Lesley Ring, Jenny Murphy (capt).

Replacements: Melissa Hayden, Sarah Melvin, Ciara O’Dwyer, Amber Redmond, Niamh Fitzgerald, Ava Jenkins.

To read more in-depth and up-to-date Women’s All-Ireland League and provincial rugby news, click here.

Energia Men’s All-Ireland League: Results Round-Up – R2

It is a perfect 10-out-of-10 so far for Garryowen, Queen’s University, MU Barnhall, Greystones and Enniscorthy, as they collected maximum points again in the Energia Men’s All-Ireland League.

Round two of this year’s instalment of the All-Ireland League took place over the weekend with the action spread across five divisions.

Evan Cusack kicked 14 points as Young Munster survived a flurry of yellow cards to defeat Cork Constitution 24-17 at Temple Hill.

Munsters had four players sin-binned, going down to 12 men at one stage in the second half, but they hung on to hand the reigning Energia Men’s All-Ireland League champions a second straight defeat.

Former Cork minor footballer Patrick Campbell scored his first league try for the Cookies, adding to Conor Hayes’ second score of the Division 1A campaign.

However, the visitors’ 18-3 lead came under threat as Con fought back with a penalty try and an excellent Barry Galvin effort.

A late penalty from out-half Cusack was enough to seal the victory, although Con winger JJ O’Neill missed out on an injury-time try when he lost the ball in contact.

Garryowen pushed a point clear at the top of the table following a comprehensive 32-20 win over UCC at a sundrenched Dooradoyle.

Tries from Colm Quilligan (2), Pat O’Toole, Tommy O’Hora and Jamie Shanahan saw the Light Blues make it back-to-back bonus-point victories. UCC responded with five pointers from Louis Bruce and replacement Matthew Bowen.

Munster’s John Hodnett continued his injury comeback and helped UCC to level matters at 10-all for half-time. Garryowen began to take control and retook the lead in the 48th minute.

Shanahan and Quilligan combined down the right before the latter kicked in behind the UCC defence. George Coomber collected but his attempted clearance was snaffled by Quilligan who went in under the posts for Tony Butler to convert.

Leinster Development XV out-half Charlie Tector led the scoring as Lansdowne overcame a highly-fancied Terenure College 39-26 in an absorbing Division 1A game at Lakelands Park.

Tector, a late call-up to the starting line-up, landed 14 points from the tee, supplementing tries from Cormac Foley, Luke Thompson, Sean Galvin, Mark Boyle and Eamonn Mills.

Terenure had three tries – including the first one for new signing Jordan Coghlan – and were only 24-23 behind entering the final quarter.

However, Mark McHugh’s men hit another gear when number 8 Boyle broke clean through from a ruck, Tector fired over another penalty, and full-back Mills crossed for the clincher in the 73rd minute.

Hooker Dylan Donnellan scored the only try as Clontarf came from behind to beat Ballynahinch 13-3 in a serious arm wrestle at Ballymacarn Park.

A fired-up ‘Hinch led 3-0 at the interval, defences were on top as Greg Hutley’s 19th-minute penalty got the home side on the board.

Leinster’s David Hawkshaw, who started again at out-half, kicked Clontarf level before Donnellan got in under Ben Cullen’s challenge to score a crucial 54th-minute try, his second in as many league matches.

There were chances at both ends but a late Hawkshaw penalty sealed the result for the north Dubliners, and also took a losing bonus point away from Adam Craig’s charges.

A dominant display from Dublin University earned them a 31-0 triumph and the Dudley Cup, following a one-sided encounter with arch-rivals UCD at Belfield on Friday night.

What a difference a week makes, as Trinity leaked 35 points to a Liam Coombes-inspired Garryowen just last Saturday. The swift turnaround in fortunes makes this result all the more impressive.

The set-piece proved lucrative for Tony Smeeth’s youngsters in the second half as they scored a steamrolling maul try from more than 20 metres out, finished by hooker Mark Nicholson.

A penalty try from a scrum was their other score of the half. The visitors’ pack had an evident edge over UCD both in the tackle and at the breakdown, with the speed of ball being the key to their dominance.

14 points from the boot of out-half Mick O’Kennedy kept Trinity ticking on the scoreboard, as they built a 19-0 interval lead. UCD centre Chris Cosgrave, the Ireland Under-20 and Sevens international, was well marshalled throughout.

The only try of the opening period came from some individual brilliance from loosehead prop Giuseppe Coyne after he followed up his own chip kick out wide.

ENERGIA MEN’S ALL-IRELAND LEAGUE – RESULTS:

ROUND 2: Saturday, October 9

ALL-IRELAND LEAGUE DIVISION 1A:

BALLYNAHINCH 3 CLONTARF 13, Ballymacarn Park
Scorers: Ballynahinch: Pen: Greg Hutley
Clontarf: Try: Dylan Donnellan; Con: David Hawkshaw; Pens: David Hawkshaw 2
HT: Ballynahinch 3 Clontarf 0

BALLYNAHINCH: Paddy Wright; Shane Ball, Ryan Wilson, Tagen Strydom, Aaron Cairns; Greg Hutley, Chris Gibson; Ben Cullen, Zack McCall (capt), Kyle McCall, Thomas Donnan, John Donnan, Reuben Crothers, Oli Loughead, Callum Irvine.

Replacements: Tom Stewart, Harry Simpson, Bradley Luney, James Simpson, Conor McAuley, Jack Milligan.

CLONTARF: Conor Kearns; Seni Reilly Ashiru, Michael Courtney, Matt D’Arcy (capt), Jordan Mulvaney; David Hawkshaw, Angus Lloyd; Darragh Bolger, Dylan Donnellan, Vakh Abdaladze, Fionn Gilbert, Cormac Daly, Brian Deeny, Martin Moloney, Tony Ryan.

Replacements: Aidan O’Kane, Ben Griffin, Adrian D’Arcy, Andrew Feeney, Aitzol Arenzana-King, Max Kearney.

CORK CONSTITUTION 17 YOUNG MUNSTER 24, Temple Hill
Scorers: Cork Constitution: Tries: Penalty try, Barry Galvin; Cons: Pen try con; Pen: Aidan Moynihan
Young Munster: Tries: Conor Hayes, Patrick Campbell; Con: Evan Cusack; Pens: Evan Cusack 4
HT: Cork Constitution 3 Young Munster 11

CORK CONSTITUTION: Billy Crowley; Barry Galvin, Bruce Matthews, Niall Kenneally, JJ O’Neill; Aidan Moynihan (capt), Duncan Williams; Gavin Duffy, Luke McAuliffe, Dylan Murphy, Cian Barry, Eoin Quilter, John Forde, Michael Casey, David Hyland.

Replacements: Jack Dinneen, Brendan Quinlan, Paddy Casey, Conor Kindregan, John Poland, Tomas Quinlan.

YOUNG MUNSTER: Patrick Campbell; Conor Hayes, Pa Ryan, Harry Fleming, Shay McCarthy; Evan Cusack, Adam Maher; David Begley, Mark O’Mara, Colm Skehan, Tom Goggin, Sean Rigney, Alan Kennedy (capt), Dan Walsh, Bailey Faloon.

Replacements: Peter Meyer, Paul Allen, Fintan Coleman, John Foley, Jack Lyons, Jason Kiely.

GARRYOWEN 32 UCC 20, Dooradoyle
Scorers: Garryowen: Tries: Colm Quilligan 2, Pat O’Toole, Tommy O’Hora, Jamie Shanahan; Cons: Tony Butler 2; Pen: Tony Butler
UCC: Tries: Louis Bruce, Matthew Bowen; Cons: Darragh French, Joe O’Leary; Pens: Darragh French 2
HT: Garryowen 10 UCC 10

GARRYOWEN: Jamie Shanahan; Colm Quilligan, Bryan Fitzgerald, Jack Delaney, Tommy O’Hora; Tony Butler, Edmond Barry; Mark Donnelly, Pat O’Toole, Darragh McCarthy, Paddy Kelly, Kevin Seymour (capt), Tim Ferguson, Johnny Keane, Alan Fitzgerald.

Replacements: Dylan Murphy, Jack Mullany, Roy Whelan, Aaron Cosgrove, Hugh O’Brien-Cunningham, Jack Madden.

UCC: George Coomber; Louis Bruce, Darragh French, Daniel Squires, Timothy Duggan; Cian Whooley, Luke Kerr; Alessandro Heaney, Billy Kingston, Corey Hanlon, Edwin Edogbo, Mark Bissessar, Jack Kelleher, Ronan Barry, John Hodnett.

Replacements: Harry Jephson, Alan McDonald, Sam O’Sullivan, Joe O’Leary, Cian Bohane, Matthew Bowen.

TERENURE COLLEGE 26 LANSDOWNE 39, Lakelands Park
Scorers: Terenure College: Tries: Craig Adams 2, Jordan Coghlan; Con: James Thornton; Pens: James Thornton 3
Lansdowne: Tries: Cormac Foley, Luke Thompson, Sean Galvin, Mark Boyle, Eamonn Mills; Cons: Charlie Tector 4; Pens: Charlie Tector 2
HT: Terenure College 15 Lansdowne 17

TERENURE COLLEGE: Colm de Buitlear; Craig Adams, Stephen O’Neill, Caolan Dooley, Jake Swaine; James Thornton, Alan Bennie; Campbell Classon, Conor McCormack, Adam Tuite, Luke Clohessy, Stephen Caffrey, Harrison Brewer, James Connolly, Jordan Coghlan.

Replacements: Levin Vaughan, Andy Keating, Matthew Caffrey, Peter Sylvester, Sam Coghlan Murray, Adam La Grue.

LANSDOWNE: Eamonn Mills; Sean Galvin, Paul Kiernan, Corey Reid, Harry Brennan; Charlie Tector, Cormac Foley; Ben Popplewell, Luke Thompson, Greg McGrath, Joey Szpara, Jack Dwan, Clive Ross, Jack O’Sullivan (capt), Mark Boyle.

Replacements: Jamie Kavanagh, Frank Kavanagh, Conan Dunne, Mark Hernan, James Kenny, Matt Healy.

UCD 0 DUBLIN UNIVERSITY 31, Belfield Bowl (played on Friday)
Scorers: UCD: –
Dublin University: Tries: Giuseppe Coyne, Mark Nicholson, Penalty try; Cons: Mick O’Kennedy, Pen try con; Pens: Mick O’Kennedy 4
HT: UCD 0 Dublin University 19

UCD: Niall Comerford; David Heavey, Chris Cosgrave, Tim Corkery, Jack Ringrose (capt); James Tarrant, Harry Donnelly; Christopher Hennessy, Bobby Sheehan, Evin Coyle, Jack Gardiner, Gerard Hill, Diarmuid Mangan, Donal McMahon, Dan O’Donovan.

Replacements: Richie Bergin, Rory McGuire, Fergus Hughes, Robert Gilsenan, James Moriarty, Jamie Murphy.

DUBLIN UNIVERSITY: Luis Faria; Cian Stack Crotty, Liam Turner, Gavin Jones, Marcus Kiely; Mick O’Kennedy, Louis O’Reilly; Giuseppe Coyne, Mark Nicholson, Thomas Connolly, Jamie Berrisford, Harry Sheridan, Anthony Ryan, Alan Francis, Rowan Murphy.

Replacements: Ben Nel, Bart Vermeulen, Aaron Coleman, Michael McGagh, Cormac King, Aran Egan.

ALL-IRELAND LEAGUE DIVISION 1B:

CITY OF ARMAGH 32 OLD BELVEDERE 18, Palace Grounds
Scorers: City of Armagh: Tries: Kyle Faloon, Andrew Willis, Shea O’Brien, Penalty try; Cons: Kyle Faloon 2, Pen try con; Pens: Kyle Faloon 2
Old Belvedere: Tries: Paddy Dowling, James McKeown; Con: Justin Leonard; Pens: Justin Leonard 2
HT: City of Armagh 22 Old Belvedere 15

CITY OF ARMAGH: Kyle Faloon; Andrew Willis, Shea O’Brien, Chris Colvin, Matthew Hooks; Romain Morrow, Alex Johnston; Peter Lamb, Jack Treanor, Philip Fletcher, John Glasgow, Josh McKinley, Nigel Simpson, James Hanna, Ryan Finlay.

Replacements: Jonny Morton, Eoin O’Hagan, Oli Millar, James Morton, Gerard Treanor, Evin Crummie.

OLD BELVEDERE: Colm Hogan; James McKeown, David Butler, Robbie Deegan, Billy O’Hora; Justin Leonard Peter O’Beirne; Jerry Cahir, John McKee, Stewart Maguire, Paddy Dowling, Dean Moore (capt), Colin Mallon, Ethan Baxter, Tom Ryan.

Replacements: Joe Horan, Ryan McMahon, Will McDonald, Jack Breen, Briain Leonard, Jack Gilheany.

NAAS 41 MALONE 24, Forenaughts
Scorers: Naas: Tries: Bryan Croke 2, Peter Osborne 2, Fionn Higgins; Cons: Peter Osborne 5; Pens: Peter Osborne 2
Malone: Tries: Adam McNamee, David McMaster, Lewis Finlay; Cons: Rory Campbell 3; Pen: Rory Campbell
HT: Naas 24 Malone 3

NAAS: Peter Osborne (capt); Donal Conroy, Gary Kavanagh, Craig Ronaldson, Fionn Higgins; Bryan Croke, Conor Halpenny; Adam Coyle, John Sutton, Peter King, Paul Monahan, David Benn, Ryan Casey, Will O’Brien, Paulie Tolofua.

Replacements: Connor Johnson, Stephen Lackey, Cillian Dempsey, Barry Finan, Matt Stapleton, Sam Cahill.

MALONE: Aaron Sexton; David McMaster, Ben McCaughey, Gareth Millar, Andrew Bryans; Rory Campbell, Shane Kelly; Tommy O’Hagan, Dan Kerr, Aidan McSwiggan, Adam McNamee, Stewart McKendrick, Daryl Maxwell, Dave Cave (capt), Max Porter.

Replacements: Scott Finlay, Ben Halliday, Richard Greenwood, Lewis Finlay, Jonny Betts, Sean Lynch.

NAVAN 17 HIGHFIELD 42, Balreask Old
Scorers: Navan: Tries: Jack Nelson, Hardus van Eeden; Cons: Liam McLoughlin 2; Pen: Liam McLoughlin
Highfield: Tries: Ronan O’Sullivan, Miah Cronin 2, Chris Banon, Paul Stack 2; Cons: James Taylor 6
HT: Navan 10 Highfield 21

NAVAN: Liam McLoughlin; Paddy Fox, Sean McEntagart, Harry Hester, Ben McEntagart; Colm O’Reilly, Ray Moloney; Niall Farrelly, Jack Nelson, Eoin King, Andrew Doyle, Conor Hand, Shane Faulkner, Conor Farrell, Hardus van Eeden.

Replacements: Gary Faulkner, Liam Carroll, Ronan Meegan, Owen Duggan, Riaan van der Vyver, Willie McAleese.

HIGHFIELD: Luke Kingston; Ben Murphy, Paddy O’Toole, Mark Dorgan, Paul Stack; James Taylor, Chris Banon (capt); James Rochford, Travis Coomey, Daragh Fitzgerald, Eoin Keating, Dave O’Connell, Ryan Murphy, Ronan O’Sullivan, Miah Cronin.

Replacements: Robert Murphy, Mick Dillane, Fintan O’Sullivan, Eddie Earle, Shane O’Riordan, Gavin O’Leary.

SHANNON 32 BANBRIDGE 10, Thomond Park back pitch
Scorers: Shannon: Tries: Jordan Prenderville, Jack O’Donnell, Alan Flannery, Aran Hehir, Daniel Okeke; Cons: John O’Sullivan 2; Pen: John O’Sullivan
Banbridge: Try: Robin Sinton; Con: Adam Doherty; Pen: Adam Doherty
HT: Shannon 20 Banbridge 10

SHANNON: Jamie McGarry; Ikem Ugwueru, Killian Dineen, Alan Flannery, Jack O’Donnell; John O’Sullivan, Aran Hehir; Conor Glynn, Jordan Prenderville, Luke Rigney, Ronan Coffey, Sean McCarthy, Odhran Ring, Kelvin Brown, Lee Nicholas (capt).

Replacements: Gus Harrington, Darragh McSweeney, Kieran Ryan, Ben Sargent, Ian Leonard, Daniel Okeke.

BANBRIDGE: Adam Doherty; Alex Morrow, Andrew Morrison, Ross Cartmill, Ben Lavery; Josh Cromie, Neil Kilpatrick; Michael Cromie, Peter Cromie, Stuart Cromie, Chris Allen, Brendan McSorley, Alex Weir, Ryan Hughes, Robin Sinton.

Replacements: Tim Savage, Josh Chambers, Alex Thompson, Matthew Laird, Lewis Nelmes, Harry Bird.

ST. MARY’S COLLEGE 18 OLD WESLEY 20, Templeville Road
Scorers: St. Mary’s College: Tries: Richie Halpin, Mark Fogarty; Con: Conor Dean; Pens: Conor Dean 2
Old Wesley: Tries: James O’Donovan, JJ O’Dea; Cons: Josh Miller 2; Pens: Josh Miller 2
HT: St. Mary’s College 6 Old Wesley 6

ST. MARY’S COLLEGE: Ruairi Shields; Mark Fogarty, Myles Carey, Mick O’Gara, Craig Kennedy; Conor Dean, Adam McEvoy; Niall McEniff, Richie Halpin (capt), Mick McCormack, Liam Curran, Liam Corcoran, David Aspil, Nick McCarthy, Niall Hurley.

Replacements: Jamie Coolican, Tom O’Reilly, Ian Wickham, Joe Nolan, Aaron O’Neill, Hugo Conway.

OLD WESLEY: Conor Gaston; Tommy O’Callaghan, James O’Donovan, David Poff, Nathan Randles; Josh Miller, Ian Cassidy; Harry Noonan, Ben Burns, Sam Kenny, JJ O’Dea, Iain McGann (capt), Will Fay, Alastair Hoban, Reuben Pim.

Replacements: Howard Noonan, Robbie Browne, Brian Short, Daire Feeney, Paddy McKenzie, Charlie O’Regan.

ALL-IRELAND LEAGUE DIVISION 2A:

Cashel v Nenagh Ormond, Spafield (Covid-19-affected match cancelled – 0-0. Both teams are awarded two points)
Ballymena 29 Buccaneers 22, Eaton Park
Dolphin 56 Rainey Old Boys 13, Musgrave Park
MU Barnhall 33 UL Bohemians 13, Parsonstown
Old Crescent 21 Queen’s University 40, Rosbrien

ALL-IRELAND LEAGUE DIVISION 2B:

Ballina 36 Blackrock College 36, Heffernan Park
Dungannon 19 Sligo 17, Stevenson Park
Galway Corinthians 29 Belfast Harlequins 10, Corinthian Park
Malahide 7 Greystones 50, Estuary Road
Wanderers 46 Galwegians 13, Merrion Road

ALL-IRELAND LEAGUE DIVISION 2C:

Bruff 17 Skerries 18, Kilballyowen Park
City of Derry 10 Enniscorthy 48, Judge’s Road
Clonmel 13 Bangor 29, Ardgaoithe
Midleton 14 Sunday’s Well 6, Towns Park
Omagh Academicals 16 Tullamore 19, Thomas Mellon Playing Fields

New York Jets @ Atlanta Falcons – Preview, Prediction & Key Battles

Week 5 of the NFL season includes the first of 2 visits to Tottenham Stadium this year as the Atlanta technically host the New York Jets. Neither side have had the start they wanted, or maybe they did if a high end draft position is their aim, with both taking just the one win from their opening 4 games. What can the London audience look to get from these 2?

Key Battles:

Which Zach Wilson will turn up? The no. 2 overall pick this April, Zach Wilson’s beginning to life in the NFL has been a bit of a mixed bag. He had a very respectable opening against the Panthers but then the wheels came off the cart a bit in blowout losses to the Patriots and Broncos where he had a combined 0 TD’s and 6 picks over the 2 games. But he rallied back last week to help the Jets upset Tennessee and if he can build on that performance, the Jets have every chance of making it 2 wins in a row.

Can Kyle Pitts break out for Atlanta? Only 2 picks after Wilson in this years draft, the Falcons made waves of their own by taking, what is listed anyway, as a Tight End at 4. And while his opening 4 games haven’t exactly justified the pre-draft noise, the Falcons may be forced into getting him more involved this week due to injuries to receiver duo Calvin Ridley and Russell Gage. Make no mistake, Pitts isn’t your average Tight End. He’s a receiver in a Tight End’s body and a match up nightmare. Now he has the perfect opportunity to show his worth.

Battle of the rookie Head Coaches: Arthur Smith and Robert Saleh are the 2 latest additions to the new wave of young hungry Head Coaches that the NFL has been trending towards since the emergence of Sean McVay, Kyle Shanahan and Sean McDermott. But the NFL is an unforgiving environment and coaches don’t get a long time to learn on the job, they’re expected to produce quickly. This one is an intriguing battle with the defensive minded Robert Saleh going head to head with the more offensive based Smith. Neither will want to lose out to someone the mainstream NFL community would see as a close comparison.

Boylesports Betting:

Moneyline: New York 6/5 Atlanta 4/6
Over/Under: 45.5
Spread: Falcons -3

I really like 6/1 on Michael Carter to go for 100+ rushing yards and 1+ TD.
And early season surprise Cordarrelle Patterson is 14/1 to grab a TD in each half.

VERDICT: Very close one to call. I’m leaning towards the Jets. They’re coming off a good win, they’re healthier and I think this could be the game Michael Carter makes a name for himself. Jets by 6

Leo Cullen believes the league is catching up on Leinster

Leinster Rugby boss Leo Cullen believes that the gap between his side and the rest of the United Rugby Championship is closing.

Leinster have won the competition four times in a row and are looking to make it five with a victorious URC campaign this season.

In that time, they have won the Champions Cup once and also finished runners-up in the European competition.

However, their performance last week against Dragons at Rodney Parade was undeniably poor and it brought question marks over where the province stands in the league, even though they are still top dogs.

The reigning Pro14 champions came away with four points in a 7-6 win but their attack did not click after Max Deegan’s score in the 14th minute.

Cullen believes that the gap between Leinster and the rest of the league is narrowing and puts it down to the structure of the new-look URC.

“I don’t know, but there’s a human nature involved. It’s one of the great unknowns,” Cullen said in Friday’s pre-match press conference.

“A team will always steal a march at various different stages, whether that’s slight tweaks in terms of the laws and how they’re interpreted – certain teams adapt quicker and then others catch up and the gaps close.

“There’s the competition, recruitment, one team falls off and another rises. That’s just sport.

“That’s why it’s so hard to stay at the top for so long because I’m hearing lots of different teams out there saying ‘We want trophies, we want trophies… our plan this year is to win trophies’, there’s 16 teams all trying to do the same thing ultimately. Do all 16 teams all believe they can win a trophy? Plenty of them do.

“So you’ve got to try and stay ahead of the competition at all times and the competition is always trying to challenge.

“I definitely think there’s a narrowing for sure, the way the competition is structured in particular means there’s less moving parts.

“You’d [have played] teams at different stages [in the past] and they might be missing X amount of players, but there’s no clash with the internationals now and that’s the most obvious change, and slightly less games is a change as well.

“Last year there was a certain war of attrition element to the season because there was so many internationals. The four normal Tests plus those Six Nations Tests, six Tests and finishing the previous season.

“Hence why we used a very big number of players last year, so it’s hard to imagine we’ll use that many this season looking at it now.”

However, their depth will still be strong and Cullen shows faith in that with his selection for Leinster’s clash with Zebre.

13 changes have been made to the side that started in Wales last week, including 11 players making their season debuts.

Adam Byrne returns after a long time on the sideline and will get to start in front of the fans at the RDS Arena, while Harry Byrne and Jordan Larmour are also back from injury.

Devin Toner will make his first appearance of the 17th season of his career and Cullen said that he spoke to the squad earlier this week.

“[Devin] has a huge amount of knowledge that he can share. He actually talked this week, which was great. He’s hugely influential.”

The game will kick-off at 1 pm and will be available to watch live on RTÉ 2, Mediaset, Premier Sports, SuperSport and URC TV.

Donegal 2021 JHC & SHC semi-finals – Preview, Fixtures, Times

The 2021 Michael Murphy Sports and Leisure (Donegal) Junior Hurling and Senior Hurling Championship semi-finals will take place on the weekend of Friday, October 8.

The Donegal JHC semi-finals will be held on that date and see Aodh Ruadh Ballyshannon and Setanta B, and Dungloe and Letterkenny Gaels fight it out for the two final berths.

The Senior semi-finals will be held on Sunday, October 10 and will see St Eunan’s and Burt, and Setanta and Buncrana face-off against each other for their place in the county final.

The Junior matches will be held at the Donegal GAA Centre in Ballybofey and both games will be played in the evening.

Dungloe and Letterkenny Gaels will be the earlier throw-in at 7 pm while Aodh Ruadh Ballyshannon and Setanta B will get started at 8:30 pm – both games will be under the lights.

The senior fixtures will take place in Letterkenny at the ground of St Eunan’s, O’Donnell Park.

The matches will be played in the afternoon on Sunday with Eunan’s kicking off proceedings when they welcome Burt into their home at 2 pm.

Defending champions Setanta will take on Buncrana in the later throw-in of the day at 4 pm.

Extra time will be used if required in any of the semi-finals across the two championships.

Setanta are looking for a third county title in a row and, should they beat Buncrana, familiar foes St Eunan’s may stand in their way, pending this weekend’s results.

A Setanta – St Eunan’s finals matchup is a familiar sight in the Donegal SHC, with three of the last four finals involving both sides.

Burt is the last team outside of those two to reach the county final and will be looking to repeat that feat this Sunday.

The last time the 39-time Donegal SHC winners reached the final, they won the championship, beating Setanta by two goals in 2018.

The most dominant side in the history of the competition will look to further underline that status, with a first final appearance in three years on the cards.

Buncrana will look to upset the odds and pull off a historic win against Setanta to reach the SHC final.

The side are in unknown territory in the semi-finals and their inexperience may cost them but an underdog is never to be underestimated.

Fixtures

Junior Hurling Championship Semi-finals

Fri, 08 Oct, Donegal GAA Centre, Convoy, Aodh Ruadh Ballyshannon V Setanta B, 8:30 pm, (extra time if required), James Connors
Fri, 08 Oct, Donegal GAA Centre, Convoy, An Clochán Liath V Letterkenny Gaels 7:00 pm, (extra time if required), James Callaghan

Senior Hurling Championship Semi-finals
Sun, 10 Oct, Páirc Uí Dhomhnaill, St Eunan’s V Burt 2:00 pm, (extra time if required), Aidan McAleer
Sun, 10 Oct, Páirc Uí Dhomhnaill, Setanta V Buncrana 4:00 pm, (extra time if required), James Connors

Olympian and WC silver medalist Hannah Matthews confirms retirement

Olympian and 2018 World Cup silver medalist Hannah Matthews has confirmed her retirement from international hockey, having been a crucial figure in the Green Army’s rise over the past seven years.

Since making her debut in 2014, the Loreto woman has been one of the first names on the team sheet, being an ever-present at each major tournament during that time and earning 157 caps for the national side.

Matthews won the EuroHockey Championships II with the side in 2015 and was part of Graham Shaw’s silver medalists at the World Cup in 2018.

Most recently, she was part of Sean Dancer’s Olympic squad that made their debut at the famous summer games earlier this year at Tokyo 2020.

“It’s 150 more caps than I thought I would ever get,” Matthews said in the wake of her decision. “There was a long period where I wasn’t involved but once I got in, it was a case of grabbing the opportunity and I have enjoyed every second of it.

The defender had big moments early on in her career at Loreto, a club with whom she has played for since she was eight years old.

However, she did not get her call-up from those highlights and had to bide her time until she earned her debut.

“I don’t know what other people thought but I did have that expectation. I played Under-16, Under-18, Under-21 and I saw other people getting called in and you do start to think ‘this is not going to happen for me’.

“I worked on what I could work on and when the opportunity came, I was very much ready for it at 23. I had my college years, had a social life and so it worked out pretty well and I was lucky!

“I was playing away with Loreto and that was such a big thing for me, lining out in such a competitive team who wanted to play at a high standard.

“One year, I just sucked it up and worked on my fitness and got a call-up. I almost didn’t go to the trial weekend because it was in the middle of my teaching practice but I went and haven’t looked back since.”

Matthews was called up by Darren Smith, who she reckons wasn’t keen on her at the start but she proved her worth over time.

Ireland missed out on the Rio Olympics but the 30-year-old said that the dream of playing at the Summer Games drove them and the side went from strength to strength since their Olympic disappointment.

They won the EuroHockey Championships II weeks after missing out on an Olympic spot and surprised everyone as the second-lowest seed at the 2018 World Cup.

“You still look back and think it was almost like a holiday compared to Tokyo! We were having the time of our lives. It was so close to heartbreak all over again when you look back [at the qualifiers in South Africa].

“Grace [O’Flanagan] came off the bench, made that incredible save against India and it was such a game-changer, something we have in the memory bank that whatever happens, we can come through it. The road that got us there was definitely important and I would not change it.”

The side earned sponsorships before their famous World Cup campaign and this allowed the players to work part-time and train professionally.

Matthews job shared her teaching role at the Holy Trinity National School in Leopardstown as a result of this and is forever grateful for the school and her colleagues to allow her to do so, a healthy situation she knows was an option not afforded to a number of her teammates.

“Of all the things you try to envision, you could never foresee a global pandemic. You just start thinking this might not happen for us. Up until Christmas, I kept checking any social media or news to see what was happening.

“It was worth the wait. For me, it certainly put things in perspective. I always knew I was going to retire after the Olympics. It was almost like another bite of the cherry for preparation and I went into the year wanting to enjoy every second of it, whether I got picked or not.

“I wanted to walk off and say I played my best hockey and enjoyed it. That was very freeing and I do think I played some of my best stuff in an Irish jersey compared to the year before.”

Having given her all in Japan, she is content to step back despite current Irish coach Sean Dancer keeping the door open for a comeback if she is keen

“100% – it was a decision I took a while to make. I didn’t take it lightly and I was honest with Sean. He was brilliant that I could have that honest conversation and it didn’t affect my selection for the Olympics or personal issues.

“It’s lovely to still be wanted but it is the right time in my life. There’s things I have put on hold and people who have put their lives on hold for me so it is time to grow up!

“It certainly hasn’t been easy but we have had great moments and great highlights over the years. Stepping away from it, I am just so grateful for every bit of it – the people I have met along the way, the people who have supported me who have been incredible.

“Now it’s time for teaching and enjoying club hockey! I’m really looking forward to this club season and a nice normal life, maybe slowing down a little bit!”

Scarlets v Munster – Preview, Starting Teams, Betting, Where to watch

We have now made it to round three of the United Rugby Championship and Munster will travel for their toughest game yet

Scarlets v Munster will kick-off at 14:00 on Sunday, 10th October in Parc y Scarlets in Wales. Ben Blain will take charge of the match while Neil Paterson will man the TMO.

The match will be broadcast live on URC TV, RTÉ 2, and Premier Sports this Sunday.

Scarlets are in good form having only lost just one of their last six home matches across the PRO14, Rainbow Cup, and United Rugby Championship.

The Welsh team enjoyed a comfortable win at home to the Lions last weekend. They are also set to welcome three of their own Lions players back this week in captain Ken Owens, Wyn Jones, and Gareth Davies.

The stags have claimed two strong bonus-point wins to start the new season in Thomond Park to South African opposition. Munster now faces their biggest test of the season away to Dwayne Peel’s Scarlets on Sunday afternoon.

Munster has lost just twice away from home in any competition this year. They will also have the chance to wear their Adidas Alternate kit for the first time this season.

🔴 @scarlets_rugby fans, tell us… 👇#URC pic.twitter.com/l6vMncPHwf

— United Rugby Championship (URC) (@URCOfficial) August 17, 2021

Scarlets v Munster Starting Teams

Scarlets

Johnny McNicholl; Tom Rogers, Jonathan Davies (capt), Scott Williams, Steff Evans; Sam Costelow, Gareth Davies; Rob Evans, Ken Owens, Samson Lee, Lloyd Ashley, Aaron Shingler, Blade Thomson, Dan Davis, Sione Kalamafoni.

Replacements

Ryan Elias, Wyn Jones, WillGriff John, Morgan Jones, Shaun Evans, Kieran Hardy, Dan Jones, Johnny Williams.

Munster

Matt Gallagher; Calvin Nash, Liam Coombes, Dan Goggin, Shane Daly; Ben Healy, Neil Cronin; Jeremy Loughman, Diarmuid Barron, Stephen Archer; Thomas Ahern, Fineen Wycherley; Jack O’Donoghue (C), Chris Cloete, Jack O’Sullivan.

Replacements

Kevin O’Byrne, Josh Wycherley, John Ryan, RG Snyman, Alex Kendellen, Paddy Patterson, Jack Crowley, Jack Daly.

Best of luck to Liam Coombes and his Munster teammates who travel to take on Scarlets at 2pm on Sunday. Mumhan Abu!https://t.co/xv5a17hCuJ @Munsterrugby pic.twitter.com/DpVPGvqCn6

— Skibbereen Rugby (@SkibbereenRugby) October 8, 2021

Scarlets v Munster Betting

Outright Betting

Scarlets 1/2

Draw 18/1

Munster 17/10

Handicap Betting

Scarlets (-5) 10/11

Draw (-5) 22/1

Munster (+5) 10/11

Score Predictions

Even with the major boosts of the last two weeks, it is hard to see Munster getting a win at the weekend. With Johann Van Graam’s very changed side and Scarlet’s returning Lions’ players, the Stags will need a lot of belief to get anything from this game.

Expect the Scarlets to win the game by less than ten points.

Beast mode ACTIVATED ✅@Munsterrugby’s RG Snyman one-hands his way to the try line, holding off the bulk of @THESTORMERS’ team! 🔥#URC | #MUNSTO pic.twitter.com/s6ktofljHZ

— United Rugby Championship (URC) (@URCOfficial) October 2, 2021

To read more in-depth an up-to-date Munster and Irish rugby news, click here.

Leinster v Zebre – Preview, Team News, Odds, Where To Watch

Leinster will play host to Zebre at the RDS Arena on Saturday afternoon in their third United Rugby Championship game of the season.

Leinster have a formidable record against Italian opposition and their only defeat in such fixtures came at home to Benetton in April 2018.

Leo Cullen’s side have won their last three home matches since they were beaten 27-3 by Munster in Dublin during the Rainbow Cup and they prevailed 48-31 when these sides met in Parma in March.

Zebre, meanwhile, are without a win since February and their last championship victory outside Italy came last November -both of those results coming against the Dragons.

Leinster have won all 15 of the previous encounters between the teams and will look to maintain their 100% record against the side that replaced Aironi in the league in 2012.

A poor performance in round two is something fans of the provincial rugby team will hope is just an outlier as they continue their quest for five-in-a-row.

Leinster escaped Newport with a second win in two games after shutting off in attack following Max Deegan’s score.

Their astute defence kept the Dragons at bay but the Welsh region had narrowed the lead Leinster held from the 13th minute down to just one point when the ball was kicked out after 80 minutes.

Adam Byrne will return to the 23 along with Harry Byrne and Tommy O’Brien.

Zebre come to Dublin 4 seeking their first win of the campaign, having earned their first point in an opening-round loss to the Emirates Lions.

Their last match was against Ulster, who put six tries past the Italians and more will be expected of Leinster if they are up to scratch.

Team News

Leinster

15. Jimmy O’Brien (35)
14. Adam Byrne (57)
13. Jamie Osborne (7)
12. Ciarán Frawley (37)
11. Jordan Larmour (62)
10. Harry Byrne (24)
9. Luke McGrath (152) CAPTAIN

1. Ed Byrne (72)
2. Seán Cronin (195)
3. Michael Ala’alatoa (2)
4. Devin Toner (266)
5. Ryan Baird (29)
6. Dan Leavy (73)
7. Scott Penny (29)
8. Rhys Ruddock (190)

Replacements:

16. Rónan Kelleher (25)
17. Peter Dooley (93)
18. Cian Healy (233)
19. Ross Molony (118)
20. Max Deegan (67)
21. Nick McCarthy (37)
22. Johnny Sexton (174)
23. Rob Russell (1)

Zebre

15. Jacopo Trulla * (7)

14. Pierre Bruno (31)

13. Erich Cronjé (0)

12. Enrico Lucchin * (25)

11. Mattia Bellini (64)

10. Antonio Rizzi * (23)

9. Nicholas Casilio * (21)

8. Renato Giammarioli * (63)

7. Luca Andreani * (0)

6. Iacopo Bianchi * (20)

5. Andrea Zambonin * (2)

4. Cristian Stoian * (4)

4. Ion Neculai * (2)

2. Oliviero Fabiani (132) (Cap)

1. Andrea Lovotti * (108)

Available:

16. Massimo Ceciliani * (40)

17. Danilo Fischetti * (29)

18. Matteo Nocera * (18)

19. David Sisi (66)

20. Giovanni Licata * (43)

21. Guglielmo Palazzani (148)

22. Tommaso Boni * (103)

23. Paolo Pescetto (11)

Odds

Leinster 1/100

Draw 100/1

Zebre 33/1

Where To Watch

The match will kick off at 1 pm BST and will be available to watch live on RTÉ, Mediaset, Premier Sports, SuperSport and URC TV.

Dan Leavy returns to starting XV for Leinster against Zebre

The Leinster Rugby team, proudly sponsored by Bank of Ireland, to face Zebre Parma in Round 3 of the United Rugby Championship tomorrow in the RDS Arena has been announced by head coach Leo Cullen (KO 1pm, LIVE on RTÉ Sport, Premier Sport and URC TV).

Luke McGrath will captain the side for the first time this season, and there are a number of changes to the XV that beat Dragons away from home last week.

There is a new back three this weekend. Jimmy O’Brien makes his first appearance of the season at full-back, with Adam Byrne on the right wing and Jordan Larmour back from injury on the left.

Byrne is also back from a number of significant injuries and it is his first involvement with Leinster since December 2019 when he started against Munster.

It’s a new centre combination this week also with Skerries man Ciarán Frawley in the number 12 jersey and Naas RFC’s Jamie Osborne outside him.

McGrath is partnered by Harry Byrne who returns from a minor foot injury to start his first game of the season.

In the pack, Ed Byrne and Seán Cronin come in this week but it’s a third start in a row for new signing Michael Ala’alatoa who will experience the RDS Arena for the first time.

Devin Toner is involved in a matchday 23 for the first time this campaign and starts in the second row alongside Ryan Baird.

In the back row, Dan Leavy starts his first game of the season, as does Scott Penny, with Rhys Ruddock retained from the starting XV last week but moving from blindside flanker to No 8 for tomorrow’s game.

On the bench, Rónan Kelleher is back involved with Leinster for the first time this season having toured with the British and Irish Lions to South Africa during the summer.

Tickets for the game are still on sale HERE with capacity for the game capped at 75 per cent of the RDS Arena total.

Covid-19 protocols will be in place, in line with the latest Government guidelines and the latest guidelines for the game are available HERE.

The guidelines remain the same as those that were in place for the Vodacom Bulls game at Aviva Stadium two weeks ago under the 75 per cent capacity guidelines.

Leinster Team v Zebre