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Munster v Stormers – Preview, Betting, Starting Teams

Munster will want to continue their winning start as they invite DHL Stormers to Limerick in the United Rugby Championship

Munster v Stormers will kick off at 19:35 on Saturday 2nd October in Thomond Park. The match will be shown live on Premier Sports and RTE 2.

This will be the first time the two sides have met in a competitive fixture. Munster’s only defeat in their last six URC matches was a 24-20 home loss to Connacht in the Rainbow Cup. The Irish province’s only loss to South African opposition in the Championship was to the Cheetahs in Bloemfontein in October 2019.

The Stags won their first game of the new season against the Cell C Sharks with a scoreline of 42-17. The comprehensive victory showcased Johann Van Graan’s provincial team’s strength and energy.

The Stormers have lost their last three URC games and not won outside South Africa since an April 2019 Super Rugby victory over the Rebels.

Last week, the Cape Town club lost 22-18 to Bennetton. The Stormers would have been disappointed to lose to the Italian team and will want to up their game on Saturday.

Munster v Stormers Starting Teams

Munster Rugby

Mike Haley; Calvin Nash, Keith Earls, Rory Scannell, Shane Daly; Joey Carbery, Craig Casey; Dave Kilcoyne, Niall Scannell, Keynan Knox; Jean Kleyn, Fineen Wycherley; Peter O’Mahony (C), Jack O’Donoghue, Gavin Coombes.

Replacements

Diarmuid  Barron, Jeremy Loughman, Stephen Archer, RG Snyman, Jack O’Sullivan, Rowan Osborne, Ben Healy, Simon Zebo.

 

DHL Stormers

Warrick Gelant; Sargeal Peterson, Ruhan Nel, Dan du Plessis, Leolin Zas; Mannie Libbok, Stefan Ungerer; Brok Harris, Scarra Ntubeni, Neethling Fouche; Andre Smith, Salmaan Moeret; Nama Xaba, Willie Engelbrecht, Evan Roos.

Replacements

Andre- Hugo Venter, Lyon Lyons, Sazi Sandi, Ernst Van Rhyn, Marcel Theunissen, Godlen Masimla, Tim Swiel, Rikus, Pretorius.

Betting

Outright Betting

Munster 1/40

Draw 75/1

DHL Stormers 14/1

Handicap Betting

Munster (-25) 10/11

Draw (-25) 22/1

DHL Stormers (+25) 10/11

 

Score Prediction

Stormers fans may come to Thomond Park with the hope of causing an upset but is very unlikely. Van Graan has rested some of his players using this game as a chance to decide his strongest side.

Expect this game to end with Munster claiming a bonus point in a ten-plus victory.

To read more in-depth and up-to-date Irish and international club rugby news, click here.

Peter Keane says Kerry players wanted him to stay

Peter Keane has released a statement in which he says that the Kerry senior footballers wanted him to stay on as manager of the side.

Keane was not kept on after the Munster champions lost to All-Ireland winners Tyrone in the semi-final.

The 50-year old from Cahirsiveen had won two Munster Senior Football Championships and two National League titles with the side.

The former St Mary’s player brought the side to an All-Ireland final in his first season, in which they lost to Dublin in the replay.

However, a shock loss to Cork in the Munster semi-final last year and failure to return to the biggest match in the sport has led to his downfall.

Jack O’Connor was announced to be Peter Keane’s replacement, returning for his third term in charge of the Kingdom.

In his statement, Peter Keane said: “It has been a real honour for me to have been involved with the Kerry set-up over the last decade – from Development Squad level, to managing both the minor and senior football teams.

“It was great to work with so many of our talented young footballers. To watch their progression – showing potential from young players in developing squads was a privilege. To be able to guide them to make the step up to minor level and then onto senior level has been hugely rewarding.

“Unfortunately, losing the semi-final by one point in extra time to the eventual All-Ireland winners, led to a decision to end the work we had started and the momentum we had built.

“I know the players very much wanted us to continue with our project. They were the reason I wanted to stay. We were a united Kerry team with a great sense of purpose and ambition.

“All the players communicated to the County Board sub-committee their strong preference for the present management to be retained. It’s most disappointing that their wishes do not appear to have been considered in the decision-making process.”

He added: “The players are a credit to their families, partners, clubs, and communities. I wish them every success in the future as they start out again.

“It has been a very tough time for everyone over the last while. During my term, we had two very unusual GAA seasons. It was fantastic to start seeing fans back at games again. I will now re-join the Kerry supporters in the stands and the terraces, and I want to thank all the wonderful Kerry supporters who have given us such fantastic backing over the years.

“I would also like to pay tribute to all those who have been involved in the backroom teams at minor and senior level over the past six years – especially James Foley, Maurice Fitzgerald, and Tommy Griffin. There are too many others to mention but they all know how much I appreciated their input and friendship.

“I’d especially like to thank my wife Siobhan and my three boys for giving me their unwavering and unbelievable support.

“Ciarraí Abú”.

Cage Warriors 128 – Preview, Full Card, Odds, Where To Watch

Cage Warriors

Cage Warriors 128 sees a rivalry reach its peak on Friday night when Irishman Paul Hughes and Morgan Charrière face-off in the cage for the interim featherweight belt.

The fight headlines the second card in the fifth Cage Warriors trilogy series, which also includes Cage Warriors 127 and 129.

Thursday night’s card saw Dominique Wooding win the vacant bantamweight title in a comeback victory over 6-0 Nathan Fletcher.

Both fighters have lost to current featherweight king Jordan Vucenic in recent memory and will battle for their right to a rematch.

Vucenic was meant to fight the Frenchman a second time in June for his first title defence but injury brought an end to those plans.

As Vucenic recovers, Fight Academy Ireland prospect Hughes has been granted the opportunity to defeat ‘The Last Pirate’ and earn a shot at his first-ever championship belt.

Charrière has said that he does not care about the interim belt or the opponent he has to face and is just focused on ensuring that the division’s belt returns to him.

The 24-year-old Derry native is who currently stands in the Frenchman’s way of doing so, with Vucenic keeping a keen eye on the fight from afar.

The co-main event sees Greek fighter Ioannis Palaiologos take on Jesse Urholin in the Welterweight division.

The unbeaten Finn is ranked third in the division and will welcome the EFL Martial Arts Academy to Cage Warriors.

Fights between Adam Amarasinghe and Michele Martignoni, and Gerardo Fanny and Liam Gittins round off the main card.

Irish mixed-martial artist James Sheehan will take part in a welterweight bout on the preliminary card, fighting the unbeaten Omiel Brown.

Cage Warriors 128 – Full Card

Main Card

Main Event – Interim Featherweight Title – Paul Hughes (144.1 lbs) vs. Morgan Charrière (145 lbs).

Welterweight – Ioannis Palaiologos (170.9 lbs) vs. Jesse Urholin (170.7 lbs).

Flyweight – Michele Martignoni (125.9 lbs) vs. Adam Amarasinghe (125.6 lbs).

Catchweight 130 lbs – Gerardo Fanny (129.9 lbs) vs. Liam Gittins (129 lbs).

Prelims

Bantamweight – Philippe Rouch (134.7 lbs) vs. Aidan James (135.8 lbs).

Welterweight – James Sheehan (169.3 lbs) vs. Omiel Brown (169.4 lbs).

Bantamweight – Kamil Wincenciak (135.3 lbs)  vs.  Luke Riley (136 lbs).

Odds

Hughes 4/5 v 5/4 Charrière

Palaiologos 3/1 v 2/9 Urholin

Martignoni 5/4 v 4/5 Amarasinghe

Fanny 11/10 v 2/3 Gittins

Rouch 1/3 v 11/5 James

Brown 7/5 v 1/2 Sheehan

Wincenciak 4/10 v 1/2 Riley

Where To Watch

The full card will begin at 8:15 pm and will be available to watch globally on UFC Fight Pass.

Brighton v Arsenal – Preview, Betting & Probable Starting Teams

Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal are preparing to face one of the Premier League’s biggest surprises this season in Brighton on Saturday

Brighton v Arsenal will kick off at 17:30 on Saturday, 2nd October in the Brighton Community Stadium with Jonathan Moss officiating. The match will be shown live on Sky Sports Premier League.

Graham Potter’s team has shocked many neutral fans with some strong performances in the league. Seagulls’ fans will be very happy after a late comeback draw against Crystal Palace last week.

Although they stand in sixth place, they will be a little worried by the injury to their talismanic midfielder Yves Bissouma.

After a bad start, Arsenal is not hot on Brighton’s heels. Another win could put them one point off their opponents in the table and springboard them into the top seven.

But like Brighton, the Gunners will be without a leader in midfield. It has been confirmed that former captain Granit Xhaka could miss out on games until after the New Year with a knee injury. He will likely be replaced by young Belgian Albert Sambi-Lokonga.

This has been a very tense affair in recent years with Brighton striker Neil Maupay being a famous villain to the Gunners. In their last 10 meetings, Arsenal has won five games including both games last season.

Brighton v Arsenal Probable Starting Teams

Brighton and Hove Albion

Formation

3-4-3

Probable Starting 11

Sanchez (GK), Burn, Duffy, Dunk, Cucerella, Lallana, Gross, Veltman, Connolly, Maupay, Trossard.

Injuries / Suspensions

Webster (Hamstring), Welbeck (Hamstring), Mwepu (Groin), Alzate (Ligament injury), Bissouma (Knee)

 

Arsenal FC

Formation

4-2-3-1

Probable Starting 11

Ramsdale (GK), Tierney, Gabriel, White, Tomiyasu, Partey, Lokonga, Saka, Odegaard, Smith-Rowe, Aubemyang

Injuries / Suspensions

Xhaka (Knee)

Betting

Brighton and Hove Albion 2/1

Draw 21/10

Arsenal 29/20

 

Score Prediction

This game could easily go either way judging by the unexpected form of both teams. Brighton’s home advantage on the south coast could play a part in their fortunes against Arteta’s men. A loss could end up being detrimental to both sides’ seasons and it will be important for them to keep adding points.

Expect the game to end 2-2 with the Gunners’ winning streak coming to an end.

To read more in-depth and up-to-date national and Premier League football news, click here.

Leinster flanker Josh VDF to earn 100th cap against Dragons

The Leinster Rugby team to take on Dragons on Sunday at Rodney Parade has been named by head coach Leo Cullen (KO 2 pm – live on RTÉ, Premier Sports, S4C, URC TV and RTÉ Radio).

There are only a few changes to the team that accounted for the Vodacom Bulls in the Round 1 fixture last weekend at Aviva Stadium.

However, there are several milestone moments for players on Sunday with Josh van der Flier winning his 100th cap for the province and lock James Ryan captaining the club for the first time.

Academy back Rob Russell is also set to make his debut for the province after being named on the wing.

Russell was a part of Noel McNamara’s 2019 U-20 Grand Slam-winning side while he’s also been involved in successful Celtic Cup teams with the province.

There is also a welcome competitive return from long-term injury for a number of players involved.

It’s a slightly changed back three for Cullen this week with Hugo Keenan at full-back, Russell on the right and Rory O’Loughlin on the left.

There is a change in the centre with Conor O’Brien back from injury and starting for Leinster for the first time since February 2020.

Outside O’Brien will be Garry Ringrose, who played alongside Ciaran Frawley in midfield against the Vodacom Bulls.

There is a new pair at half-back with Jamison Gibson-Park and Ross Byrne starting their first games of the season.

There is no change to Cullen’s front row with Andrew Porter, Dan Sheehan and Michael Ala’alatoa again selected and behind them it’s also the same lock combination of Ross Molony and first-time captain Ryan.

Ryan made his Leinster debut away to Dragons in September 2017 in the first game of the double-winning season and the 25-year-old will now lead Leinster Rugby for the first time at the same venue.

There is only one change to the back row with Max Deegan coming in at No 8 for the injured Caelan Doris – Deegan will make his first competitive start since August 2020.

Elsewhere, it’s as you were with Rhys Ruddock and Josh van der Flier on the flanks.

Wicklow man van der Flier will make his 100th appearance for Leinster on Sunday. He made his debut in October 2014 against Zebre and has since scored 12 tries in 99 appearances for his province.

He will be the fifth centurion on the field against the Welsh side, after Byrne, Gibson-Park, Molony and Ruddock.

On the bench there is a return to Leinster colours for recent signing Nick McCarthy, while Dan Leavy is another to hopefully make a welcome return from injury should he be introduced.

Cian Healy and James are the two centurions on the bench.

Injury updates for the squad ahead of their clash with Dragons can be seen here.

Leinster Squad v Dragons

15. Hugo Keenan (31)
14. Rob Russell (0)
13. Garry Ringrose (87)
12. Conor O’Brien (23)
11. Rory O’Loughlin (88)
10. Ross Byrne (105)
9. Jamison Gibson-Park (102)

1. Andrew Porter (78)
2. Dan Sheehan (14)
3. Michael Ala’alatoa (1)
4. Ross Molony (117)
5. James Ryan (51) CAPTAIN
6. Rhys Ruddock (189)
7. Josh van der Flier (99)
8. Max Deegan (66)

Replacements:

16. James Tracy (130)
17. Ed Byrne (71)
18. Cian Healy (232)
19. Ryan Baird (28)
20. Dan Leavy (72)
21. Nick McCarthy (36)
22. Ciarán Frawley (36)
23. Scott Penny (29)

Leeds v Watford – Preview, Betting & Probable Starting Teams

Seven games into the Premier League and Marcelo Bielsa’s Leeds United are still looking for their first win as they play Watford

Leeds v Watford will kick off at 15:00 on Saturday, 2nd October in Elland Road with Simon Hooper as referee.

The Whites’ have failed to find the spark that excited many neutral fans during their return to the Premier League last year. After six games, they have gotten three draws, losing in dramatic fashion to West Ham last week.

Their form is not helped by the recent injury to star striker Patrick Bamford. Their top goalscorer last season injured his ankle in a tough challenge last week and is expected to miss another week of games.

Watford may have taken Leeds’ spot as one of the most exciting teams to watch this season. So far, the Hornets have beating Aston Villa and Norwich as well as drawing against Newcastle. These good performances have them in 12th place.

They will want a week this Saturday as their fixture list is looking tough. Watford will play five of the ‘Big Six’ clubs in their next seven games.

In recent history, this has been a fixture favored by Watford. They have won six of their last 11 meetings which only include games in the Championship. Leeds has not won this tie since 2013 but has an extra year’s experience in the English top-flight.

Leeds v Watford Probable Starting Teams

Leeds United

Formation

4-1-4-1

Probable Starting 11

Meslier (GK), Firpo, Cooper, Cresswell, Shackleton, Phillips, James, Dallas, Klich, Harrison, Rodrigo

Injuries / Suspensions

Forshaw (Hamstring), Ayling (Knee), Bamford (Ankle), Koch (Groin)

 

Watford FC

Formation

4-2-3-1

Probable Starting 11

Foster (GK), Rose, Cathcart, Troost-Ekong, Kiko, Kucka, Sissoko, Dennis, Cleverly, Sarr, King

Injuries / Suspensions

Etebo (Muscle injury)

Betting

Leeds United 8/11

Draw 11/4

Watford 7/2

 

Score Prediction

Injuries to stalwart players will have a major impact on Bielsa’s starting team. The only thing that could save the Whites’ Saturday afternoon is the immense support of the Elland Road faithful. It will be interesting to see if the young and fats Watford team will crumple or mold together from the pressure.

Expect the game to end 2-1 to Leeds United.

To read more in-depth and up-to-date national and Premier League football news, click here.

Doak set for first Ulster start against Zebre

Ulster head coach Dan McFarland has announced his matchday 23 that will face Zebre at the Stade Sergio Lanfranchi in Parma, Italy on Saturday evening at 5:15 pm BST.

19-year-old scrum-half, Nathan Doak, will make his first competitive start for Ulster as John Cooney is currently out through injury – Doak played 50 minutes against Glasgow after the Ireland international’s withdrawal.

Doak, who scored his first senior try against Glasgow Warriors last Friday, has been named alongside Billy Burns at out-half.

In the midfield, James Hume has been paired up with Stewart Moore while Ethan McIlroy makes a positional switch to the left-wing, with Craig Gilroy coming in to take up the right-wing position, and Will Addison named at full-back.

It’s all change in the front row with Eric O’Sullivan and Tom O’Toole coming in to prop at either side of Rob Herring, who will be just one appearance away from the ‘200’ milestone when he takes the field tomorrow.

Alan O’Connor will skipper the Ulster side and is partnered by former Zebre lock Mick Kearney in the second row.

Matty Rea is selected at blindside flanker, and Nick Timoney switches to openside, with David McCann named at Number Eight.

Brad Roberts, Callum Reid, Marty Moore, Sam Carter and Sean Reidy are the forward options from the bench, and David Shanahan, Mike Lowry and Ben Moxham offer backline cover.

12 players are unavailable for the game, including Cooney, Jordi Murphy and club captain Iain Henderson.

Ulster Team v Zebre

(15-9) Will Addison, Craig Gilroy, James Hume, Stewart Moore, Ethan McIlroy, Billy Burns, Nathan Doak;

(1-8) Eric O’Sullivan, Rob Herring, Tom O’Toole, Alan O’Connor (Capt.), Mick Kearney, Matty Rea, Nick Timoney, David McCann.

Replacements: Brad Roberts, Callum Reid, Marty Moore, Sam Carter, Sean Reidy, David Shanahan, Mike Lowry, Ben Moxham.

Players not considered due to injury or unavailability:

Jack McGrath, Iain Henderson, Luke Marshall, Cormac Izuchukwu, David O’Connor, Jordi Murphy, John Cooney, Stuart McCloskey, Robert Baloucoune, Kieran Treadwell, Ian Madigan, Jacob Stockdale.

Challenge Cup pools and fixtures announced

Ahead of the December kick-off of the European club season, EPCR has announce a rebrand of the Challenge Cup

It will be officially renamed the ‘EPCR Challenge Cup’. This new look and feel have emerged following feedback from fans worldwide and EPCR has stepped up to create an enduring identity for the future.

Content strands celebrating diversity, embracing inclusion, and promoting accessibility. It will be available primarily on a new fan-focused tournament Instagram account epcr_challengecup and this will complement additional material on EPCR’s other social media channels as well as on epcrugby.com.

The rebrand is aimed at engaging a new generation of rugby fans while acknowledging the established supporters of the tournament since its inception in 1996.

How will the new Challenge Cup play out?

A modified format for the 2021/22 season will see 15 clubs with 10 European titles between them competing in three pools of five. Three-time finalists, RC Toulon, two-time winners, Gloucester Rugby, and Saracens, are among the favorites to lift silverware in Marseille next May.

Another former Challenge Cup winner, Biarritz Olympique, is making a welcome return to European competition after an absence of seven years.

The clubs were allocated into three pools based on their rankings from last season’s leagues and the pool stage will be played over five rounds starting on the 10th December and finishing on the weekend 10th April 2022.

A Round of 16 will be played on the weekend of 17th April 2022, followed by quarterfinals and semi-finals, with the final at the Stade Vélodrome, Marseille on 27 May 2022.

One club in each pool will have a bye during each round. A limited number of fixtures will see clubs playing against opponents from the same league.

The three highest-ranked clubs from each pool, and the highest-ranked fourth-placed club, as well as the three clubs, ranked nine to 11 from each of the Heineken Champions Cup pools, will qualify for the Round of 16.

The exact dates of the pool stage fixtures, as well as kick-off times and TV coverage, will be announced shortly.

2021/2022 EPCR Challenge Cup Pools

Pool A

RC Toulon, Newcastle Falcons, Zebre Rugby Club, Worcester Warriors, Biarritz Olympique

Pool B

Dragons, Lyon, Gloucester Rugby, Benetton Rugby, USAP

Pool C

London Irish, Edinburgh Rugby, CA Brive, Section Paloise, Saracens

 

2021/22 weekends

First Round – 10/11/12 December

Second Round – 17/18/19 December

Third Round – 14/15/16 January 2022

Fourth Round – 21/22/23 January 2022

Heineken Champions Cup Round of 16 (1st leg) and EPCR Challenge Cup Round 5 – 8/9/10 April 2022

Heineken Champions Cup Round of 16 (2nd leg) and EPCR Challenge Cup Round of 16 – 15/16/17 April 2022

Quarter-finals – 6/7/8 May 2022

Semi-finals – 13/14/15 May 2022

EPCR Challenge Cup final – Friday 27 May 2022; Stade Vélodrome, Marseille

Heineken Champions Cup final – Saturday 28 May 2022; Stade Vélodrome, Marseille

 

To read more in-depth and up-to-date Irish and international rugby news, click here.

Ireland U21 Squad Announced For Luxembourg and Montenegro Games

Republic of Ireland Under-21s Manager Jim Crawford has named his squad for the UEFA Under-21 European Championship qualifiers against Luxembourg at Tallaght Stadium on Friday, October 8 and an extended squad for the qualifier against Montenegro in Podgorica on Tuesday, October 12.

With Montenegro on the UK and German red list, current Covid-19 travel restrictions could see Ireland travel to Podgorica with a home-based squad – Montenegro is currently not on Ireland’s red list.

Under the current guidelines in Britain and Germany, any UK or German-based Ireland Under-21 player would be forced to undergo a period in quarantine before returning to their clubs if they travel to Montenegro for the second game of this international window.

FIFA, the Premier League and the English Football League have appealed to the UK Government to relax these rules for professional footballers on international duty this month and the FAI is working closely with their colleagues at The FA on this developing story.

As the FAI awaits a possible ruling in the UK, Ireland Under-21 manager Crawford has named his squad for Luxembourg and the extended squad for Montenegro with 13 home-based players called up for the first time.

The two-game qualifying series will open with the visit of Luxembourg to Tallaght Stadium on Friday, October 8 – the first home game of 2021 and also the first in front of Ireland fans for the Under 21s since November 2019.

Tickets for the Luxembourg game have gone on general sale today priced at €10 for adults, €5 for under-16s.

Republic of Ireland Under-21s squad for Luxembourg U21

Goalkeepers: Sam Blair (Bury Town, on loan from Norwich City), Brian Maher (Bray Wanderers), David Odumosu (Drogheda United)Defenders: Joel Bagan (Cardiff City), Andy Lyons (Bohemians), Oisin McEntee (Greenock Morton, on loan from Newcastle United), Mark McGuinness (Cardiff City), Jake O’Brien (Crystal Palace), Lee O’Connor (Tranmere Rovers, on loan from Celtic)

Midfielders: Conor Coventry (Peterborough United, on loan from West Ham United), Dawson Devoy (Bohemians), Alex Gilbert (Swindon Town, on loan from Brentford), Gavin Kilkenny (Bournemouth), Conor Noss (Borussia Möchengladbach), Ross Tierney (Bohemians), Louie Watson (Derby County)

Forwards: Evan Ferguson (Brighton and Hove Albion), Will Ferry (Crawley Town, on loan from Southampton), Joshua ‘JJ’ Kayode (Rotherham United), Liam Kerrigan (UCD), Andrew Moran (Brighton and Hove Albion), Ollie O’Neill (Fulham), Tyreik Wright (Salford City, on loan from Aston Villa), Colm Whelan (UCD)

Republic of Ireland Under-21 squad for Montenegro U21 (pending UK/German Covid-19 travel restrictions)

Goalkeepers: Sam Blair (Bury Town, on loan from Norwich City), Brian Maher (Bray Wanderers), David Odumosu (Drogheda United)

Defenders: Joel Bagan (Cardiff City), Andy Lyons (Bohemians), Oisin McEntee (Greenock Morton, on loan from Newcastle United), Mark McGuinness (Cardiff City), Jake O’Brien (Crystal Palace), Lee O’Connor (Tranmere Rovers, on loan from Celtic), Ronan Boyce (Derry City), Kameron Ledwidge (Shelbourne) Josh Honohan (Cork City), Alex Murphy (Galway United), Niall O’Keefe (Waterford), Andrew Quinn (Bray Wanderers, on loan from Dundalk), Evan Weir (UCD)

Midfielders: Conor Coventry (Peterborough United, on loan from West Ham United), Dawson Devoy (Bohemians), Alex Gilbert (Swindon Town, on loan from Brentford), Gavin Kilkenny (Bournemouth), Conor Noss (Borussia Möchengladbach), Ross Tierney (Bohemians), Louie Watson (Derby County), Evan McLaughlin (Derry City), Niall Morahan (Sligo Rovers), Darragh Nugent (Longford Town, on loan from Shamrock Rovers), Killian Phillips (Drogheda United)

Forwards: Evan Ferguson (Brighton and Hove Albion), Will Ferry (Crawley Town, on loan from Southampton), Joshua ‘JJ’ Kayode (Rotherham United), Liam Kerrigan (UCD), Andrew Moran (Brighton and Hove Albion), Ollie O’Neill (Fulham), Tyreik Wright (Salford City, on loan from Aston Villa), Colm Whelan (UCD), Johnny Kenny (Sligo), Brandon Kavanagh (Bray Wanderers, on loan from Shamrock Rovers), Cian Kavanagh (Waterford), Dean Williams (Longford Town, on loan from Shamrock Rovers)

UEFA Under-21 European Championship Qualifiers – Group F 

Friday, October 8 | Republic of Ireland U21 v Luxembourg U21, Tallaght Stadium, KO 5.15pm

Tuesday, October 12 | Montenegro U21 v Republic of Ireland U21, Gradski Stadion, Podgorica, KO 4.30pm (Irish time)

URC launch attracts record number of viewers

The launch of the United Rugby Championship (URC) last weekend attracted a record number of viewers for a single league round.

Early figures show that domestic audiences alone surpassed the old global record of 853,511 from a derby round in 2017/18 and will continue to climb until all consolidated reports and international viewing figures are in.

Round 1 of the URC represented the first airing for the league’s new hybrid model of Free-to-Air (FTA), Pay TV and OTT which is geared towards making the sport as accessible as possible in its core territories and in international markets.

FTA is a fundamental component of the URC’s new broadcast strategy and rooted in fan feedback projects which identified increased FTA coverage in domestic markets as a priority for the new league.

Round 1 saw the return of RTÉ and BBC Wales which complemented the reach of existing partners TG4 and S4C while BBC Northern Ireland will screen league action once again when they begin their coverage in Round 3.

Mediaset also made its debut in Italy as FTA access made a welcome return with a strong opening audience.

In the UK, Premier Sports continue to be the only place to watch all 151 URC games live while they also began their Irish coverage for the first time.

SuperSport brought the new league into the homes of fans in South Africa for the first time as all four of their teams made their bow in the URC.

Round 1 also marked the successful launch of URC TV, the league’s OTT streaming service that is available domestically in the Republic of Ireland and internationally where fans in the US, Australia and many other worldwide territories can watch all their team’s games live and on-demand throughout the season.

Reacting to the record viewership, CEO Martin Anayi, said: “To achieve this milestone based only on domestic viewers in the first weekend proves the interest fans have in our players and teams and we firmly believe we will grow to audiences of over 1 million domestic viewers per round very quickly.

“Round 1 showcased everything the URC can be with fans back in the stadiums watching some thrilling rugby created by so many different playing styles.

“We saw sharp presentation across all of our broadcasters who do a terrific job in bringing the stories of our games and players to life with engaging personalities and insightful analysis.

“In a ground-breaking move for our league, we saw the launch of URC TV which allows us to offer fans across the world a direct channel to watch their favourite teams on their terms.”

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