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Tonight's rugby news as revived English side target region star and statement released after freak accident
@Source: walesonline.co.uk
These are your evening rugby headlines on Sunday, April 6.
European bosses release statement after freak accident
Champions Cup organisers have spoken out after today's match between Toulouse and Sale was delayed due to a parachutist getting caught in the stadium roof.
The paratrooper was part of a pre-match display at Stadium de Toulouse shortly ahead of kick-off, but things went wrong after the parachute got caught on the edge of the stadium, leaving him dangling above the packed stands below.
After stadium officials scrambled to clear the stands and form an emergency 'crash mat' - made out of tackle bags - below the stranded parachutist, he was rescued by the fire brigade.
The match was due to kick off at 3pm but didn't get under way until 3.40pm as a result of the freak accident.
After the parachutist was rescued, EPCR Chairman Dominic McKay spoke out on the incident as he said: “Following the incident at le Stadium de Toulouse, we would like to extend our sincere thanks to all involved at the stadium, both clubs and the emergency services for safely returning the parachutist to the ground."
Revived English side eye Welsh club signing
Worcester Warriors are reportedly interested in signing Cardiff back Rory Jennings ahead of their return to professional rugby next season.
The club entered administration in September 2022 with debts of around £25million and were suspended from the Premiership but now, under new ownership, they will compete in the RFU Championship later this year. The RFU confirmed earlier in the week that Worcester, all 12 current Championship teams and a promoted National League One side will comprise the division, following an open tender process.
Ahead of their return, the Warriors are looking to bolster their squad with Jennings a player of interest, according to RugbyPass.
The 29-year-old - who can play in the centre or at fly-half - has made 14 appearances for Cardiff since moving to Arms Park last summer, and counts Clermont, London Irish, Newcastle Falcons and Bath among his former clubs.
The same publication reports that Worcester are also lining up a move for former England openside Matt Kvesic, who previously represented them over two spells and has spent the last couple of seasons playing for fellow Championship side Coventry.
Welsh derby about to get under way
The Ospreys welcome their rivals Scarlets to the Swansea.com Stadium in the Challenge Cup this afternoon, a week after Dwayne Peel's side claimed bragging rights in the same fixture in the URC.
Following Scarlets' 38-22 victory last weekend, Ospreys boss Mark Jones has rung the changes while Peel has stuck largely to his guns and resisted making too many alterations to his starting side.
A place in a European quarter-final is at stake - and kick-off is rapidly approaching with the match set to get under way at 5.30pm in Swansea. You can follow live updates in our blog here.
Ospreys: Jack Walsh; Dan Kasende, Evardi Boshoff, Keiran Williams, Keelan Giles; Dan Edwards, Reuben Morgan-Williams; Gareth Thomas, Dewi Lake, Tom Botha, Rhys Davies, Adam Beard, Jac Morgan (capt), Justin Tipuric, Morgan Morris.
Replacements: Sam Parry, Garyn Phillips, Ben Warren, James Fender, Morgan Morse, Luke Davies, Owen Williams, Iestyn Hopkins.
Scarlets: Blair Murray; Macs Page, Joe Roberts, Eddie James, Ellis Mee; Ioan Lloyd, Gareth Davies; Alec Hepburn, Ryan Elias, Henry Thomas, Jac Price, Sam Lousi, Vaea Fifita, Josh Macleod (capt), Taine Plumtree.
Replacements: Marnus van der Merwe, Sam O'Connor, Sam Wainwright, Alex Craig, Jarrod Taylor, Efan Jones, Ioan Nicholas, Dan Davis.
Ulster knocked out in 11-try thriller
By PA Sport Staff
Ulster went down fighting in a 43-31 defeat by Bordeaux at Stade Chaban-Delmas that ends their Investec Champions Cup campaign at the last-16 stage.
The Irish side twice fought back when faced by hefty deficits and finished with five tries, but Bordeaux possessed too much class even without France wing sensation Louis Bielle-Biarrey, who was rested.
Zac Ward ran in two of Ulster’s tries in a frantic final quarter but the star of the afternoon was his fellow wing Jacob Stockdale for troubling the home defence time and again.
The tone for an absorbing contest was set when Damian Penaud ran half the pitch for a dynamic finish in the seventh minute to punish a gap in Ulster’s kick chase.
Tight five forwards Ben Tameifuna and Adam Coleman added tries as Bordeaux surged 21-0 ahead, but the visitors hit back.
Prop Tom O’Toole and number eight Dave McCann crossed from close range, but both tries followed creative build-up play with Stockdale especially effective.
The door was slammed shut on the comeback in first-half injury time, however, when a loose kick was turned into a counter attacking opportunity with Bordeaux switching on the style for Romain Buros to score.
Maxime Lucu rifled over a penalty early in the second half and then the Top 14 heavyweights showed their power at close quarters with a try for Maxime Lamothe.
Ulster refused to throw in the towel and evidence of their resilience was seen in the 56th minute when they expertly worked the ball in tight space with Stockdale teeing up Nick Timoney, who finished brilliantly in the left corner.
Their tails up with Stockdale and centre Stuart McCloskey prominent, Ulster showed patience to score a fourth try with Zac Ward touching down and the deficit was now only 12 points.
But Bordeaux flexed their muscles for the second time with Rohan Janse van Rensburg barging over as his side clicked through the gears before Ward punished their looseness late on with his second try.
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