The groups for this weekend’s Spherical 4 fixtures of the Vodacom URC have been named with all particulars of match officers and broadcast data beneath.
TEAM NEWS HEADLINES
#EDIvBEN
Three adjustments within the Edinburgh Rugby aspect as double-centurion Grant Gilchrist returns
Manuel Zuliani and Leonardo Marin return for Benetton
#CONvBUL
British & Irish Lions Bundee Aki, Finlay Bealham and Mack Hansen all begin for Connacht
Vodacom Bulls group sees 11 adjustments within the beginning lineup, together with Reinhardt Ludwig being named as captain
#DRAvCAR
Wales Below-20 captain Harry Beddall makes his Dragons RFC debut
Taulupe Faletau returns to the beginning XV for Cardiff Rugby
#LIOvSCA
Reinhard Nothnagel returns from harm as he’s named the Lions matchday squad
On-loan second rows Harvey Cuckson and Alex Groves handed debuts for Scarlets
#SHAvULS
Hollywoodbets Sharks Ox Nche, Eben Etzebeth and Siya Kolisi be part of fellow Springboks Bongi Mbonambi and Vincent Koch after the pair performed off the bench final week
Michael Lowry returns from harm for Ulster
#LEIvMUN
Tommy O’Brien set to make fiftieth Leinster look
Munster captain Tadhg Beirne returns and can change into the thirty sixth participant to line out for the province thus far this season
#ZEBvSTO
Captain Giovanni Licata returns to beginning XV for Zebre Parma
Hencus van Wyk set to make his DHL Stormers debut
#OSPvGLA
Gwilym Evans is in line to make his Ospreys debut off the bench
Seb Stephen and Nathan McBeth set for first appearances of the season for Glasgow Warriors if known as upon from bench
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 17
Edinburgh Rugby v Benetton
Hive Stadium, Edinburgh – KO 19.45 IRE & UK / 20.45 ITA & SA
Referee: Ben Breakspear (WRU, twelfth league recreation)
AR 1: Jonny MacKenzie (SRU) AR 2: Finlay Brown (SRU)
TMO: Aled Griffiths (WRU)
Reside on: Premier Sports activities, SuperSport, Flo Rugby & URC.television
Edinburgh Rugby: Wes Goosen, Darcy Graham, Piers O’Conor, James Lang, Duhan van der Merwe, Cammy Scott, Charlie Shiel, Pierre Schoeman, Ewan Ashman, D’arcy Rae, Sam Skinner, Grant Gilchrist, Liam McConnell, Dylan Richardson, Magnus Bradbury (CAPT)
Replacements: Paddy Harrison, Jame Whitcombe, Paul Hill, Glen Younger, Freddy Douglas, Ben Vellacott, Ross Thompson, Ross McCann
Benetton: Matt Gallagher, Rhyno Smith, Filippo Drago, Malakai Fekitoa, Ignacio Mendy, Jacob Umaga, Louis Werchon; Mirco Spagnolo, Siua Maile, Giosuè Zilocchi, Giulio Marini, Eli Snyman (CAPT), Alessandro Izekor, John Bryant, So’otala Fa’aso’o
Replacements: Bautista Bernasconi, Thomas Gallo, Tiziano Pasquali, Riccardo Favretto, Federico Ruzza, Manuel Zuliani, Alessandro Garbisi, Leonardo Marin
Edinburgh Rugby Head Coach Sean Everitt: “We’re excited to be again at house after a false begin with the postponed Ulster recreation.
“It had already felt like a very long time since we’d been again with our followers, and now much more so – so we will’t wait be enjoying in entrance of them once more.
“Benetton can’t be underestimated with the squad they’ve. They’ve acquired loads of Italian internationals enjoying for them, and so they’ve acquired abroad internationals as properly, so that they’re a extremely good group.”
Benetton Head Coach Calum MacRae mentioned: “We all know that Edinburgh can be hungry and decided to ship a powerful efficiency in entrance of their house crowd. In these opening matches, they’ve proven to be a particularly bodily aspect, so we’ll must be prepared for the battle from the very first minute. Lastly, self-discipline can be a key issue: Edinburgh are very constant after they get into the opposition’s 22, so we’ll want to attenuate errors and keep centered all through the sport.”
Connacht Rugby v Vodacom Bulls
Dexcom Stadium, Galway – KO 19.45 IRE & UK / 20.45 ITA & SA
Referee: Mike Adamson (SRU, 93rd league recreation)
AR 1: Andrew Cole (IRFU) AR 2: Jack MacNeice (IRFU)
TMO: Hollie Davidson (SRU)
Reside on: TG4, Premier Sports activities, SuperSport, Flo Rugby & URC.television
Connacht Rugby: Mack Hansen, Chay Mullins, Byron Ralston, Bundee Aki, Shayne Bolton, Josh Ioane, Caolin Blade, Peter Dooley, Dave Heffernan, Finlay Bealham, Darragh Murray, David O’Connor, Josh Murphy, Cian Prendergast (CAPT), Sean Jansen
Replacements: Dylan Tierney-Martin, Jordan Duggan, Jack Aungier, Joe Joyce, Sean O’Brien, Matthew Devine, Sean Naughton, Cathal Forde
Vodacom Bulls: Willie le Roux, Canan Moodie, David Kriel, Jan Serfontein, Sebastian de Klerk, Keagan Johannes, Paul de Moist, Alu Tshakweni, Jan-Hendrik Wessels, Wilco Louw, Cobus Wiese, Reinhardt Ludwig (CAPT), Nama Xaba, JJ Theron, Jeandre Rudolph
Replacements: Johan Grobbelaar, Gerhard Steenekamp, Francois Klopper, Nicolaas Janse van Rensburg, Mpilo Gumede, Embrose Papier, Harold Vorster, Stravino Jacobs
Connacht Rugby Head Coach Stuart Lancaster mentioned: “The Vodacom Bulls are a formidable aspect, with a powerful mix of energy up entrance and tempo within the again subject. They had been Vodacom URC finalists for a motive final yr, and we’re anticipating a response after their defeat in Ulster final week. With the followers behind us, the three returning Lions and a much-improved efficiency, it ought to make for an ideal recreation.”
Vodacom Bulls Head Coach Johan Ackermann mentioned: “I’m stunned Connacht misplaced to Cardiff after a powerful first recreation. They’re a top quality group, like Ulster, with huge ball carriers and Stuart Lancaster teaching. With a number of British & Irish Lions returning, they’ll be sturdy and motivated after a house loss. It’s a tricky problem in troublesome situations, so we should put together totally for a hard-fought match.”
Dragons RFC v Cardiff Rugby
Rodney Parade, Newport – KO 19.45 IRE & UK / 20.45 ITA & SA
Referee: Federico Vedovelli (FIR, seventeenth league recreation)
AR 1: Craig Evans (WRU) AR 2: Keith David (WRU)
TMO: Stefano Roscini (FIR)
Reside on: S4C, Premier Sports activities, SuperSport, Flo Rugby & URC.television
Dragons RFC: Angus O’Brien (C.CAPT), Rio Dyer, Aneurin Owen, Harri Ackerman, Tremendous Inisi, Tinus de Beer, Rhodri Williams; Wyn Jones, Brodie Coghlan, Robert Hunt, Seb Davies, Ben Carter (C.CAPT), Shane Lewis-Hughes, Harry Beddall, Aaron Wainwright
Replacements: Oli Burrows, Rodrigo Martinez, Dillon Lewis, Matthew Screech, Ryan Woodman, Niall Armstrong, Cai Evans, Huw Anderson
Cardiff Rugby: Cam Winnett, Josh Adams, Jacob Beetham, Ben Thomas, Tom Bowen, Callum Sheedy, Aled Davies; Corey Domchowski, Liam Belcher (CAPT), Keiron Assiratti, Josh McNally, George Nott, Alex Mann, Dan Thomas, Taulupe Faletau
Replacements: Evan Lloyd, Danny Southworth, Javan Sebastian, Rory Thornton, Alun Lawrence, Taine Basham, Johan Mulder, Ioan Lloyd
Cardiff Rugby Coach Corniel van Zyl mentioned: “We had been actually happy with the combat and resilience final week in opposition to Connacht, in what was an attritional, hard-fought win.
“There’s little doubt we’ll want a variety of the identical traits on Friday in opposition to the Dragons. It’s a Welsh derby, that are at all times tight affairs and Rodney Parade is a tricky place to go.
“The Dragons rotated their group a bit final week so they are going to be contemporary and massively motivated to take us on Rodney Parade.
“They are going to throw every part at us, however we’re excited by the problem. It has been a brief turnaround, however we now have ready properly. Once more, it’s a case of concentrating on ourselves and placing our recreation on the pitch.”
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 18
Lions v Scarlets
Ellis Park, Johannesburg – KO 12.45 IRE & UK / 13.45 ITA & SA
Referee: Eoghan Cross (IRFU, thirty first league recreation)
AR 1: Griffin Colby (SARU) AR 2: AJ Jacobs (SARU)
TMO: Sam Grove-White (SRU)
Reside on: SuperSport, Premier Sports activities, TG4, Flo Rugby & URC.television
Lions: Quan Horn, Eduan Keyter, Henco van Wyk, Richard Kriel, Angelo Davids, Chris Smith, Nico Steyn, SJ Kotze, Franco Marais, Asenathi Ntlabakanye, Etienne Oosthuizen, Darrien Landsberg, JC Pretorius, Ruan Venter, Francke Horn (CAPT)
Replacements: Morne Brandon, RF Schoeman, Conraad van Vuuren, Reinhard Nothnagel, Jarod Cairns, Layton Horn, Lubabalo Dobela, Kelly Mpeku
Scarlets: Ioan Nicholas, Ellis Mee, Macs Web page, Johnny Williams (CAPT), Blair Murray, Sam Costelow, Archie Hughes, Alec Hepburn, Marnus van der Merwe, Archer Holz, Harvey Cuckson, Alex Groves, Jarrod Taylor, Dan Davis, Taine Plumtree
Replacements: Kirby Myhill, Sam O’Connor, Henry Thomas, Dan Gemine, Ben Williams, Dane Blacker, Joe Hawkins, Joe Roberts
Lions Assistant Coach Ricardo Loubscher mentioned: “The vitality throughout the camp is nice, he commented. We will’t anticipate Saturday, it’s nice to be again house.”
“We all know that it’s going to be a tricky problem on the weekend. Scarlets current a special method defensively, so from an assault perspective we must be prepared for that, he cautioned.”
“Our coaching this week was centered primarily on simulating the strain we will anticipate from the opposition when it comes to protection and assault footage, to ensure that the gamers to get a really feel of what it will likely be like come Saturday.”
Scarlets Head Coach Dwayne Peel mentioned: “The Lions are at all times a troublesome proposition at house, you’re enjoying at altitude and it’s a place the place they give the impression of being to run groups off their toes, they’re additionally a bodily, athletic group so we must handle that. Successful right here final season was huge for us and a variety of the boys right here had been a part of that squad. We now have to deliver the identical physicality and depth once more. Ellis Park is without doubt one of the nice rugby stadiums, at all times an ideal place to play. We now have been dissatisfied with the outcomes thus far, however we’re solely two video games in, it’s a lengthy season and issues can change rapidly in rugby.”
Hollywoodbets Sharks v Ulster Rugby
Hollywoodbets Kings Park, Durban – KO 15.00 IRE & UK / 16.00 ITA & SA
Referee: Ben Whitehouse (WRU, 111th league recreation)
AR 1: Morne Ferreira (SARU) AR 2: Sean Muller (SARU)
TMO: Ben Connor (WRU)
Reside on: SuperSport, Premier Sports activities, Flo Rugby & URC.television
Hollywoodbets Sharks: Edwill van der Merwe, Ethan Hooker, Jurenzo Julius, Andre Esterhuizen, Makazole Mapimpi, Siya Masuku, Grant Williams, Ox Nche, Bongi Mbonambi, Vincent Koch, Eben Etzebeth, Marvin Orie, Siya Kolisi, Vincent Tshituka (CAPT), Phepsi Buthelezi
Replacements: Fez Mbatha, Simphiwe Matanzima, Ruan Dreyer, Bathobele Hlekani, Emmanuel Tshituka, Jaden Hendrikse, Jordan Hendrikse, Lukhanyo Am
Ulster Rugby: Michael Lowry, Werner Kok, James Hume, Stuart McCloskey, Jacob Stockdale, Jack Murphy, Nathan Doak, Sam Crean, Tom Stewart, Scott Wilson, Iain Henderson (CAPT), Harry Sheridan, David McCann, Nick Timoney, Juarno Augustus
Replacements: Rob Herring, Callum Reid, Tom O’Toole, Joe Hopes, Sean Reffell, Conor McKee, Jake Flannery, Jude Postlethwaite
Leinster Rugby v Munster Rugby
Croke Park, Dublin – KO 17.15 IRE & UK / 18.15 ITA & SA
Referee: Gianluca Gnecchi (FIR, forty fourth league recreation)
AR 1: Peter Martin (IRFU) AR 2: Jonny Erskine (IRFU)
TMO: Stefano Penne (FIR)
Reside on: TG4, Premier Sports activities, SuperSport, Flo Rugby & URC.television
Leinster Rugby: Jamie Osborne, Tommy O’Brien, Garry Ringrose, Robbie Henshaw, James Lowe, Sam Prendergast, Jamison Gibson-Park, Paddy McCarthy, Rónan Kelleher, Tadhg Furlong, RG Snyman, James Ryan, Alex Soroka, Josh van der Flier, Jack Conan (CAPT)
Replacements: Dan Sheehan, Andrew Porter, Thomas Clarkson, Brian Deeny, Max Deegan, Scott Penny, Fintan Gunne, Ciarán Frawley
Munster Rugby: Shane Daly, Andrew Smith, Tom Farrell, Dan Kelly, Thaakir Abrahams, Jack Crowley, Ethan Coughlan, Michael Milne, Diarmuid Barron, John Ryan, Edwin Edogbo, Fineen Wycherley, Tadhg Beirne (CAPT), Jack O’Donoghue, Brian Gleeson
Replacements: Lee Barron, Jeremy Loughman, Ronan Foxe, Jean Kleyn, Gavin Coombes, Paddy Patterson, JJ Hanrahan, Alex Nankivell
Zebre Parma v DHL Stormers
Stadio Lanfranchi, Parma – KO 19.45 IRE & UK / 20.45 ITA & SA
Referee: Andrew Brace (IRFU, 109th league recreation)
AR 1: Filippo Russo (FIR) AR 2: Lorenzo Pedezzi (FIR)
TMO: Olly Hodges (IRFU)
Reside on: Sky Italia, Premier Sports activities, SuperSport, Flo Rugby & URC.television
Zebre Parma: Giovanni Montemauri, Mirko Belloni, Giulio Bertaccini, Damiano Mazza, Simone Gesi, Giacomo Da Re, Thomas Dominguez; Muhamed Hasa, Tommaso Di Bartolomeo, Ion Neculai, Guido Volpi, Leonard Krumov, Davide Ruggeri, Samuele Locatelli, Giovanni Licata (CAPT)
Replacements: Giovanni Quattrini, Juan Pitinari, Matteo Nocera, Franco Carrera, David Odiase, Migael Prinsloo, Marco Zanon, Lorenzo Pani
DHL Stormers: Warrick Gelant, Seabelo Senatla, Ruhan Nel (CAPT), Damian Willemse, Leolin Zas, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, Stefan Ungerer, Ali Vermaak, JJ Kotze, Zachary Porthen, Adré Smith, Ruben van Heerden, Paul de Villiers, Ben-Jason Dixon, Evan Roos
Replacements: André-Hugo Venter, Vernon Matongo, Hencus van Wyk, JD Schickerling, Ruan Ackermann, Marcel Theunissen, Imad Khan, Wandisile Simelane
DHL Stormers Director of Rugby John Dobson mentioned: “It was unbelievable to get a win in our first recreation on tour final week, however there isn’t a doubt that there are a number of areas that we will enhance on as we tackle a really aggressive Zebre aspect this weekend.
“Having a participant like Warrick again within the combine is a lift for us and the opposite gamers coming in are additionally eager to make an impression so hopefully that can work in our favour,”
Ospreys v Glasgow Warriors
Dunraven Brewery Area, Bridgend – KO 19.45 IRE & UK / 20.45 ITA & SA
Referee: Andrea Piardi (FIR, 56th league recreation)
AR 1: Ben Breakspear (WRU) AR 2: Amber Stamp-Dunstan (WRU)
TMO: Matteo Liperini (FIR)
Reside on: Premier Sports activities, SuperSport, Flo Rugby & URC.television
Ospreys: Jack Walsh, Dan Kasende, Phil Cokanasiga, Keiran Williams, Keelan Giles, Dan Edwards, Reuben Morgan-Williams, Gareth Thomas, Dewi Lake (CAPT), Ben Warren, Rhys Davies, James Fender, James Ratti, Morgan Morse, Ross Moriarty
Replacements: Ethan Lewis, Garyn Phillips, Kian Rent, Huw Sutton, Gwilym Evans, Luke Davies, Tom Florence, Iestyn Hopkins
Glasgow Warriors: Ollie Smith, Kyle Steyn (CAPT), Stafford McDowall, Sione Tuipulotu, Kyle Rowe, Adam Hastings, Jamie Dobie; Patrick Schickerling, Johnny Matthews, Murphy Walker, Max Williamson, Alex Samuel, Euan Ferrie, Angus Fraser, Matt Fagerson
Replacements: Seb Stephen, Nathan McBeth, Sam Talakai, Jare Oguntibeju, Alex Craig, Macenzzie Duncan, Ben Afshar, Dan Lancaster
Ospreys Head Coach Mark Jones mentioned: “Glasgow had been the champs two years in the past and have made the semi-finals on just a few events. They’re an all-court group that may threaten on all fronts.
“It’s a top-class outfit that’s properly coached by Franco and his group, so we’re going to must be at our very best to get the end result.”
Glasgow Warriors Head Coach Franco Smith mentioned: “We had been happy with the end result final weekend, however know that there’s nonetheless a lot for us to construct and enhance upon as we transfer ahead.
“The Ospreys have proven thus far that they’ll pose issues for any group, with a squad filled with expertise throughout each place on the sphere.
“They confirmed how proudly they defend their house document by shutting out Zebre final weekend, and we all know we might want to increase our stage to fulfill their problem.”
Catch all of the motion stay on URC.television
