RG Snyman: Springbok and Munster lock set to return to action in March

Munster and Springbok second-row RG Snyman’s injury nightmare is close to its conclusion after the Irish province revealed a date for the 2019 Rugby World Cup winner’s return to action.

Snyman has sustained numerous injuries since joining Munster in 2020 and spent the vast majority of his time at the Irish province on the sidelines.

However, there was some positive news on Monday from Munster regarding the 28-year-old’s fitness when they released a squad update on their official website which said: “RG Snyman is increasing his training load with a view to making his return in March.”

That news will be music to the ears of Munster supporters as the Bok has only played in four matches since he made his competitive debut for the United Rugby Championship (URC) outfit against Leinster in August of 2020.

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He initially ruptured the Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) in his knee seven minutes into that encounter and was sidelined for more than a year – after also suffering from burn wounds sustained during a fire-pit accident involving Munster team-mates Damian de Allende and CJ Stander.

Made a brief return

Snyman returned to action off Munster’s replacements bench in a URC clash against the Stormers at Thomond Park at the start of October 2021.

However, things went pear-shaped the following week when Munster travelled to Llanelli to face the Scarlets as Snyman re-ruptured the same ligaments just nine minutes after coming on as a replacement.

He has been sidelined since then but, despite his injury woes, Snyman signed a new two-year deal in January 2022 that will see him remain with Munster until at least June 2024.

The latest update will be shot in the arm for Snyman, as it is the first time that Munster have provided a time frame for his comeback from injury.

Spartak Moscow in advanced talks for Sofiane Hanni (Anderlecht)

Russian giants Spartak Moscow are in advanced negotiations to sign attacking midfielder Sofiane Hanni from Anderlecht, in a potential dedal that might suggest they are going to allow Quincy Promes to move to Southampton, according to France Football.

Hanni has received a concrete offer from Spartak, but the Russian side has yet to make a formal bid to Anderlecht for the Algerian international’s services.

Any initial bid is expected to be worth €10m.

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Ireland: Andrew Conway reveals conflict in watching the All Blacks series after missing out on the tour due to injury

Ireland wing Andrew Conway admits it was a “bizarre feeling” watching his country face up against New Zealand in July after being ruled out with injury before the tour.

Although the Munster man was disappointed not to travel with Ireland, he was impressed with how well the team performed as they secured a series win in New Zealand, becoming the first northern hemisphere side to achieve the feat.

Ireland had the confidence

Conway felt that he was still part of the team all the way from Ireland but revealed it was difficult to watch at times. However, the 31-year-old said the squad always had the confidence to go and challenge the All Blacks in their backyard.

“Yeah, it is, of course it is, it’s not the most pleasant viewing in the world at times, you’re just conflicted, it’s a bizarre feeling,” Conway said.

“It’s one of the worst parts about professional sports, particularly because it’s a team game. But in saying that I think I’ve matured a lot over the last number of years where you kind of realise it doesn’t mean that lads … I know you’re not physically there but you’re massively part of the team and there is a feeling of that as well, and you throw in a little baby as well, you do see life a bit different.

“It was unbelievable to see and I remember chatting to Tadhg Beirne after the first Test and I was kind of taken aback by how confident they were.

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“I watched the first Test and New Zealand were good but they got a few gimme tries that they tend to do anyway, but I was just a bit taken aback by Tadhg saying how confident the group was.

“It was just a bit more unusual than I was expecting, and then they went out and they were spot on, the messages Faz [Andy Farrell] was giving them, by all accounts, was spot on, ‘this is here to be won’.

“And you obviously throw in the first loss, the Maori one, and it was a special, special few weeks to be involved, to be an Irish rugby fan and an Irish rugby player, to go down there and do that.

“Obviously New Zealand aren’t going that great at the moment but it’s still no joke to go down there and do that.

“Beat them once, fair enough, beat them the second time is the really tough task and they did that pretty well.”

Munster’s new set up

Munster has undergone a coaching revamp after the departure of Johann van Graan saw the arrival of Graham Rowntree as the new head coach. Conway says the Englishman has a straightforward and “authentic” approach to coaching.

“You get what you see with him, I think, he’s not going to bluff you, he’s not going to butter you up, he’s not going to tell you something to make you feel better,” he added.

“He’ll tell you how it is in a way that is authentic to him and those northern English old school rugby boys have a very good way of doing it, similar to Faz, where they can balance the toughness and the fun and get it across to you right.”

Neymar to undergo surgery – out for 2 months

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Brazilian superstar and PSG attacker Neymar will undergo surgery at the end of the week after he suffered an injury to his ankle in Sunday’s Le Classique vs Marseille, the capital club have confirmed in a press release.

Neymar is suffering from an external right ankle sprain and a fissure of his fifth metatarsal.

Crucially, the player’s surgery will be led by the Brazilian national team doctor Rodrigo Lasmar, with PSG’s Professor Saillant in attendance.

For this type of procedure, the recovery time is typically 2 months.

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Mark Ella: ‘Consistently bad’ Wallabies have no chance against the All Blacks

Australia legend Mark Ella can’t see anything other than an All Blacks victory on Thursday and lamented the current state of rugby union in the country.

The Wallabies take on New Zealand in Melbourne looking to end their barren spell against their arch-rivals.

Some believe that this is their best chance to win the Bledisloe Cup for the first time since 2002, considering their opponents’ issues this year.

Ian Foster’s men have lost four of their seven matches in 2022, including a first-ever home defeat to Argentina, but Ella still believes that the All Blacks are huge favourites for the Rugby Championship encounter.

Haven’t worked it out

“I can’t see anything changing,” he told the Sydney Morning Herald.

“I wouldn’t have ever thought it would be 20 years. I thought we would have been smart enough to work it out by now. Obviously, we can’t for some reason.

“You can’t go this long without winning. Anybody with half a brain in rugby knows we’re not going to beat them.”

Ella also believes that little has improved over the past few years, insisting that the quality is not there in either coaches or players.

“We’re consistently bad,” he said. “The solution is we need better coaching and better players, simple as that. That’s the predicament for Rugby Australia to work out.

“You’ve actually got to deliver the goods rather than moaning or groaning that we didn’t play well and (saying) we’re learning and we’ll get better next game. That’s bulls***.”

One player who never won the Bledisloe Cup is Drew Mitchell and he admits that beating the All Blacks twice is going to be “difficult” for the current side.

“It’s not pretty reading,” said Mitchell. “Hopefully it’s this year. We’ve got to believe that. There’s desperation to get our hands back on it.

“They’re probably not as confident as they have been. If the Wallabies start like they did in Adelaide (in a 25-17 victory), then perhaps some of those doubts start to creep into the forefront of the mind.

“Some of the pressures and cracks start to get a little bit wider. But it’s going to be a difficult task.”

Australia’s last match-winner

A crucial part of Australia’s last Bledisloe Cup win was Matt Burke, who kicked a late penalty to earn a 16-14 triumph over New Zealand in 2002.

“I remind everyone at work every time I’m there. I always say ‘who kicked the goal? I can’t remember’,” Burke said. “20 years, wow. That is a long time.

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“The irony is that night I kicked two from five and became a hero. I should have been hung, drawn and quartered for kicking so s***.”

Premiership: Video highlights from Round One as Exeter, Bristol and Gloucester claim dramatic wins

Check out the highlights from Round One of the Premiership campaign, which saw a number of impressive individual and team displays.

After the two matches on Friday were rescheduled for later in the weekend, the season began at Exeter Chiefs, London Irish and Newcastle Falcons.

Champions defeated

The Chiefs overcame defending champions Leicester Tigers, while the Exiles defeated Worcester Warriors and the Falcons went down to Harlequins.

Later on Saturday, Ellis Genge scored two tries on his Bristol return in their rearranged game against Bath as the Bears claimed a narrow win over their West Country rivals.

Victories for Gloucester and Sale Sharks followed on Sunday as the former produced a come-from-behind triumph over Wasps and the latter proved too strong for Northampton Saints in the Premiership.

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Chelsea enquire for Jean-Michaël Seri

Premier League side Chelsea have very recently made an enquiry for Ivorian international midfielder and OGC Nice man Jean-Michaël Seri, according to our colleagues at L’Équipe.

The player has a gentleman’s agreement with his Ligue 1 side that will allow him to leave Les Aiglons if an offer comes in worth €40m.

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Anthony Martial rejects Manchester United contract extension

French international attacker Anthony Martial has rejected a 5-year contract extension offer from Manchester United and has decided to attempt to leave the club this summer, according to RMC.

Multiple factors have played a role in this decision, including the January signing of Alexis Sanchez to play in Martial’s current position and a difficult relationship with manager José Mourinho.

With his current contract expiring in 2019, Martial has a 1-year extension clause in the existing deal, but wants to force a move this summer – his agent is now looking for a new home for the player, with Tottenham, Atletico Madrid & Juventus all historically interested in the attacking talent.

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