Munster will be hoping to keep their running form

THE teams for this weekend’s Round 2 fixtures of the BKT United Rugby Championship have been named with all details of match officials and broadcast information below.
Due to worsening weather conditions across Scotland overnight from Storm Amy, the fixture between Edinburgh Rugby and Ulster Rugby which was due to take place this evening, Friday October 3 in Edinburgh has been postponed to a later date.
Munster Rugby v Cardiff Rugby
Thomond Park, Limerick – KO 19.45 IRE & UK / 20.45 ITA & SA
Referee: Griffin Colby (SARU, 8th league game)
AR 1: Keane Davison (IRFU) AR 2: Shane Gaughan (IRFU)
TMO: Chris Allison (SARU)
Live on: TG4, Premier Sports, SuperSport, Flo Rugby & URC.tv

BEN O’Connor makes his first appearance of the season to-morrow evening when he runs out in the 15 jersey for the game against Cardiff. The former Presentation School star will be out to make an impression with backline places difficult to nail down in the Munster squad. The home side will be fancied to win this game against the Welsh side and back to back winning bonus points could also be on the cards. 

Munster Rugby: Ben O’Connor, Shane Daly, Dan Kelly, Alex Nankivell, Thaakir Abrahams, Jack Crowley, Ethan Coughlan, Jeremy Loughman, Niall Scannell (capt), Oli Jager, Jean Kleyn, Fineen Wycherley, Thomas Ahern, Ruadhan Quinn, Gavin Coombes.
Replacements: Diarmuid Barron, Josh Wycherley, Ronan Foxe, Jack O’Donoghue, Brian Gleeson, Paddy Patterson, Tony Butler, Sean O’Brien
Cardiff Rugby: Jacob Beetham, Josh Adams, Harri Millard, Rory Jennings, Tom Bowen, Callum Sheedy, Johan Mulder, Danny Southworth, Liam Belcher (c), Javan Sebastian, Josh McNally, Teddy Williams, Alex Mann, Dan Thomas, Alun Lawrence
Replacements: Daf Hughes, Rhys Barratt, Sam Wainwright, Ben Donnell, Taine Basham, Aled Davies, Ioan Lloyd, Steff Emanuel
Dewaldt Duvenage makes his 100th appearance for DHL Stormers alongside Adre Smith on his 50th appearance for the club
Dewi Lake will captain the Ospreys side
#DRAvSHA
Rodney Parade debuts for Tonga duo Fetuli Paea & Fine Inisi alongside Tinus de Beer, Wyn Jones and Rob Hunt
Cameron Dawson and Cebo Dlamini both in line to make their debut for Hollywoodbets Sharks if called on from the bench
#CONvSCA
Irish internationals Jack Aungier, Darragh Murray and Hugh Gavin all return for Connacht
Johnny Williams to captain Scarlets for first time with Osian Williams set for BKT URC debut if called upon from the bench
#BENvGLA
Giosuè Zilocchi returns and is named on the bench for Benetton
Captain Kyle Steyn returns for Glasgow Warriors after a hand injury sustained on Scotland summer tour.
#BULvLEI
Nicholaas Janse van Rendsburg named in Vodacom Bulls starting XV replacing the injured Cobus Wiese
Paddy McCarthy to make his first Leinster start
#MUNvCAR
Dan Kelly starts on his home debut for Munster and 200-cap Niall Scannell captains the side
Sam Wainwright has been named among an experienced Cardiff Rugby bench and is set for his competitive debut for the club
#ZEBvLIO
Leonard Krumov captains Zebre Parma
Lions welcome back captain Francke Horn and flyhalf Chris Smith to starting XV
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 3
DHL Stormers v Ospreys
DHL Stadium, Cape Town – KO 18.00 IRE & UK / 19.00 ITA & SA
Referee: Peter Martin (IRFU, 7th league game)
AR 1: Hanru van Rooyen (SARU) AR 2: JD Jadezweni (SARU)
TMO: Federico Vedovelli (FIR)
Live on: SuperSport, Premier Sports, Flo Rugby & URC.tv
DHL Stormers: Wandisile Simelane, Seabelo Senatla, Ruhan Nel (CAPT), Dan du Plessis, Leolin Zas, Jurie Matthee, Dewaldt Duvenage, Vernon Matongo, André-Hugo Venter, Neethling Fouché, Adré Smith, JD Schickerling, Marcel Theunissen, Connor Evans, Evan Roos
Replacements: JJ Kotze, Ali Vermaak, Sazi Sandi, Ruben van Heerden, Ben-Jason Dixon, Paul de Villiers, Stefan Ungerer, Clinton Swart
Ospreys: Jack Walsh, Dan Kasende, Phil Cokanasiga, Keiran Williams, Keelan Giles, Dan Edwards, Kieran Hardy, Gareth Thomas, Dewi Lake (CAPT), Rhys Henry, Rhys Davies, Huw Sutton, James Ratti, Harri Deaves, Ross Moriarty
Replacements: Lewis Lloyd, Cam Jones, Tom Botha, James Fender, Morgan Morse, Reuben Morgan Williams, Tom Florence, Iestyn Hopkins
DHL Stormers Director of Rugby John Dobson said: “While we were happy with the result last week, we know that there can be no complacency heading into this match against an Ospreys side that have proven tough customers for us in the past.
“There are a few areas we want to improve on and while we have maintained the core of the team that did duty last week, we are also looking forward to seeing what the players coming in can add,”
Dragons RFC v Hollywoodbets Sharks
Rodney Parade, Newport – KO 20.05 IRE & UK / 21.05 ITA & SA
Referee: Fillipo Russo (FIR, 6th league game)
AR 1: Ben Whitehouse (WRU) AR 2: Lucas Yendle (WRU)
TMO: Stefano Roscini (FIR)
Live on: S4C, Premier Sports, SuperSport, Flo Rugby & URC.tv
Dragons RFC: Angus O’Brien (C.CAPT), Rio Dyer, Fetuli Paea, Aneurin Owen, Fine Inisi, Tinus de Beer, Rhodri Williams; Wyn Jones, Brodie Coghlan, Rob Hunt, Matthew Screech, Ben Carter (C.CAPT), Ryan Woodman, Shane Lewis-Hughes, Aaron Wainwright
Replacements: Oli Burrows, Rodrigo Martinez, Chris Coleman, Levi Douglas, Harri Keddie, Che Hope, Harri Ackerman, Huw Anderson
Dragons RFC Head Coach Filo Tiatia said: “We were in the game against Ulster last week, but we have got to be more clinical on penalties and how we gave them opportunities to get into our 22 and score.
“We’ve got to make sure we play our style of game and know how we impose our game this Friday.
“Sharks will also be disappointed. They went to Glasgow and played a good side, but I know Plums (John Plumtree) well and they will be very physical when they come here.
“We are clear on what they will bring. Big pack, they will be physical, and they will try and dominate space when they see it.
“They have a very good offloading game on the edges when you allow them too. We know what is coming.”
Hollywoodbets Sharks: Edwill van der Merwe, PK Sobahle, Jurenzo Julius, Lukhanyo Am, Christie Grobbelaar, Jean Smith, Jaden Hendrikse, Simphiwe Matanzima, Fez Mbatha, Ruan Dreyer, Deon Slabbert, Marvin Orie, Phepsi Buthelezi, Emmanuel Tshituka, Vincent Tshituka (CAPT)
Replacements: Eduan Swart, Cameron Dawson, Cebo Dlamini, Bathobele Hlekani, Nick Hatton, Ross Braude, Francois Venter, Hakeem Kunene
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 4
Connacht Rugby v Scarlets
Dexcom Stadium, Galway – KO 13.45 IRE & UK / 14.45 ITA & SA
Referee: Mike Adamson (SRU, 92nd league game)
AR 1: Eoghan Cross (IRFU) AR 2: Max Weston (IRFU)
TMO: Colin Brett (SRU)
Live on: TG4, Premier Sports, SuperSport, Flo Rugby & URC.tv
Connacht Rugby: Sean Naughton, Chay Mullins, David Hawkshaw, Cathal Forde, Shayne Bolton, Jack Carty, Ben Murphy, Denis Buckley, Dave Heffernan, Jack Aungier, Darragh Murray, Joe Joyce, Cian Prendergast (CAPT), Paul Boyle, Sean Jansen
Replacements: Eoin de Buitlear, Jordan Duggan, Sam Illo, David O’Connor, Sean O’Brien, Matthew Devine, Hugh Gavin, Finn Treacy
Scarlets: Blair Murray, Tom Rogers, Joe Roberts, Johnny Williams (CAPT), Ellis Mee, Joe Hawkins, Gareth Davies, Alec Hepburn, Harry Thomas, Henry Thomas, Max Douglas, Jake Ball, Jarrod Taylor, Dan Davis, Taine Plumtree
Replacements: Kirby Myhill, Sam O’Connor, Harri O’Connor, Tristan Davies, Osian Williams, Dane Blacker, Ioan Nicholas, Macs Page
Connacht Head Coach Stuart Lancaster said: “I was really pleased with the result last weekend against a really strong Benetton side. There were a lot of positives to take from it but still plenty to improve on. The energy from the fans I thought was brilliant and we will need that same energy on Saturday this time with the earlier start.
I know the Scarlets coaching team well and I have a lot of respect for them, Dwayne will have them really well organised and up for the fight and Jared (Payne) is a great defence coach. They more than deserved their play-off chance last season.
We’ve made a few changes for the game with the new faces coming, it is exciting to see how they go”
Benetton v Glasgow Warriors
Stadio Monigo, Treviso – KO 17.30 IRE & UK / 18.30 ITA & SA
Referee: Ben Connor (WRU, 4th league game)
AR 1: Franco Rosella (FIR) AR 2: Lorenzo Pedezzi (FIR)
TMO: Aled Griffiths (WRU)
Live on: Sky Italia, Premier Sports, SuperSport, Flo Rugby & URC.tv
Benetton: Matt Gallagher, Louis Lynagh, Tommaso Menoncello, Malakai Fekitoa, Paolo Odogwu, Jacob Umaga, Ale Garbisi, Mirco Spagnolo, Siua Maile, Simone Ferrari, Riccardo Favretto, Eli Snyman, Alessandro Izekor, Michele Lamaro, Sootala Faasoo
Replacements: Nicholas Gasperini, Nahuel Tetaz, Giosue Zilocchi, Niccolo Cannone, Lorenzo Cannone, Louis Werchon, Giuliano Avaca, Rhyno Smith
Glasgow Warriors: Josh McKay, Kyle Steyn (CAPT), Stafford McDowall, Sione Tuipulotu, Kyle Rowe, Adam Hastings, Jamie Dobie; Rory Sutherland, Johnny Matthews, Fin Richardson, Jare Oguntibeju, Alex Samuel, Gregor Brown, Macenzzie Duncan, Matt Fagerson
Replacements: Gregor Hiddleston, Patrick Schickerling, Sam Talakai, Max Williamson, Scott Cummings, Euan Ferrie, George Horne, Dan Lancaster
Benetton Head Coach Calum MacRae said: “Glasgow is a highly adaptable team: they can move the ball quickly, alternating effectively between narrow channels and wide spaces. To give ourselves real chances, it will be crucial to impose ourselves in the physical battle”
Glasgow Warriors Head Coach Franco Smith said: “Whilst victory last weekend was a good start to our season, we know that there is still plenty to build and improve upon as we move forward.
“Training has been highly focused this week, with competition for places high across the field and each player looking to put their hand up to be involved.
“Benetton possess one of the proudest home records in the BKT URC, one which they defend fiercely against every opponent; we know that we will need to match their level and meet the challenge that they will present tomorrow evening.”
Vodacom Bulls v Leinster Rugby
Loftus Versfeld Stadium, Pretoria – KO 17.30 IRE & UK / 18.30 ITA & SA
Referee: Adam Jones (WRU, 46th league game)
AR 1: Sean Miller (SARU) AR 2: AJ Jacobs (SARU)
TMO: Gianluca Gnecchi (FIR)
Live on: SuperSport, Premier Sports, Flo Rugby & URC.tv
Vodacom Bulls: Devon Williams, Sebastian de Klerk, David Kriel, Harold Vorster, Stravino Jacobs, Keagan Johannes, Embrose Papier, Gerhard Steenekamp, Johann Grobbelaar, Mornay Smith, Nicolaas Janse van Rensburg, JF van Heerden, Marcell Coetzee (CAPT), Mpilo Gumede, JJ Theron
Replacements: Juann Else, Alulutho Tshakweni, Francois Kloipper, Sintu Manjezi, Nama Xaba, Zak Burger, Stedman Gans, Willie le Roux
Leinster Rugby: Jimmy O’Brien, Tommy O’Brien, Hugh Cooney, Robbie Henshaw, Andrew Osborne, Sam Prendergast, Luke McGrath (CAPT), Paddy McCarthy, Gus McCarthy, Thomas Clarkson, Brian Deeny, Ryan Baird, Alex Soroka, Will Connors, Max Deegan
Replacements: John McKee, Jack Boyle, Rabah Slimani, Diarmuid Mangan, Scott Penny, James Culhane, Fintan Gunne, Ciarán Frawley
Vodacom Bulls Head Coach Johan Ackermann said: “We know Leinster are the best team in the competition, so they’ll definitely finish you if they get the same opportunities [as the Ospreys last week]. They will come for us, for sure. That Leinster – against the Stormers – we won’t see again. They’ll want to rectify that. We expect a lot more pressure than last week.”
Leinster Assistant Coach Robin McBryde said: “Everyone is scratching their heads with regard to where Friday night came from, really. We didn’t see that coming… But listen, nothing focusses the mind better than the Bulls on Saturday, next up. So, you know, there are going to be similar challenges for us on Saturday. They’re very strong up front, you know, again, they’re one of the most consistent teams in the BKT URC, three time finalists. Then you’ve got the added spice of last year’s final where we beat them, so they’ll be up for revenge, etc. So, it really is backs to the wall and we’ve got to give a much better account of ourselves on Saturday.”
Munster Rugby v Cardiff Rugby
Thomond Park, Limerick – KO 19.45 IRE & UK / 20.45 ITA & SA
Referee: Griffin Colby (SARU, 8th league game)
AR 1: Keane Davison (IRFU) AR 2: Shane Gaughan (IRFU)
TMO: Chris Allison (SARU)
Live on: TG4, Premier Sports, SuperSport, Flo Rugby & URC.tv
Munster Rugby: Ben O’Connor, Shane Daly, Dan Kelly, Alex Nankivell, Thaakir Abrahams, Jack Crowley, Ethan Coughlan, Jeremy Loughman, Niall Scannell (CAPT), Oli Jager, Jean Kleyn, Fineen Wycherley, Thomas Ahern, Ruadhan Quinn, Gavin Coombes
Replacements: Diarmuid Barron, Josh Wycherley, Ronan Foxe, Jack O’Donoghue, Brian Gleeson, Paddy Patterson, Tony Butler, Sean O’Brien
Cardiff Rugby: Jacob Beetham, Josh Adams, Harri Millard, Rory Jennings, Tom Bowen, Callum Sheedy, Johan Mulder, Danny Southworth, Liam Belcher (CAPT), Javan Sebastian, Josh McNally, Teddy Williams, Alex Mann, Dan Thomas, Alun Lawrence
Replacements: Daf Hughes, Rhys Barratt, Sam Wainwright, Ben Donnell, Taine Basham, Aled Davies, Ioan Lloyd, Steff Emanuel
Munster Head Coach Clayton McMillan said: “We’ve to go and earn everything and that’s what we’re looking to do. We’ve got one under the belt, we’ve got another good team coming to our hometown and we want to put in a performance.”
Cardiff Rugby Coach Corniel van Zyl said: “It’s going to be a tough test away at Munster. They pride themselves on doing the basics really well – set-piece, breakdown, kicking game, and they obviously have a good attack. They also pride themselves on the fighting spirit of the game.
“They had an away win, which is great, and they will have some confidence from that. I’m sure the fans over there will be very excited to see them at home first game. So it will be a nice atmosphere.”
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 5
Zebre Parma v Lions
Stadio Lanfranchi, Parma – KO 14.00 IRE & UK / 15.00 ITA & SA
Referee: Craig Evans (WRU, 69th league game)
AR 1: Manuel Bottino (FIR) AR 2: Luca Bisetto (FIR)
TMO: Aled Griffiths (WRU)
Live on: Sky Italia, Premier Sports, SuperSport, Flo Rugby & URC.tv
Zebre Parma: Giovanni Montemauri, Mirko Belloni, Giulio Bertaccini, Damiano Mazza, Simone Gesi, Giacomo Da Re, Alessandro Fusco, Davide Ruggeri, Bautista Stavile, Samuele Locatelli, Leonard Krumov (CAPT), Alessandro Ortombina, Ion Neculai, Tommaso Di Bartolomeo, Muhamed Hasa
Replacements: Giampietro Ribaldi, Juan Pitinari, Matteo Nocera, Guido Volpi, Giacomo Ferrari, Thomas Dominguez, Marco Zanon, Martin Roger Farias
Lions: Quan Horn, Eduan Keyter, Henco van Wyk, Richard Kriel, Angelo Davids, Chris Smith, Nico Steyn, SJ Kotze, Franco Marais, RF Schoeman, Etienne Oosthuizen, Ruan Delport, Renzo du Plessis, Ruan Venter, Francke Horn (CAPT)
Replacements: Morne Brandon, Heiko Pohlmann, Asenathi Ntlabakanye, Darrien Landsberg, WJ Steenkamp, Haashim Pead, Lubabalo Dobela, Rynhardt Jonker
Lions Forwards and Lineout Coach Barend Pieterse said: “Zebre is a team that’s improved significantly over the past few years. It’s not just about guts anymore, they’ve got a good system and coaches, and you can see they’re well drilled,”
“They’ve got dangerous attackers and a good backline. If we make the game too loose, they’ll be very dangerous.”

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