Official United Rugby Championship thread

[OomStruisbaai]

URC quarter-finals schedule:

FRIDAY, MAY 5

Ulster (2) v Connacht (7)

Kingspan Stadium, Belfast

KO: 19:35 UK & IRE / 20:35 SA

SATURDAY, MAY 6

DHL Stormers (3) v Vodacom Bulls (6)

DHL Stadium, Cape Town

KO: 14:30 UK & IRE / 15:30 SA

Leinster (1) v Cell C Sharks (8)

Aviva Stadium, Dublin

KO: 17:00 UK & IRE / 18:00 SA

Glasgow Warriors (4) v Munster (5)

Scotstoun Stadium, Glasgow

KO: 19:35 UK & IRE / 20:35 SA

Can't wait to see the officials

Looking for early excuses?

[Sards]

Can't wait to see the officials

Looking for early excuses?

nah....not for the Sharks....the Stormers vs bulls game

Marius vsn der Westhuizen

[OomStruisbaai]

Can't wait to see the officials

Looking for early excuses?

nah....not for the Sharks....the Stormers vs bulls game

Marius vsn der Westhuizen

OK you looking for excuses for the Bulls.

[Sards]

Looking for early excuses?

nah....not for the Sharks....the Stormers vs bulls game

Marius vsn der Westhuizen

OK you looking for excuses for the Bulls.

Nah....just want to see something

[assfly]

I though we were playing Leinster this weekend.

Another week of being in the URC

[Sards]

Looking for early excuses?

nah....not for the Sharks....the Stormers vs bulls game

Marius vsn der Westhuizen

OK you looking for excuses for the Bulls.

Did I see Marius for the Stormers Bulls game....

Bye bye Bulls

[OomStruisbaai]

nah....not for the Sharks....the Stormers vs bulls game

Marius vsn der Westhuizen

OK you looking for excuses for the Bulls.

Did I see Marius for the Stormers Bulls game....

Bye bye Bulls

I get it, the Stormers need Marius to beat the Bulls.

[average joe]

For someone who always bleats about others complaining about refs he sure complains about refs allot.

[clydecloggie]

Ah lads, you Saffers may not be aware of this, but this weekend sees the biggest international match-up of the competition - Glasgow v Munster.

Genuine hate between the two sides, plenty of needle based on real or perceived shithousery, perhaps none more illuminating about the feelings between the two sides than the great Standing Leg Saga of 2017.

And it's knock-out rugby this time, so even more riding on it than usual.

Glasgow demolished Munster very recently, in Thomond Park where no-one comes and humiliates Munster. The Irish will be well up for taking sweet revenge at Scotstoun - but Glasgow are back to being the side they were in the mid 2010's.

It'll be ferocious, unlikely to be pretty, and could go either way. Big, big game.

[CM11]

You'd have thought Glasgow would win this easily a few weeks ago but Munster's performances in SA throw it wide open and rumours are that Beirne is back.

Probably the pick of the ties although Stormers v Bulls should be decent too.

[Uncle fester]

Ah lads, you Saffers may not be aware of this, but this weekend sees the biggest international match-up of the competition - Glasgow v Munster.

Genuine hate between the two sides, plenty of needle based on real or perceived shithousery, perhaps none more illuminating about the feelings between the two sides than the great Standing Leg Saga of 2017.

And it's knock-out rugby this time, so even more riding on it than usual.

Glasgow demolished Munster very recently, in Thomond Park where no-one comes and humiliates Munster. The Irish will be well up for taking sweet revenge at Scotstoun - but Glasgow are back to being the side they were in the mid 2010's.

It'll be ferocious, unlikely to be pretty, and could go either way. Big, big game.

Yeah, it'll be a proper ding dong battle. If Munster can avoid the pathetic end to last season, I'll take that.

[Jim Lahey]

I think the Cousin Fuckers will put up a decent fight but Glasgow will win by 1-2 scores in the end.

There just isn't the quality in the Munster side these days.

[PornDog]

Should be a spite filled cracker. Any prediction on how long it will take for POM to be involved in some shithouse related handbags?

[clydecloggie]

I think the Cousin Fuckers will put up a decent fight but Glasgow will win by 1-2 scores in the end.

There just isn't the quality in the Munster side these days.

If Munster turn it into a brawl and a straight physicality battle, they have a big chance. If they allow it to become a rugby match, Glasgow are the better side. This will be a big test of maturity for Glasgow. It's a keep your heads and win assignment.

[clydecloggie]

Should be a spite filled cracker. Any prediction on how long it will take for POM to be involved in some shithouse related handbags?

I'd be deeply disappointed if there weren't any handbags within the first 5 minutes. Surely POM and Zander Fagerson will meet each other in one of the early breakdowns and handbags will commence shortly after.

[Tichtheid]

I think the Cousin Fuckers will put up a decent fight but Glasgow will win by 1-2 scores in the end.

There just isn't the quality in the Munster side these days.

"Turnips" is one I've heard, Cousin Fuckers is new.


Much depend on who is fit, eg Beirne and Snyman on one side, Gray and Jones on the other. Glasgow can be devastating if they get into it, they lost the plot for a good twenty minutes against Scarlets but got themselves back playing good rugby in the second half.

I think this Glasgow side is potentially better than the one that won the league, it's more rounded and not reliant on the brilliance of Finn, Hoggy and Nakarawa

[clydecloggie]

I think the Cousin Fuckers will put up a decent fight but Glasgow will win by 1-2 scores in the end.

There just isn't the quality in the Munster side these days.

"Turnips" is one I've heard, Cousin Fuckers is new.


Much depend on who is fit, eg Beirne and Snyman on one side, Gray and Jones on the other. Glasgow can be devastating if they get into it, they lost the plot for a good twenty minutes against Scarlets but got themselves back playing good rugby in the second half.

I think this Glasgow side is potentially better than the one that won the league, it's more rounded and not reliant on the brilliance of Finn, Hoggy and Nakarawa

But the 2015 side didn't have the sheer quality of Leinster to contend with.

I sort of agree that this vintage is better than 2015. Although Hogg, Russell, Nakarawa were world class and peak-form Josh Strauss was massive for them, the 2023 lot has quality from numbers 1 to 23 and showed against Scarlets that they are capable of disciplined phase play when the helter skelter approach doesn't work. They have more strings to their bow, even if they have less individual brilliance.

It's still all going to end against Leinster next week as a best-case scenario, but they're having a good season.

[Tichtheid]

I think the Cousin Fuckers will put up a decent fight but Glasgow will win by 1-2 scores in the end.

There just isn't the quality in the Munster side these days.

"Turnips" is one I've heard, Cousin Fuckers is new.


Much depend on who is fit, eg Beirne and Snyman on one side, Gray and Jones on the other. Glasgow can be devastating if they get into it, they lost the plot for a good twenty minutes against Scarlets but got themselves back playing good rugby in the second half.

I think this Glasgow side is potentially better than the one that won the league, it's more rounded and not reliant on the brilliance of Finn, Hoggy and Nakarawa

But the 2015 side didn't have the sheer quality of Leinster to contend with.

I sort of agree that this vintage is better than 2015. Although Hogg, Russell, Nakarawa were world class and peak-form Josh Strauss was massive for them, the 2023 lot has quality from numbers 1 to 23 and showed against Scarlets that they are capable of disciplined phase play when the helter skelter approach doesn't work. They have more strings to their bow, even if they have less individual brilliance.

It's still all going to end against Leinster next week as a best-case scenario, but they're having a good season.

Yeah, I'm not saying Glasgow will beat Leinster, or even Munster this weekend, just that they are a quality side from 1 to 23 now, with perhaps a need for a bit more at ten.

Tellingly it's the same squad as finished 8th last year* but it looks like a completely different team, it just shows what a good head coach can bring.

*Huw Jones has only played two or three league games this season and JP du Preez has been a good addition iirc.

[Uncle fester]

I think the Cousin Fuckers will put up a decent fight but Glasgow will win by 1-2 scores in the end.

There just isn't the quality in the Munster side these days.

Probably not but I'll take an improvement on how we played at the end of last year, when things went to pot after the Toulouse defeat.

[Sards]

OK you looking for excuses for the Bulls.

Did I see Marius for the Stormers Bulls game....

Bye bye Bulls

I get it, the Stormers need Marius to beat the Bulls.

Yup.

[OomStruisbaai]

For someone who always bleats about others complaining about refs he sure complains about refs allot.

Sards take it to a complot new level. He is worse then Rassie.

[Sards]

For someone who always bleats about others complaining about refs he sure complains about refs allot.

Sards take it to a complot new level. He is worse then Rassie.

I have proven it over and over and over again. Marius is always involved in Stormers crunch games.....its becoming a joke now. And it's not just me that has noticed....everyone sees it. Take a peek on social media under the officials for this match

And dude. You don't see me bitching about the ref and travel. Thats you vokkers. You posted all that kak from Swys. Not any Sharks supporters.

And noone is worse than Rassie. The whole world think we are bitching vokkers. Ref whingers . Because of Rassie. He has completely tarnished our reputation on his own

[LoveOfTheGame]

For someone who always bleats about others complaining about refs he sure complains about refs allot.

Sards take it to a complot new level. He is worse then Rassie.

I have proven it over and over and over again. Marius is always involved in Stormers crunch games.....its becoming a joke now. And it's not just me that has noticed....everyone sees it. Take a peek on social media under the officials for this match

And dude. You don't see me bitching about the ref and travel. Thats you vokkers. You posted all that kak from Swys. Not any Sharks supporters.

And noone is worse than Rassie. The whole world think we are bitching vokkers. Ref whingers . Because of Rassie. He has completely tarnished our reputation on his own

Sards you really are a plonker at times. Jaco's the man in the middle on Saturday. Why are you even moaning about a ref in match where your teams not even playing? Said it before and I'll say it again, you are closet WP supporter.

[Sards]

Not moaning. Having a laugh at Marius. I don't care about the result. Just always follow Marius and key Stormers matches. He's the AR for the match. Love to keep highlighting it.

[LoveOfTheGame]

Not moaning. Having a laugh at Marius. I don't care about the result. Just always follow Marius and key Stormers matches. He's the AR for the match. Love to keep highlighting it.

Yes Sards, I know you do.

[OomStruisbaai]

For someone who always bleats about others complaining about refs he sure complains about refs allot.

Sards take it to a complot new level. He is worse then Rassie.

I have proven it over and over and over again. Marius is always involved in Stormers crunch games.....its becoming a joke now. And it's not just me that has noticed....everyone sees it. Take a peek on social media under the officials for this match

And dude. You don't see me bitching about the ref and travel. Thats you vokkers. You posted all that kak from Swys. Not any Sharks supporters.

And noone is worse than Rassie. The whole world think we are bitching vokkers. Ref whingers . Because of Rassie. He has completely tarnished our reputation on his own

You proved that you are a ref bitcher.

[average joe]

Most people complain when refs make obvious mistakes. They complain about incompetence and mediocrity. People that blatantly claim that a ref is fraudulent and corrupt without any evidence are lower than kreefkak. Even Rassie with his videos did not go that low.

[Sards]

Well one thing we all agree on. Rassie

[assfly]

[OomStruisbaai]

Most people complain when refs make obvious mistakes. They complain about incompetence and mediocrity. People that blatantly claim that a ref is fraudulent and corrupt without any evidence are lower than kreefkak. Even Rassie with his videos did not go that low.

Thats where Sards go.

[Sards]

The Cape cannabis industry is still a fledgling industry. It's highly regulated which obviously has delayed the process.
Poor Diamani. He really hasn't cracked the growers that produce the good shit

[Chilli]

[OomStruisbaai]

Marius vd Westhuizen sits on the URC committee

URC bosses turned down a ‘request’ from the Bulls to allow veteran Springbok Marcell Coetzee to play in the clash with the Stormers on Saturday.

He,ll play against the Sharks in CC.

[Sards]

Marius vd Westhuizen sits on the URC committee

URC bosses turned down a ‘request’ from the Bulls to allow veteran Springbok Marcell Coetzee to play in the clash with the Stormers on Saturday.

He,ll play against the Sharks in CC.

Stormers are scared. Shame

Vok. Where are the Bulls supporters.

[CM11]

Had they de-registered Coetzee?

Subject to Championship Rules, additional Players may not be registered after 21 March 2022, save that any Player who turns 18 years of age after that date may be registered provided that the Club’s registered Championship squad at the date of his registration numbers no more than 50 Players.

[OomStruisbaai]

Had they de-registered Coetzee?

Subject to Championship Rules, additional Players may not be registered after 21 March 2022, save that any Player who turns 18 years of age after that date may be registered provided that the Club’s registered Championship squad at the date of his registration numbers no more than 50 Players.

R365

Coetzee only just returned from his sabbatical with the Kobe-based Steelers in Japan.

However, despite having played seven games earlier in the season, a rule change meant he was ‘de-registered’ during his time in Japan.

His return was not in time to register him for the quarterfinal.

The rule change followed a similar scenario with the Sharks’ World Cup-winning Springbok Lukhanyo Am in April last year – when he also returned from a sabbatical in Japan.

The Bulls attempted to argue that Coetzee’s situation is similar to an injured player returning, but the URC bosses were having none of it and the 31-times capped Bok will now be playing in the Currie Cup competition for the Bulls.

[CM11]

Chancing their arm massively there. Is there special dispensation for returning injured players? Don't see it in the rules.

[assfly]

Had they de-registered Coetzee?

Subject to Championship Rules, additional Players may not be registered after 21 March 2022, save that any Player who turns 18 years of age after that date may be registered provided that the Club’s registered Championship squad at the date of his registration numbers no more than 50 Players.

R365

Coetzee only just returned from his sabbatical with the Kobe-based Steelers in Japan.

However, despite having played seven games earlier in the season, a rule change meant he was ‘de-registered’ during his time in Japan.

His return was not in time to register him for the quarterfinal.

The rule change followed a similar scenario with the Sharks’ World Cup-winning Springbok Lukhanyo Am in April last year – when he also returned from a sabbatical in Japan.

The Bulls attempted to argue that Coetzee’s situation is similar to an injured player returning, but the URC bosses were having none of it and the 31-times capped Bok will now be playing in the Currie Cup competition for the Bulls.

It's hardly a sabbatical if he played a full season for another team!

I actually agree with the rule. Otherwise you'd get loads of players from Japan looking for URC teams to play in the knock-out games after the rest of their teams put in the shifts to get them there.

[Sandstorm]

Word

[Sards]

Cell C Sharks

Ox Nche
Bongi Mbonambi
Thomas du Toit
Corne Rahl
Gerbrandt Grobler
James Venter
Vincent Tshituka
Sikhumbuzo Notshe
Grant Williams
Boeta Chamberlain
Makazole Mapimpi
Ben Tapuai
Lukhanyo Am (c)
Marnus Potgieter
Aphelele Fassi
Replacements

Fez Mbatha
Ntuthuko Mchunu
Carlu Sadie
Jeandre Labuschagne
Phepsi Buthelezi
Cameron Wright
Nevaldo Fleurs
Rohan Janse van Rensburg


Didn't realize Bosch had an injury after the last match. Big match for Nevaldo.
No Kok either
You can tell they are going out to bully Leinster. Marnus in the mix