Official United Rugby Championship thread

[assfly]

Fair fucks to the Lions too. Looking really good at the moment, and a very happy team.

[Sards]

Fair fucks to the Lions too. Looking really good at the moment, and a very happy team.

All those ex Sharks players and to be Sharks players making a huge difference.

And of course the eternal problem for the Lions. A limited budget so they have to do the best with what they have.

[OomStruisbaai]

Sharks: 15 Aphelele Fassi, 14 Werner Kok, 13 Lukhanyo Am ©, 12 Ethan Hooker, 11 Makazole Mapimpi, 10 Siya Masuku, 9 Grant Williams, 8 Vincent Tshituka, 7 Lappies Labuschagne, 6 Phepsi Buthelezi, 5 Emile van Heerden, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Vincent Koch, 2 Fez Mbatha, 1 Ox Nche
Replacements: 16 Kerron van Vuuren, 17 Ntuthuko Mchunu, 18 Hanro Jacobs, 19 Corne Rahl, 20 Gerbrandt Grobler, 21 Jaden Hendrikse, 22 Boeta Chamberlain, 23 Francois Venter

Date: Friday, April 26
Venue: Parc Y Scarlets, Llanelli
Kick-off: 19.35; 18.35 GMT; 20.35 SA time
Referee: Mike Adamson (Scotland)
Assistant referees: Ben Breakspear (Wales) and Dewi Phillips (Wales)
TMO: David Sutherland (Scotland)

[assfly]

$harks going full strength. We have to win this game if we've got any chance against Clermont next week.

[Sards]

$harks going full strength. We have to win this game if we've got any chance against Clermont next week.

First time Grant starting with the full squad.
Can only mean little kicking and lots of running with the ball. Very exciting. I just pray no yellows or reds....like Goosen,..and no injuries.
And no excessive penalties.

Very exciting.

[assfly]

I'd rather see a backrow of 6 Venter, 7 Tshituka and 8 Buthelezi.

Also our hooker stock without Bongi is not great.

Otherwise it's a decent team. Also excited to see how Williams and Masuku partner

[Sards]

I'd rather see a backrow of 6 Venter, 7 Tshituka and 8 Buthelezi.

Also our hooker stock without Bongi is not great.

Otherwise it's a decent team. Also excited to see how Williams and Masuku partner

They are starting a very mobile hooker in Fez in the place of Bongi. I think they want to run the Scarlets off their feet.

[OomStruisbaai]

Lions: 15 Jordan Hendrikse, 14 Richard Kriel, 13 Erich Cronje, 12 Marius Louw (captain), 11 Edwill van der Merwe, 10 Sanele Nohamba, 9 Morne van den Berg, 8 Francke Horn, 7 Emmanuel Tshituka, 6 JC Pretorius, 5 Ruan Delport, 4 Willem Alberts, 3 Ruan Dreyer, 2 Jaco Visagie, 1 Morgan Naude
Replacements: 16 PJ Botha, 17 JP Smith, 18 Asenathi Ntlabakanye, 19 Reinhard Nothnagel, 20 Ruan Venter, 21 Sibusiso Sangweni, 22 Nico Steyn, 23 Gianni Lombard

Munster: 15 Simon Zebo, 14 Calvin Nash, 13 Antoine Frisch, 12 Seán O’Brien, 11 Shane Daly 10 Jack Crowley, 9 Conor Murray, 8 Jack O’Donoghue, 7 Alex Kendellen, 6 Peter O’Mahony, 5 Tadhg Beirne (captain), 4 RG Snyman, 3 Stephen Archer, 2 Niall Scannell, 1 Jeremy Loughman
Replacements: 16 Eoghan Clarke, 17 Josh Wycherley, 18 Oli Jager, 19 Tom Ahern, 20 Gavin Coombes, 21 Craig Casey, 22 Joey Carbery, 23 Mike Haley

Referee: Craig Evans (Wales)
Assistant referees: AJ Jacobs (South Africa) and Dylen November (South Africa)
TMO: Adam Jones (Wales)

[Biffer]

From an Edinburgh point of view we could really do with Munster to thump the Lions, Bennetton to beat Ulster, Bulls to beat the Hairsprays, and Leinster to beat the Stormers.

[_Os_]

Munster to thump the Lions

Hard to call. Against the Bulls the Munster strategy looked like go slow and keep some firepower on the bench, so they wouldn't be flat on their backs by the end of the match at altitude. Some speculation from SA journos that Ireland may try and copy this for the Loftus test. Lions aren't like the Bulls though, they tend to always want to play high tempo whereas the Bulls don't mind going slow themselves. Defending and not running against the Lions at Ellis Park is dangerous, but on the other hand Lions performances haven't been consistent. Possible best match of the round.

Bennetton to beat Ulster, Bulls to beat the Hairsprays,

Should both happen.

Leinster to beat the Stormers.

Nah, not after the wakeup call the Stomps got from the Ospreys last round.

[Sards]

Sharks look most composed but errors are their enemy. Fassi making a huge impression as is Hooker.

[sturginho]

Ulster 21-8 Treviso at half time

[Sards]

Ulster 21-8 Treviso at half time

Easy as

[fishfoodie]

Ulster doing a passable imitation of Quins

[Sards]

Matsuka MOTM for Sharks. Brilliant performance.

[_Os_]

Sardy I'm not as convinced by that as you. Scarlets were as tough as last time the Sharks played them in Llanelli, Costelow is going to play a lot of test rugby. But the Sharks were fully loaded and needed to do much better, can't expect them to win the Challenge Cup semi based on that.

They just don't look sharp and don't look sure of what the vision/strategy/goal/game plan is. If it wasn't for Kok's 7s skills and try scoring ability would the Sharks have been in it at all? It basically comes down to coaching, the management bought players but not a strong coaching team, then they got Plum to try and make a winning team from squad he didn't choose. It's a huge mess. One of the best Sharks squads I've seen and at the same time one of the worst Sharks teams I've seen.

The plus points are the Sharks did step up every time the pressure came on, the set piece is strong, they're capable of some brilliance. I'm not looking at that and thinking "that definitely wins us a trophy away from home".

[Tichtheid]

The Sharks are flaky as fuck, they have been formidable and poor one week to the next. This Scarlets team is rank compared to only a couple of seasons ago, they are a five points for the taking side at the moment.

[_Os_]

Leinster: Stormers (A), Ospreys (H), Ulster (A), Connacht (H)
Glasgow: Zebre (A), Bulls (A), Lions (A), Zebre (H)
Munster: Lions (A), Connacht (H), Edinburgh (H), Ulster (A)
Bulls: Ospreys (H), Glasgow (H), Benetton (H), Sharks (A)
Benetton: Ulster (A), Sharks (A), Bulls (A), Edinburgh (H)
Stormers: Leinster (H), Dragons (A), Connacht (A), Lions (H)
Ospreys: Bulls (A), Leinster (A), Dragons (H), Cardiff (A)
Edinburgh: Cardiff (A), Zebre (H), Munster (H), Benetton (A)
Connacht: Dragons (A), Munster (A), Stormers (H), Leinster (A)
Ulster: Benetton (H), Scarlets (A), Leinster (H), Munster (A)
Lions: Munster (H), Cardiff (H), Glasgow (H), Stormers (A)
Cardiff: Edinburgh (H), Lions (A), Sharks (A), Ospreys (H)
Sharks: Scarlets (A), Benetton (H), Cardiff (H), Bulls (H)
Scarlets: Sharks (H), Ulster (H), Zebre (A), Dragons (H)
Dragons: Connacht (H), Stormers (H), Ospreys (A), Scarlets (A)
Zebre: Glasgow (H), Edinburgh (A), Scarlets (H), Glasgow (A)

Sharks quest to finish 12th (my fuck!) is still on track.

Benetton may have cooked their chances with that loss, the two bonus points from the loss keeps them just in it on 44 points, it has previously been 50+ points for a top 8 finish. Sharks away will probably be a weaker Sharks team because the best side will have played against Clermont. Then there's Bulls away who are fighting for log position and Edinburgh at home who are also fighting for log position. They likely need 1 win and bonus points from those 3 matches.

Ulster also now on 44 points. Run in looks good for a top 8 finish, minimal travel, Scarlets, haven't looked at the dates but maybe a weak Leinster.

[fishfoodie]

Going to be a mad scramble for 7th & 8th; any pissant bonus point could earn the club £100k's

[OomStruisbaai]

Going to be a mad scramble for 7th & 8th; any pissant bonus point could earn the club £100k's

The Spivs still criticizing Saffers for this.

The URC is a mad competition at the moment.

[OomStruisbaai]

Leinster: Stormers (A), Ospreys (H), Ulster (A), Connacht (H)
Glasgow: Zebre (A), Bulls (A), Lions (A), Zebre (H)
Munster: Lions (A), Connacht (H), Edinburgh (H), Ulster (A)
Bulls: Ospreys (H), Glasgow (H), Benetton (H), Sharks (A)
Benetton: Ulster (A), Sharks (A), Bulls (A), Edinburgh (H)
Stormers: Leinster (H), Dragons (A), Connacht (A), Lions (H)
Ospreys: Bulls (A), Leinster (A), Dragons (H), Cardiff (A)
Edinburgh: Cardiff (A), Zebre (H), Munster (H), Benetton (A)
Connacht: Dragons (A), Munster (A), Stormers (H), Leinster (A)
Ulster: Benetton (H), Scarlets (A), Leinster (H), Munster (A)
Lions: Munster (H), Cardiff (H), Glasgow (H), Stormers (A)
Cardiff: Edinburgh (H), Lions (A), Sharks (A), Ospreys (H)
Sharks: Scarlets (A), Benetton (H), Cardiff (H), Bulls (H)
Scarlets: Sharks (H), Ulster (H), Zebre (A), Dragons (H)
Dragons: Connacht (H), Stormers (H), Ospreys (A), Scarlets (A)
Zebre: Glasgow (H), Edinburgh (A), Scarlets (H), Glasgow (A)

Sharks quest to finish 12th (my fuck!) is still on track.

Benetton may have cooked their chances with that loss, the two bonus points from the loss keeps them just in it on 44 points, it has previously been 50+ points for a top 8 finish. Sharks away will probably be a weaker Sharks team because the best side will have played against Clermont. Then there's Bulls away who are fighting for log position and Edinburgh at home who are also fighting for log position. They likely need 1 win and bonus points from those 3 matches.

Ulster also now on 44 points. Run in looks good for a top 8 finish, minimal travel, Scarlets, haven't looked at the dates but maybe a weak Leinster.

Sards has very low expectations for the Sharks but very high for the Stormers and specially Damian Willemse.

[Sards]

Sards has very high expectations for the Stormers and specially Damian Willemse.

What absolutely nonsense
Completely overrated and has done absolutely nothing special as a Springbok. To say I have expectations is ridiculous.

Regarding the Sharks. Winning is a habit as is losing. The more you win the better you get at it. Some may be iffy and messy and some may be great. Sharks may well be sloooow starters but we are ending well. So far. Those that have been building the entire season will start falling away till only the top 8. The season for those falling away won't be much unlike the Sharks season. Except we are growing in strength.
Siya is just fantastic. Haa absolutely everything. Hooker is working very hard towards a future in the bok jersey. Fassi has been incredibly consistently good. Our youngsters are coming through. Listening to the commentators yesterday you could see how impressed they were with these lads. Unlike our Stomps who make baseless and ridiculous claims about these lads to bellitle them out of malice and jealousy

[Biffer]

Going to be a mad scramble for 7th & 8th; any pissant bonus point could earn the club £100k's

The loss last night has brought Benneton back to the rest of the pack as well. You could throw a jacket over about seven teams from 5th to 11th (the Bulls and Munster could get dragged into that crowd with a bad result too).

[PornDog]

Going to be a mad scramble for 7th & 8th; any pissant bonus point could earn the club £100k's

The loss last night has brought Benneton back to the rest of the pack as well. You could throw a jacket over about seven teams from 5th to 11th (the Bulls and Munster could get dragged into that crowd with a bad result too).

Yep, hugely important bonus for them and they knew it too - they worked very hard for it.

[OomStruisbaai]

Sards has very high expectations for the Stormers and specially Damian Willemse.

What absolutely nonsense
Completely overrated and has done absolutely nothing special as a Springbok. To say I have expectations is ridiculous.

Regarding the Sharks. Winning is a habit as is losing. The more you win the better you get at it. Some may be iffy and messy and some may be great. Sharks may well be sloooow starters but we are ending well. So far. Those that have been building the entire season will start falling away till only the top 8. The season for those falling away won't be much unlike the Sharks season. Except we are growing in strength.
Siya is just fantastic. Haa absolutely everything. Hooker is working very hard towards a future in the bok jersey. Fassi has been incredibly consistently good. Our youngsters are coming through. Listening to the commentators yesterday you could see how impressed they were with these lads. Unlike our Stomps who make baseless and ridiculous claims about these lads to bellitle them out of malice and jealousy

Please don't flounce again.

[Sards]

Bulls making light work of the Ospreys. How can there be such a change in the Ospreys

[_Os_]

Bulls making light work of the Ospreys. How can there be such a change in the Ospreys

The log doesn't lie, the Bulls have been a lot stronger than the Stomps this season.

[Sards]

Bulls making light work of the Ospreys. How can there be such a change in the Ospreys

The log doesn't lie, the Bulls have been a lot stronger than the Stomps this season.

Well now the Lions and Stormers need to do the Bulls a favour and beat their opponents. Would be nice to have all Saffer teams winning this weekend

[_Os_]

Leinster: Stormers (A), Ospreys (H), Ulster (A), Connacht (H)
Glasgow: Zebre (A), Bulls (A), Lions (A), Zebre (H)
Munster: Lions (A), Connacht (H), Edinburgh (H), Ulster (A)
Bulls: Ospreys (H), Glasgow (H), Benetton (H), Sharks (A)
Benetton: Ulster (A), Sharks (A), Bulls (A), Edinburgh (H)
Stormers: Leinster (H), Dragons (A), Connacht (A), Lions (H)
Ospreys: Bulls (A), Leinster (A), Dragons (H), Cardiff (A)
Edinburgh: Cardiff (A), Zebre (H), Munster (H), Benetton (A)
Connacht: Dragons (A), Munster (A), Stormers (H), Leinster (A)
Ulster: Benetton (H), Scarlets (A), Leinster (H), Munster (A)
Lions: Munster (H), Cardiff (H), Glasgow (H), Stormers (A)
Cardiff: Edinburgh (H), Lions (A), Sharks (A), Ospreys (H)
Sharks: Scarlets (A), Benetton (H), Cardiff (H), Bulls (H)
Scarlets: Sharks (H), Ulster (H), Zebre (A), Dragons (H)
Dragons: Connacht (H), Stormers (H), Ospreys (A), Scarlets (A)
Zebre: Glasgow (H), Edinburgh (A), Scarlets (H), Glasgow (A)

Sharks quest to finish 12th (my fuck!) is still on track.

Benetton may have cooked their chances with that loss, the two bonus points from the loss keeps them just in it on 44 points, it has previously been 50+ points for a top 8 finish. Sharks away will probably be a weaker Sharks team because the best side will have played against Clermont. Then there's Bulls away who are fighting for log position and Edinburgh at home who are also fighting for log position. They likely need 1 win and bonus points from those 3 matches.

Ulster also now on 44 points. Run in looks good for a top 8 finish, minimal travel, Scarlets, haven't looked at the dates but maybe a weak Leinster.

Bulls 61 - Ospreys 24. An old style Super Rugby score. Ospreys blew a few chances for a bonus point try, including kicking a penalty dead after 80 minutes. Ospreys remain on 40 points, which means they're at huge risk of finishing outside the top 8, minimum they need is 5 points from both the Dragons and Cardiff.

[Slick]

What is Healy kicking that for! 3 man overlap

[fishfoodie]

Are Munster becoming South African specialists ?

[Uncle fester]

South African fans are hilariously one eyed.
Not just the ones here then.

[Tichtheid]

That's the BP for Munster, they are timing their run in perfectly again.

[Sards]

Munster looking really good. Great game

[_Os_]

Munster dominated that match, controlled the tempo. Lions couldn't work out how to impose their game, someone in that backline need to say "they're rushing up if they're onside or not it's happening, put some kicks along the ground in behind to keep them honest". Instead the Lions just kept standing deeper and deeper.

Lions probably cooked now. They need 3 wins from the remaining 3, two home matches against Cardiff and Glasgow, then Stomps away but that'll be a Stomps team coming back from Europe. Possible but they probably lose one of those.

[Tichtheid]

That's what you call a short kick off

[_Os_]

South African fans are hilariously one eyed.
Not just the ones here then.

That's one eye too many for us ultras on here.

[Tichtheid]

Libbok with the inverse Midas touch at the moment

[Tichtheid]

The Stormers' scrum is making short work of the Leinster pack, without fat Frans, too

[Uncle fester]

Stormers are very wasteful.