Official United Rugby Championship thread

[PornDog]

Thanks for that - curiously doesn't say anything about Ireland.

€60 for the year is a hell of a lot better than the €25 per month for the sports pack with Sky (though in fairness that does give you BT and the European games as well).

[OomStruisbaai]

CONNACHT PRO COACHING TEAM 2022/23:

Andy Friend – Director of Rugby
Peter Wilkins – Head Coach
Dewald Senekal – Forwards (Lineout and Maul)
Colm Tucker – Scrum & Contact
Mossy Lawler – Attack & Skills

[OomStruisbaai]

R365

New TV Milestone
The first-ever URC Grand Final which took place in Cape Town, South Africa between the Stormers and Bulls, set a new TV milestone for the league.

A total of 1.25 million watched the Stormers win their first URC title and set a new record for the league decider.

Although the Grand Final was an all-South African affair 41 percent of the audience came from outside of the territory with RTÉ’s live coverage in the Republic of Ireland accounting for 15 percent.

This trend of interest was a hallmark of the entire URC Play-Offs which also set a record for viewership with 3.8 million across seven games. The largest viewership for the Play-Offs came in the Stormers v Ulster Final Four game where the audience hit 754 000 while the other Semi-Final encounter between Leinster and the Bulls drew 472 000.

[fishfoodie]

Gonna make much more of an effort to attend Connachts home games this year, & more of the inter-pros.

The URC games were a good watch last year, & we all know the teams need the money after Covid, so lets get out there & support our teams !!!!

[Tichtheid]

Gonna make much more of an effort to attend Connachts home games this year, & more of the inter-pros.

The URC games were a good watch last year, & we all know the teams need the money after Covid, so lets get out there & support our teams !!!!

I think Connacht made many friends due to the documentary on the march to Dublin to save the club, that along with the passion shown by Elwood and his team.
Then Lam had them playing wonderful rugby, culminating in the league title.

I’ve never been to the Sportsground, but the weather we see on tv can make for an interesting winter evening

Good luck for the coming season, just not against Embra

[assfly]

A question for URC fans.

What would you regard as a successful season for your team?
And what is your prediction for the season?

[FalseBayFC]

A question for URC fans.

What would you regard as a successful season for your team?
And what is your prediction for the season?

I expect the SA teams will have learned quite a bit from the tours about the conditions abroad and law interpretations. And vice versa for the Irish and UK teams. I'm not sure the SA teams can repeat the home leg late charge they did this year.

I'm going to go with Leinster, Munster, Bulls, Sharks, Ulster for the top 5. I think Leinster will take it this time. I don't see the Stormers repeating their brilliant late surge to take it. They've lost Gelant and their recruiting has been underwhelming.

I'd love to see a Welsh or Scottish team up there this season too. A successful team does miracles for building and maintaining the interest and support base.

[robmatic]

A question for URC fans.

What would you regard as a successful season for your team?
And what is your prediction for the season?

I think Edinburgh need to start showing up better in knockout rugby. Semi-finals in the playoffs would be satisfactory if we also have a good European campaign.

[robmatic]

A question for URC fans.

What would you regard as a successful season for your team?
And what is your prediction for the season?

I expect the SA teams will have learned quite a bit from the tours about the conditions abroad and law interpretations. And vice versa for the Irish and UK teams. I'm not sure the SA teams can repeat the home leg late charge they did this year.

I'm going to go with Leinster, Munster, Bulls, Sharks, Ulster for the top 5. I think Leinster will take it this time. I don't see the Stormers repeating their brilliant late surge to take it. They've lost Gelant and their recruiting has been underwhelming.

I'd love to see a Welsh or Scottish team up there this season too. A successful team does miracles for building and maintaining the interest and support base.

Similarly, I expect the touring teams to do better this season in both hemispheres.

[OomStruisbaai]

A question for URC fans.

What would you regard as a successful season for your team?
And what is your prediction for the season?

I have a lot of faith in Dobson as coach. His brand of running rugby is awesome. I don't mind a loss or two as long as we play attractive running rugby. He also have the ability to change losers into winners.

We won it , so anything less will be a step backwards.

[assfly]

For the $harks, I'd like to think we can go one better than the QFs and at least get into the semi-finals. We've made some great signings, but we still have some baggage in certain positions (cough Bosch cough)

Our schedule isn't too bad. I think we may struggle the first few rounds without our Boks but can push for a better second half.

Neil Powell joins as coach quite late, but I am expecting instant results when he arrives, of course.

[OomStruisbaai]

Stormers couldn't ask for a better fixture list. Playing in the Heineken Cup is an exciting new challenge.

Playing in this competitions is still new but exciting for us supporters.

Lots of rugby during festive season. Man, the rugby visitors will really enjoy our country.

[OomStruisbaai]

Question for our URC family, do we support our teams in the Heineken/Challenge Cup?

[assfly]

Question for our URC family, do we support our teams in the Heineken/Challenge Cup?

I don't understand this question.

[OomStruisbaai]

Stormers spread their games to Gqeberha /Stellenbosch.

The first two home games of the new season, against Connacht and Edinburgh on 24 September and 1 October, will be played in Stellenbosch.

The round-nine clash with Dragons on 3 December will be played at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium

[robmatic]

Stormers spread their games to Gqeberha /Stellenbosch.

The first two home games of the new season, against Connacht and Edinburgh on 24 September and 1 October, will be played in Stellenbosch.

The round-nine clash with Dragons on 3 December will be played at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium

Will there be a decent crowd for the Edinburgh game?

[OomStruisbaai]

Question for our URC family, do we support our teams in the Heineken/Challenge Cup?

I don't understand this question.

In the first four rounds the URC teams play against T14/Premier teams.

Should we support the URC teams? We are family now.

[robmatic]

Question for our URC family, do we support our teams in the Heineken/Challenge Cup?

I don't understand this question.

In the first four rounds the URC teams play against T14/Premier teams.

Should we support the URC teams? We are family now.

You can join us in enjoying watching the English lose and moan about it being unfair.

[OomStruisbaai]

Stormers spread their games to Gqeberha /Stellenbosch.

The first two home games of the new season, against Connacht and Edinburgh on 24 September and 1 October, will be played in Stellenbosch.

The round-nine clash with Dragons on 3 December will be played at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium

Will there be a decent crowd for the Edinburgh game?

Danie Craven Stadium take 16,000. There will be lots of Matie students.

[robmatic]

Stormers spread their games to Gqeberha /Stellenbosch.

Will there be a decent crowd for the Edinburgh game?

Danie Craven Stadium take 16,000. There will be lots of Matie students.

Good, the SA teams need to step up and generate some atmosphere this season, the restrictions in your grounds last year were disappointing.

[OomStruisbaai]

I don't understand this question.

In the first four rounds the URC teams play against T14/Premier teams.

Should we support the URC teams? We are family now.

You can join us in enjoying watching the English lose and moan about it being unfair.

[OomStruisbaai]

Will there be a decent crowd for the Edinburgh game?

Danie Craven Stadium take 16,000. There will be lots of Matie students.

Good, the SA teams need to step up and generate some atmosphere this season, the restrictions in your grounds last year were disappointing.

It will take time for our supporters adjusting to the new rivalries and time frame.
The Paul Roos vs Grey College main school match attrack 30,000 on saturday.

[Slick]

Stormers couldn't ask for a better fixture list. Playing in the Heineken Cup is an exciting new challenge.

Playing in this competitions is still new but exciting for us supporters.

Lots of rugby during festive season. Man, the rugby visitors will really enjoy our country.

Nope, still not coming to the 6N

[OomStruisbaai]

Stormers couldn't ask for a better fixture list. Playing in the Heineken Cup is an exciting new challenge.

Playing in this competitions is still new but exciting for us supporters.

Lots of rugby during festive season. Man, the rugby visitors will really enjoy our country.

Nope, still not coming to the 6N

We'll take it one step at a time.

[SaintK]

Stormers couldn't ask for a better fixture list. Playing in the Heineken Cup is an exciting new challenge.

Playing in this competitions is still new but exciting for us supporters.

Lots of rugby during festive season. Man, the rugby visitors will really enjoy our country.

Nope, still not coming to the 6N

Doubt the average UK rugby supporter can afford to travel to SA at present!
BA and Virgin have the routes sown up and it costs at least £1000 return

[Chilli]

Stormers spread their games to Gqeberha /Stellenbosch.

The first two home games of the new season, against Connacht and Edinburgh on 24 September and 1 October, will be played in Stellenbosch.

The round-nine clash with Dragons on 3 December will be played at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium

This might to be fun to go watch.

[OomStruisbaai]

Stormers spread their games to Gqeberha /Stellenbosch.

The first two home games of the new season, against Connacht and Edinburgh on 24 September and 1 October, will be played in Stellenbosch.

The round-nine clash with Dragons on 3 December will be played at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium

This might to be fun to go watch.

Would think the $hark$ to play matches in your town.

[assfly]

In the first four rounds the URC teams play against T14/Premier teams.

Should we support the URC teams? We are family now.

But South African teams are playing in the European Cup.

[OomStruisbaai]

In the first four rounds the URC teams play against T14/Premier teams.

Should we support the URC teams? We are family now.

But South African teams are playing in the European Cup.

I was told it's the Heineken Cup and the Challenge Cup by the NH broers.

The first 4 rounds its URC teams vs T14 (France league) and English Premier teams.

After the 4 rounds , the top teams in the pools qualify for the business end.

See OP on thread

https://www.notplanetrugby.com/viewtopic.php?t=2088

[assfly]

Yes, but the SA teams are going to be playing in those first four rounds.

[Sards]

Bieber gets priority over Stormers. Who the vok watches Bieber.

[OomStruisbaai]

Yes, but the SA teams are going to be playing in those first four rounds.

I don't know how to explain it. Ja our 4 teams is part of the URC teams play against teams from France and England home and away. The URC teams don't play against each other in round 1-4. Except the Cheetahs who isn't part of the URC.

[OomStruisbaai]

Bieber gets priority over Stormers. Who the vok watches Bieber.

It's you. You want us to move from Newlands.

[Sards]

Bieber gets priority over Stormers. Who the vok watches Bieber.

It's you. You want us to move from Newlands.

So glad they listened to me. Newlands was becoming a slum.

[Chilli]

Stormers spread their games to Gqeberha /Stellenbosch.

This might to be fun to go watch.

Would think the $hark$ to play matches in your town.

Oom, never the people of Gqeberha will go watch the $hark$

[OomStruisbaai]

This might to be fun to go watch.

Would think the $hark$ to play matches in your town.

Oom, never the people of Gqeberha will go watch the $hark$

That's a surprise, the $hark$ stars like Mapimpi, Kolisi and Fassi roots from the Eastern Cape.

[assfly]

The Eastern Cape is a dominion of Kwa-Zulu Natal. The Stormers have no business playing there. They should go play in George.

[Chilli]

The Eastern Cape is a dominion of Kwa-Zulu Natal. The Stormers have no business playing there. They should go play in George.

They should come play a few matches here.

[Chilli]

Would think the $hark$ to play matches in your town.

Oom, never the people of Gqeberha will go watch the $hark$

That's a surprise, the $hark$ stars like Mapimpi, Kolisi and Fassi roots from the Eastern Cape.

Oom, the $hark$ will be overwhelmed with stage fright if there are more than 4 or 500 people in the stadium.

Playing under Covid-19 restrictions was like normal crowd attendance for them.

[OomStruisbaai]

Transfers per URC site
Benetton
In: Sam Hidalgo-Clyne (Exeter Chiefs), Scott Scrafton (Hurricanes), Onisi Ratave (Fijian Drua), Marco Zanon (Pau), Marcus Watson (Wasps), Henry Stowers (Moana Pasifika), Alessandro Garbisi (Mogliano), Giacomo Nicotera (Rovigo Delta), Giacomo Da Re (Rovigo Delta), Filippo Drago (Mogliano), Matteo Drudi (Mogliano)

Out: Callum Braley (Northampton Saints), Hame Faiva (Worcester Warriors), Irne Herbst (Harlequins), Tomas Baravalle (released), Tommaso Benvenuti (released), Luca Sperandio (released), Luca Morisi (London Irish), Joey Caputo (Zebre Parma), Franco Smith (Zebre Parma), Andries Coetzee (Emirates Lions), Yaree Fantini (Darlington Mowden Park), Luca Petrozzi (London Scottish), Tommy Bell (Tokyo Gas)

Vodacom Bulls
In: Phumzile Maqondwana (Airlink Pumas), Ruan Vermaak (NTT DoCoMo Red Hurricanes), Sbu Nkosi (Cell C Sharks), Wandisile Simelane (Emirates Lions), Mihlali Mosi (Toyota Cheetahs), Chris Smit (Toyota Cheetahs)

Out: Madosh Tambwe (Bordeaux Begles), Sintu Manjezi (Glasgow Warriors), Arno Botha (Lyon), Richard Kriel (Zebre Parma), Walt Steenkamp (Mitsubishi Sagamihara DynaBoars)


Cardiff
In: Taulupe Faletau (Bath), Thomas Young (Wasps), Liam Williams (Scarlets), Lopeti Timani (Toulon), Joe Peard (Dragons), Adam Williams (Dragons)

Out: Hallam Amos (retired), Immanuel Feyi-Waboso (Wasps), Iestyn Harris (Exeter Chiefs), Scott Andrews (retired), Rhys Gill (retired), Alun Lawrence (Jersey Reds), Luke Scully (released), Will Boyde (released), Jason Tovey (retired), Garyn Smith (Cornish Pirates), Lewis Jones (Dragons), Louie Hennessey (Bath), Nathan Evans (Dragons)

Connacht
In: Adam Byrne (Leinster), Josh Murphy (Leinster), Peter Dooley (Leinster), David Hawkshaw (Leinster), Byron Ralston (Western Force), Shamus Hurley-Langton (Manawatu), Grant Stewart (Glasgow Warriors)

Out: Sammy Arnold (Brive), Ultan Dillane (La Rochelle), Abraham Papali’i (Brive), Matt Healy (retired), Jonny Murphy (released), Ben O’Donnell (released), Peter Sullivan (released), Eoghan Masterson (Aurillac), Peter Robb (Ealing Trailfinders), Tietier Tuimauga (Wellington), Greg McGrath (Jersey Reds)


Dragons
In: Bradley Roberts (Ulster), JJ Hanrahan (Clermont Auvergne), Rhodri Jones (Ospreys), Sean Lonsdale (Exeter Chiefs), Max Clark (Bath), George Nott (London Irish), Sio Tomkinson (Highlanders), Angus O’Brien (Scarlets), Lewis Jones (Cardiff), Rob Evans (Scarlets), Nathan Evans (Cardiff)

Out: Taylor Davies (Scarlets), Tom Griffiths (released), Jordan Olowofela (Leicester Tigers), Max Williams (released), Josh Lewis (Merthyr), Jonah Holmes (Ealing Trailfinders), Dan Baker (Aberavon), Owen Jenkins (Wales Sevens), Will Talbot-Davies (Coventry), Greg Bateman (retired), Joe Maksymiw (Agen), Evan Lloyd (Ebbw Vale), Carrick McDonough (Ebbw Vale), Adam Warren (Llandovery), Harry Fry (Hartpury University), Joe Peard (Cardiff), Dan Babos (Pontypool), Adam Williams (Cardiff), Mesake Doge (Fijian Drua)

Edinburgh
In: Sam Skinner (Exeter Chiefs), Jamie Jack (Ampthill), Wes Goosen (Hurricanes), Nick Auterac (Northampton Saints)

Out: Magnus Bradbury (Bristol Bears), James Johnstone (released), Ramiro Moyano (released), Sam Grahamslaw (Jersey Reds), Ben Toolis (Hanazono Kintetsu Liners), Nathan Chamberlain (London Scottish)


Glasgow Warriors
In: JP du Preez (Sale Sharks), Sione Vailanu (Worcester Warriors), Huw Jones (Harlequins), Sintu Manjezi (Vodacom Bulls), Allan Dell (London Irish), Joel Hodgson (Newcastle Falcons), Lucio Sordoni (Mont-de-Marsan)

Out: Kiran McDonald (Wasps), Robbie Fergusson (released), Ewan McQuillin (released), Ratu Tagive (released), Rob Harley (Carcassonne), Hamish Bain (Jersey Reds), Grant Stewart (Connacht), Robbie McCallum (London Scottish), Tom Lambert (Waratahs)

Leinster
In: Charlie Ngatai (Lyon), Jason Jenkins (Munster)

Out: Josh Murphy (Connacht), Peter Dooley (Connacht), Jack Dunne (Exeter Chiefs), Rory O’Loughlin (Exeter Chiefs), Adam Byrne (Connacht), David Hawkshaw (Connacht), Devin Toner (retired), Sean Cronin (retired)


Emirates Lions
In: Marius Louw (Cell C Sharks), Andries Coetzee (Benetton), Rynhardt Jonker (Cell C Sharks), Ruan Smith (Waratahs)

Out: Burger Odendaal (Wasps), Vincent Tshituka (Cell C Sharks), Carlu Sadie (Cell C Sharks), MJ Pelser (Zebre Parma), Wandisile Simelane (Vodacom Bulls), Chris Hollis (DHL Stormers)

Munster
In: Malakai Fekitoa (Wasps), Antoine Frisch (Bristol Bears)

Out: Declan Moore (Ulster), Jason Jenkins (Leinster), Matt Gallagher (Bath), Jake Flannery (Ulster), Chris Cloete (Bath), John Ryan (Wasps), Kevin O’Byrne (Ealing Trailfinders), Rowan Osborne (retired), Jonathan Wren (retired), Alex McHenry (Jersey Reds), Sean French (Bedford Blues), Damian de Allende (Saitama Wild Knights)


Ospreys
In: Jack Walsh (Exeter Chiefs)

Out: Rhodri Jones (Dragons), Josh Thomas (Newcastle Falcons), James Fender (Cornish Pirates, loan), Callum Carson (Aberavon), Lloyd Ashley (Merthyr), Ma’afu Fia (Perpignan), Dewi Cross (Cardiff RFC), Morgan Strong (Ampthill)

Scarlets
In: Vaea Fifita (Wasps)

Out: Liam Williams (Cardiff), Angus O’Brien (Dragons), Steff Hughes (released), Marc Jones (released), Tom Phillips (released), Rob Evans (Dragons), Tomi Lewis (Jersey Reds), Tyler Morgan (Biarritz)


Cell C Sharks
In: Eben Etzebeth (Toulon), Rohan Janse van Rensburg (Sale Sharks), Nevaldo Fleurs (Maties), Vincent Tshituka (Emirates Lions), Carlu Sadie (Emirates Lions), Lionel Cronje (Toyota Verblitz)

Out: Sbu Nkosi (Vodacom Bulls), Marius Louw (Emirates Lions), Ruben van Heerden (Exeter Chiefs), Rynhardt Jonker (Emirates Lions), Joaquin Diaz Bonilla (Hindu), Jeremy Ward (Stade Francais), Olajuwon Noah (Bayonne)

DHL Stormers
In: Joseph Dweba (Bordeaux Begles), Clayton Blommetjies (Toyota Cheetahs), Chris Hollis (Emirates Lions), Gary Porter (Ealing Trailfinders)

Out: Warrick Gelant (Racing 92), Sergeal Petersen (released), Rikus Pretorius (released), Tim Swiel (Toyota Industries Shuttles Aichi)


Ulster
In: Jeffery Toomaga-Allen (Wasps), Sean Reffell (Saracens), Declan Moore (Munster), Frank Bradshaw Ryan (Nevers), Jake Flannery (Munster), Michael McDonald (Western Force)

Out: Bradley Roberts (Dragons), Ross Kane (Ealing Trailfinders), Jack McGrath (released), Mick Kearney (retired), David O’Connor (Ealing Trailfinders), Sean Reidy (Counties Manukau), Conor Rankin (Ampthill)

Zebre Parma
In: Guido Volpi (Doncaster Knights), Dennis Visser (Narbonne), Jacques du Toit (Bath), MJ Pelser (Emirates Lions), Jan Uys (Grenoble), Tiff Eden (Bristol Bears), Joey Caputo (Benetton), Franco Smith (Benetton), Kobus van Wyk (Unattached), Richard Kriel (Vodacom Bulls), Joshua Furno (Bourg-en-Bresse), Giampietro Ribaldi (Viadana), Juan Pitinari (Noceto), Simone Gesi (Colorno), Damiano Mazza (Calvisano), Ratko Jelic (Viadana), Alessio Sanavia (Valorugby Emilia), Muhamed Hasa (Petrarca), Davide Ruggeri (Rovigo Delta), Gonzalo Garcia (Valorugby Emilia), Matteo Moscardi (Rovigo Delta), Nicolo Teneggi (Valorugby Emilia)

Out: Oliviero Fabiani (Colorno), Asaeli Tuivuaka (Racing 92), Andrea Lovotti (Colorno), Giulio Bisegni (Colorno), Gabriele Di Giulio (released), Renato Giammarioli (Worcester Warriors), Maxime Mbanda (Colorno), Danilo Fischetti (London Irish), Eduardo Bello (Saracens), Liam Mitchell (Saitama Wild Knights), Junior Laloifi (released), Tim O’Malley (released), Guglielmo Palazzani (Calvisano), Jimmy Tuivaiti (Valorugby Emilia), Potu Leavasa Jr (Manawatu), Massimo Ceciliani (Calvisano), Michelangelo Biondelli (Flamme Oro), Carlo Canna (Flamme Oro), Giovanni D’Onofrio (Flamme Oro), Cristian Stoian (Flamme Oro), Marcello Violi (Valorugby Emilia)