Celtic Cup

MJohnston

Haven't seen this posted elsewhere?

http://www.irishrugby.ie/news/42341.php#.W3QURn7TUUE

The Irish Rugby Football Union and the Welsh Rugby Union have joined forces to create a new development competition, the Celtic Cup, for the emerging professional players from the four Irish provinces and four Welsh regions.

The tournament, which features development squads from Connacht, Leinster, Munster, Ulster, Cardiff Blues, the Dragons, the Ospreys and the Scarlets, aims to provide a learning environment for players, coaches and referees by recreating the week-to-week challenges presented by senior professional rugby.

The Celtic Cup will run over seven consecutive weeks, commencing on Friday, September 7. Teams will have to prepare for a different opposition each week, manage their physical preparation and recovery and analyse their performances as they grow as individuals and collectively.

The eight teams will be divided into two conferences of four Welsh regions and four Irish provinces. Each Irish province will play each of the Welsh regions and will play against two Irish provinces. Similarly, the Welsh regions will play each of the Irish provinces and will play two of their Welsh counterparts. The top-ranked province from the Irish conference will play the top-ranked region from the Welsh conference in the inaugural final (venue to be confirmed).

The Lost Sheep

Been discussed in a few places especially the AIL thread considering its impact on the top divisions for the open weeks of the season

molloyjh

Had heard a comp was being set up but didn’t know the details. Good to see it progressing. Anyone know why the Scots pulled out? I believe this was meant to include them as well.

The Lost Sheep

molloyjh wrote: »

Had heard a comp was being set up but didn’t know the details. Good to see it progressing. Anyone know why the Scots pulled out? I believe this was meant to include them as well.

Scottish sides had pulled out of the British and Irish Cup a few years back because of changes to it. I think they didnt return to this as its being played so early in season and would in their eyes compromise their scottish premiership

irishbucsfan

molloyjh wrote: »

Had heard a comp was being set up but didn’t know the details. Good to see it progressing. Anyone know why the Scots pulled out? I believe this was meant to include them as well.

They’re playing in a seperate competition but expected to rejoin in future

Larbre34

Is this replacing the B&I or additional?

The Lost Sheep

Larbre34 wrote: »

Is this replacing the B&I or additional?

Replacing.

The Lost Sheep

Ulster A v Leinster A in Malone RFC tomorrow
Leinster
Hugo Keenan, Michael Silvester, Conor O'Brien, Tom Daly (c), Jack Kelly, Harry Byrne, Patrick Patterson;
Ed Byrne, Ronan Kelleher, Vakh Abdaladze, Ross Molony, Jack Dunne, Oisin Dowling, Scott Penney, Caelan Doris
Replacements: Dan Sheehan, Giuseppe Coyle, Jack Aungier, Ronan Foley, Ronan Watters, Hugh O'Sullivan, David Hawkshaw, Liam Turner
Ulster
Peter Nelson, Aaron Sexton, Jack Owens, James Hume, Iwan Hughes, Johnny McPhillips, Jonny Stewart; Schalk van der Merwe, Peter Cromie, Rodney Ah You, Peter Browne, Alex Thompson, Caleb Montgomery, Chris Henry (C), Greg Jones.
Replacements: Paul McGookin, Peter Cooper, Michael Cromie, Matthew Rea, Marcus Rea, Graham Curtis, Bruce Houston, Michael Stronge.

Munster A v Connacht A in Musgrave Park tomorrow
Connacht
Darragh Leader, Rory Scholes, Kieran Joyce, Peter Robb, Colm de Buitléar, Conor Fitzgerald, James Mitchell, Matthew Burke, Tom McCartney (c), Conor Carey, Peter Claffey, Joe Maksymiw, Cillian Gallagher, Cian Huxford, Mikey Wilson.
Replacements: Jonny Murphy, Jordan Duggan, Conor Kenny, Cormac Daly, Neal Moylett, Conor McKeon, Conor Dean, Sean O’Brien.
Munster
Stephen Fitzgerald; Calvin Nash, Matt More, Alex McHenry, Alex Wootton; Bill Johnston, James Hart; Jeremy Loughman, Diarmuid Barron, Ciaran Parker; Darren O’Shea (C), Sean O’Connor; Jack Daly, John Hodnett, Gavin Coombes.
Replacements: Billy Scannell, Cronan Gleeson, Keynan Knox, Evan Mintern, Dan Walsh, Jack Stafford, Ben Healy, Liam Coombes.

Dubinusa

Cormac Daly with Connacht? Delighted to see Claffey is playing, I thought he was very good at u20 level.

The Lost Sheep

Kick off 5pm in Malone and 5.30 in Musgrave. Anyone going?

The Lost Sheep

Stephen Fitzgerald drops out for Munster. Alex Wootton moves to full-back, Liam Coombes moves to the wing and Sean French comes onto the bench

The Lost Sheep

Leinster 28-7 up at half time
Munster up 5-3.

Clegg

Leinster win 28-43

The Lost Sheep

13-12 to Connacht at half time.

Leinster scorers: Tries by Dan Sheehan, Harry Byrne, Conor O'Brien, Scott Penny, Michael Silvester and Ronan Kelleher. Harry Byrne got a penalty and 5 conversions
Ulster scorers: Tries Aaron Sexton, Greg Jones, 2 James Hume. 4 conversions McPhillips

Locke_Lamora

For Ulster I thought Mcphilips ran the game well. Reagan looked very solid - threw his body about and put in some big tackles. Stand out was probably Hume - good line off the scrum for the first try, and set up the other with a great line and offload off a line out

The Lost Sheep

Munster won 24-16

bilston

Locke_Lamora wrote: »

For Ulster I thought Mcphilips ran the game well. Reagan looked very solid - threw his body about and put in some big tackles. Stand out was probably Hume - good line off the scrum for the first try, and set up the other with a great line and offload off a line out

Shame about the result (not surprised given the Leinster team).

Good to hear Hume went well. Injury didn't help him last year so it would be good to see him kick on this season.

Locke_Lamora

bilston wrote: »

Locke_Lamora wrote: »

For Ulster I thought Mcphilips ran the game well. Reagan looked very solid - threw his body about and put in some big tackles. Stand out was probably Hume - good line off the scrum for the first try, and set up the other with a great line and offload off a line out

Shame about the result (not surprised given the Leinster team).

Good to hear Hume went well. Injury didn't help him last year so it would be good to see him kick on this season.

Tbh Leinster dominated, and our scores were very opportunistic. Yea, I think Hume will kick on, but his defence was a little bit suspect imo

Buer

bilston wrote: »

Shame about the result (not surprised given the Leinster team).

I had the opposite expectation given some of the experience in the Ulster pack. Far more caps and experience there through RAH, Henry and Browne. Even at halfback, where Ulster had two young lads, Leinster had two guys only out of school a year each.

Very happy with the win though. Some promising guys in both sides. I'd expect a number of them to be Irish internationals in the next 3-4 years.

Heymans

Tries for Penny, Kelleher is very promising. Looking forward to seeing Kelleher get an extended run this season if injury doesn't upset him again.

Locke_Lamora

Highlights are up on the Ulster Facebook page

Buer

Some nice touches by both sides in attack. Stinker of an intercept pass by Hawkshaw for the final Ulster try. Was a mile forward among other issues.

Good work from Abdaladze for opening try. Lovely break and pop.

Heymans

Buer wrote: »

Some nice touches by both sides in attack. Stinker of an intercept pass by Hawkshaw for the final Ulster try. Was a mile forward among other issues.

Good work from Abdaladze for opening try. Lovely break and pop.

As far as Abdeladze goes I think we've seen just a glimmer of what is in store from him. Very strong with ball in hand. Thought Keenan did well for Kelly's try also.

titanfanfam

Buer wrote: »

Some nice touches by both sides in attack. Stinker of an intercept pass by Hawkshaw for the final Ulster try. Was a mile forward among other issues.

Good work from Abdaladze for opening try. Lovely break and pop.

Intercept was from Liam Turner, Hawkshaw never came on.

Buer

titanfanfam wrote: »

Intercept was from Liam Turner, Hawkshaw never came on.

You're right. Thought it was 22 on the grainy footage but definitely 23 on watching again! Terrible pass.

titanfanfam

Locke_Lamora wrote: »

Tbh Leinster dominated, and our scores were very opportunistic. Yea, I think Hume will kick on, but his defence was a little bit suspect imo

who impressed you from leinster?

Locke_Lamora

titanfanfam wrote: »

Locke_Lamora wrote: »

Tbh Leinster dominated, and our scores were very opportunistic. Yea, I think Hume will kick on, but his defence was a little bit suspect imo

who impressed you from leinster?

Hard to pick a standout tbh. Harry Byrne was probably the best of the backs, but the outside backs looked dangerous with a little space. The forwards were dominant throughout - Abdeladze carried really well, and I remember scott penny and jack Dunne (I think) having a couple of good moments. Hard to remember though, because I was more focused on the Ulster players, so I’m sure I’m missing a few players who played well.

The Lost Sheep

Teams for week 2 beginning to be named
Ulster A v Scarlets Tomorrow in Shaws Bridge
Peter Cooper, Peter Cromie, Paul McGookin, Matthew Dalton, Bradley Luney, Clive Ross, Matthew Agnew, Joe Dunleavy
Graham Curtis, Michael Lowry, Aaron Sexton, James Hume, Jack Owens, Robert Baloucoune, Iwan Hughes
Subs: Clayton Mulligan, Tommy O Hagan, Michael Cromie, Jack Regan, Marcus Rea, Aaron Hall, Michael Stronge, Bruce Houston

The Lost Sheep

Eagles v Dragons Saturday in 2.30pm in Wales.
Darragh Leader, Rory Scholes, Sean O’Brien, Kieran Joyce, Colm de Buitléar, Conor Fitzgerald, Conor McKeon.
Matthew Burke, Tom McCartney (c), Conor Carey, Peter Claffey, Joe Maksymiw, Cillian Gallagher, Cian Huxford, Robin Copeland.

Replacements: Jonny Murphy, Jordan Duggan, Conor Kenny, Cormac Daly, Neal Moylett, James Mitchell, Conor Dean, Conor Hayes.

The Lost Sheep

Munster A to play Ospreys tomorrow
Stephen Fitzgerald; Alan Tynan, Matt More, Alex McHenry, Calvin Nash; Bill Johnston (C), Jack Stafford; Jeremy Loughman, Diarmuid Barron, Brian Scott; Fineen Wycherley, Sean O’Connor; Jack Daly, John Hodnett, Gavin Coombes.

Replacements: Billy Scannell, Josh Wycherley, Ciaran Parker, Darragh O’Grady, Dan Walsh, John Poland, Ben Healy, Sean French.

Jump_In_Jack

The Lost Sheep wrote: »

Munster A to play Ospreys tomorrow
Stephen Fitzgerald; Alan Tynan, Matt More, Alex McHenry, Calvin Nash; Bill Johnston (C), Jack Stafford; Jeremy Loughman, Diarmuid Barron, Brian Scott; Fineen Wycherley, Sean O’Connor; Jack Daly, John Hodnett, Gavin Coombes.

Replacements: Billy Scannell, Josh Wycherley, Ciaran Parker, Darragh O’Grady, Dan Walsh, John Poland, Ben Healy, Sean French.

When/Where will that match be on please?

The Lost Sheep

Jump_In_Jack wrote: »

When/Where will that match be on please?

In Wales tomorrow

Jump_In_Jack

Link to all the fixtures here:
http://www.irishrugby.ie/news/42341.php#.W5uiMRnwbmE

Also in the opening post if I'd checked!

Locke_Lamora

24-3 to scarlets at halftime. Pretty horrendous stuff from Ulster tbh. Don’t think the forwards have managed to make a metre of ground and they’re being destroyed in th scrum. The backs have been incredibly poor at defending the wide channel and Houston’s been charged down twice and kicked it dead once. Scarlets just doing simple stuff, going through the phases and getting plenty of joy from it

The Lost Sheep

Not much better for Ulster in second half 38-10 now

Locke_Lamora

45-15 when I left. A few nice moments in attack, but our defence really is a bit shocking

stephen_n

Locke_Lamora wrote: »

45-15 when I left. A few nice moments in attack, but our defence really is a bit shocking

Les Kiss’s Ghost still knocking around?

The Lost Sheep

Ulster game finished 45-15 last night
Leinster won 57-10
Munster leading 26-0 at half time

The Lost Sheep

Connacht game seems a cracker. They were losing 22-10 at half time. Dragons already with try bonus. 60 minutes gone and Connacht lead 31-29

thomond2006

You're the ultimate rugby hipster TLS.

The Lost Sheep

thomond2006 wrote: »

You're the ultimate rugby hipster TLS.

Ha. No i actually pay a lot of interest in the amatuer game unlike quite a lot.

The Lost Sheep

Next weeks games
Friday
3pm Connacht v Ospreys in Corinthians
5.30pm Munster v Dragons in Musgrave
Saturday
2.30pm Cardiff v Ulster in Arms Park
2.30pm Scarlets v Leinster in Parc y Scarlets

realhorrorshow

The Lost Sheep wrote: »

Next weeks games
Friday
3pm Connacht v Ospreys in Corinthians
5.30pm Munster v Dragons in Musgrave
Saturday
2.30pm Cardiff v Ulster in Arms Park
2.30pm Scarlets v Leinster in Parc y Scarlets

I wonder what the thinking is behind having a 3 o’clock game on a Friday in an awkward location. Actually suits me alright personally but can’t imagine there’ll be many there

phog

realhorrorshow wrote: »

I wonder what the thinking is behind having a 3 o’clock game on a Friday in an awkward location. Actually suits me alright personally but can’t imagine there’ll be many there

I'd imagine the scheduling is to suits both teams but especially the visiting team in an effort to reduce costs.

The Lost Sheep

realhorrorshow wrote: »

I wonder what the thinking is behind having a 3 o’clock game on a Friday in an awkward location. Actually suits me alright personally but can’t imagine there’ll be many there

Ospreys can fly in thursday afternoon and be back in Wales Friday night and if anyone(coaches/players) needed for Pro14 game then they'll be back in time. Ospreys play home Saturday evening in pro14

realhorrorshow

The Lost Sheep wrote: »

Ospreys can fly in thursday afternoon and be back in Wales Friday night and if anyone(coaches/players) needed for Pro14 game then they'll be back in time. Ospreys play home Saturday evening in pro14

Ah of course, makes sense given the competition is aimed at player development more so than spectators. Shame it’s in Corinthians but I should still be able to go.

The Lost Sheep

realhorrorshow wrote: »

Ah of course, makes sense given the competition is aimed at player development more so than spectators. Shame it’s in Corinthians but I should still be able to go.

In Corinthians as Sportsground wouldnt be used with pro14 game the following day i guess

EDIT: Game is on in Athlone as per connacht tweet
https://twitter.com/connachtrugby/status/1041659569892741120

Heymans

Anyone see or hear of the Leinster game on Friday?

Heymans

Good to see they are working on Catching drills with Kelly ATM:

https://www.sportsfile.com/id/1577961/

If anything it's the one part of his game holding him back from getting regular starts at Fullback.

If he can nail down the technique and skill I think we will see more from him.

The Lost Sheep

Teams starting to be named for weekend
Munster A: Stephen Fitzgerald; Alex Wootton, Matt More, Alex McHenry, Calvin Nash; Ben Healy, John Poland; Jeremy Loughman, Billy Scannell, Ciaran Parker; Fineen Wyhcerley (Capt), Sean O’Connor; Jack Daly, John Hodnett, Gavin Coombes.

Replacements: Eoghan Clarke, Cronan Gleeson, Keynan Knox, Paddy Kelly, Darragh O’Grady, Charlie O’Doherty, Jake Flannery, Sean French.