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Anmaat provides 40/1 shock in QPICO Champion Stakes at Ascot

Anmaat and Jim Crowley caused a 40/1 shock in the QIPCO British Champion Stakes at Ascot. Credit: Megan Coggin, image provided by Racenews.

Anmaat produced a huge upset in the main race of QIPCO British Champions Day when winning the Group 1 QIPCO    Champion Stakes at odds of 40/1.

Ridden by Jim Crowley, last year’s Group 1 Prix d’Ispahan winner came out on top this afternoon in a race that was far from free of incident.

The Shadwell-owned winner found trouble in running, while the French-trained Calandagan failed to get a clear passage as the field bunched up tightly in the home straight.

While Jim Crowley managed to find space in time, the 6/4 favourite Calandagan was not so lucky.

With first run on the six-year-old, Crowley powered clear as Calandagan eventually saw daylight and gave chase. The latter’s brave effort was too little too late, however,  as Anmaat held on for a half-length success for handler Owen Burrows, much to the surprise of the large Ascot British Champions Day crowd.

Royal Rhyme (25/1) was third for rider Clifford Lee and trainer Karl Burke.

However, Jim Crowley managed to extricate the six-year-old with time to spare, at which point his mount stormed home to collar 6/4F Calandagan in the final strides. The winning margin was half a length, with Royal Rhyme (25/1) just under two lengths further back in third.

Describing his first ever victory at the QIPCO British Champions Day meeting, the successful handler, Owen Burrows, said:

“We’ve always thought a lot of this horse. I know it sounds easy afterwards, but last year after he won his Group 1 in France, I did really fancy him for the Eclipse – but he had a very complex foot injury, which took a long time to come right. Credit to the team back at Shadwell, and obviously Sheikha Hissa’s patience with him as well.

“I had to convince Sheikha Hissa to come today but credit to her, I spoke to her on Monday morning and sent her a video of an easy piece of work he did last Saturday. She was happy with it and so was I.”

Jim Crowley, for whom it was a fifth QIPCO British Champions Day success, admitted:

“We had a nice draw and I wanted to go and sit third or fourth, one off the rail, and give myself an option. But I could see early on that Los Angeles wasn’t taking Ryan [Moore] at all and, when we turned into the straight, I had horses on my outside keeping me in.

“I was going well, but then we had to try and work our way through and we got completely stopped. There was no option at the time, we were just stuck. I won’t tell you what I was thinking. But when he got the gap, it was extraordinary the way the horse picked up and, believe me, it was no fluke.”

Third 2024 Group 1 for Charyn in Queen Elizabeth II Stakes

Charyn, with Silvestre De Souza in the saddle, wins his third Group 1 of the season. Credit: Megan Coggin, image provided by Racenews.

Charyn won a third Group 1 race of the season in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes and in the process made his sire Dark Angel champion stallion of Ireland and Britain for the first time.

A top-class display from the Roger Varian-trained 13/8 favourite, early in the home stretch the grey looked as though he would saunter away with the one-mile race.

He soon had a battle on his hands when the French-trained Facteur Cheval made his challenge inside the closing furlong of the contest.

Charyn responded strongly for his rider, Silvester de Souza, and pulled away to claim a two-length victory.

The Jerome Raynier-handled 11/2 shot Facteur Cheval was runner-up in the race for a second year, while Tamfana (7/2) was next best for trainer David Menuisier, four and a quarter lengths further behind in third place.

Charyn had already claimed Group 1 victories this season in the Group 1 Queen Anne Stakes at Royal Ascot and the Group 1 Prix Jacque Le Marois in France.

An elated Roger Varian said:

“Charyn is a super horse and that was fantastic. Everything went very smooth, and it was a lovely race to watch. Silvestre got me a bit nervous! He just sat comfortable and you could see the second coming, and then Charyn had to get to work and he showed his battling qualities. He’s got everything, that horse.

“I promise you, he’s got the most amazing constitution. Every time I’ve run him in his life, I’ve thought he was too heavy, because he just holds his condition like no other horse. Touch wood, he’s sound, he loves his work, he loves his racing. He’s just got such a good mentality for the game, and an engine to go with it.”

Heading for stud

The winning conditioner expressed his disappointment that Charyn would now run again as a five-year-old next season, stating:

“I think it’s already been announced that he will retire at the end of this season. He will be a stallion for Nurlan Bizakov’s stud operation in France. I, of course, would love him to stay in training, but I think that’s not going to be the case. We’ll have to see how he comes out of this race, we might just contemplate one more international run.”

The successful rider, Silvester de Souza, admitted that he was in front too early in the home straight:

“I thought I was in front a bit too soon, but the ground is so wet and, when it’s wet, you can lose momentum if you try and take them back. You just have to sit quiet and I knew that, whatever challenged me in the final furlong, I had plenty left.”

Kalpana wins Group 1 British Champions Fillies & Mares Stakes

Kalpana, with William Buick aboard, provides Juddmonte with another major success. Credit: Megan Coggin, image provided by Racenews.

Kalpana continued the good form of Juddmonte horses when winning the Group 1 QIPCO British Champions Fillies & Mares Stakes at Ascot on Saturday afternoon.

Following the Juddmonte operation’s success with Bluestocking in the recent Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe at ParisLongchamps, this time the Andrew Balding-trained the three-year-old Kalpana (100/30 favourite) gave Juddmonte another success at the highest level.

Ridden by a confident looking and acting William Buick, the daughter of Study Of Man put the race to bed quickly as she galloped out strongly to account for Aidan O’Brien’s Wingspan (12/1) by two lengths and Tiffany (13/1), from Sir Mark Prescott’s yard, by a further three lengths.

The winning handler Andrew Balding said of Kalpana, who completed a third straight victory:

“I have never known a horse improve as much as Kalpana. I think I even mentioned to Barry [Mahon, head of Juddmonte’s European operations] that we might put her in a sale this time last year! Just every time we started doing more with her, she’s just improved and improved, from Wolverhampton to here in 10 months.

“She is just an absolute diamond, as you can see afterwards. She has a very special temperament and is by an exciting young stallion. She’s from the first crop of Study Of Man, so it’s pretty exciting for them as well.

The winning rider was full of praise for his able partner, Kalpana, admitting:

“Kalpana has an incredible mind and is a jockey’s dream. I parked her up three wide with no cover but she was always comfortable, never wasted any energy and saved the whole way in that ground.

“It is a very special moment because it is my first Group One winner for Andrew. I started with Andrew, and Andrew and his whole family have played a huge part in my career so thank you to him and, obviously, Kalpana; what she did there was very good and she’s only going to improve.”

 

 

Kyprios is imperious in Long Distance Cup at Ascot

Kyprios and Ryan Moore won the Group 1 QIPCO British Champions Long Distance Cup at Ascot. Credit: Megan Coggin, image provided by Racenews.

Kyprios completed the perfect season, as he remained unbeaten in the Group 2 QIPCO British Champions Long Distance Cup at Ascot.

The Aidan O’Brien-trained 8/11 favourite showed his strength and determination was he ran out a two and a quarter length winner of the longest race on British Champions Day.

Ridden by Ryan Moore, the son of Galileo tracked his stable companion The Euphrates throughout most of the contest, with the recent Prix Du Cadran winner at ParisLongchamp taking command on entering the home straight.

Though Sweet William (8/1 and Trawlerman (5/1) last year’s third and winner respectively, challenged last season’s runner-up, the Moyglare Stud and Coolmore partners-owned Kyprios dug deep to improve his season’s record to seven wins from seven race.

Sweet William, with Rab Havlin in the saddle, was second for John and Thady Gosden, while Trawlerman and William Buick were a length and a half back in third place.

Incredibly the victory was a first win for Ballydoyle handler Aidan O’Brien at British Champions Day since 2019.

Speaking to the assembled media post-race, O’Brien said:

“All credit goes to the team – everyone at home who has done all the work with him and have a very close connection to him. It is incredible to have him back [Kyprios had a serious infection in a joint capsule after the 2022 season]. We thought the best that would happen would be that we could save him to go to stud. He still has a massive team around him. His stable is outside the front door and we see him every day.

“He is a very special horse. Ryan was in total control on him after the first furlong, and it was a joy to watch it. He is relentless and has an unbelievable amount of quality, so it doesn’t matter if you go slow or if you go fast, he just goes there and he switches off. Ryan rides him incredibly and knows him inside out.”

O’Brien continued by discussing the winner’s attitude to racing:

“He is very relaxed, loves racing, and he loves this distance and finds it very comfortable. Credit to the lads for leaving him at this distance – he enjoys it. You wouldn’t have known he had had a race the last day and he didn’t lose any weight. He is so laidback, his blood doesn’t get up until after the race – you can see him now, having a buck – but it takes a race to get his blood up.

“The plan was to come here, give him the winter off, then give him two trials before the Gold Cup next year. So that’s what we are working for – we will get through the winter and the spring, and try to come back here for the Gold Cup.”

 

Kind Of Blue follows relatives in winning Group 1 QIPCO British Champions Sprint

Kind Of Blue and James Doyle win Group 1 QIPCO British Champions Sprint at Ascot. Credit: Megan Coggin, image provided by Racenews.

Kind Of Blue (10/1) and James Doyle gave trainer James Fanshaw a winner on British Champions Day as Ascot, taking the first Group 1 of the day, the QIPCO British Champions Sprint.

The lightly raced sprinter, racing in the colours of Wathnan Racing for the first time, travelled strongly towards the middle of the course and found plenty for pressure at the death, eventually holding off Swingalong (17/2) by a head, with Flora Of Bermuda (25/1) a further neck back.

Kind Of Blue, a recent purchase for Wathnan Racing, when narrowly beaten in the Group 1 Haydock Sprint Cup, follows in the hoofprints of his relations The Tin Man and Deacon Blues in claiming the Group 1 QIPCO British Champions Sprint at Ascot.

The delighted winning trainer James Fanshawe commented:

“Kind Of Blue is the third close relation that has won this race, all from the same family and all bred by the Hoppers, the Grundys and the Morrises. All trainers get attached to families that do them well and this is a family that has done us tremendously well.

“Wathnan Racing bought him three weeks ago and he’s a really exciting horse for them going forwards. He’s got the Group One under his belt now. It’s been a big team effort to get him here. Dan Muscutt has ridden him in all his races and done all the homework on him; obviously to all the team back home, I’m really grateful.

James Doyle reflected on King Of Blue’s lack of experience in claiming the Group 1 contest, stating:

“To think Kind Of Blue was unraced before the start of this season, he has made giant strides and run some cracking races in defeat. He ran well here back in June in the Commonwealth and ran great in the Haydock Sprint, when he was just touched off.

“It was a long last 10 strides! He was very brave. For a very inexperienced horse to lead a furlong and a half out and still knuckle down when he felt the second horse come to me is a true testament to not only his ability but the heart that he has.”

Calandagan bids to give France Qipco Champion Stakes win

Economics and Tom Marquand (far side) seen holding off Auguste Rodin and Ryan Moore (near side) to win the Royal Bahrain Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown last month. Credit: Breandán Ó hUallacháin.

Calandagan, runner-up behind Breeders’ Cup Classic prospect City Of Troy in the Juddmonte International at York on his last appearance, heads a strong field for the Group 1 Qipco Champion Stakes at Ascot on Saturday.

The winner of the King Edward VII Stakes at the same track in June will face 11 rivals in the final all-aged British Group 1 race of the season as he bids to provide France with an eighth victory on British Champions Day and join names such as Cirrus Des Aigles (2011), Almanzor (2016) and Sealiway (2021) as a winner of the Qipco Champion Stakes.

Speaking during the past week, Francis-Henri Graffard, Calandagan’s trainer, said:

“Everything is well with Calandagan and he looks in very good shape. He has had a bit of time since York and, provided all goes well between now and Champions Day, he will be spot on for the Champion Stakes.”

Economics, winner of the Royal Bahrain Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown last month when beating Auguste Rodin, is the main market challenger to the French-trained Aga Khan-owned colt.

Los Angeles, winner of the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby and third placed in the recent Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe at ParisLongchamp, is one of two Aidan O’Brien-trained runners in the one mile two furlong contest.

He will be ably backed up by Continuous, winner of the 2023 St Leger at Doncaster, but who finished disappointingly at ParisLongchamp on his most recent run.

The Qipco British Champion Stakes, one of four Group 1 races on the Ascot card on Saturday, goes to post at 3.55pm – the penultimate race of a six-race card, with over £4 million in prize money available on the day.

Willie Mullins Aims to Retain UK Champion Jump Trainer Title with Star Runners for 2024/25

Lossiemouth, Paul Townend and Willie Mullins surrounded by winning connections and sponsors. Credit: Breandán Ó hUallacháin.

Willie Mullins Aims to Retain UK Champion Jump Trainer Title with Star-Studded Runners in Britain

Willie Mullins is poised to showcase some of his top stable stars in Britain before the end of the year, as he sets his sights on retaining the title of UK Champion Jump Trainer for the 2024-25 season.

The Closutton-based trainer made history on bet365 Jump Finale day at Sandown Park last April by becoming the first Irish trainer in 70 years to win the coveted title. This achievement was propelled by an impressive haul of winners at the Cheltenham Festival in March and the victory of I Am Maximus in the Randox Grand National the following month.

Mullins, the most successful trainer in Cheltenham Festival history with 103 winners, is already targeting Grade One races in Britain during the first half of the season, along with the three Cheltenham fixtures scheduled before Christmas.

One of his leading contenders is Gaelic Warrior, who triumphed in the My Pension Expert Arkle Trophy Novices’ Chase last season. Mullins is considering him for the prestigious Grade One Ladbrokes King George VI Chase at Kempton Park on Boxing Day (Thursday, December 26). Gaelic Warrior’s impressive Grade One win in March came on his first attempt at two miles over fences, and Mullins describes the six-year-old, owned by Rich and Susannah Ricci, as an “extraordinary horse” capable of making an impact at longer distances.

During a recent stable visit organized by The Jockey Club to see Randox Grand National hero I Am Maximus, Mullins stated, “Last year we were trying to make Gaelic Warrior into a three-miler, and I had no doubt he could handle it. However, he ended up winning the Arkle Novices’ Chase on his first attempt over fences at two miles.

“He looks like a natural for it, but he could also be a contender for the King George VI Chase. He possesses that level of ability, but we’ll have a chat with Rich (Ricci) first to determine the best direction. He can handle any trip – he truly is an extraordinary horse.”

In addition to Gaelic Warrior, other potential King George candidates include Fact To File, winner of the Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase at the Cheltenham Festival, and Asterion Forlonge, who was still in contention when falling at the last in the 2021 race, which was won by Mullins’ stablemate Tornado Flyer.

Mullins noted, “We have several horses capable of competing in the King George. While Galopin Des Champs is likely to run at Leopardstown, where he won last year, both Fact To File and Asterion Forlonge, who performed admirably in the race a few years ago, could also be in the mix.”

Meanwhile, dual Queen Mother Champion Chase winner Energumene, who missed last season due to injury, along with El Fabiolo, are both possible contenders for the Grade One Betfair Tingle Creek Chase over two miles at Sandown Park on Saturday, December 7.

Mullins commented, “Energumene might go for the Tingle Creek Chase, but it’s more likely he’ll head to Cork for the Hilly Way Chase after missing last season. El Fabiolo could also make the trip to Sandown; he’s making good progress in his recovery this year. We’ll assess their fitness as the autumn progresses.”

El Fabiolo started as the odds-on favorite for last season’s Queen Mother Champion Chase but was pulled up following a significant jumping error at the fifth fence. Mullins reassured, “He’s a horse who typically jumps very well, and he’ll have another opportunity. He’s still young at seven and has a couple of years left to reach his peak.”

As he looks to defend his title, Mullins is expected to enter more runners at Cheltenham’s three remaining meetings of 2024: The Showcase (October 25-26), The November Meeting (November 15-17), and The Christmas Meeting (December 13-14).

He added, “I believe we will have more entries than usual for the earlier Cheltenham meetings. The recent rain in England has created favorable ground conditions, unlike in previous years. I can see us being more proactive in our approach at Cheltenham.”

Ulster Rugby Team Announced for Clash Against Ospreys

Head Coach Richie Murphy has unveiled his Ulster side for tomorrow evening’s BKT United Rugby Championship Round 5 fixture against Ospreys, set to kick off at 7:35 PM.

Captain Alan O’Connor leads the team after achieving a remarkable milestone of 200 caps for the province in last weekend’s interprovincial victory over Connacht in Belfast. O’Connor will partner with Harry Sheridan in the second row; Sheridan returns to the squad following a successful Emerging Ireland tour in South Africa.

The front row features Eric O’Sullivan at loosehead prop, making his return from a shoulder injury, with James McCormick starting at hooker and Tom O’Toole completing the lineup at tighthead prop.

Cormac Izuchukwu also rejoins the starting XV at blindside flanker after his Emerging Ireland duty. Marcus Rea is set to make his first start of the season on the openside, while last weekend’s try-scorer David McCann takes the number eight position.

Following a stellar Player of the Match performance last week, John Cooney retains his position at scrum-half, partnering with fly-half Aidan Morgan. On the wings, Jacob Stockdale and Werner Kok keep their places on the left and right flanks, respectively.

In midfield, Murphy introduces a fresh combination with Stuart McCloskey returning to the starting lineup after recovering from an injury sustained against Emirates Lions a few weekends ago. Ben Carson joins McCloskey as the outside centre.

Mike Lowry rounds out the starting XV at full-back.

On the bench, Murphy opts for a 5:3 split, featuring forwards Tadgh McElroy, Callum Reid, Scott Wilson, Kieran Treadwell, and Matty Rea. Back replacements include Nathan Doak, James Humphreys, and Jude Postlethwaite.

Stay tuned for what promises to be an exciting clash as Ulster aims to secure victory against Ospreys in this pivotal championship match.

Ulster v Ospreys

Kingspan Stadium, Belfast – KO 19.35  IRE & UK / 20.35  ITA & SA

Referee: Andrea Piardi (FIR, 46th league game)

AR 1: Andrew Cole (IRFU) AR 2: Andrew Fogarty (IRFU)

TMO: Matteo Liperini (FIR)

Live on: Premier Sports, SuperSport, Flo Rugby & URC.tv

Ulster: Eric O’Sullivan, James McCormick, Tom O’Toole, Alan O’Connor (CAPT), Harry Sheridan, Cormac Izuchukwu, Marcus Rea, David McCann, Mike Lowry, Werner Kok, Ben Carson, Stuart McCloskey, Jacob Stockdale, Aidan Morgan, John Cooney

Replacements: Tadgh McElroy, Callum Reid, Scott Wilson, Kieran Treadwell and Matty Rea, Nathan Doak, James Humphreys, Jude Postlethwaite

Ospreys: Jack Walsh, Dan Kasende, Evardi Boshoff, Owen Williams, Keelan Giles, Dan Edwards, Kieran Hardy, Gareth Thomas, Sam Parry, Ben Warren, Will Greatbanks, Lewis Jones, Lewis Lloyd, Justin Tipuric, Morgan Morris (CAPT)

Replacements: Ethan Lewis, Garyn Phillips, Math Iowerth-Scott, Rhys Thomas, Dan Gemine, Reuben Morgan-Williams, Tom Florence, Max Nagy

Ospreys Head Coach Toby Booth, said: “Ulster are a very good team and there’s always a great atmosphere at Ravenhill. It’s going to be a tough gig, but we’ve got some good players ourselves and some youngsters that will be full of excitement. What’s important for us in this one is that we be the best we can be.”

GAA Interprovincial Series: Managers and Players

Expect no quarter asked and no quarter given as Galway and Kerry do battle again on Sunday. Photo credit: Shane Tighe

Football Review Committee Interprovincial Series: Managers and players 

This month, some of the GAA’s most high-profile figures will be leading the charge in the Football Review Committee (FRC) Interprovincial Series at Croke Park. Set for October 18 and 19, this eagerly anticipated event will see Pádraic Joyce (Galway), John Cleary (Cork), Kieran Donnelly (Fermanagh), and Dessie Dolan (ex-Westmeath) manage Connacht, Munster, Ulster, and Leinster, respectively.

The games will test the FRC’s proposed rule changes in a live environment, starting with semi-finals broadcast on TG4. Finals for both the Cup and Shield will follow, televised by RTÉ, offering fans a unique two-day showcase. Tickets are available for €15 (adults) and €5 (children), granting access to both days.

Players who have exited their county championships will take part, with these “sandbox games” being crucial in deciding whether these potential rule changes, driven by former Dublin manager Jim Gavin, will be ratified at the upcoming Special Congress.

Here is the exact list from the images you uploaded:

Ulster

1.Niall Morgan, Tyrone

2.Diarmuid Baker, Derry

3.Mark Bradley, Tyrone

4.Paddy Burns, Armagh

5.Aidan Clarke, Tyrone

6.Oisin Conaty, Armagh

7.Padraig Faulkner, Cavan

8.Aidan Forker, Armagh

9.Niall Grimley, Armagh

10.Daniel Guiness, Down

11.Pat Havern, Down

12.Marc Jordan, Antrim

13.Conn Kilpatrick, Tyrone

14.Barry McBennett, Monaghan

15.Ronan McCaffrey, Fermanagh

16.Sean McNally, Fermanagh

17.Darren McCurry, Tyrone

18.Eoin McElholm, Tyrone

19.Joe McElroy, Armagh

20.Eoin McEvoy, Derry

21.Kieran McGeary, Tyrone

22.Peter McGrane, Armagh

23.Ross McQuillan, Armagh

24.Odhran Murdock, Down

25.Daire O Baoill, Donegal

26.Rian O Neill, Armagh

27.Oisin O Neill, Armagh

28.Gerry Smith, Cavan

29.Ciaran Thompson, Donegal

30.Niall Toner, Derry

Standby Players

31. Frank Burns, Tyrone

32. Mick Byrne, Antrim

33. Joe Finnegan, Antrim

34. Jason Irwin, Monaghan

35. Jason McLoughlin, Cavan

36. Fionan O’Brien, Fermanagh

Munster

1.Josh Ryan, Limerick

2.Darragh Brennan, Tipperary

3.Damien Bourke, Kerry

4.Darragh Cashman, Cork

5.Eoin Cleary, Clare

6.Jimmy Feehan, Tipperary

7.Aran Griffin, Clare

8.Emmet McMahon, Clare

9.Brian McNamara, Clare

10.Sean Meehan, Cork

11.Tadhg Morley, Kerry

12.James Naughton, Limerick

13.Danny Neville, Limerick

14.Colm O Callaghan, Cork

15.Diarmuid O Connor, Kerry

16.Chris Kelly, Cork

17.Conor O Currin, Waterford

18.Sean O Dea, Limerick

19.Donal O Sullivan, Kerry

20.Chris Og Jones, Cork

21.Dermot Ryan, Waterford

22.Maurice Shanley, Cork

23.Killian Spillane, Kerry

24.Mark Stokes, Tipperary

25.Alan Sweeney, Clare

26.Matty Taylor, Cork

27.Caomhin Walsh, Waterford

28.Tommy Walsh, Cork

29.Sean Walsh, Waterford

30.Paul Walsh, Cork

Leinster

1.Stephen Cluxton, Dublin

2.Michael Bambrick, Carlow

3.Mark Barry, Laois

4.Sean Bugler, Dublin

5.Ciaran Byrne, Louth

6.Ray Connellan, Westmeath

7.Peter Cunningham, Offaly

8.Ciaran Downey, Louth

9.Ross Dunphy, Carlow

10.Kevin Feely, Kildare

11.Daniel Flynn, Kildare

12.Darren Gallagher, Longford

13.Dean Healy, Wicklow

14.Ryan Houlihan, Kildare

15.Brian Howard, Dublin

16.Killian Roche, Laois

17.Ronan Jones, Meath

18.Donal Keoghan, Meath

19.Ciaran Kilkenny, Dublin

20.Paul Kingston, Laois

21.Craig Lennon, Louth

22.James McCarthy, Dublin

23.Eoin Murchan, Dublin

24.Evan O’Carroll, Laois

25.Lee Pearson, Offaly

26.Eoin Porter, Wexford

27.Kevin Quinn, Wicklow

28.John Small, Dublin

29.Paddy Small, Dublin

30.Ronan Wallace, Westmeath

Connacht

1.Connor Gleeson, Galway

2.Johnny McGrath, Galway

3.Brian Stack, Roscommon

4.Sean Mulkerrin, Galway

5.Cillian McDaid, Galway

6.John Daly, Galway

7.Eoghan McLoughlin, Mayo

8.Jack Carney, Mayo

9.John Maher, Galway

10.Matthew Tierney, Galway

11.Bob Touhy, Mayo

12.Enda Smith, Roscommon

13.Diarmuid Murtagh, Roscommon

14.Aidan O’Shea, Mayo

15.Daire Cregg, Roscommon

16.Conor Carroll, Roscommon

17.Ruaidhri Fallon, Galway

18.Mark Diffley, Leitrim

19.Johnny Heaney, Galway

20.Shane Brosnan, New York

21.Ultan Harney, Roscommon

22.Barry McNulty, Leitrim

23.Conor Cox, Roscommon

24.Donie Smith, Roscommon

25.Ciaran Murtagh, Roscommon

26.Diarmuid Duffy, Mayo

27.Fergal Boland, Mayo

28.Pat Spillane, Sligo

29.Aidan McLoughlin, London

30.Liam Gallagher, London

Standby Players

31. Paul Towey, Mayo

32. Keith Byrne, Leitrim

33. Shay Rafter, London

34. Eddie McGinness, Sligo

35. Cian Lally, Sligo

36. Joey Grace, New York

37. Shane Brosnan, New York

38. Daire Rooney, London

 

Connnacht v Leinster – Preview, Stats, Team News & Tickets

Connacht will host rivals Leinster in a highly anticipated United Rugby Championship (URC) clash on Saturday at 7:35 pm at Deacons Stadium.

Both teams enter the fixture with contrasting form, with Leinster aiming to extend their unbeaten run and Connacht seeking a statement win in front of their home crowd.

Connacht Rugby – Season So Far

Connacht has played four matches in the 2024/25 URC season, recording two wins (against the Sharks and Scarlets) and two losses (to Munster and Ulster). Key players for Connacht include Ben Murphy, the team’s top try-scorer with 4 tries, and Cathal Forde, who has amassed 24 points with two tries and consistent kicking. Dave Heffernan has also contributed with two tries this season. Connacht has shown resilience at home, winning four of their last six matches at Deacons Stadium, and will need to capitalize on that form to challenge Leinster.

Leinster Rugby – Dominance Continues

Leinster remains undefeated in the URC, winning all four of their matches this season. Their attacking prowess has been led by Jack Conan, who tops their try charts with 5 tries, followed by Caelan Doris (4 tries) and Jordan Larmour (3 tries). On the kicking front, Ciaran Frawley has added 17 points to Leinster’s tally. Leinster has dominated this fixture in recent years, winning their last seven URC matches against Connacht, including a 49-8 rout in March 2022.

Team News – Update at 12 pm Thursday

Both teams are expected to release their final lineups on Thursday at 12 pm. Connacht fans will be eager to see if head coach Pete Wilkins makes any tactical changes, while Leinster coach Leo Cullen may rest some players ahead of key European fixtures.

Prediction

The bookmakers favor Leinster by 10 points, but Connacht’s home advantage could make it a closer contest. Will Connacht break Leinster’s dominance, or will Leinster extend their URC winning streak?

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