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Leicester Tigers v Connacht Rugby – Preview, Team News & Kick-off time

Andy Friends Connacht will have to travel to Welford Road for what looks like a fantastic match-up. Leicester Tigers have had a very average season winning and losing five games. Whereas Connacht sits second in their PRO14 conference. The winners of the match will have a home quarter-final against Ospreys or Newcastle.

Preview

Connacht has named a full-strength team from what was available but Leicester Tigers have rested 10 players from last week’s win over Newcastle Falcons.

  1. • Despite having played 150+ games each, Leicester Tigers and Connacht will face each other for the first time in European competition.
  2. • Leicester Tigers have only lost two of their nine games played in the Challenge Cup (W7) and have won all four of their home games in the competition, by an average margin of 26 points.
  3. • Connacht have only lost three of their last 14 games in the Challenge Cup (W10 D1) but they did lose their most recent match, an away game in England against Sale Sharks (10-20).
  4. • Connacht have only won two of their 19 trips to England in the Challenge Cup (D1 L16) and have won none of the last seven (D1 L6).
  5. • Connacht have played more games (126) in the Challenge Cup than any other side, despite that they’ve never reached the final of the competition.
  6. • Leicester are one of two sides (also Worcester) to have picked up three yellow cards in the Challenge Cup this season, the most in the competition.
  7. • Leicester have won 15/15 scrums in the Challenge Cup this season, the most of any side who is yet to lose one against the head.
  8. • Leicester’s tackle success rate of 90% is the best of any side in the Challenge Cup this season, they’ve made the joint most tackles (271) of any side.
  9. • Jack Carty (Connacht) made 39 kicks from hand in the Heineken Champions Cup this season, more than any other player.
  10. • Matt Healy’s (Connacht) next try in the Challenge Cup will be his 20th, only four other players have reached this milestone (Tom Varndell, Julien Arias, Richard Haughton, Topsy Ojo).

Team News

Connacht Rugby

In the absence of the suspended Jarrad Butler, Paul Boyle captains the side in the number 8 jersey where he’s joined by flankers Eoghan Masterson and Conor Oliver.

There’s a wealth of experience in the tight five, with a front row of Denis Buckley, Dave Heffernan and Finlay Bealham, while Ultan Dillane partners the in-form Gavin Thornbury in the second row.

Kieran Marmion and Jack Carty continue their long-standing half-back partnership, while Tom Daly and Sean O’Brien start together at centre for the third straight game.

Another centurion Matt Healy is named on the wing, forming a back three combo with the exciting Alex Wootton and John Porch.

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

“We had difficult decisions to make across the park with our starting XV. It’s a testament to our squad that we’ve got a really strong bench while others will miss out entirely, and that’s what you want going into knock-out European rugby.
“It’s no secret that the Connacht record in Europe needs to improve, but this is a group of players that know how to break hoodoos on the road. Leicester Tigers in Welford Road is one of the great challenges in European rugby and I have full confidence in the squad to get the win and really put us in the mix for silverware at the end of the season”.

CONNACHT MATCHDAY 23 VS LEICESTER TIGERS
Saturday 3rd April, Welford Road, kick-off 8.00pm

Name/Number/Caps
15. John Porch (35)
14. Alex Wootton (18)
13. Sean O’Brien (Acad) (6)
12. Tom Daly (43)
11. Matt Healy (147)
10. Jack Carty (154)
9. Kieran Marmion (181)
1. Denis Buckley (196)
2. Dave Heffernan (139)
3. Finlay Bealham (154)
4. Ultan Dillane (109)
5. Gavin Thornbury (55)
6. Eoghan Masterson (106)
7. Conor Oliver (16)
8. Paul Boyle (54) (C)

Replacements
16. Shane Delahunt (95)
17. Jordan Duggan (10)
18. Dominic Robertson-McCoy (62)
19. Oisin Dowling (4)
20. Abraham Papali’i (9)
21. Caolin Blade (126)
22. Conor Fitzgerald (31)
23. Peter Sullivan (11)

 

Leicester Tigers

Ben Youngs will captain the team in his return to club rugby after featuring for England in each of their 2021 Six Nations fixtures.

Youngs is named alongside Johnny McPhillips as the half-backs, while Matt Scott is included at inside-centre to partner Matías Moroni in the Leicester midfield.

Zack Henry makes his second start at full-back for Tigers, in his 20th senior appearance for the club, in a back-three including Guy Porter and Harry Potter.

Charlie Clare starts at hooker in the Tigers front row alongside props Luan de Bruin and Joe Heyes, with Cameron Henderson partnering Tomás Lavanini in the second row.

George Martin, in his first start since returning to the club from international duty, is named at blindside flanker with Luke Wallace and Jasper Wiese in the Leicester back row.

Nic Dolly and Will Hurd are in line to make their club debuts after being included among the replacements, with James Whitcombe, Harry Wells and Tommy Reffell the additional forwards named on the Tigers bench. Ben White, Dan Kelly and Freddie Steward are the backs replacements.

Previewing Saturday night’s fixture, Borthwick said: “This is an exciting game for us.”

“Connacht are a very good team and have shown that this season with some very good results, including some very good results away from home.

“They are a side who have varying styles in the way they can play the game.”

Tigers XV
[club appearances in brackets / * denotes club debut]

15 Zack Henry [19]

14 Harry Potter [10]

13 Matías Moroni [9]

12 Matt Scott [16]

11 Guy Porter [14]

10 Johnny McPhillips [15]

9 Ben Youngs (c) [254]

1 Luan de Bruin [10]

2 Charlie Clare [24]

3 Joe Heyes [61]

4 Cameron Henderson [10]

5 Tomás Lavanini [29]

6 George Martin [8]

7 Luke Wallace [13]

8 Jasper Wiese [9]

Replacements

16 Nic Dolly *

17 James Whitcombe [3]

18 Will Hurd *

19 Harry Wells [114]

20 Tommy Reffell [40]

21 Ben White [70]

22 Dan Kelly [11]

23 Freddie Steward [25]

 

Full Last 16 Draw

Challenge Cup – Round of 16 draw – Dragons v Northampton Ospreys v Newcastle London Irish v Cardiff Blues Harlequins v Ulster Benetton v Agen Zebre v Bath Leicester Tigers v Connacht Montpellier v Glasgow Warriors.

Ireland u21 international Andew Omobamidele impresses on full Norwich City debut

The 18-year-old was awarded man of the match for his efforts.

Irish 18-year-old Andrew Omobamidele was handed his full Norwich City first-team debut this afternoon in 1-1 draw against Preston North End. His performance, by all accounts, was highly impressive as he went on to win man of the match.

His most vital contribution of the match was a heroic double-block in the opening minutes which kept the scoreline at 0-0. Emi Buendia scored the opener for Norwich just minutes later.

Unfortunately, he was unable to keep a clean sheet on his debut. Brad Potts equalised for Preston with what was virtually the last kick of the game in the 95th minute.

Omobamidele’s performance has been lauded by a number of Norwich City supporters and sections of the media.

The young centre-back also put in an imposing performances for Ireland’s u21s in a 2-1 win against Wales last week partnered with Arsenal – on loan at Ipswich Town – 20-year-old Mark McGuinness.

He was given his Norwich debut on 16 January 2021, coming on as a sub against Cardiff City. However, tonight marked his first start for the club.

Omobamidele only signed for Norwich City in 2019. Previously, he spent several years in the Leixlip United set up, so much credit must be given to them for his development as a footballer.

Munster team named to play Toulouse at 3pm on Saturday

The Munster team has been named for Saturday’s Heineken Champions Cup Round of 16 game against Toulouse at Thomond Park (3pm).

Ireland international Peter O’Mahony misses out due to the thigh laceration he sustained in last weekend’s game against Leinster. Fineen Wycherley has rehabbed the neck injury he sustained against Scarlets and is included in the match-day squad.

CJ Stander will captain the side at number 8 on his 50th Champions Cup appearance for the province.

There are three changes to the side that started the Guinness PRO14 final in Dublin against Leinster and they are all in the pack.

Jack O’Donoghue starts at openside for the injured O’Mahony. He joins Gavin Coombes and Stander in the back row.

In the front row Dave Kilcoyne and Stephen Archer scrum down on either side of Niall Scannell.

Jean Kleyn and the impressive Tadhg Beirne continue in the engine room.

An unchanged backline sees Mike Haley start at full-back. Andrew Conway and Keith Earls on either wing will complete the back three.

Damian de Allende and Chris Farrell form the centre partnership as Conor Murray and Joey Carbery start in the half-backs.

Munster Team:

15. Mike Haley, 14. Andrew Conway, 13. Chris Farrell, 12. Damian de Allende, 11. Keith Earls, 10. Joey Carbery, 9. Conor Murray.

1. Dave Kilcoyne, 2. Niall Scannell, 3. Stephen Archer, 4. Jean Kleyn, 5. Tadhg Beirne, 6. Gavin Coombes, 7. Jack O’Donoghue, 8. CJ Stander (captain).

Munster Replacements:

16. Kevin O’Byrne, 17. James Cronin, 18. John Ryan, 19. Billy Holland, 20. Fineen Wycherley, 21. Craig Casey, 22. JJ Hanrahan, 23. Chris Cloete.

Leinster Rugby v RC Toulon cancelled

The Champions Cup match between Leinster Rugby and RC Toulon has been cancelled.

It appears there was a positive test from one of the Toulon players so they are unable to field a team.

Dublin GAA players could be suspended until August

The Irish Independent this morning has released pictures of nine Dublin Footballers breaking the GAA training ban at Innisfails GAA club on the Malahide Road.

The names of all the players that have attended have not been released but All-Stars Brian Fenton, Jonny Cooper, and Brian Howard were photographed doing drills.

It training session occurred only 12 hours after the GAA had warned counties not to jeopardise plans to run both the League and Championship this summer by flouting the rules.

Dublin GAA have suspended the manager Dessie Farrell for 12 weeks.

Dublin GAA acknowledge that, following an investigation this afternoon, there was a breach of Covid-19 guidelines yesterday morning.

The County Management Committee have suspended Dublin Senior Football manager Dessie Farrell for 12 weeks with immediate effect.

The Dublin senior football management and players recognise that this was a serious error of judgement and apologise unreservedly for their actions.

Dublin GAA Management Committee

“It is more important than ever that no collective training sessions are held between now and the Government indicated return dates. Breaches in this context will not only be dealt with under our own rules but would likely put the broader plan to return to activity in serious jeopardy,” was the warning from President Larry McCarthy and director-general Tom Ryan.

On Newstalk breakfast the former GAA president Sean Kelly said ““This is a serious situation and hopefully it was a once-off breach that won’t happen again because if it goes without some form of formal sanction then others will say ‘why can’t we do the same?’ It has created a very difficult dilemma for the GAA.”

Last month Cork manager Ronan McCarthy and his Down counterpart Paddy Tally were given suspensions for organising training sessions, Central Hearings Committee suspend McCarthy for 12 weeks, and Tally an eight-week suspension.

If the Dublin GAA players get a 12-week ban it will only start in early May and would run up until the start of August, this would mean they would miss all of the league and most of the All Ireland Championship.

Gavin Bazunu’s emotional Instagram post after Ireland debut

The Manchester City goalkeeper made two starts over the international break.

One of the few positives to be taken from Ireland’s underwhelming international break was the emergence of Gavin Bazunu to the senior fold.

The Manchester City ‘keeper – currently on loan at Rochdale – impressed in both of the games he played, particularly so on his debut against Luxembourg, though.

Although he failed to keep a clean sheet, the 19-year-old displayed all the desirable attributes a modern goalkeeper should have. He was commanding in his box, displayed quick reflexes, showed for the ball and demonstrated an impressive passing range.

Bazunu’s rise to the international fold has been a rapid one, it’s not every day that a teenage goalkeeper starts a European World Cup qualifier, let alone on his international debut. In fact, the last ‘keeper to do so was Jan Oblak for Slovenia in 2012 and he’s done alright for himself since.

Bazunu came through the Shamrock Rovers academy, making his debut as a 16-year-old against Bray Wanderers. Just weeks later, he saved a penalty from Cork City’s Kieran Sadlier which generated significant hype around the youngster.

Less than a year later, he would make his move to English giants Manchester City.

After over a year of playing for various Manchester City underage sides, he joined League One side Rochdale in August last year on a season-long loan deal. Since moving on loan, he has earned himself several admirers, including the Rochdale supporters who named him their player of the month for the month February.

Bazunu took to Instagram yesterday to post about his feelings regarding his international debut.

“I’ve dreamt of playing for Ireland for as long as I can remember,” he wrote.

“Some of the lads that I can now call teammates were once my heroes.

“I thank everyone around me who has helped along the way to get me to this point in my young career.

“Still a lot to work on and learn from for the future. I will work as hard as I can to remain part of this group and will always fight when I’m given the chance to wear the shirt. COYBIG.”

Bazunu’s aim for the season now will be to help Rochdale survive the drop down to League Two. Currently, they’re bottom of League One and four points from safety. However, they do have a number of games in hand over their relegation rivals.

Cheltenham winner Mount Ida to feature on Day 1 of Fairyhouse Easter Festival

Recent Cheltenham Festival winner Mount Ida is among the runners for the Listed Download The Boylesports App Mares Chase on day one of the Fairyhouse Easter Festival on Saturday.

The mare was successful in the Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Challenge Cup Handicap Chase for Denise Foster and Jack Kennedy. This weekend she will face just four rivals. However, the Willie Mullins-trained Elimay may prove to be a big threat as she goes in search of another win.

Dual Fairyhouse winner Demi Plie lines up for Pádraig Roche. Cheltenham Festival’s leading trainer this year, Henry de Bromhead, will be represented by Abbey Magic and Zarkareva.

Big fields in handicap hurdles

A full field of 20 is set for the RYBO Handicap Hurdle. The Robbie Burns-trained Thosedaysaregone will carry top-weight in the contest. County Hurdle fourth Eclair De Beaufeu is one of four runners in the race for Denise Foster. Foveros and Rauille Buaille are among from Willie Mullins’ yard. The Henry de Bromhead-trained Hurricane Cliff and Gua Du Large are among the field.

The Timmy Hyde-trained On Eagles Wings leads the 20 runners in the INH Stallion Owners EBF Novice Handicap Hurdle Series Final.  He won the Grade 3 Bar One Racing Kingsfurze Novice Hurdle at Naas on his most recent start. He will face the Robert Murphy-trained Darrens Hope, a winner at Limerick three weeks ago. Folcano, a course winner in February, is one of three runners for Denise Foster.

Party Central represents Foster in the Listed Irish Stallion Farms EBF Total Enjoyment Mares Flat Race for which 11 horses have been declared. Recent winners Derrylinda and Limerick Lace carry the hopes of Gavin Cromwell. Interestingly, Willie Mullins has Brooklynn Glory entered in the race, a horse that is closely linked in form with Party Central.

The three-day Easter Festival begins with the Boomerang.ie Maiden Hurdle where Noel Meade’s Mare Quimby will be among the leading fancies. Jury Duty and course winner Stand Up And Fight head the runners in the Frank & Teresa O’Reilly Memorial Hunters Chase. Leopardstown winner Super Citizen has his chance in the McCauley Pharmacy Ladies National Handicap Chase for Eugene and Maxine O’Sullivan. Dual bumper winners Flame Bearer and Letsbeclearaboutit, trained by Pat Doyle and Gavin Cromwell respectively, are among the contenders for the Jetaway.ie At Arctic Tack Stud INH Flat Race.

Munster Rugby Contracts News

Munster Rugby and the IRFU have confirmed contract extensions for some senior players. They have also announced a new signing as well as the awarding of senior contracts.

Senior players Fineen Wycherley and Diarmuid Barron have signed contract extensions. Jason Jenkins has been signed to replace the retiring CJ Stander. Senior contracts have been awarded to the Academy’s Jack Daly, Josh Wycherley, Thomas Ahern and Jack Crowley.

Jason Jenkins will join the province ahead of the 2021-22 season on a one-year deal. The South African, who can play in the back or second row, is currently playing with Toyota Verblitz in the Japanese Top League.  A former South African ‘A’ and U20s player, the 25-year-old made his Springboks debut in 2018 against Wales.

Contract extensions for Wycherley and Barron

On the contract extension front Fineen Wycherley has continued to be a key member of Johann van Graan’s squad. He made 15 appearances this season before he suffered an injury against the Scarlets last month.

The Bantry Bay RFC man and former Academy Player of the Year was called up to the wider Ireland training squad ahead of the Autumn Nations Cup. The 23-year-old, who has made 56 appearances for the province playing across the second and back row, signs a two-year deal.

Diarmuid Barron graduated to the senior side last summer after spending two years in the Greencore Munster Rugby Academy. The product of Cashel RFC and Rockwell College made seven appearances while still in the Academy. The 22-year-old has made four appearances this season with the hooker most recently making his first start against Benetton in Thomond Park. Barron has signed a one-year contract extension.

Munster Academy Players Progess

Munster Academy players Jack Daly, Josh Wycherley and Thomas Ahern all progress from their final year while Jack Crowley will advance after one year in the programme.

Daly made his senior debut against Zebre in November and followed that up with his second appearance for the province against Benetton in March. The Kerry native joined the Academy in 2018. The 22-year-old back row plays his club rugby with Garryowen and has represented Ireland at Sevens and U20s level. He has put pen to paper on a one-year contract.

Josh Wycherley, brother of Fineen, made his senior debut against the Cardiff Blues in October. The loosehead prop has played nine times for Munster this season. He earned his first European start against Clermont Auvergne in December, playing a starring role in the province’s comeback victory. The 21-year-old featured for Ireland U20 during the Grand Slam-winning Six Nations campaign in 2019 and signs a two-year contract.

Waterford native Thomas Ahern, who has also signed up for two years, made his senior debut against the Dragons in November. He played a standout role in Ireland’s U20 campaign last year. He scored his first senior try for the province in his first start against Zebre at the end of November. Ahern has made six appearances for Munster to date.

Jack Crowley made his senior debut against Ulster in Belfast in January as a first year Academy player. The Innishannon man followed that up with his second appearance against the Scarlets in March. The out-half starred for the Ireland U20s in 2020. He scored 36 points in three games as Ireland clinched the Triple Crown before the campaign was cut short. The 21-year-old plays his club rugby with Cork Constitution. He advances to the senior ranks on a two-year deal.

List of the 26 live Rugby matches on TV this weekend

There are 26 live Rugby matches on TV this weekend, we have the list of Champions Cup, Challenge Cup, Super Rugby, MLR & Women’s 6 nations TV Schedule.

 

Friday, April 2nd
7:05am – Crusader v Highlanders – Super Rugby
 
9:45am – Waratahs v Brumbies – Super Rugby
 
3pm – Zebre v Bath – Challenge Cup
5:30pm – London Irish v Cardiff Blues – Challenge Cup
 
5:30pm – Leinster v Toulon – Champions Cup
8pm – Montpellier v Glasgow Warriors – Challenge Cup
 
8pm – Gloucester v La Rochelle – Champions Cup
Saturday, April 3rd
7:05am – Blues v Hurricanes – Super Rugby
9:45am – Melbourne Rebels v Reds – Super Rugby
 
12:30pm – Wasps v Clermont- Champions Cup 
3pm – England v Scotland – Womens 6 Nations  NATIONS
3pm – Ospreys v Newcastle – Challenge Cup 
 
3pm Bennetton v Agen – Challenge Cup
3pm – Munster v Toulouse – Champions Cup
 
5:30pm – Dragons v Northampton – Challenge Cup
5:30pm – Exeter Chiefs v Lyon  – Champions Cup
8pm – Leicester Tigers v Connacht – Challenge Cup
9pm – France v Wales – Womens 6 Nations
 
9:30pm – New England v Utah Warriors – Major League Rugby
10pm – Old Glory v Toronto V TORONTO – Major League Rugby
 
12pm – Rugby Atlanta V San Diego – Major League Rugby
1am – Austin v Houston – Major League Rugby
Sunday, April 4th
12:30pm – Racing v Edinburgh – Champions Cup
 
3pm – Bordeaux V Briston Bears – Champions Cup
5:30pm – Scarlets V Sale Sharks – Champions Cup
 
8pm – Harlequins v Ulster – Champions Cup

RTÉ Sport and Horse Racing Ireland agree new three-year deal

RTÉ Sport and Horse Racing Ireland have announced that they have agreed a new broadcasting deal for live coverage of Irish horse racing.

The next three year deal will deliver a record number of free-to-air live racing days in Ireland.

Increased TV coverage

RTÉ will broadcast 31 days of live racing in 2021, rising to 32 live days in 2022 and in 2023.

RTÉ will continue to provide live coverage the Festivals at Fairyhouse, Punchestown, The Curragh, Galway and Leopardstown. New to RTÉ’s schedule will be the Ascot Trials Day from Naas in May. The State broadcaster will also show a series of top-quality winter Sunday meetings over the jumps.

Group Head of Sport at RTÉ, Declan McBennett, said:

“Horse racing is an integral part of the RTÉ Sport offering, and we are delighted to extend our partnership with Horse Racing Ireland and the racecourses. The trainers and jockeys in particular have proven repeatedly that they are at the very forefront of their profession internationally. We hope to see the very best of Irish equine talent over the next three years.”

RTÉ’s next live racing action will be this weekend with coverage from Fairyhouse.

RTÉ remaining racing coverage for 2021

April
4 Fairyhouse Easter Festival
5 Fairyhouse Easter Festival
27 Punchestown Festival
28 Punchestown Festival
29 Punchestown Festival
30 Punchestown Festival

May
1 Punchestown Festival
16 Naas Royal Ascot Trials Day
22 Curragh Tattersalls Irish 2000 Guineas
23 Curragh Tattersalls Irish 1000 Guineas

June
26 Curragh Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby
27 Curragh Alwasmiyah Pretty Polly Stakes

July
17 Curragh Juddmonte Irish Oaks
26 Galway Festival
27 Galway Festival
28 Galway Festival
29 Galway Festival

September
11 Leopardstown Longines Irish Champions Weekend
12 Curragh Longines Irish Champions Weeekend

October 30 Down Royal

November
14 Punchestown
28 Fairyhouse Winter Festival

December
5 Punchestown/Cork
26 Leopardstown/Limerick Christmas Festivals
27 Leopardstown/Limerick Christmas Festivals
28 Leopardstown/Limerick Christmas Festivals
29 Leopardstown/Limerick Christmas Festivals

*Navan fixture in November TBC

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