The Guinness PRO14 Rainbow Cup is a new rugby competition which brings the existing PRO14 teams and South Africa’s former Super Rugby teams together for the first time. These inter-hemisphere clashes are poised to serve as a tasty prelude to the British and Irish Lions tour to South Africa later in the summer.

TG4 will broadcast a selection of live free-to-air games, deferred coverage, and highlights programming throughout the Rainbow Cup including live coverage of the Final on Saturday 19 June.

Please see below the dates and times of TG4’s coverage for the first three rounds (with more matches and coverage to be announced for the next three rounds later).

ROUND DATE                                     TEAMS / Broadcast times

1              Friday 23 April                   Ulster v Connacht – Full deferred coverage at 10.25pm

1              Saturday 24 April              Leinster v Munster – Full deferred coverage at 9.45pm

2              Friday 7 May                      Munster v Ulster – Full deferred coverage at 10.25pm

2              Saturday 8 May                 Connacht v Leinster – Live at 7.35pm

3             Friday 14 May                    Munster v Connacht – Deferred at 8.30pm

3              Friday 14 May                    Leinster v Ulster – Highlights at 10.30pm

4              Friday 28 / Saturday 29 May

5              Friday 4 / Saturday 5 June

6              Friday 11 / Saturday 12 June

FINAL    Saturday 19 June – *Live on TG4

Starting on April 23 with three weekends of derbies in each country, the Guinness PRO14 Rainbow Cup will then see the existing Guinness PRO14 teams play southern hemisphere teams including the Vodacom Bulls, the Emirates Lions, Cell C Sharks and DHL Stormers.

A total of six rounds (eight games per round) will take place, with all teams ranked in a single league table.  After 57 games in total, the two top teams will play in the final on Saturday 19 June. The action-packed tournament will take place in Europe and will be subject to Government guidelines and coronavirus travel restrictions.

The Rugbaí Beo team, lead by presenter Máire Treasa Ní Dhubhghaill, will feature expert analysis from Eimear Considine, Deirbhile Nic a Bhaird, Niamh Ní Dhroma, Marcus Horan, Ronan Loughney, Eoghan Ó Neachtain and Eamonn Molloy along with a host of others.

Rónán Ó Coisdealbha, TG4 Head of Sport said “TG4 is delighted to bring this new cross-hemisphere tournament to Irish viewers for the very first time. During what has been a challenging time for sport, TG4 has continued to provide live, free to air sporting entertainment for Irish audiences. We are looking forward to seeing the South Africa ‘Super’ teams become part of our Rugbaí Beo line-up.”

The post List of Rugby matches LIVE ON TG4 appeared first on SportsNewsIreland.

CLICK HERE FOR LIVE STREAM FOR SCARLETS V MUNSTER

“We’d like to believe as a coaching group that we are a lot better equipped because of the time we’ve had together,” van Graan said yesterday.

We kick-off the new #GuinnessPRO14 campaign this Saturday with a trip to @Scarlets_Rugby at 3pm

See details of our upcoming fixtures #SUAF #NeverStopCompeting

— Munster Rugby (@Munsterrugby) September 29, 2020

Murray Misses Out

Conor Murray will miss out on the province’s visit to Parc y Scarlets which could give 21 year old Craig Casey the opportunity to start at scrum half for the club.

Casey is expected to be rewarded for the improvements he has made in pushing Murray for the No 9 shirt and van Graan wants to see further pressure put on his senior players.

“That’s massive for the squad, one of our big aims is to improve the squad year on year and we don’t want the starting XV to become comfortable,” van Graan said.

“Someone like Craig has really been pushing, he’s pushed Neil (Cronin) and Nick (McCarthy) along as well.

Kilcoyne Blow but Conway Returns

Dave Kilcoyne who injured his ankle in the first game back after the restart is in a similar position to international teammate Murray in that he will miss Saturday’s game, and is doubtful for the Edinburgh game as well.

Joey Carbery will definitely miss out, while full back Shane Daly is a doubt with a thigh injury and will undergo a scan for further assessment.

In good news though Andrew Conway is available for the game after completing his return to play protocols after a concussion.

The Munster side has been named for Saturday’s Guinness PRO14 opener against Scarlets in Wales (3pm — live on eir Sport, TG4 & Premier Sports).

In the back three, full-back Mike Haley and Darren Sweetnam make their first PRO14 appearances since February with Andrew Conway starting on the right wing.

Damian de Allende and Chris Farrell form the centre partnership with Craig Casey and JJ Hanrahan in the half-backs.

James Cronin, Rhys Marshall and John Ryan pack down in the front row with Jean Kleyn and Tadhg Beirne, who faces his former side for the first time, in the second row.

Captain Peter O’Mahony, Jack O’Donoghue and CJ Stander complete the starting XV.

Greencore Munster Rugby Academy out-half Ben Healy is among the replacements.

Munster: Mike Haley; Andrew Conway, Chris Farrell, Damian de Allende, Darren Sweetnam; JJ Hanrahan, Craig Casey; James Cronin, Rhys Marshall, John Ryan; Jean Kleyn, Tadhg Beirne; Peter O’Mahony (C), Jack O’Donoghue, CJ Stander.

Replacements: Kevin O’Byrne, Jeremy Loughman, Stephen Archer, Fineen Wycherley, Gavin Coombes, Neil Cronin, Ben Healy, Rory Scannell.

Upcoming Media Schedule

As always the weekly schedule will confirm details. Guinness PRO14 Round 2 v Edinburgh – Tuesday, October 6.

Accreditation details for the above game will be sent once confirmed.

The post Scarlets v Munster – Preview and Team News – Kick off Saturday 3pm appeared first on SportsNewsIreland.

600 supporters will be allowed into Kingspan Stadium on Friday as Ulster begin their 2020-2021 Pro14 campaign at home against Benetton.

This follows a consultation process between the club, the IRFU, Belfast City Council and local government that has decided to begin trialing the safe return of supporters.

Ulster Rugby CEO, Jonny Petrie, said: “Following a number of very challenging months for us all, I’m encouraged that this weekend will mark the measured return of a limited number of spectators to Kingspan Stadium.

Ulster Rugby will welcome 6⃣0⃣0⃣ supporters to @KingspanStadium on Friday night for the first game of the 20/21 season

All tickets will be made available to #TogetherUlster Members only via an online ballot process.

More information https://t.co/DSk5RK70d1 pic.twitter.com/TjlKP3RgqY

— Ulster Rugby (@UlsterRugby) September 29, 2020

Addison Agony Continues

On the field the province will have to continue to plan without Irish international Will Addison, after he suffered a setback in his recovery from a back injury that has plagued him for some time.

The 28 year old has undergone surgery and Ulster say he will be out for “several months.”

More injury issues for Ulster

Elsewhere, Tom O’ Toole who suffered an ankle injury against Leinster will miss the game and will be out for several weeks.

Stuart McCloskey and Billy Burns who sustained injuries in the Champions Cup quarter-final defeat to Toulouse will also miss Friday’s game.

They join Kyle McCall (head), Ethan McIlroy (ankle), Tom Stewart (hamstring), Andrew Warwick (hip), Luke Marshall (hip), Angus Curtis (knee), and Robert Baloucoune (hamstring) in missing Friday’s return to league action.

In the back three, Jacob Stockdale has been selected to start at full-back and will be joined by Rob Lyttle and Craig Gilroy on the wings. Stewart Moore will make his first senior start for Ulster, pairing with James Hume in midfield. Michael Lowry has been named to start at fly-half, alongside John Cooney at scrum-half.

Jack McGrath and Marty Moore will pack down either side of Rob Herring in the front row, and Sam Carter will partner captain Iain Henderson at lock. Matthew Rea, Sean Reidy and Marcell Coetzee have been selected as the starting loose forwards.

Back-row and Academy Player of the Year, David McCann, could make his senior Ulster debut if called upon from the bench, while prop Gareth Milasinovich is also set to earn his first cap following his return from a knee injury sustained shortly after joining the club last summer. They will be joined on the bench by fellow forwards Adam McBurney, Eric O’Sullivan and David O’Connor. Alby Mathewson, Bill Johnston and Louis Ludik will provide the backline cover.

Ulster team to play Benetton Rugby, Guinness PRO14 Round 1, Friday 2 October 2020, at Kingspan Stadium (kick-off 8.15pm, live on Premier Sports):

(15-9): Jacob Stockdale, Craig Gilroy, James Hume, Stewart Moore, Rob Lyttle, Michael Lowry, John Cooney.

(1-8): Jack McGrath, Rob Herring, Marty Moore, Sam Carter, Iain Henderson (Capt.), Matthew Rea, Sean Reidy, Marcell Coetzee.

Replacements (16-23): Adam McBurney, Eric O’Sullivan, Gareth Milasinovich, David O’Connor, David McCann, Alby Mathewson, Bill Johnston, Louis Ludik.

The game kicks off on Friday at 8.15pm and is live on Eir Sport.

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Luke McGrath will captain the side as Jack Conan makes his 100th appearance for his home province from the base of the scrum.

In the back three Max O’Reilly starts at full back with Cian Kelleher on the right wing and Dave Kearney on the left.

In the centre Ross Byrne is joined by the fit-again Rory O’Loughlin who has recovered from a shoulder injury.

In the half backs captain McGrath is joined by Harry Byrne. It will be the first time that brothers Harry and Ross have started a game together in Leinster colours.

To the pack and Peter Dooley, James Tracy and Michael Bent are the front row selected by Cullen, with Bent back after a neck injury. Ross Molony and Ryan Baird are selected in the second row.

In the back row Josh Murphy starts at blindside with Scott Penny at openside having recovered from a neck injury.

Finally, Wicklow man Conan will win his 100th cap for Leinster Rugby from number eight.

The 28-year-old, who has 17 Ireland caps also to his name, made his debut almost seven years ago to the day also against Welsh opposition when winning the Man of the Match award in a try-scoring performance against Cardiff Blues.

In his seven years in blue he has, to date, scored 21 tries in his 99 appearances.

It could also be a memorable occasion for Marcus Hanan who is in line to make his Leinster Rugby debut off the bench should he be introduced.

The 20-year-old played his age grade rugby with Clane RFC in Kildare and was capped by Ireland Under 20s during the 2020 Six Nations. The six foot tall, loosehead prop plays his club rugby with Old Belvedere.

Leinster Rugby (caps in brackets):

15. Max O’Reilly (2)
14. Cian Kelleher (21)
13. Rory O’Loughlin (74)
12. Ross Byrne (95)
11. Dave Kearney (159)
10. Harry Byrne (18)
9. Luke McGrath (140) CAPTAIN
1. Peter Dooley (85)
2. James Tracy (121)
3. Michael Bent (151)
4. Ross Molony (107)
5. Ryan Baird (18)
6. Josh Murphy (40)
7. Scott Penny (20)
8. Jack Conan (99)

16. Dan Sheehan (5)
17. Marcus Hanan (0)
18. Tom Clarkson (5)
19. Devin Toner (256)
20. Scott Fardy (70)
21. Rowan Osborne (6)
22. David Hawkshaw (5)
23. Jamie Osborne (1)

Referee: Ben Whitehouse (WRU)

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