It’s time for our Monday wrap of who has their name in lights and who is making the headlines for all the wrong reasons after the weekend.
THEY’RE ON FIRE!
Lions tourists: What a moment for the chosen 38 as dreams became reality with selection for the 2025 tour to Australia. On a special afternoon at The O2 Arena in London the Lions chair Ieuan Evans read out the players who would make up the touring party and all to a man deserve their spot. The reaction videos from several players and some clubs were a fantastic watch and really hits home what this call-up means. It’s the pinnacle of selections and now the goal is to be a series winner.
Maro Itoje: Staying with the Lions theme and the day was extra special for Itoje after he was unveiled as British and Irish Lions tour captain. While it is an unfortunate situation for Caelan Doris after injury ruled him out of the running, Itoje was very much in the frame to be leader whether he was fit or not. The England and Saracens lock has taken to leadership incredibly well this year and looks very much at ease with such a prestigious role and we look forward to watching his progress.
Leinster: The biggest representation in the British & Irish Lions squad and by some distance, Leinster boast 12 of their side in the touring party to Australia as Ronan Kelleher, Dan Sheehan, Tadhg Furlong, Andrew Porter, Joe McCarthy, James Ryan, Jack Conan, Josh van der Flier, Jamison Gibson-Park, Garry Ringrose, James Lowe and Hugo Keenan all made the cut. Congratulations to that dozen and many of them celebrated their call-up with a huge 76-5 win over Zebre Parma in Dublin on Saturday.
Geoff Parling: This one came from leftfield as the former England and Lions lock was unveiled as the new head coach of Leicester Tigers from next season. After speculation that Tigers were courting a whole host of big-name coaches from around the world without success, it came out of the blue that Parling would take over the top job. The Wallabies assistant coach will move back to Leicester following the British & Irish Lions series and therefore has a short pre-season to put his stamp on the side.
Leicester Tigers make shock appointment to replace Michael Cheika as Wallabies lose prized asset
Benetton: One of the performances of the weekend saw Benetton give their United Rugby Championship play-off hopes a huge shot in the arm as they beat Glasgow Warriors 33-7 in a bonus-point success. Paolo Odogwu, Siua Maile, Rhyno Smith, Tommaso Menoncello and Player of the Match Jacob Umaga all scored tries in a result that leaves them seventh in the standings ahead of facing eight-place Munster in their final regular-season match on Friday in what is a mouth-watering clash.
Damian McKenzie and Chiefs: A try, three conversions and three penalty goals from the Chiefs fly-half as he steered his side to a come-from-behind 35-19 victory at the Crusaders on Saturday. It was a classic McKenzie performance as he sends another message to All Blacks head coach Scott Robertson ahead of the mid-year Tests, with the Chiefs sitting pretty at the Super Rugby Pacific summit.
Peter O’Mahony: What a perfect way to sign off at Thomond Park for O’Mahony as he started, scored a vital try and left the field to a rousing reception in what was a must-win game against Ulster. One of three Munster legends to bid farewell to the infamous Limerick venue, O’Mahony joined Stephen Archer on the field from the outset while Conor Murray came on later in the game. The departing trio now have a home fixture in Cork to build towards as they look to secure a URC knockout spot.
COLD AS ICE!
Caelan Doris news: The cruellest of cruel blows for the Ireland captain as he missed out on Lions selection and it has since been confirmed that he will be out of action for four to six months after shoulder surgery. Doris is a massive miss for Andy Farrell not just because of the quality he possesses but also his leadership. Many held out hope that he might be added to the squad later in the tour but Monday’s news from Leinster of his timeframe has confirmed the worst for player and fans.
Josaia Raisuqe tragedy: Truly awful news broke last week that the Fiji and Castres wing had sadly died in an accident on his way to training, aged 30. Although exact details have not yet been confirmed, the ex-Sevens star was reportedly involved in a road accident when he was hit by a train at a level crossing. Heartbreaking.
URC Team of the Week: Jordie Barrett ‘makes a mockery’ of Leo Cullen’s ‘bizarre’ decision
Glasgow Warriors: “It was a tough game. I think we let ourselves down mentally,” said captain Kyle Steyn after their heavy defeat at Benetton. Meanwhile, head coach Franco Smith admits they “have a lot of work to do” to turn this result around going into the knockout. While Benetton were superb, Glasgow were hugely disappointing.
Wallabies injuries: Noah Lolesio was stretchered off the pitch while in action for the Brumbies over the weekend after a nasty-looking incident, with onlookers fearing the worst when the playmaker suffered a suspected spinal injury. Thankfully hospital scans cleared the fly-half of any serious injury so hopefully he makes a full recovery. A day prior to this another Wallabies star, Joseph Suaalii, was stretchered off in a Waratahs game after a sustaining a blow to the head that will rule him out for at least 12 days. Worryingly this is the cross-code convert’s fourth concussion of his career. Let’s hope he is given ample time before returning.
Eben Etzebeth blow: Unfortunately injuries were all too common over the weekend and lock Etzebeth was another to leave the field while in action for the Sharks against the Ospreys. The Springboks stalwart suffered a knee injury and was on crutches afterwards, but head coach John Plumtree is hopeful it is just “bad bruising”.
Src: Planetrugby.com - https://www.planetrugby.com/news/whos-hot-and-whos-not-british-irish-lions-tourists-and-significant-appointments-while-wallabies-left-sweating-on-injured-duo
