The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
Legend WP Nel agrees deal with ‘special club’
SIMON PEACH
Edinburgh and Scotland prop WP Nel has signed a new two-year contract. The 34-year-old has agreed a deal that will see him surpass a 10th consecutive season, having joined from South African side Cheetahs in 2012.
Nel won his 42nd Scotland cap during Saturday’s narrow defeat by Wales and made his 150th appearance for Edinburgh earlier this season.
“Edinburgh is such a special place and club for me,” he said.
“My family and I are well settled in this beautiful city we now call home.
“Honestly, I didn’t think I would still be here after all these years and still playing at 34.
“But I can’t complain about the way I’m playing at the moment. It’s still a huge honour to be selected for both Edinburgh and Scotland.
“To reach 150 games for the club earlier this season was really special for me.”
Nel has started his coaching pathway with Watsonians and Edinburgh youngsters and is looking to go further down that avenue.
“Coaching is something I would like to explore further in this next two years,” he said.
“I already like to work with the younger players at the club. I feel like I can help them improve as players and hopefully I can help them go and represent Scotland.
“We have a lot of exciting and young forwards at the club and there are exciting times ahead with our new stadium.
“I think it is going to be special for us as a club to move into our new home. We can now have our own identity and build on it.”
Head coach Richard Cockerill said: “WP is a club legend and we’re delighted he’ll pull on the jersey for his 10th season at Edinburgh Rugby.
“He continues to be a pivotal member of the squad and you only had to see his performance at Parc y Scarlets earlier this season, or from the bench against Wales on Saturday, to see that he’s still a special player.
“WP has played a lot of games for this club and his contributions throughout a near-decade of rugby in Edinburgh should be recognised and celebrated.
“He is and will continue to be a real role model for the next generation of Edinburgh Rugby props.”
Meanwhile, Adam Hastings will make his return from injury when Glasgow take on Ulster tonight.
The Scotland stand-off will make his first Warriors appearance since suffering a shoulder injury in a Guinness Six Nations victory over Wales in
October.
The Gloucester-bound 24-year-old is among 12 internationals in Danny Wilson’s starting line-up for the Guinness PRO14 encounter at Scotstoun.
Leone Nakarawa will make his first start in a year after recovering from a knee injury, lining up against the club he will join in the summer.
Oli Kebble, Huw Jones and Richie Gray have been released from Scotland duty to start while Sam Johnson is back in midfield following a period of selfisolation. Winger Rufus Mclean retains his place following his debut.
Grant Stewart and D’arcy Rae are among the replacements after being released from Scotland duty while 21-year-old second-row forward James Scott will also be on the bench after joining on loan from Worcester this week.
Head coach Wilson told glasgowwarriors.org: “It’s good to have five players back from Scotland camp to get some game time, and it’s great to have Adam back fit and available to us.
“Ulster gave us a real tough day over at the Kingspan earlier in the season. They’re a very powerful side and I’m sure they’ll also have Irish internationals back with them.”
Glasgow have bolstered their ranks with the announcement of the signing of former New Zealand U20 international full-back Josh Mckay.
The 23-year-old will move to Scotstoun following the conclusion of his commitments with the Crusaders and Canterbury in Super Rugby Aotearoa and the Mitre10 Cup respectively later this year.
Mckay, a World Rugby U20 Championship winner in 2017 who can also play as a winger, told glasgowwarriors.org: “When the opportunity arose to play for Glasgow Warriors and be able to really experience Scotland it got me really excited.
“I’ve always wanted to visit,” he said.
“I’ve heard so many great things about the country and the people.
“I like attacking with the ball in hand. I really think the style of Glasgow’s play will suit me.”
Head coach Wilson said: “Josh is somebody we’ve watched with real interest of late.
“He’s an incredible running attacking threat bringing pace, agility and ball skill – and has also shown an excellent work rate in defence.
“Despite being only 23, he’s picked up some good experience from quality rugby environments like the Crusaders, Highlanders and New Zealand U20s.
“We worked hard to bring Josh to Glasgow and we’re thrilled we’ve been able to make it happen. We think he’s got a big future ahead of him.”
Bruno Fernandes’ brace inspired dominant Manchester United to an impressive Europa League triumph against Real Sociedad last night as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s men took a giant stride towards the last 16.
Having dropped out of the Champions League, the Red Devils secured a comprehensive round of 32 first-leg victory at Juventus’ Allianz Stadium after winning just two of their last six matches in all competitions.
Fernandes netted either side of half-time to put United in control against Sociedad, with Marcus Rashford and Daniel James completing a 4-0 victory that all but wraps things up ahead of next week’s return leg at Old Trafford.
Spanish government’s restrictions saw this tie moved from San Sebastian to Turin, where Rashford atoned for missing a great chance by lifting a superb ball over for Fernandes to capitalise on chaotic Sociedad defending.
The Portuguese added another early in the second half when superbly firing home from James’ lay-off, with the video assistant referee overturning the original offside call.
Rashford’s pass was key to that goal and the forward forgot his firsthalf profligacy when turning home United’s third, with James grabbing a fourth as they ended their nine-match winless run against Spanish sides in style.
● Gareth Bale reminded Tottenham of what he can offer as he registered a goal and an assist in a 4-1 win against Wolfsberger.
The Wales international has been a shadow of his former self since his loan return from Real Madrid and looked to have fallen out with boss Jose Mourinho last week after making himself unavailable for the FA Cup game at Everton.
But he was restored to the side for the last-32
first-leg tie in Budapest and put in his best display since returning to the club, as he set up Son Heung-min’s opener and then doubled the lead with a fine goal.
Lucas Moura put Spurs further in front before the break and Carlos Vinicius added a late fourth as they put one foot in the last 16, despite the mysterious absence of top scorer Harry Kane who did not travel to the Hungarian capital for the game.
Mourinho’s side offered the Austrians, the lowestranked club left in the competition, some hope as Michael Liendl scored a second-half penalty, but they should face little resistance in finishing the job in next Wednesday’s second leg.
● Leicester are in pole position to reach the last 16 after a 0-0 draw at Slavia Prague. The Foxes’ stalemate ensured they left the Eden Arena favourites to progress after the first leg of their last-32 tie.
Boss Brendan Rodgers has never reached the last 16 of the competition after four attempts with Liverpool and Celtic.
But after a draw in the Czech Republic the Foxes will be confident ahead of next week’s second leg at the King Power Stadium.
● Pierre-emerick Aubameyang was guilty of missing a number of chances as Arsenal had to settle for a draw in the first leg of their tie against Benfica.
With the game being played at Rome’s Stadio Olimpico due to current coronavirus travel restrictions, the Gunners were classed as the away side and should have left Italy with a win.
Instead, Bukayo Saka’s sixth goal of the season rescued a 1-1 draw after Pizzi had put Benfica ahead from the penalty spot.
It leaves the tie finely poised heading into next week’s second leg.