Celtic Cup

MJohnston · 15-08-2018 12:56pm #1

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 · 15-08-2018 12:58pm

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 · 15-08-2018 12:59pm

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 · 15-08-2018 1:02pm

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 · 15-08-2018 1:18pm

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 · 15-08-2018 5:14pm

Is this replacing the B&I or additional?

The Lost Sheep · 15-08-2018 5:15pm

Larbre34 wrote: »

Is this replacing the B&I or additional?

Replacing.

[Deleted User] · 15-08-2018 5:20pm

The Lost Sheep · 06-09-2018 8:47pm

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 · 07-09-2018 12:52pm

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

The Lost Sheep · 07-09-2018 1:10pm

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

The Lost Sheep · 07-09-2018 5:25pm

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 · 07-09-2018 5:50pm

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

Clegg · 07-09-2018 6:44pm

Leinster win 28-43

The Lost Sheep · 07-09-2018 6:51pm

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 · 07-09-2018 7:21pm

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 · 07-09-2018 7:27pm

Munster won 24-16

bilston · 07-09-2018 7:33pm

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 · 07-09-2018 7:35pm

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 · 07-09-2018 9:42pm

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 · 10-09-2018 10:54am

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 · 10-09-2018 11:49pm

Highlights are up on the Ulster Facebook page

Buer · 11-09-2018 9:18am

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 · 11-09-2018 9:51am

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 · 11-09-2018 10:12am

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 · 11-09-2018 10:17am

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 · 11-09-2018 10:19am

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 · 11-09-2018 10:36am

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 · 13-09-2018 1:18pm

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 · 13-09-2018 5:13pm

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 · 14-09-2018 12:07pm

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.

Celtic Cup

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