Round 14 of the URC . .. all you need to know

ROUND 14
The teams for Friday night’s Round 14 fixtures of the BKT United Rugby Championship have been named with all details of match officials and broadcast information below.
TEAM NEWS HEADLINES
#SHAvCAR
Hollywoodbets Sharks Bradley Davids comes in at scrumhalf for injured Grant Williams
Johan Mulder has joined the Cardiff squad and returns to the number nine jersey alongside Callum Sheedy
#GLAvBEN
Fergus Watson set for Glasgow Warriors debut after being named on the wing
Federico Ruzza captains Benetton
#LEIvBEN
Andrew Porter returns from injury to make his first appearance for Leinster since the win over Connacht in January
Wales internationals Joe Roberts and Joe Hawkins return to Scarlets starting XV
FRIDAY, MARCH 27
Hollywoodbets Sharks v Cardiff Rugby
Hollywoodbets Kings Park, Durban – KO 17.00 IRE & UK / 18.00 ITA / 19.00 SA
Referee: Gianluca Gnecchi (FIR, 48th league game)
AR 1: Morne Ferreira (SARU) AR 2: Jonathan Lottering (SARU)
TMO: Marius van der Westhuisen (SARU)
ROUND 14
The teams for Friday night’s Round 14 fixtures of the BKT United Rugby Championship have been named with all details of match officials and broadcast information below.
TEAM NEWS HEADLINES
#SHAvCAR
Hollywoodbets Sharks Bradley Davids comes in at scrumhalf for injured Grant Williams
Johan Mulder has joined the Cardiff squad and returns to the number nine jersey alongside Callum Sheedy
#GLAvBEN
Fergus Watson set for Glasgow Warriors debut after being named on the wing
Federico Ruzza captains Benetton
#LEIvBEN
Andrew Porter returns from injury to make his first appearance for Leinster since the win over Connacht in January
Wales internationals Joe Roberts and Joe Hawkins return to Scarlets starting XV
FRIDAY, MARCH 27
Hollywoodbets Sharks v Cardiff Rugby
Hollywoodbets Kings Park, Durban – KO 17.00 IRE & UK / 18.00 ITA / 19.00 SA
Referee: Gianluca Gnecchi (FIR, 48th league game)
AR 1: Morne Ferreira (SARU) AR 2: Jonathan Lottering (SARU)
TMO: Marius van der Westhuisen (SARU)
Live on: SuperSport, Premier Sports, Flo Rugby & URC.tv
Hollywoodbets Sharks: Luan Giliomee, Yaw Penxe, Ethan Hooker, Andre Esterhuizen (CAPT), Makazole Mapimpi, Jordan Hendrikse, Bradley Davids; Phatu Ganyane, Fez Mbatha, Hanro Jacobs, Jason Jenkins, Emile van Heerden, Phepsi Buthelezi, Vincent Tshituka, Nick Hatton
Replacements: Eduan Swart, Ox Nche, Vincent Koch, Corne Rahl, Jannes Potgieter, Jaden Hendrikse, Jean Smith, Le Roux Malan
Cardiff Rugby: Ioan Lloyd, Iwan Stephens, Harri Millard, Ben Thomas, Mason Grady, Callum Sheedy, Johan Mulder; Corey Domachowski, Liam Belcher (CAPT), Keiron Assiratti, Josh McNally, Rory Thornton, James Botham, Dan Thomas, Taulupe Faletau
Replacements: Daf Hughes, Danny Southworth, Javan Sebastian, Alun Lawrence, Taine Basham, Ellis Bevan, Rory Jennings, Elijah Evans
Cardiff Rugby Coach Corniel van Zyl said: “We were disappointed with last weekend’s defeat to the Bulls and just felt we were one or two seconds, or one or two metres off it.
“That has been reviewed, and we have prepared well in Durban this week. It is another opportunity to fight for this group and for jersey, and hopefully to put some points on the log.
“There is no question that the Sharks are a quality team. They have an all-round game built on a solid set-piece and physicality up front, with some top-class backs behind.
“They had a big win over Munster last time out and will be fighting to the end to get into the play-off places, so we know it is going to be a very big test.
“We will have to be at our best. We know what we have to improve and hopefully we will be able to put our game on the pitch.”
Glasgow Warriors v Benetton
Scotstoun Stadium, Glasgow – KO 19.45 IRE & UK / 20.45 ITA / 21.45 SA
Referee: Ben Breakspear (WRU, 18th league game)
AR 1: Ru Campbell (SRU) AR 2: Jonny MacKenzie (SRU)
TMO: Ben Whitehouse (WRU)
Live on: Premier Sports, SuperSport, Flo Rugby & URC.tv
Glasgow Warriors: Josh McKay, Fergus Watson, Huw Jones, Sione Tuipulotu (CAPT), Ollie Smith, Adam Hastings, Ben Afshar; Patrick Schickerling, Johnny Matthews, Fin Richardson, Jare Oguntibeju, Max Williamson, Euan Ferrie, Sione Vailanu, Macenzzie Duncan
Replacements: Seb Stephen, Jamie Bhatti, Sam Talakai, Alex Samuel, Alex Craig, Angus Fraser, Jack Oliver, Dan Lancaster
Benetton: Matt Gallagher, Louis Lynagh, Paolo Odogwu, Tomas Medina, Rhyno Smith, Leonardo Marin, Alessandro Garbisi, Destiny Aminu, Bautista Bernasconi, Marcos Gallorini, Niccolò Cannone, Federico Ruzza (CAPT), Alessandro Izekor, Manuel Zuliani, Lorenzo Cannone
Replacements: Nicholas Gasperini, Thomas Gallo, Tiziano Pasquali, Scott Scrafton, Mattia Midena, Jadin Kingi, Andy Uren, Filippo Drago
Glasgow Warriors Head Coach Franco Smith said: “Fergus [Watson] has worked hard with our medical and S&C teams to put himself in the best position possible ahead of his debut, and we are excited to see him run out in the Glasgow jersey tomorrow night.
“We know that Benetton will provide a stern test tomorrow night – they are in the thick of the race for the playoffs and will compete for every opportunity.
“They will bring a squad full of international-calibre talent, and we must be at our best to meet their challenge.”
Benetton Head Coach Calum MacRae said: “Against Glasgow will be a fast game on an artificial pitch, but we’ll approach it in the same way: being proactive and attacking it from the start at full pace.”
Leinster Rugby v Scarlets
Aviva Stadium, Dublin – KO 19.45 IRE & UK / 20.45 ITA / 21.45 SA
Referee: Aimee Barrett-Theron (SARU, 14th league game)
AR 1: Peter Martin (IRFU) AR 2: Chris Lough (IRFU)
TMO: Quinton Immelman (SARU)
Live on: Premier Sports, S4C, SuperSport, Flo Rugby & URC.tv
Leinster Rugby: Jimmy O’Brien, Tommy O’Brien, Garry Ringrose, Jamie Osborne, Joshua Kenny, Harry Byrne, Jamison Gibson-Park; Andrew Porter, Dan Sheehan, Tadhg Furlong, Joe McCarthy, Brian Deeny, Max Deegan, Josh van der Flier, Caelan Doris (CAPT)
Replacements: Gus McCarthy, Jerry Cahir, Rabah Slimani, Conor O’Tighearnaigh, Alex Soroka, Fintan Gunne, Sam Prendergast, Robbie Henshaw
Scarlets: Blair Murray, Tom Rogers, Joe Roberts, Johnny Williams, Ellis Mee, Joe Hawkins, Dane Blacker; Kemsley Mathias, Harry Thomas, Archer Holz, Sam Lousi, Max Douglas, Jarrod Taylor, Dan Davis, Fletcher Anderson (CAPT)
Replacements: George Roberts, Sam O’Connor, Henry Thomas, Jake Ball, Tristan Davies, Archie Hughes, Ioan Jones, Macs Page
Leinster Rugby Assistant Coach Tyler Bleyendaal said: “It’s just a challenging time of year. I don’t think there’s any panic, but we want to perform better. I haven’t done the mathematics, but our goal is to win all the matches. We’ve got to play teams that are in and around us as well. Others have to go to South Africa. But we need to perform better. That starts on Friday.”
Scarlets Interim Director of Rugby Nigel Davies said: “We’ve treated this week as a Test match week because that’s exactly what it is. You’re going to a top international venue against a side that is, in many ways, an international team.
“Leinster have had a rocket over the last few weeks and that makes them dangerous. We’re expecting a response — a team that comes hard, fast and accurate from the first minute. That’s the challenge, and it’s one we want. These are the games that expose you, but they’re also the ones that grow you.
“For us, it’s about being clear in what we’re doing, brave in how we play and connected in everything we deliver. If we bring that, we give ourselves a real opportunity to compete.”
Hollywoodbets Sharks: Luan Giliomee, Yaw Penxe, Ethan Hooker, Andre Esterhuizen (CAPT), Makazole Mapimpi, Jordan Hendrikse, Bradley Davids; Phatu Ganyane, Fez Mbatha, Hanro Jacobs, Jason Jenkins, Emile van Heerden, Phepsi Buthelezi, Vincent Tshituka, Nick Hatton
Replacements: Eduan Swart, Ox Nche, Vincent Koch, Corne Rahl, Jannes Potgieter, Jaden Hendrikse, Jean Smith, Le Roux Malan
Cardiff Rugby: Ioan Lloyd, Iwan Stephens, Harri Millard, Ben Thomas, Mason Grady, Callum Sheedy, Johan Mulder; Corey Domachowski, Liam Belcher (CAPT), Keiron Assiratti, Josh McNally, Rory Thornton, James Botham, Dan Thomas, Taulupe Faletau
Replacements: Daf Hughes, Danny Southworth, Javan Sebastian, Alun Lawrence, Taine Basham, Ellis Bevan, Rory Jennings, Elijah Evans
Cardiff Rugby Coach Corniel van Zyl said: “We were disappointed with last weekend’s defeat to the Bulls and just felt we were one or two seconds, or one or two metres off it.
“That has been reviewed, and we have prepared well in Durban this week. It is another opportunity to fight for this group and for jersey, and hopefully to put some points on the log.
“There is no question that the Sharks are a quality team. They have an all-round game built on a solid set-piece and physicality up front, with some top-class backs behind.
“They had a big win over Munster last time out and will be fighting to the end to get into the play-off places, so we know it is going to be a very big test.
“We will have to be at our best. We know what we have to improve and hopefully we will be able to put our game on the pitch.”
Glasgow Warriors v Benetton
Scotstoun Stadium, Glasgow – KO 19.45 IRE & UK / 20.45 ITA / 21.45 SA
Referee: Ben Breakspear (WRU, 18th league game)
AR 1: Ru Campbell (SRU) AR 2: Jonny MacKenzie (SRU)
TMO: Ben Whitehouse (WRU)
Live on: Premier Sports, SuperSport, Flo Rugby & URC.tv
Glasgow Warriors: Josh McKay, Fergus Watson, Huw Jones, Sione Tuipulotu (CAPT), Ollie Smith, Adam Hastings, Ben Afshar; Patrick Schickerling, Johnny Matthews, Fin Richardson, Jare Oguntibeju, Max Williamson, Euan Ferrie, Sione Vailanu, Macenzzie Duncan
Replacements: Seb Stephen, Jamie Bhatti, Sam Talakai, Alex Samuel, Alex Craig, Angus Fraser, Jack Oliver, Dan Lancaster
Benetton: Matt Gallagher, Louis Lynagh, Paolo Odogwu, Tomas Medina, Rhyno Smith, Leonardo Marin, Alessandro Garbisi, Destiny Aminu, Bautista Bernasconi, Marcos Gallorini, Niccolò Cannone, Federico Ruzza (CAPT), Alessandro Izekor, Manuel Zuliani, Lorenzo Cannone
Replacements: Nicholas Gasperini, Thomas Gallo, Tiziano Pasquali, Scott Scrafton, Mattia Midena, Jadin Kingi, Andy Uren, Filippo Drago
Glasgow Warriors Head Coach Franco Smith said: “Fergus [Watson] has worked hard with our medical and S&C teams to put himself in the best position possible ahead of his debut, and we are excited to see him run out in the Glasgow jersey tomorrow night.
“We know that Benetton will provide a stern test tomorrow night – they are in the thick of the race for the playoffs and will compete for every opportunity.
“They will bring a squad full of international-calibre talent, and we must be at our best to meet their challenge.”
Benetton Head Coach Calum MacRae said: “Against Glasgow will be a fast game on an artificial pitch, but we’ll approach it in the same way: being proactive and attacking it from the start at full pace.”
Leinster Rugby v Scarlets
Aviva Stadium, Dublin – KO 19.45 IRE & UK / 20.45 ITA / 21.45 SA
Referee: Aimee Barrett-Theron (SARU, 14th league game)
AR 1: Peter Martin (IRFU) AR 2: Chris Lough (IRFU)
TMO: Quinton Immelman (SARU)
Live on: Premier Sports, S4C, SuperSport, Flo Rugby & URC.tv
Leinster Rugby: Jimmy O’Brien, Tommy O’Brien, Garry Ringrose, Jamie Osborne, Joshua Kenny, Harry Byrne, Jamison Gibson-Park; Andrew Porter, Dan Sheehan, Tadhg Furlong, Joe McCarthy, Brian Deeny, Max Deegan, Josh van der Flier, Caelan Doris (CAPT)
Replacements: Gus McCarthy, Jerry Cahir, Rabah Slimani, Conor O’Tighearnaigh, Alex Soroka, Fintan Gunne, Sam Prendergast, Robbie Henshaw
Scarlets: Blair Murray, Tom Rogers, Joe Roberts, Johnny Williams, Ellis Mee, Joe Hawkins, Dane Blacker; Kemsley Mathias, Harry Thomas, Archer Holz, Sam Lousi, Max Douglas, Jarrod Taylor, Dan Davis, Fletcher Anderson (CAPT)
Replacements: George Roberts, Sam O’Connor, Henry Thomas, Jake Ball, Tristan Davies, Archie Hughes, Ioan Jones, Macs Page
Leinster Rugby Assistant Coach Tyler Bleyendaal said: “It’s just a challenging time of year. I don’t think there’s any panic, but we want to perform better. I haven’t done the mathematics, but our goal is to win all the matches. We’ve got to play teams that are in and around us as well. Others have to go to South Africa. But we need to perform better. That starts on Friday.”
Scarlets Interim Director of Rugby Nigel Davies said: “We’ve treated this week as a Test match week because that’s exactly what it is. You’re going to a top international venue against a side that is, in many ways, an international team.
“Leinster have had a rocket over the last few weeks and that makes them dangerous. We’re expecting a response — a team that comes hard, fast and accurate from the first minute. That’s the challenge, and it’s one we want. These are the games that expose you, but they’re also the ones that grow you.
“For us, it’s about being clear in what we’re doing, brave in how we play and connected in everything we deliver. If we bring that, we give ourselves a real opportunity to compete.”

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