Archive June 2, 2025

Leinster vs. Glasgow Warriors URC semi-final

When: Saturday, June 7th, 2014 at Aviva Stadium in Dublin Kick-off: 14:45 BST

Henco Venter claims it was “bad” to be told that he was leaving Glasgow Warriors because there was a Scottish Rugby policy to have fewer foreign players in professional club squads.

Warriors fans bid the South African back-row a fitting farewell after their 36-18 victory over Stormers for Saturday’s United Rugby Championship semi-finale away to Leinster.

The 33-year-old has agreed to join French club Brive, but he admits he prefers to spend more time at Scotstoun over extending his two-year contract.

Franco Smith, the head coach, has also stated that he would have chosen to keep his countryman on and that, in April, he would definitely stay.

When asked about his imminent exit, Venter responded, “It’s a difficult question. Additionally, it comes from above and all the foreign player-related activity in Scotland. Essentially, that’s one of the main causes.

“I love this place, and I’d like to stay there, but…

They want more Scottish players, and I respect that. I fully understand their desire. It’s a privilege to be here and to give back to the club and the nation because I’m not Scottish.

However, there are more homegrown talent and players with less non-Scottish qualifications.

Venter continued, “I didn’t like it, but it’s rugby and you don’t take anything personally.” When asked about the decision to let him leave, Venter said: “I didn’t like it.

You “understand things over time and just be better where you can be better, perform where you can, and enjoy every moment.” I’ll enjoy this week and, hopefully, the following week.

The daunting task of facing Leinster at Aviva Stadium in order to extend Warriors’ title defense is made in that remark.

Regardless of the outcome, Venter claims to treasure his time in Glasgow.

He continued, “This place is special for both my wife and our daughter. “Just an amazing journey for us,” he said.

Venter believes his Warriors team-mates can pull off what would be seen as a shock victory against the Irish giants in their own backyard despite April’s 52-0 defeat in Dublin.

You’re not always in a team with the potential to win, he said, “but we’re in it to win it.”

Midfielder Sophie Ingle has taken a significant step towards winning her Euro 2025 fitness race after returning to Wales training following a serious knee injury.

But head coach Rhian Wilkinson says she will not push or rush the 33-year-old, who is aiming to recover in time to play a part in Wales’ debut at a women’s major finals.

Ingle has not featured this season after injuring her anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) during Chelsea’s pre-season win over Feyenoord last September.

Wilkinson was also non-committal on the fitness of teenage Manchester City defender Mayzee Davies, who suffered a knee injury in the opening minutes of Friday’s Nations League defeat in Denmark.

Wilkinson said assessment of Rhiannon Roberts is also “ongoing”, with the 79-cap defender suffering a fitness issue on the eve of the 1-0 loss in Odense that confirmed the side’s relegation from the top tier of the Nations League.

But the Wales boss said neither were being ruled out at this stage, with the squad for the Euros being named on 19 June.

However, Wilkinson did say Ingle is “on track” to be part of that selection after the “milestone” of training with team-mates in a session before the game with Italy.

“It was great to see her back,” said Wilkinson of the 141-cap former captain, who is also continuing rehabilitation at Chelsea despite announcing her departure from the Women’s Super League (WSL) champions following the end of the season.

“Any injury is a lonely place to be… and one of the big gains is not just being back on the field with the ball, but being back with team-mates.

“She’s done it with her club and now she’s done it with her international team-mates.

“That milestone is such a boost and you could see it in her, it was a big moment.”

But with Wales’ match with Italy their final fixture before they open their Euro 2025 campaign against Switzerland – and Ingle having not played a competitive match for so long – Wilkinson said she would remain cautious.

“She’s in a great space and she doesn’t feel like she’s overextending herself, because when players in stressful situations try to rush back from major injuries that’s when you can see reoccurrence,” Wilkinson said.

Wilkinson added that Ingle will be part of a training camp in Portugal in the tournament build-up,

“That’s why we want to do it properly. It’s very obvious we want her with us in Switzerland, everything is tracking that way, but she will not be rushed or pushed,” said Wilkinson.

“The most important thing is being able to play, not 90 minutes, but can she contribute?

“She’s aware there will be conversations coming up to the tournament and she’s doing everything she needs to, to be coming to Switzerland with us.”

Fellow defender Lois Joel added: “Sophie’s such a core part of our group, so well respected, so it’s great to have her back in whatever capacity.

For 2025-26, international tight-head props Javan Sebastian and Sam Wainwright have joined Cardiff from Scarlets and Edinburgh, respectively.

Sebastian, 30, made his Scottish debut in 2021, but he moved from his home town of Scarlets to Edinburgh in 2023.

Before joining Saracens in 2019, Wainwright, 27, made an impression for the North Wales side RGC and the Wales Under-20s.

Under Wayne Pivac’s leadership, he was called by Wales to accompany them on their 2022 tour of South Africa, and he participated in the historic victory over the Springboks there.

Only once has Wales defeated South Africa on their own soil to win.

“Javan has developed as a person and player while also acquiring international experience. With his work in open play, he will improve the Cardiff game model, according to head coach Matt Sherratt.

Sam will give the tight-head position more depth and competition. He has a lot of experience, playing for the Scarlets and the English Premiership at Saracens while also gaining international experience.

He will help us improve our game model because he has a real passion for the set-piece and a strong work ethic.

Sebastian remarked, “I have seen what they have been building at Cardiff over the past few years, and it’s really exciting.

Moving closer to home and family is nice, and I’m eager to give the jersey 100%.

Wainwright stated, “I’m really appreciative of the opportunity Cardiff has given me, and my family and I look forward to visiting the capital and working with such a fantastic team with such a wealth of history.

We have heard nothing but positive things about Cardiff. The setting was a major motivation for signing because it provided a great environment for both players and their families.

The signings come during a rough time for professional rugby in Wales.

The Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) took them out of administration in April despite serious financial difficulties, and they are now owned by the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU).

The new Professional Rugby Agreement (PRA) was signed by Cardiff and Dragons with the new agreement.