Irish Rugby

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Ulster head coach Richie Murphy admits Sunday's surprise defeat by Zebre in the United Rugby Championship "has put a dent in our season".

Zebre ran out 15-14 winners in Belfast as the Italian side ended a 36-game winless run away from home in the United Rugby Championship.

After a morale-boosting win over Exeter to progress in Europe the previous week, Sunday's loss means Ulster missed out on the chance to move into the top eight in the URC.

Murphy admitted the result was damaging to Ulster's hopes of securing Champions Cup rugby with a top-eight finish in the league.

The defeat was a sixth in 10 domestic matches for Murphy's side.

"It was a result that we unfortunately deserved," added Ulster's head coach.

"We weren't only looking for top eight but a little bit higher than that."

After Bautista Staville and Giocomo Da Re scored quickfire tries at the start of the second half, Ulster pushed for a late response but fell up short.

"It's not a very happy dressing room, as you can imagine.

"We have come into the game tonight knowing exactly what we needed to do and we haven't managed to do that.

"We were a long way off, so collectively and individually we need to have a look at ourselves."

"We need to stop this inconsistency that's in our game. One week we are up, the next we are down."

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British and Irish Lions prop Tadhg Furlong has been ruled out of Ireland's Six Nations opener against England on Saturday by injury.

Furlong, 32, suffered a recurrence of a calf injury at Ireland's training camp in Portugal on Saturday and has returned to Dublin for further assessment.

Connacht's Jack Aungier has been called up to the Six Nations holders' squad as a replacement.

The experienced tighthead prop missed all four November internationals for Ireland with a hamstring issue and only returned for Leinster in their win over La Rochelle three weeks' ago before missing the province's last European game against Bath.

Furlong's absence means Finlay Bealham is likely to start against England at the Aviva Stadium but Ireland's usual third-choice in the position, Tom O'Toole, is suspended for the first two games of the championship.

Hooker Dan Sheehan and wing James Lowe linked up with the Ireland squad on Sunday after returning from injury to play in Leinster's United Rugby Championship win over the Stormers on Saturday.

Sheehan was making his first appearance of the season after sustaining a knee injury in Ireland's summer tour of South Africa while Lowe has been ruled out since sustaining a calf injury in Ireland's final November international against Australia.

The duo's Leinster colleague Jack Boyle also joined up with the squad on Sunday with Connacht scrum-half Caolin Blade also set to arrive in Portugal on Monday.

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Leinster (15) 36

Tries: A Osborne 2, Sheehan 2, Barrett Cons: Byrne 4 Pen: Byrne

Stormers (7) 12

Tries: Loader, Roos Con: Libbok

Ireland hooker Dan Sheehan scored twice on his return from injury as Leinster defeated the Stormers 36-12 in Dublin.

Sheehan was making his first appearance of the season after sustaining a knee injury in Ireland's summer tour of South Africa.

After taking a lead through Ross Byrne's early penalty, Leinster's first try came when Andrew Osborne raced over in the corner after being fed by Jordie Barrett.

The Stormers responded when Ben Loader scampered over out wide but the hosts had the final say in the half.

After a lengthy delay to treat the injured Luke McGrath, who gave the thumbs up after being stretchered off, Leinster struck with the clock in the red as Sheehan rounded off a flowing move in the corner.

After an error-strewn start to the second half, New Zealand centre Barrett spotted a gap to slide over the line in the 59th minute, and Byrne added the conversion.

Sheehan secured the bonus point four minutes later when he gathered James Lowe's cross-field kick to score unchallenged.

Lowe, who was also making his return from injury, had a try disallowed but wing Osborne, brother of Ireland international Jamie, grabbed his second score of the game as he intercepted the ball on the Stormers line before diving over to touch down.

The Stormers grabbed a consolation through back row Evan Roos but could not stop Leinster's winning run this season.

Leo Cullen's side are unbeaten in 10 matches in the United Rugby Championship and topped Pool B in the Investec Champions Cup with four wins from four matches.

Sheehan and Lowe will now link up with Simon Easterby's Ireland squad in Portugal before the start of the Six Nations.

Leinster: H McErlean; A Osborne, L Turner, J Barrett, J Lowe; R Byrne, L McGrath; J Boyle, D Sheehan (capt), R Slimani; R Snyman, B Deeny; A Soroka, S Penny, M Deegan.

Replacements: J McKee, P McCarthy, R McGuire, D Mangan, J Culhane, W Connors, C Foley, C Tector.

Stormers: W Gelant; B Loader; R Nel, J Roche; L Zas; M Libbok, P de Wet; A Vermaak, J Dweba, N Fouche; JD Schickerling, R van Heerden; D Fourie (capt), B-J Dixon, E Roos.

Replacements: A-H Venter, B Harris, F Malherbe, S Moerat, M Theunissen, P de Villiers, H Jantjies, W Simelane.

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United Rugby Championship, Ulster v Zebre

Date: Sunday 26 January Venue: Kingspan Stadium, Belfast Kick-off: 17:30 GMT

Coverage: Live on BBC Two NI, BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport website from 17:15; text commentary, report and highlights on BBC Sport website

Ulster centre Jude Postlethwaite says playing regularly for the Irish province this season feels "surreal".

The former Royal Belfast Academical Institution player has already racked up 11 appearances this campaign, scoring a try in a United Rugby Championship home win over Connacht and touching down twice in an away defeat by Cardiff Blues during October.

The 22-year-old was the leading try-scorer in the Ulster Schools' Cup in 2020, earning him a nomination for the competition's Player of the Year.

On leaving school, he initially missed out on a contract with the Ulster Academy, while some of his contemporaries and friends, including present day team-mates Ben Carson and Nathan Doak, were awarded places.

Postlethwaite says being overlooked for the Academy in the first instance "drove me a lot".

"Seeing Carsy and Doaky and all my good mates getting into the Academy drove me to where I want to be," he told BBC Sport NI.

The ex-RBAI pupil is a former Grand Slam winner with Ireland Under-20s, having also participated in sevens rugby.

With James Hume having been ruled out as he recovers from knee surgery and Stuart McCloskey also having his injury problems, Postlethwaite has occupied the roles of both outside centre and inside centre this term.

"It's all surreal to be honest. I didn't think this year I'd be playing as much as I have been and I'm really enjoying it.

"I feel like I'm getting better each game and learning a lot. Stuart McCloskey and James Hume are there to answer any questions I have. Any time I need to review games they're always very helpful."

Having qualified for a last-16 tie against Bordeaux in the Champions Cup after beating Exeter last weekend, Ulster's attention now turns back to the URC, beginning with a game against Zebre at Kingspan Stadium on Sunday.

"It's all about building momentum these next five games or so," added Postlethwaite.

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British and Irish Lions coach Andy Farrell says it will be a "bit different" watching the Six Nations unfold this year instead of leading the Ireland team.

The 49-year-old Englishman has guided Ireland to back-to-back Six Nations titles but is taking a sabbatical from the role to coach the Lions in this summer's tour to Australia.

"I'll be intrigued to watch from the sidelines - it will be a bit different for me, watching the Six Nations from the sidelines," Farrell told RTE.

"Not just that, [there's] the big games in Europe, the URC and Premiership etc. Good luck to everyone"

Simon Easterby has taken over from Farrell as interim head coach as Ireland bid for third straight Six Nations triumph.

Farrell succeeds Warren Gatland as Lions head coach after serving as his assistant for the 2013 and 2017 series.

He will prepare the Lions for 10 games, including an opening Test against Argentina in Dublin and ending with a three-Test series against Australia in Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney.

Farrell added that he is solely focused on selecting the right team for the Lions.

"It's always the job of a head coach - everyone always asks about the difficult decisions to be made, but it's my job to do the right thing by the team.

"And the team I'm going to be coaching in the summer is the British and Irish Lions."

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Dan Sheehan will captain Leinster in Saturday's United Rugby Championship game against the Stormers (17:00 GMT) on his return from an anterior cruciate ligament injury.

It will be the Ireland hooker's first appearance of the season, having suffered the injury during Ireland's defeat by South Africa in July.

Winger James Lowe is also restored to the line-up after recovering from the calf problem that has kept him out since Ireland's win over Australia in November.

Sheehan and Lowe are due to link up with Ireland's Six Nations squad at their training camp in Portugal on Sunday.

Back row Will Connors is named among the replacements having also recovered from injury.

With the bulk of his squad already in Ireland camp, Leinster head coach Leo Cullen has been forced into making wholesale changes to the side that beat Bath in the Champions Cup last weekend.

However, prop Jack Boyle - the only uncapped player in Ireland's Six Nations squad - starts while Cullen has been able to retain seasoned internationals Rabah Slimani, Jordie Barrett and RG Snyman.

Table-toppers Leinster have won all 13 of their games in the URC and Champions Cup this season. The Stormers are 10th in the URC with four wins and four defeats and were knocked out of the Champions Cup last weekend.

Leinster: H McErlean; A Osborne, L Turner, J Barrett, J Lowe; R Byrne, L McGrath; J Boyle, D Sheehan (capt), R Slimani; R Snyman, B Deeny; A Soroka, S Penny, M Deegan.

Replacements: J McKee, P McCarthy, R McGuire, D Mangan, J Culhane, W Connors, C Foley, C Tector.

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Ulster have handed a first start to forward Lorcan McLoughlin for Sunday's United Rugby Championship game against Zebre at Kingspan Stadium.

The 22-year-old is named at blind-side flanker, joining Nick Timoney and David McCann in the back row for the meeting with the Italian outfit.

Former Ireland Under-20 international McLoughlin made his debut for the Irish province as a replacement against the Lions last season - his only senior appearance.

Hooker Tom Stewart makes his first start of the season after overcoming his injury worries.

The Ulster starting team shows six changes in personnel from that which began the 52-24 win over Exeter in the Investec Champions Cup last weekend.

Mike Lowry moves to the right wing to replace the unavailable Werner Kok, with Zac Ward slotting into the left wing position.

John Cooney will make his 150th appearance for the club after being recalled to partner Jack Murphy in the half-backs, while second rows Kieran Treadwell and Harry Sheridan are the other forwards drafted in.

Ulster sit fourth in the URC table with four wins and five defeats from their nine matches, with Zebre 15th of 16, having won two from nine.

Ulster: S Moore; M Lowry, B Carson, J Postlethwaite, Z Ward; J Murphy, J Cooney; E O'Sullivan, T Stewart, S Wilson; K Treadwell, H Sheridan; L McLoughlin, N Timoney (capt), D McCann.

Replacements: C Reid, J Andrew, C Barrett, A O'Connor, Matty Rea, N Doak, J Flannery, R Lyttle.

Ulster host Zebre in the United Rugby Championship on Sunday (17:30 GMT kick-off). Watch the game live on BBC Two NI, the BBC iPlayer and BBC Sport website from 17:15 GMT

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Ulster prop Corrie Barrett says it is a "childhood dream" to be part of the Irish province's squad after four years of playing his rugby in England.

The 26-year-old signed a deal until the end of the season after having a six-week trial in the summer.

A former Schools' Cup winner with Royal Belfast Academical Institution in 2015-16, Barrett started playing club rugby for Instonians.

The front-rower, who can play either side of the scrum, was previously involved in the Ulster Rugby pathway, having played for Ulster Under-19s and Ulster 'A'.

His perhaps unorthodox rugby path would also see him turn out for Garryowen, Munster 'A', Bedford Blues, Saracens and most recently Doncaster Knights in the RFU Championship last season.

"It's home sweet home. I'm delighted after many years away to grind my way back here," Barrett told BBC Sport NI.

"You're going in through the Academies but I just missed out on an opportunity. The best advice I got was go and play some rugby, learn and expand your game and then it was always in the back of my mind to come back here.

"It's home, it's where my family are so when the opportunity came in the summer for a six-week trial I had to jump at it. Those few years in the Championship crafted who I am as a person and as a rugby player. They were valuable years."

Barrett came on as a second-half replacement for Scott Wilson in last week's Investec Champions Cup win over Exeter in Belfast and is hopeful of being handed a chance to impress in Sunday's match against Zebre in the absence of the suspended Tom O'Toole.

"You never want to wish bad on anyone and the good thing about here [the Ulster squad] is there is no 'position hate'. We all help each other out so although it's unfortunate for him [suspended Tom O'Toole] it's fortunate for me.

"The opportunity is there for me to take and try and keep hold of the jersey.

"There's definitely a step up with the pressures of everything and obviously as a group you want to do as well as possible. But for me personally it's just about me doing my job to the best of my ability."

Ulster host Zebre in the United Rugby Championship on Sunday (17:30 GMT kick-off). Watch the game live on BBC Two NI, the BBC iPlayer and BBC Sport website from 17:15 GMT

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Ulster hooker Tom Stewart has backed the "brilliant" Simon Easterby to "get Ireland firing" in the Six Nations.

Easterby has stepped up as interim head coach to lead Ireland's bid for a third successive title, with Andy Farrell on British and Irish Lions duty.

Stewart was coached by Easterby on the 2022 Emerging Ireland tour before working with the former flanker in the senior team set-up.

"I worked with Si and he was kind of my first introduction into the Irish setup, he was my head coach for the Emerging Ireland tour and I thought he was brilliant," said Stewart, who won his two Ireland caps during the 2023 Rugby World Cup warm-up games.

"Obviously he's worked closely with Andy Farrell for a number of years now and he's taken a lot from him and I have no doubt that he has what it takes to get that Ireland team firing."

Stewart did not make the Six Nations squad amid an injury-wrecked season that has restricted him to just two substitute appearances for Ulster.

But having returned from a two-month lay-off in last week's Investec Champions Cup win over Exeter Chiefs, Stewart is targeting a run of games with the province.

"It's was brilliant," Stewart said of his return.

"On Saturday I was more than delighted to come through the game and get the result we did and to be back playing at home it was pretty special."

The 24-year-old added: "I think the big thing for me was to just get through the minutes and a big thing coming back from injury is not trying to think about it and thinking about getting your game ready out on the pitch.

"Now it's about getting minutes under the belt and trying to build up a bit of form."

Ulster host Zebre in the United Rugby Championship on Sunday (17:30 GMT kick-off). Watch the game live on BBC Two NI, the BBC iPlayer and BBC Sport website from 17:15 GMT

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Glasgow Warriors' URC match with Connacht has been moved from this Friday night to Sunday afternoon because of a severe weather warning.

Storm Eowyn is expected to bring winds of up to 90mph and an amber warning - which runs from 06:00 to 21:00 on Friday - has been issued, covering the south and most of central Scotland.

The round 10 match at Scotstoun Stadium will now take place on Sunday at 15:30 GMT.

A separate yellow warning is in place from 00:00 to 15:00 on Saturday, covering all of Scotland. Glasgow women's Celtic Challenge match against Clovers at Scotstoun remains scheduled for Saturday at 13:00.

A URC statement said: "Safety of spectators, team and venue staff, players, match officials and broadcast personnel are the number one priority and it is clear that the expected weather conditions would severely compromise this."

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Croke Park will host Leinster's Investec Champions Cup last-16 match against Harlequins on Saturday, 5 April (15:00 GMT), while Ulster's trip to Bordeaux has been pencilled in for the next day.

Leinster secured home advantage for the knockout stages after topping pool 2.

Leo Cullen's side beat Northampton at a sold-out Croke Park in last season's semi-final while the GAA headquarters also staged their United Rugby Championship victory over Munster in October.

Munster's trip to La Rochelle - which pits Munster legend Ronan O'Gara against his former side - will take place later on 5 April.

Ulster, whose 52-24 win over Exeter Chiefs helped seal their place in the round of 16, will face Bordeaux at Stade Chaban-Delmas on Sunday (13:30).

Richie Murphy's side lost 40-19 to the French side when they met in the pool stage in December.

Round of 16 fixtures (times GMT)

Friday 4 April

Northampton v Clermont (20:00)

Saturday 5 April

Toulon v Saracens (13:30)

Leinster v Harlequins (15:00)

Castres v Benetton (16:00)

La Rochelle v Munster (18:30)

Glasgow v Leicester (20:00)

Sunday 6 April

Bordeaux v Ulster (13:30)

Toulouse v Sale (16:00)

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Fit-again Dan Sheehan and James Lowe are set to return to action for Leinster this week before linking up with Ireland's Six Nations squad.

Hooker Sheehan, 26, has not played since sustaining an anterior cruciate ligament injury during Ireland's defeat by South Africa in July.

New Zealand-born wing Lowe, 32, has been out since Ireland's Autumn Nations Series win over Australia on 30 November with a calf problem.

On Monday, Leinster confirmed both players are available for Saturday's United Rugby Championship match against the Stormers at Aviva Stadium.

Sheehan and Lowe returned to full training last week but did not feature in Saturday's Investec Champions Cup win over Bath.

Back row Will Connors is also available for Leinster, who have won all 13 of their games in the URC and Champions Cup this season.

The Ireland squad gathered in Dublin on Monday before travelling to Portugal for a training camp.

Ireland begin their bid for a third successive Six Nations title at home to England on 1 February.

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Ulster have qualified for the last 16 of the Investec Champions Cup on points difference after Bordeaux claimed a 66-12 victory against Sharks.

Richie Murphy's side's bonus-point 52-24 win over Exeter Chiefs on Friday night moved them level with fourth-placed Sharks on five points.

On Sunday, they needed already-qualified Bordeaux to beat Sharks by 29 points to have any chance of progressing on points difference.

Sharks started brightly in France and raced into a 12-point lead before Bordeaux fought back to hold a 19-12 advantage at half-time.

Damian Penaud scored a tournament-record six tries as a blistering second-half display as 47 unanswered points saw Bordeaux power past Sharks.

The heavy defeat for Sharks meant Ulster leapfrogged them into fourth place with a better points difference of -61 compared with Sharks' -87.

The win helped Bordeaux secure top spot in Pool 1 and home advantage in the next round where they will face Ulster in the first weekend in April.

Ulster were beaten 40-19 by Bordeaux when the sides met at the Kingspan Stadium in December.

Leinster, who topped Pool 2, will have home advantage against Harlequins in their next round tie.

Munster will travel to the Stade Marcel-Deflandre to face the 2022 and 2023 champions La Rochelle, who are managed by their former player Ronan O'Gara.

Connact will be at home to Cardiff in the next round of the Challenge Cup.