BKT United Rugby Championship fixtures Round 18

ROUND 18: The teams for this weekend’s Round 18 fixtures of the BKT United Rugby Championship have been named with all details of match officials and broadcast information below.
Cardiff Rugby’s Leigh Halfpenny is set for his Arms Park farewell – the full-back has announced he will retire at the end of the season
Van Zyl has made five changes to the Cardiff side that lost last weekend
Van Zyl has rotated props with Danny Southworth and Javan Sebastian starting for Cardiff
Neethling Fouché takes over the captaincy for DHL Stormers with Deon Fourie and Ruhan Nel sidelined through injury
Paul de Villiers replaces Fourie, with Suleiman Hartzenberg and Jonathan Roche also coming into the starting line-up for DHL Stormers
DHL Stormers looking for their first-ever win in Cardiff
ULSvGLA
Nick Timoney captains the Ulster team to face Glasgow Warriors
Brown returns from injury to start in second row for Glasgow Warriors
Glasgow Warriors backline unchanged from last weekend
Sutherland named amongst Glasgow Warriors replacements for clash with former side
Four changes for Edinburgh as Piers O’Conor, Marshall Sykes, Tom Dodd and Magnus Bradbury all start
Edinburgh looking to make it four wins in a row to end the season
Three changes from the Connacht side that beat Munster
Tierney-Martin & D.Murray miss out for Connacht through injury
Connacht Academy hooker Mikey Yarr to make debut if called upon
#SHAvZEB
Vusi Moyo, fresh off the Junior Springboks unbeaten run in SANZAR’s Under 20 Rugby Championship, makes his URC debut at flyhalf for the Hollywoodbets Sharks
Edwill van der Merwe misses this game through injury, Jaco Williams elevated to start and Le Roux Malan taking his place on the bench for the Hollywoodbets Sharks
Alessandro Fusco captains Zebre Parm
#BULvBEN
Stedman Gans to earn his 100th cap for the Vodacom Bulls in all competitions.
Willie le Roux on verge of 400th first class appearance, having represented Boland, Cheetahs, Griquas, SA, British Barbarians, SA XV, Sharks, SA ‘A’, Vodacom Bulls, Wasps, Toyota Verblitz and Canon Eagles
11 changes to the Vodacom Bulls matchday 23 from the team that faced Zebre Parma
Federico Ruzza will captain Benetton
Mattia Midena starts for the first time in the Benetton XV
Jordan Larmour to make his first appearance for Leinster since scoring two tries against Harlequins in the Investec Champions Cup on 6 December.
James Lowe in line for first appearance since 24 January (v Connacht) – with 68 tries so far, is one try away from equalling the all-time Leinster record held by Shane Horgan (69).
Dan Edwards and Iestyn Hopkins will both make their 50thappearances for Ospreys
Ben Roberts could make his debut off the bench for Ospreys
Josh Macleod to lead out side on 150th Scarlets appearance
21-year-old prop Josh Morse to make first URC start for Scarlets
Woodman and Jones back in pack for Dragons RFC
Armstrong recalled to start final game for Dragons RFC
Richards returns on wing for Dragons RFC
#MUNvLIO
Craig Casey captains Munster at Thomond Park for the first time
A win for the Fidelity SecureDrive Lions will secure a place in the play-offs, a first for the club
Batho Hlekani start in the number 7 jersey for the Lions
Kelly Mpeku starts on the right wing for Lions after coming off the bench last week
FRIDAY, MAY 15
Cardiff Rugby v DHL Stormers
Cardiff Arms Park, Cardiff – KO19.45 IRE & UK / 20.45 ITA & SA
Live on: S4C, Premier Sports, SuperSport, Flo Rugby & URC.tv
Cardiff Rugby: Cam Winnett, Jacob Beetham, Ben Thomas, Rory Jennings, Tom Bowen; Ioan Lloyd, Johan Mulder; Danny Southworth, Liam Belcher (C), Javan Sebastian, George Nott, Rory Thornton, James Botham, Dan Thomas, Taine Basham.
Replacement: Daf Hughes, Rhys Barratt, Keiron Assiratti, Alun Lawrence, Evan Lloyd, Ellis Bevan, Stef Emanuel, Leigh Halfpenny
DHL Stormers: Damian Willemse, Suleiman Hartzenberg, Wandisile Simelane, Jonathan Roche, Leolin Zas, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, Imad Khan ; Ntuthuko Mchunu, André-Hugo Venter, Neethling Fouché (C), Adré Smith, Ruben van Heerden, Paul de Villiers, Ben-Jason Dixon, 8 Evan Roos.
Replacements: JJ Kotzé, Oli Kebble, Zachary Porthen, Salmaan Moerat, Marcel Theunissen, Keke Morabe, Stefan Ungerer, Jurie Matthee.
Match officials:
Referee: Andrew Brace (IRFU) 116th game
AR1: Ben Connor (WRU)
AR2: Lucas Yendle (WRU)
TMO: Olly Hodges (IRFU)
Cardiff Rugby Head Coach Corniel Van Zyl said: “We’ve been forced to make a few changes but we have named a strong team and we are fully focussed on putting the best version of ourselves on the Arms Park come Friday night.
“It is in our hands and a win would guarantee our place in the play-offs. That would be a great reward for the group and growth we have enjoyed this season but we know it’s a big challenge ahead.
“The Stormers are a top-quality team so we will need to be on top of our game. But we are at the Arms Park, where we have done really well this season and have enjoyed such incredible support.
“It’s going to be a brilliant night in the capital. We will fight for everything in front of our home fans and we are hoping for a big turn out to get behind us.”
DHL Stormers Director of Rugby John Dobson said : “We obviously would like to finish as high on the standings as possible and take some winning momentum into the play-offs, but there are also some rotations to our team as we look to build maximum capacity ahead of the knock-outs.
“There were some lessons we took from our draw in Belfast last week and we know it will take a big effort to get the better of what will be a desperate Cardiff team.
“Although we have already secured a home Quarter-Final, there is plenty to play for and everyone is excited to meet the challenge at Cardiff Arms Park,” he said.
Ulster Rugby v Glasgow Warriors
Affidea Stadium, Belfast – KO19.45 IRE & UK / 20.45 ITA & SA
Live on: Premier Sports, SuperSport, Flo Rugby & URC.tv
Ulster Rugby: Michael Lowry, Werner Kok, James Hume, Wilhelm De Klerk, Zac Ward, Jake Flannery, Conor McKee; Sam Crean, Rob Herring, Tom O’Toole, Harry Sheridan, Charlie Irvine, Joe Hopes, Nick Timoney (C), Bryn Ward
Replacements: Tom Stewart, Angus Bell, Scott Wilson, Cormac Izuchukwu, Lorcan McLoughlin, Nathan Doak, Jack Murphy, Ethan McIlroy
Glasgow Warriors: Josh McKay, Kyle Steyn (C), Stafford McDowall, Sione Tuipulotu, Kyle Rowe, Dan Lancaster, George Horne; Nathan McBeth, Johnny Matthews, Zander Fagerson, Gregor Brown, Alex Samuel, Ally Miller, Matt Fagerson, Macenzzie Duncan.
Replacements: Gregor Hiddleston, Rory Sutherland, Sam Talakai, Jare Oguntibeju, Euan Ferrie, Sione Vailanu, Ben Afshar, Ollie Smith.
Match officials:
Referee: Gianluca Gnecchi (FIR) 50th game
AR1: Max Weston (IRFU)
AR2: Sam Holt (IRFU)
TMO: Stefano Roscini (FIR)
Glasgow Warriors Head Coach Franco Smith said: “Ulster are a quality team who will be desperate to make it into the playoffs and to continue their run of form ahead of the Challenge Cup final next week.
“We are pleased to welcome Gregor back into our matchday squad this weekend. He has worked hard with our medical and S&C teams to put himself in the best position possible, and he is eager to get back onto the field.
“We know that a strong challenge awaits us in Belfast tomorrow night, and it is a challenge we look forward to facing.”
Edinburgh Rugby v Connacht
Hive Stadium, Edinburgh – KO19.45 IRE & UK / 20.45 ITA & SA
Live on: Premier Sports, TG4, SuperSport, Flo Rugby & URC.tv
Edinburgh Rugby: Harry Paterson, Darcy Graham, Piers O’Conor, Findlay Thomson, Duhan van der Merwe, Ross Thompson, Hector Patterson; Pierre Schoeman, Ewan Ashman, Ollie Blyth-Lafferty, Marshall Sykes, Glen Young, Tom Dodd, Freddy Douglas, Magnus Bradbury (C).
Replacements: Jerry Blyth-Lafferty, Boan Venter, Paul Hill, Callum Hunter-Hill, Euan McVie, Tom Currie, Charlie Shiel, Piers O’Conor.
Connacht: Sam Gilbert, Shane Jennings, Harry West, Bundee Aki, Shayne Bolton, Josh Ioane, Ben Murphy; Billy Bohan, Eoin de Buitlear, Finlay Bealham, Joe Joyce, Josh Murphy, Cian Prendergast (C), Shamus Hurley-Langton, Sean Jansen
Replacements: Mikey Yarr, Peter Dooley, Sam Illo, David O’Connor, Paul Boyle, Matthew Devine, Jack Carty, Sean Naughton
Match officials:
Referee: Aimee Barrett-Theron (SARU) 15th game
AR1: Ian Kenny (SRU)
AR2: Rob McDowell (SRU)
TMO: Keith David (WRU)
Edinburgh Rugby Head Coach Sean Everitt said: “The competition for places in this squad has been fierce and I’ve loved seeing that fight for the jersey throughout this last block of games.
“Three wins on the bounce has taken real character and real commitment – and what’s driven that, I think, is how much these players care. They care for each other, they care for this city and they care deeply about our supporters.
“What’s also excited me is the growth we’ve seen. Our younger players in particular have been outstanding and they continue to step up and impress every time they get the chance.
“To have the opportunity to make it four wins in a row, in front of our own fans, in a fixture that means so much to the club off the pitch as well as on it – that’s a brilliant way to close out our season. We want to send our supporters away with something to smile about.”
Connacht Head Coach Stuart Lancaster said: Our objective is very clear tomorrow – we’ll do all we can to get the win we need, and then see what happens after that. We’ve lost Dylan and Darragh through injury but we’re confident in the depth of the wider squad, which has been building each week along with our performances. I hear there’s a massive travelling support heading over which I’m sure will give all the lads a big lift too.
SATURDAY, MAY 16
Hollywoodbets Sharks v Zebre Parma
Hollywoodbets Kings Park, Durban – KO 12.45 IRE & UK/ 13.45 ITA & SA
Live on: SuperSport, Premier Sports, Flo Rugby & URC.tv
Hollywoodbets Sharks: Zekhethelo Siyaya, Jaco Williams, Jurenzo Julius, Andre Esterhuizen (C), Litelihle Bester, Vusi Moyo, Bradley Davids, Ox Nche, Eduan Swart, Vincent Koch, Jason Jenkins, Emile van Heerden, Siya Kolisi, Emmanuel Tshituka, Nick Hatton
Replacements: Fez Mbatha, Phatu Ganyane, Hanro Jacobs, Deon Slabbert, Matt Romao, Ross Braude, Jean Smith, Le Roux Malan
Zebre Parma: Mirko Belloni, Malik Faissal, Luca Morisi, Damiano Mazza, Simone Gesi, Giovanni Montemauri, Alessandro Fusco (C) ; Muhamed Hasa, Tommaso Di Bartolomeo, Ion Neculai, Franco Carrera, Matteo Canali, Alessandro Ortombina, Bautista Stavile, Samuele Locatelli.
Replacements: Giovanni Quattrini, Luca Franceschetto, Matteo Nocera, David Odiase, Giampietro Ribaldi, Iacopo Bianchi, Migael Prinsloo, Martin Roger Farias.
Match officials:
Referee: Adam Jones (WRU) 50th game
AR1: Griffin Colby (SARU)
AR2: Sean Muller (SARU)
TMO: Paul Larter (SRU)
Vodacom Bulls v Benetton
Loftus Versfeld Stadium, Pretoria – KO 15.00 IRE & UK/ 16.00 ITA & SA
Live on: SuperSport, Premier Sporst, Flo Rugby & URC.tv
Vodacom Bulls: Willie le Roux, Devon Williams, Canan Moodie, Harold Vorster, Sergeal Petersen, Handre Pollard, Embrose Papier ; Gerhard Steenekamp, Johan Grobbelaar, Wilco Louw, Cobus Wiese, Ruan Nortje (C), Jeandre Rudolph, Elrigh Louw, Cameron Hanekom.
Replacements: Marco van Staden, Jan-Hendrik Wessels, Francois Klopper, Ruan Vermaak, Mpilo Gumede, Paul de Wet, Stedman Gans, Stravino Jacobs.
Benetton: Matt Gallagher, Louis Lynagh, Paolo Odogwu, Tomas Medina, Federico Zananandrea, Rhyno Smith, Alessandro Garbisi ; Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro, Bautista Bernasconi, Tiziano Pasquali, Mattia Midena, Federico Ruzza (C), Riccardo Favretto, Lorenzo Cannone, So’otala Fa’aso’o
Replacements: Nicholas Gasperini, Ivan Nemer, Marcos Gallorini, Niccolò Cannone, Giulio Marini, Jadin Kingi, Cristiano Tizzano, Leonardo Marin
Match officials:
Referee: Craig Evans (WRU) 74th game
AR1: Christopher Allison (SARU)
AR2: Hanru van Rooyen (SARU)
TMO: Ben Breakspear (WRU)
Vodacom Bulls Head Coach Johan Ackermann said: “We saw they picked their best possible side against the Sharks so we expect the same. It means it will include a lot of Italian internationals who had a great Six Nations. We expect a proper Test match against a world-class team. They play a very good brand of rugby and push every team to the limit. If they don’t win they lose by small margins. A nuggety, quality team.”
Benetton Head Coach Calum MacRae said: “Against the Bulls we are expecting an even tougher challenge: they are a team that brings great speed and physicality from the very beginning. We will need to be very accurate in the details and able to match their intensity to stay competitive throughout the game.”
Leinster Rugby v Ospreys
Aviva Stadium, Dublin – KO 17.15 IRE & UK/ 18.15 ITA & SA
Live on: TG4, Premier Sports, SuperSport, Flo Rugby & URC.tvLeinster Rugby: Jimmy O’Brien, Tommy O’Brien, Garry Ringrose, Robbie Henshaw, Jordan Larmour, Harry Byrne, Jamison Gibson-Park ; Jerry Cahir, Gus McCarthy, Rabah Slimani, Joe McCarthy, Diarmuid Mangan, Jack Conan (C), Josh van der Flier, James Culhane
Replacements: Rónan Kelleher, Alex Usanov, Tadhg Furlong, Max Deegan, Caelan Doris, Fintan Gunne, Ciarán Frawley, James Lowe.
Ospreys: Jack Walsh, Keelan Giles, Evardi Boshoff, Owen Watkin, Iestyn Hopkins, Dan Edwards, Reuben Morgan-Williams, Garyn Phillips, Efan Daniel, Ben Warren, Rhys Davies, Huw Sutton, James Ratti, Jac Morgan (C), Ross Moriarty
Replacements: Lewis Lloyd, Cam Jones, Kian Hire, Ben Roberts, Harri Deaves, Kieran Hardy, Phil Cokanasiga, Luke Morgan
Match officials:
Referee: Ru Campbell (SRU) 4th game
AR1: Peter Martin (IRFU)
AR2: Dan Carson (IRFU)
TMO: Dave Sutherland (SRU)
Leinster Senior Coach Jacques Nienaber said: “Ospreys are a quality outfit. They’ve got a good set piece, a strong scrum and they’re a good mauling team. They’re very innovative in terms of their attack and they’ll definitely ask questions of our defence. If we want to get our attack going against them, they’ve got some really good poachers. They’re really good at the breakdown, if you think of lads like Jac Morgan. Across the board, they can really hurt you.”
Scarlets v Dragons RFC
Parc Y Scarlets, Llanelli – KO 17.15 IRE & UK/ 18.15 ITA & SA
Live on: S4C, Premier Sports, SuperSport, Flo Rugby & URC.tv
Scarlets: Ioan Jones; Tom Rogers, Macs Page, Joe Roberts, Blair Murray; Joe Hawkins, Dane Blacker; Josh Morse, Ryan Elias, Archer Holz, Jac Price, Max Douglas, Jarrod Taylor, Josh Macleod (C), Taine Plumtree.
Replacements: Harry Thomas, Sam O’Connor, Harri O’Connor, Dan Davis, Osian Williams, Gareth Davies, Carwyn Leggatt-Jones, Jac Davies.
Dragons RFC: Angus O’Brien (CC), David Richards, Fine Inisi, Aneurin Owen, Rio Dyer, Tinus de Beer, Niall Armstrong; Wyn Jones, Brodie Coghlan, Dillon Lewis, Seb Davies, Ben Carter (CC), Ryan Woodman, Thomas Young, Aaron Wainwright
Replacements: Elliot Dee, Rhodri Jones, Chris Coleman, Levi Douglas, Harrison Keddie, Rhodri Williams, Harri Ackerman, Huw Anderson
Match officials:
Referee: Ben Whitehouse (WRU) 116th game
AR1: Ben Connor (WRU)
AR2: Carwyn Sion (WRU)
TMO: Aled Griffiths (WRU)
Scarlets Interim Director of Rugby Nigel Davies said: “Josh reaching 150 games is a significant moment for the club because he represents so much of what the Scarlets are about. He is not just our captain, he is a standard-bearer and one of the emotional leaders of this group. The players respect him enormously because of the levels he drives, the sacrifices he has made and the way he carries himself every single day.
“We can feel this week that the boys want to put in a big performance as Josh reaches this milestone and a real determination to finish the season the right way for the players moving on and for our supporters who have backed the team throughout this season and which we are very grateful for.
“Results have not reflected enough of the good work that has been going on, but the players have continued to compete, continue to care and continue to fight for each other, which is something we should take pride in and take into the new season. Saturday is an opportunity to show that once again and close on an upbeat note in a competitive Welsh derby at our home.”

You must be logged in to post a comment Login