We have the starting teams and the opposition for Connacht, Leinster, Munster, and Ulster on round 12 of the URC.
The teams for this weekend’s Round 13 fixtures of the BKT United Rugby Championship have been named with all details of match officials and broadcast information below.
TEAM NEWS HEADLINES
#DRAvZEB
Dmitri Arhip in line to make his Dragons RFC debut if called upon from the bench
Italian internationals Danilo Fischetti, Lorenzo Pani, Andrea Zambonin and Luca Bigi return to Zebre Parma match day squad
#LEIvBUL
Eleven players return from Ireland Six Nations duty to start for Leinster
Elrigh Louw returns from injury for the Vodacom Bulls
#BENvCON
Tommaso Menoncello and Ignacio Brex make up the centre pairing for Benetton
Connacht make seven changes to their side with two of them in the front row – Jordan Duggan comes in at loosehead and Dave Heffernan at hooker
#SHAvEDI
Vincent Koch will make his first start for Hollywoodbets Sharks after making his debut last week
Scotland stars Duhan van der Merwe, Pierre Schoeman and Jamie Ritchie all return to Edinburgh Rugby starting XV
#OSPvLIO
Sam Parry will make his 150th appearance for Ospreys
Edwill van der Merwe will make his 50th appearance for the Emirates Lions
#STOvULS
Hacjivah Dayimani will make his 50th appearance for the DHL Stormers
Rob Herring captains Ulster
#MUNvCAR
Ireland internationals Tadhg Beirne, Jack Crowley and Peter O’Mahony all return to start for Munster with Beirne captaining the side
Cardiff Rugby welcome the return of six further Wales internationals to the match-day squad
#SCAvGLA
Kieran Hardy makes his 100th appearance for Scarlets
Gregor Hiddleston makes first BKT URC start for Glasgow Warriors
FRIDAY, MARCH 29
Dragons RFC v Zebre Parma
Rodney Parade, Newport – KO 19.35 IRE & UK / 20.35 ITA / 21.35 SA
Referee: Mike Adamson (SRU, 78th league game)
AR 1: Adam Jones (WRU) AR 2: Carwyn Williams (WRU)
TMO: Andrew McMenemy (SRU)
Live on: BBC Wales, SuperSport, Viaplay, Premier Sports, Flo Rugby & URC.tv
Dragons RFC: Cai Evans, Rio Dyer, Steff Hughes (CAPT), Aneurin Owen, Jared Rosser, Will Reed, Rhodri Williams, Rhodri Jones, Elliot Dee, Luke Yendle, Ben Carter, Matthew Screech, Sean Lonsdale, Taine Basham, Aaron Wainwright
Replacements: James Benjamin, Rodrigo Martinez, Dmitri Arhip, George Nott, Dan Lydiate, Harri Keddie, Dane Blacker, Joe Westwood
Zebre Parma: Lorenzo Pani, Pierre Bruno, Franco Smith Jr, Fetuli Paea, Simone Gesi, Tiff Eden, Gonzalo Garcia, Danilo Fischetti, Giampietro Ribaldi, Juan Pitinari, Leonard Krumov, Andrea Zambonin, Davide Ruggeri, Iacopo Bianchi, Giovanni Licata (CAPT)
Replacements: Luca Bigi, Muhamed Hasa, Ion Neculai, David Sisi, Josh Kaifa, Alessandro Fusco, Jacopo Trulla, Guido Volpi
Dragons RFC Head Coach Dai Flanagan said: “It’s a big game because we need to win our home games. We must turn up to every game expecting to win, especially at Rodney Parade. The boys are up for it; everyone is excited and having a bit of a run of games at home as well is great. We want to put on the show. We were millimetres away from doing better things last weekend (against Vodacom Bulls) and we need to execute this Good Friday to win the game. Our first task is to repeat physically where we were last week. I thought we won a lot of first contact against a massive Bulls team. Not many teams have done that against them. Italian teams are also physical, they thrive on a motion, so we need to bring physicality and energy.”
Zebre Parma Head Coach Fabio Roselli said: “We have an important game ahead of us. It will be a tough challenge, especially at Dragons’ home. We welcome back the return of the international players, coming back from an excellent Six Nations with Italy. I’m sure they will bring their experience, enthusiasm and determination to this match as well. The first important key will be the mental aspect. Our approach to the match must be one of great determination to dominate every sequence of the game, from the beginning to the end”.
Leinster v Vodacom Bulls
RDS Arena, Dublin – KO 19.35 IRE & UK / 20.35 ITA / 21.35 SA
Referee: Craig Evans (WRU, 54th league game)
AR 1: Chris Busby (IRFU) AR 2: Andy Fogarty (IRFU)
TMO: Ben Whitehouse (WRU)
Live on: TG4, SuperSport, Viaplay, Premier Sports, Flo Rugby & URC.tv
Leinster: Jordan Larmour, Rob Russell, Robbie Henshaw, Jamie Osborne, James Lowe, Harry Byrne, Luke McGrath (CAPT), Cian Healy, Rónan Kelleher, Michael Ala’alatoa, Ross Molony, Joe McCarthy, Ryan Baird, Josh van der Flier, Jack Conan
Replacements: Dan Sheehan, Michael Milne, Tadhg Furlong, Jason Jenkins, Caelan Doris, Jamison Gibson-Park, Ross Byrne, Liam Turner
Vodacom Bulls: Willie Le Roux, Kurt-Lee Arendse, Canan Moodie, David Kriel, Devon Williams, Johan Goosen, Embrose Papier, Gerhard Steenekamp, Akker van der Merwe, Wilco Louw, Ruan Vermaak, Ruan Nortje (CO-CAPT), Marco van Staden, Elrigh Louw, Marcell Coetzee (CO-CAPT)
Replacements: Johan Grobbelaar, Simphiwe Matanzima, Mornay Smith, Reinhardt Ludwig, Mpilo Gumede, Zak Burger, Chris Smith, Harold Vorster
SATURDAY, MARCH 30
Benetton v Connacht
Stadio Monigo, Treviso – KO 13.00 IRE & UK / 14.00 ITA / 15.00 SA
Referee: Morne Ferreira (SARU, 9th league game)
AR 1: Federico Vedovelli (FIR) AR 2: Manuel Bottino (FIR)
TMO: Marius Jonker (SARU)
Live on: Sky Italia, TG4, SuperSport, Viaplay, Premier Sports, Flo Rugby & URC.tv
Benetton: Rhyno Smith, Ignacio Mendy, Tommaso Menoncello, Ignacio Brex, Onisi Ratave, Jacob Umaga, Alessandro Garbisi, Thomas Gallo, Giacomo Nicotera, Giosuè Zilocchi, Niccolò Cannone, Eli Snyman (CAPT), Alessandro Izekor, Michele Lamaro, Toa Halafihi
Replacements: Bautista Bernasconi, Mirco Spagnolo, Tiziano Pasquali, Federico Ruzza, Lorenzo Cannone, Andy Uren, Tomas Albornoz, Malakai Fekitoa
Connacht: Tiernan O’Halloran, Diarmuid Kilgallen, David Hawkshaw, Cathal Forde, Andrew Smith, Jack Carty (CAPT), Michael McDonald, Jordan Duggan, Dave Heffernan, Jack Aungier, Niall Murray, Joe Joyce, Cian Prendergast, Shamus Hurley-Langton, Paul Boyle
Replacements: Eoin de Buitléar, Denis Buckley, Sam Illo, Darragh Murray, Jarrad Butler, Colm Reilly, Shane Jennings, Shayne Bolton
Benetton Head Coach Marco Bortolami said: “We are happy to have found practically the entire group, apart from Lucchesi and Ferrari who remained rested. There is a great desire for redemption after last week’s lacklustre performance. We have had a good week of training and the aim is to field a very competitive XV, with the return of some internationals who played well during the Six Nations. And with an equally strong bench that can allow us to finish all 80 minutes with the highest possible standards. We are very excited and determined for an important match”
Connacht Head Coach Pete Wilkins said: “Tomorrow is a hugely significant game for both ourselves and Benetton. There is very little between the teams from 4th to 11th in the URC table, and one result can see any team make a big rise up the standings. Benetton are a team with international quality throughout their squad, and we have always found our encounters over in Treviso to be an enormous physical and mental test. Having been disappointed with both our performance and result last weekend, it is now about delivering the appropriate response. So it is a challenge that we are hugely excited about and will travel to Italy highly motivated and determined to deliver a big performance.”
Hollywoodbets Sharks v Edinburgh Rugby
Hollywoodbets Kings Park, Durban – KO 13.00 IRE & UK / 14.00 ITA / 15.00 SA
Referee: Eoghan Cross (IRFU, 15th league game)
AR 1: Cwengile Jadezweni (SARU) AR 2: Jonothan Lottering (SARU)
TMO: Marc Patton (IRFU)
Live on: SuperSport, Viaplay, Premier Sports, Flo Rugby & URC.tv
Hollywoodbets Sharks: Aphelele Fassi, Werner Kok, Lukhanyo Am (CAPT), Francois Venter, Makazole Mapimpi, Siya Masuka, Jaden Hendrikse, Ox Nche, Bongi Mbonambi, Vincent Koch, Eben Etzebeth, Emile van Heerden, James Venter, Vincent Tshituka, Phepsi Buthelezi
Replacements: Dan Jooste, Ntuthuko Mchunu, Hanro Jacobs, Corne Rahl, Jeandre Labuschagne, Cameron Wright, Curwin Bosch, Ethan Hooker
Edinburgh Rugby: Wes Goosen, Jake Henry, Matt Currie, Chris Dean, Duhan van der Merwe, Ben Healy, Ben Vellacott (CAPT), Pierre Schoeman, Ewan Ashman, WP Nel, Jamie Hodgson, Sam Skinner, Jamie Ritchie, Hamish Watson, Viliame Mata
Replacements: Dave Cherry, Boan Venter, Javan Sebastian, Marshall Sykes, Connor Boyle, Charlie Shiel, Cammy Scott, James Lang
Edinburgh Rugby Head Coach Sean Everitt said: “It’s great to welcome back some more of our Scotland internationalists. Guys like Jamie [Ritchie] and Pierre [Schoeman] bring a lot of quality and experience to the pack, and they’ll be raring to go after getting a bit of time off after the Six Nations. We’ve spoken this week about remaining resilient and sticking to our game plan, while staying strong mentally when coming under pressure. Sharks are strong at home but we’re ready for the challenge and look forward to the opportunity of representing our city and fans while here on South African soil.”
Ospreys v Emirates Lions
Swansea.com Stadium, Swansea – KO 15.05 IRE & UK / 16.05 ITA / 17.05 SA
Referee: Andrew Brace (IRFU, 93rd league game)
AR 1: Tom Spurrier (WRU) AR 2: Gwyn Morris (WRU)
TMO: Leo Colgan (IRFU)
Live on: S4C, SuperSport, Viaplay, Premier Sports, Flo Rugby & URC.tv
Ospreys: Jack Walsh, Luke Morgan, Evardi Boshoff, Owen Watkin, Keelan Giles, Owen Williams, Reuben Morgan-Williams, Gareth Thomas, Sam Parry, Tom Botha, Rhys Davies, Adam Beard, James Ratti, Justin Tipuric (CAPT), Morgan Morris
Replacements: Lewis Lloyd, Garyn Phillips, Ben Warren, Huw Sutton, Harri Deaves, Luke Davies, Max Nagy, Keiran Williams
Emirates Lions: Quan Horn, Richard Kriel, Erich Cronje, Marius Louw (CAPT), Edwill van der Merwe, Jordan Hendrikse, Sanele Nohamba, JP Smith, PJ Botha, Conraad van Vuuren, Etienne Oosthuizen, Reinhard Nothnagel, JC Pretorius, Emmanuel Tshituka, Francke Horn
Replacements: Jaco Visagie, Morgan Naude, Ruan Dreyer, Darrien Landsberg, Izan Esterhuizen, Hanru Sirgel, Morne van den Berg, Stean Pienaar
Ospreys Head Coach Toby Booth said: “There will be a lot of set piece pressure coming our way. As a South African team, they will pride themselves in that. We know we’re in for an arm wrestle, they play a game quite similar style to us in that they have a set piece presence and when it loosens up, they have the ability to play fast and wide.”
DHL Stormers v Ulster
DHL Stadium, Cape Town – KO 17.15 IRE & UK / 18.15 ITA / 19.15 SA
Referee: Sam Grove-White (SRU, 41st league game)
AR 1: Aimee Barret Theron (SARU) AR 2: Stephan Geldenhuys (SARU)
TMO: Colin Brett (SRU)
Live on: SuperSport, Viaplay, Premier Sports, Flo Rugby & URC.tv
DHL Stormers: Warrick Gelant, Suleiman Hartzenberg, Dan du Plessis, Damian Willemse, Leolin Zas, Manie Libbok, Paul de Wet, Brok Harris, Joseph Dweba, Neethling Fouche, Salmaan Moerat (CAPT), Ruben van Heerden, Willie Engelbrecht, Hacjivah Dayimani, Evan Roos
Replacements: JJ Kotze, Leon Lyons, Frans Malherbe, Adre Smith, Ben-Jason Dixon, Marcel Theunissen, Herschel Jantjies, Ben Loader
Ulster: Mike Lowry, Rob Baloucoune, James Hume, Stuart McCloskey, Ethan McIlroy, Nathan Doak, John Cooney, Steven Kitshoff, Rob Herring (CAPT), Tom O’Toole, Harry Sheridan, Kieran Treadwell, Matty Rea, David McCann, Nick Timoney
Replacements: Tom Stewart, Andrew Warwick, Scott Wilson, Cormac Izuchukwu, Marcus Rea, Dave Shanahan, Jake Flannery, Stewart Moore
DHL Stormers Director of Rugby John Dobson said: “We showed good attacking intent against Edinburgh, but we know we can be far more accurate and we will certainly need to be against Ulster. It is another opportunity for us to move our game forward and we know we will get great support as ever at DHL Stadium,”
Munster v Cardiff Rugby
Thomond Park, Limerick – KO 19.35 IRE & UK / 20.35 ITA / 21.35 SA
Referee: Andrea Piardi (FIR, 41st league game)
AR 1: Andrew Cole (IRFU) AR 2: Sam Holt (IRFU)
TMO: Matteo Liperini (FIR)
Live on: RTÉ, S4C, Viaplay, SuperSport, Premier Sports, Flo Rugby & URC.tv
Munster: Mike Haley, Seán O’Brien, Antoine Frisch, Alex Nankivell, Shane Daly, Jack Crowley, Craig Casey, Jeremy Loughman, Niall Scannell, Stephen Archer, RG Snyman, Tadhg Beirne (CAPT), Peter O’Mahony, John Hodnett, Gavin Coombes
Replacements: Eoghan Clarke, Josh Wycherley, John Ryan, Tom Ahern, Alex Kendellen, Ethan Coughlan, Joey Carbery, Simon Zebo
Cardiff Rugby: Cam Winnett, Owen Lane, Mason Grady, Ben Thomas, Josh Adams, Tinus de Beer, Ellis Bevan, Corey Domachowski, Liam Belcher (CAPT), Keiron Assiratti, Ben Donnell, Seb Davies, Alex Mann, Ellis Jenkins, Mackenzie Martin
Replacements: Rhys Carré, Evan Lloyd, Will Davies-King, Rory Thornton, Thomas Young, Matthew Aubrey, Jacob Beetham, Theo Cabango
Scarlets v Glasgow Warriors
Parc Y Scarlets, Llanelli – KO 19.35 IRE & UK / 20.35 ITA / 21.35 SA
Referee: Gianluca Gnecchi (FIR, 29th league game)
AR 1: Ben Whitehouse (WRU) AR 2: John Darcy (WRU)
TMO: Stefano Roscini (FIR)
Live on: Viaplay, SuperSport, Premier Sports, Flo Rugby & URC.tv
Scarlets: Ioan Nicholas, Tom Rogers, 13 Jonathan Davies, 12 Eddie James, 11 Tomi Lewis, Ioan Lloyd, Kieran Hardy, Wyn Jones, Ryan Elias (CAPT), Sam Wainwright, Alex Craig, Sam Lousi, Teddy Leatherbarrow, Dan Davis, Vaea Fifita
Replacements: Shaun Evans, Kemsley Mathias, Harri O’Connor, Morgan Jones, Carwyn Tuipulotu, Gareth Davies, Dan Jones, Ryan Conbeer
Glasgow Warriors: Josh McKay, Kyle Rowe, Stafford McDowall (CAPT), Tom Jordan, Sebastian Cancelliere, Duncan Weir, George Horne; Nathan McBeth, Gregor Hiddleston, Zander Fagerson, Max Williamson, Scott Cummings, Ally Miller, Rory Darge, Henco Venter
Replacements: Johnny Matthews, Allan Dell, Lucio Sordoni, Sintu Manjezi, Gregor Brown, Thomas Gordon, Jamie Dobie, Duncan Munn
Scarlets Head Coach Dwayne Peel said: “We know Glasgow are a really good side. Their DNA is that they want to play with a high speed of ball, but they have also developed a forward pack who can muscle up. It is going to be a big challenge, but we are going in off the back of a good win last weekend and we want to continue that momentum, especially being at home in front of our own fans.”
Glasgow Warriors Head Coach Franco Smith said: “The Scarlets will be a tough test tomorrow night, especially after their win over Benetton last weekend. They will take a lot of belief and confidence from that win; they will see that victory as a turning point in their season, and we have no doubt that they will throw everything at us tomorrow night. We expect them to be highly motivated and we know that they will have done their homework this week in preparing for this match, so we are under no illusions as to how tough an encounter tomorrow night will be.”
