1
Ulster statement: Sutherland deal and talks with a Springboks prop
By Liam Heagney
Dan McFarland’s Ulster have confirmed they have signed Rory Sutherland on a short-term deal, adding that negotiations are at an advanced stage with a Springboks prop believed to be Steven Kitshoff. It was Thursday night when it emerged that the Irish province was on the verge of capturing Sutherland, the 2021 Lions tour pick.
He had become a free agent the previous day after the company holding all the player contracts at crisis-hit Worcester was liquidated at an insolvency court in England and former Ireland hooker Bernard Jackman tweeted the next day that a deal with Ulster was set to be announced.
That recruitment od Sutherland was confirmed on Saturday just hours before Ulster were due to host Ospreys in their latest URC match. Kitshoff wasn’t named in the club’s media release, but the 2019 World Cup winner - who currently plays for the Stormers - is believed to be the South African player referenced in the statement.
It read: “The calibre of the Ulster Rugby front row has been strengthened for the long-term with the recruitment of world-class props to supplement and support the development of the province’s young homegrown players over the next four years.
“Negotiations are at an advanced phase with a player that is a proven winner on the biggest stage, who will join the province next season on a three-year deal following Rugby World Cup 2023.
“Ahead of this highly anticipated arrival in Belfast, equally hard-edged scrummager - Scotland international and British and Irish Lion, Rory Sutherland - will join the province from next week on a short-term deal to reinforce squad depth at loosehead. Both signings not only provide significant international quality to the squad but will also play a key role in developing Ulster’s senior and academy front rows in the years to come.”
Ulster boss McFarland said: “We have an exciting stable of young Irish-qualified props at Ulster, so to be able to support their development alongside some world-class operators is great news for everyone associated with Ulster and Irish rugby.
“As a club that is intent on consistently competing for championships, we are always looking to add to and improve our squad. This includes recruiting players to be a part of the Ulster Rugby family but most importantly supporting and driving the development of young players within our pathway.
“We look forward to welcoming Rory into the squad next week and making further announcements on our recruitment for next season very soon.
“Myself, Roddy Grant, Jonny Bell and Jonny Petrie have all worked with Rory at some point in his career and know he will add quality on the field and bring an invaluable level of experience and mindset that our young props can squeeze every drop out of.
“Having Rory’s level of competitiveness at scrum training is going to test and teach the very best we have, something as a scrum coach and former prop I have experienced first-hand and am now excited to be a part of.
“Whilst we are all looking forward to welcoming Rory to Ulster, we are also mindful of the very difficult situation many players and staff at Worcester Warriors find themselves in and we wish them the best for whatever the future holds.”
Sutherland, who will be named in next week’s Ulster squad to travel to South Africa for the URC fixtures against the Lions and Sharks, added: “My thanks go out to everyone in the rugby community who has supported me and all those at Worcester over the past while during what has been a heartbreaking time for players and staff alike.
“However, I’m looking forward to linking up with Ulster and getting stuck into the URC and the many familiar faces and rivals that it will bring. The club is on a quest for silverware and I’ll do all I can this season to play my part in that ambition.”
Trending on RugbyPass
2
Rassie Erasmus explains so-called Willie Le Roux selection snub
3
Mitchell hints England's much-maligned habit is a thing of the past
4
Gregor Townsend breaks silence on his Scotland future
5
Latest Comments
France using the 7-1, England using the 6-2, Ireland and Scotland have used it a few times as well and many nations are starting to adopt it. The reality is the game is changing. Administrators have made it faster and that is leading to more significant drop offs in the forwards. You have 2 options. Load your bench with forwards or alter your player conditioning which might mean more intense conditioning for forwards and a drop off in bulk. The game can still be played many ways. Every nation needs to adapt in their own way to suit their strengths. France have followed the Springbok model of tight forwards being preferred because it suits them. They have huge hunks of meat and the bench is as good as the starters so why not go for it? The Springboks have also used hybrids like Kwagga Smith, Schalk Britz, Deon Fourie, Franco Mostert and others. England are following that model instead and by putting 3 loosies there who can do damage in defence and make the breakdown a mess in the final quarter. It worked well against Wales but will be interested to see how it goes going forward against better opposition who can threaten their lineout and scrum. All the talk around bench limitations to stop the 7-1 and 6-2 for me is nonsense. Coaches who refuse to innovate want to keep the game the same and make it uniform and sameness is bad for fans. The bench composition adds jeopardy and is a huge debate point for fans who love it. Bench innovations have not made the game worse, they have made it better and more watchable. They challenge coaches and teams and that’s what fans want. What we need now is more coaches to innovate. There is still space for the 5-3 or even a 4-4 if a coach is willing to take it on and play expansive high tempo possession-based rugby with forwards who are lean and mean and backs who are good over the ball. The laws favour that style more than ever before. Ireland are too old to do it now. Every team needs to innovate to best suit their style and players so I hope coaches and pundits stop moaning about forwards and benches and start to find different ways to win.
Go to commentsI HAVE MY EX BACK TO ME WITH THE SOLUTION FROM Dr. CHIEF LAWO. I came in contact with Dr. CHIEF LAWO. Through a testimony written about him, I have also encountered many testimonies about how he has been helping others with their life. To get back with an ex is one of the innermost feelings many people would love to experience, especially as those memories with our ex always cloud our mind when someone else does some of those things our ex used to do. I was a single parent for almost 6 years, and though my ex-husband was far away from my kids, I still wish someday he would return to me. This spell doctor I encountered, Dr. CHIEF LAWO., helped me with my wishes, and I am happy to say that I am back with my ex-husband. He assured me that the result manifested within 48 hours, and our love and connection were restored amazingly. If you want to get back with your ex successfully, contact this great spell caster with HIS EMAIL: babalawoileogun@gmail.com
Go to comments