Official United Rugby Championship thread

[OomStruisbaai]

Good luck to the $hark$. They have a tough start. Less then two weeks.

[OomStruisbaai]

Season starts next weekend

R1 – Saturday, October 21

Zebre Parma v Ulster | 13.00 IRE & UK / 14.00 ITA & SA | ITA, Viaplay, SuperSport, Premier Sports

Connacht v Ospreys | 15.00 IRE & UK / 16.00 ITA & SA | TG4, S4C, Viaplay, SuperSport, Premier Sports

Emirates Lions v DHL Stormers | 15.05 IRE & UK / 16.05 ITA & SA | SuperSport, Viaplay, Premier Sports

Dragons RFC v Edinburgh | 15.05 IRE & UK / 16.05 ITA & SA | Viaplay, SuperSport, Premier Sports

Cardiff Rugby v Benetton | 17.15 IRE & UK / 18.15 ITA & SA | S4C, Viaplay, SuperSport, Premier Sports

Munster v Cell C Sharks | 17.15 IRE & UK / 18.15 ITA & SA | TG4, Viaplay, SuperSport, Premier Sports



Sunday, October 22

Vodacom Bulls v Scarlets | 14.00 IRE & UK / 15.00 ITA & SA | SuperSport, BBC Wales, Viaplay, Premier Sports

Glasgow Warriors v Leinster | 16.00 IRE & UK / 17.00 ITA & SA | Viaplay, RTÉ, SuperSport, Premier Sports



R2 – Saturday, October 28

Ospreys v Zebre Parma | 13.00 IRE & UK / 14.00 ITA & SA | BBC Wales, Viaplay, SuperSport, Premier Sports

Connacht v Glasgow Warriors | 15.00 IRE & UK / 16.00 ITA & SA | TG4, Viaplay, SuperSport, Premier Sports

DHL Stormers v Scarlets | 15.00 IRE & UK / 16.00 ITA & SA | SuperSport, S4C, Viaplay, Premier Sports

Leinster v Cell C Sharks | 16.55 IRE & UK / 17.55 ITA & SA | RTÉ, SuperSport, Viaplay, Premier Sports

Edinburgh v Emirates Lions | 17.00 IRE & UK / 18.00 ITA & SA | Viaplay, SuperSport, Premier Sports



Sunday, October 29

Benetton v Munster | 14.00 IRE & UK / 15.00 ITA & SA | ITA, RTÉ, Viaplay, SuperSport, Premier Sports

Dragons RFC v Cardiff Rugby | 14.30 IRE & UK / 15.30 ITA & SA | Viaplay, SuperSport, Premier Sports

Ulster v Vodacom Bulls | 17.00 IRE & UK / 18.00 ITA & SA | BBC NI, TG4, Viaplay, SuperSport, Premier Sports



R3 – Friday, November 3

Glasgow Warriors v DHL Stormers | 19.35 IRE & UK / 20.35 ITA / 21.35 SA | Viaplay, SuperSport, Premier Sports

Ospreys v Cell C Sharks | 19.35 IRE & UK / 20.35 ITA / 21.35 SA | BBC Wales, Viaplay, SuperSport, Premier Sports



Saturday, November 4

Zebre Parma v Vodacom Bulls | 13.00 IRE & UK / 14.00 ITA / 15.00 SA | ITA, Viaplay, SuperSport, Premier Sports

Leinster v Edinburgh | 15.05 IRE & UK / 16.05 ITA / 17.05 SA | RTÉ, Viaplay, SuperSport, Premier Sports

Scarlets v Cardiff Rugby | 17.15 IRE & UK / 18.15 ITA / 19.15 SA | Viaplay, SuperSport, Premier Sports

Munster v Dragons RFC | 17.15 IRE & UK / 18.15 ITA / 19.15 SA | RTÉ, S4C, Viaplay, SuperSport, Premier Sports

Connacht v Ulster | 19.35 IRE & UK / 20.35 ITA / 21.35 SA | TG4, Viaplay, SuperSport, Premier Sports



Sunday, November 5

Benetton v Emirates Lions | 13.30 IRE & UK / 14.30 ITA / 15.30 SA | ITA, Viaplay, SuperSport, Premier Sports

[OomStruisbaai]

Any news on Plumtree and his squad to tour? Only get fear of the fin info.

[sturginho]

Just learned that the Italian broadcaster this year is sky sports, I'll just have to content myself with the handfu of games on S4C &BBC

BTW is viaplay still a thing? I thought it was supposed to be closing down in the uk?

[assfly]

Any news on Plumtree and his squad to tour? Only get fear of the fin info.

I wish they'd drop that embarrassing marketing shite. It's bad enough we're Hollywood Bets $harks

[Sandstorm]

Just learned that the Italian broadcaster this year is sky sports, I'll just have to content myself with the handfu of games on S4C &BBC

BTW is viaplay still a thing? I thought it was supposed to be closing down in the uk?

Yes looks like it's still going - glad I kept my subscription.


Zebre Parma v Ulster | 13.00 IRE & UK / 14.00 ITA & SA | ITA, Viaplay, SuperSport, Premier Sports

Connacht v Ospreys | 15.00 IRE & UK / 16.00 ITA & SA | TG4, S4C, Viaplay, SuperSport, Premier Sports

Emirates Lions v DHL Stormers | 15.05 IRE & UK / 16.05 ITA & SA | SuperSport, Viaplay, Premier Sports

Dragons RFC v Edinburgh | 15.05 IRE & UK / 16.05 ITA & SA | Viaplay, SuperSport, Premier Sports

Cardiff Rugby v Benetton | 17.15 IRE & UK / 18.15 ITA & SA | S4C, Viaplay, SuperSport, Premier Sports

Munster v Cell C Sharks | 17.15 IRE & UK / 18.15 ITA & SA | TG4, Viaplay, SuperSport, Premier Sports

[topofthemoon]

Just learned that the Italian broadcaster this year is sky sports, I'll just have to content myself with the handfu of games on S4C &BBC

BTW is viaplay still a thing? I thought it was supposed to be closing down in the uk?

They announced in July that their new strategic direction is to focus on their core Scandinavian markets - will be a gradual process to exit all their existing agreements but they still have the contract for the URC for the 2023/24 season.

[OomStruisbaai]

Sharks touring squad
TOUR SQUAD

Forwards

Coenie Oosthuizen
Corne Rahl
Dan Jooste
Dian Bleuler
Dylan Richardson
Emile van Heerden
George Cronje
Hanro Jacobs
James Venter
Kerron van Vuuren
Khwezi Mona
Ntuthuko Mchunu
Phepsi Buthelezi
Reniel Hugo
Sikumbuzo Notshe
Vincent Tshituka
BACKS

Aphelele Fassi
Aphiwe Dyantyi
Boeta Chamberlain
Cameron Wright
Curwin Bosch
Francois Hougaard
Francois Venter (c)
Marnus Potgieter
Mthokozisi Mkhabela
Murray Koster
Rohan Janse van Rensburg
Werner Kok

[Chilli]

Francois Hougaard?

[bok_viking]

Just learned that the Italian broadcaster this year is sky sports, I'll just have to content myself with the handfu of games on S4C &BBC

BTW is viaplay still a thing? I thought it was supposed to be closing down in the uk?

They announced in July that their new strategic direction is to focus on their core Scandinavian markets - will be a gradual process to exit all their existing agreements but they still have the contract for the URC for the 2023/24 season.

It does seem that rugby is starting to get quite a following in Scandinavia. When I still lived in Denmark in 2008 rugby coverage would be nowhere to be found except for a few pubs that had UK sky boxes and most people would not know what rugby is. Now the Danish broadcasters are showing all the WC games and they were even able to watch URC games last season. So my parents and brother were able to watch all the SA games on tv there this year. Even the 2019 WC did not have as much coverage there.

[OomStruisbaai]

Francois Hougaard?

Yes , $hark$ have some pension money after the Tank, Kolisi, Henko left.

For all the transfers

https://all.rugby/transfers/urc

Bulls have some great additions

Overall look like the Welsch, Scots and Italians have lost a lot of players

[OomStruisbaai]

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 21

Zebre Parma v Ulster
(Stadio Lanfranchi, Parma – Kick-off: 14.00; 12.00; 13.00 Ireland & UK time)
Referee: Adam Jones (Wales)
Assistant referees: Manuel Bottino (Italy) & Lorenzo Imbriaco (Italy)
TMO: Jon Mason (Wales)

Connacht v Ospreys
(The Sportsground, Galway – Kick-off: 15.00; 13.00 GMT)
Referee: Federico Vedovelli (Italy)
Assistant referees: Dan Carson (Ireland) & Tomas O’Sullivan (Ireland)
TMO: Stefano Roscini (Italy)

Lions v Stormers
(Ellis Park, Johannesburg – Kick-off: 16.05; 14.05 GMT)
Referee: Morne Ferreira (South Africa)
Assistant referees: Griffin Colby (South Africa) & Stephan Geldenhuys (South Africa)
TMO: Marius van der Westhuizen (South Africa)

Dragons v Edinburgh
(Rodney Parade, Newport – Kick-off: 15.05; 14.05 GMT)
Referee: Eoghan Cross (Ireland)
Assistant referees: Gareth Newman (Wales) & Simon Rees (Wales)
TMO: Olly Hodges (Ireland)

Cardiff v Benetton
(Cardiff Arms Park, Cardiff – Kick-off: 17.15; 16.15 GMT; 18.15 Italy time)
Referee: Frank Murphy (Ireland)
Assistant referees: Mike English (Wales) & Gwyn Morris (Wales)
TMO: Mark Patton (Wales)

Munster v Sharks
(Thomond Park, Limerick – Kick-off: 17.15; 16.15 GMT; 18.15 SA time)
Referee: Gianluca Gnecchi (Italy)
Assistant referees: Jonathan Erskine (Ireland) & Andrew Fogarty (Ireland)
TMO: Stefano Penne (Italy)

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 22

Bulls v Scarlets
(Loftus Versfeld Stadium, Pretoria – Kick-off: 15.00; 13.00 GMT; 14.00 Ireland and UK time)
Referee: Mike Adamson (Scotland)
Assistant referees: AJ Jacobs (South Africa) & Cwengile Jadezweni (South Africa)
TMO: Sam Grove-White (Scotland)

Glasgow Warriors v Leinster
(Scotstoun Stadium, Glasgow – Kick-off: 16.00; 15.00 GMT)
Referee: Craig Evans (Wales)
Assistant referees: Ru Campbell (Scotland) & Jonny Perriam (Scotland)
TMO: Sean Brickell (Wales)

[OomStruisbaai]

Bulls PLAYERS IN
Sebastian de Klerk (Pumas)
Mpilo Gumede (Sharks)
Henry Immelman (Edinburgh)
Jannes Kirsten (Exeter)
Willie le Roux (Toyota Verblitz)
Wilco Louw (Harlequins)
Khutha Mchunu (Sharks)
Sergeal Petersen (Shimizu Koto Blue Sharks)
Deon Slabbert (Pumas, loan)
Akker van der Merwe (Sale)
Jaco van der Walt (Edinburgh)
Devon Williams (Pumas, loan)

[OomStruisbaai]

Watch Sebastiaan de Klerk. The same Boland Landbu roots like Canaan Moodie. Exciting 13 or wing .

[assfly]

Not a bad looking $harks squad. Let's see what Plumtree can do with them.

Away to Munster is undoubtedly the hardest fixture first up, so I'll be reasonable with my expectations.

[OomStruisbaai]

Not a bad looking $harks squad. Let's see what Plumtree can do with them.

Away to Munster is undoubtedly the hardest fixture first up, so I'll be reasonable with my expectations.

It cut both sides to start with two difficult fixtures. Will be great if they can knock over Munster and even more against Leinster.

[OomStruisbaai]

The URC will make the wait shorter for the big test at 21h00. Packed saturday of rugby.

[assfly]

The URC will make the wait shorter for the big test at 21h00. Packed saturday of rugby.

Yep. And the Eng vs SA cricket too.

[OomStruisbaai]

Good to see Jake White see the light

“That’s why I don’t want to rest on one group of players. Rassie has shown that, and the Stormers showed that last year, too. It’s not that I didn’t know it, but I was probably a little bit bang (scared) to do it because I didn’t feel like I had prepared them well enough to put them on the field.”

[Tichtheid]

Article on Sean Everitt, starting a new career at Edinburgh

https://www.rugbypass.com/plus/sean-eve ... 14vpBzmFeQ

[OomStruisbaai]

Good luck to Everitt, (through and through Sharks man) hope he have the same success like Franco at Glasgow. Next thing he'll have Curwin Bosch going to Embra.

[OomStruisbaai]

Leeus vs Stormers: Quann Horn; Rabs Maxwane, Manny Rass, Marius Louw, Richard Kriel; Jaden Hendrikse, Sanele Nohamba; Francke Horn, Emmanuel Tshituka, Sibusiso Sangwrni, Darien Landsberg, Ruben Schoeman, Ruben Dreyer, PJ Botha, Corné Fourie

[bok_viking]

I will be at the Bulls game, hopefully in a good mood after Saturday
Couple of young guys getting a run out, and a couple of new old heads in the front 3. hopefully they will sort out some of the bulls problems from last season with scrumming

[OomStruisbaai]

Leeus vs Stormers: Quann Horn; Rabs Maxwane, Manny Rass, Marius Louw, Richard Kriel; Jaden Hendrikse, Sanele Nohamba; Francke Horn, Emmanuel Tshituka, Sibusiso Sangwrni, Darien Landsberg, Ruben Schoeman, Ruben Dreyer, PJ Botha, Corné Fourie

[Sandstorm]

Leeus vs Stormers: Quann Horn; Rabs Maxwane, Manny Rass, Marius Louw, Richard Kriel; Jaden Hendrikse, Sanele Nohamba; Francke Horn, Emmanuel Tshituka, Sibusiso Sangwrni, Darien Landsberg, Ruben Schoeman, Ruben Dreyer, PJ Botha, Corné Fourie

Stomps should win by 10

[OomStruisbaai]

I dunno with Blommetjies in 10. du Plessis injury force Sascha to 12. Also not sure about our tight 5. Luckily its an away game, so any points is a bonus

[OomStruisbaai]

Oh and looking forward to Ben Loaders debut.

[OomStruisbaai]

Dragons v Edinburgh
(Rodney Parade, Newport – Kick-off: 15.05; 14.05 GMT)

Dragons: 15 Cai Evans, 14 Corey Baldwin, 13 Sio Tomkinson, 12 Steff Hughes (captain), 11 Jared Rosser, 10 Angus O’Brien, 9 Rhodri Williams; 8 Ollie Griffiths, 7 Harri Keddie, 6 George Nott, 5 Ben Carter, 4 Matthew Screech, 3 Lloyd Fairbrother, 2 Bradley Roberts, 1 Rodrigo Martinez,
Replacements: 16 James Benjamin, 17 Rhodri Jones, 18 Luke Yendle, 19 Joe Davies, 20 Sean Lonsdale, 21 Dane Blacker, 22 Will Reed, 23 Jack Dixon

Edinburgh: 15 Cammy Scott, 14 Ross McCann, 13 Mark Bennett, 12 Matt Currie, 11. Wes Goosen, 10 Ben Healy, 9 Ben Vellacott (captain), 8 Tom Dodd, 7 Cameron Neild, 6 Sam Skinner, 5 Jamie Hodgson, 4 Glen Young, 3 Javan Sebastian, 2 Dave Cherry, 1 Boan Venter
Replacements: 16 Adam McBurney, 17 Robin Hislop, 18 Angus Williams, 19 Marshall Sykes, 20 Luke Crosbie, 21 Charlie Shiel, 22 Chris Dean, 23 Jordan Edmunds

Referee: Eoghan Cross (Ireland)
Assistant referees: Gareth Newman (Wales) & Simon Rees (Wales)
TMO: Olly Hodges (Ireland)

[OomStruisbaai]

Munster v Sharks
(Thomond Park, Limerick – Kick-off: 17.15; 16.15 GMT; 18.15 SA time)

Sharks: 15 Boeta Chamberlain, 14 Werner Kok, 13 Murray Koster, 12 Francois Venter (captain), 11 Marnus Potgieter, 10 Curwin Bosch, 9 Cameron Wright, 8 George Cronje, 7 Phepsi Buthelezi, 6 James Venter, 5 Reniel Hugo, 4 Emile van Heerden, Coenie Oosthuizen, 2. Kerron van Vuuren, 1 Ntuthuko Mchunu
Replacements: 16 Dan Jooste, 17 Dian Bleuler, 18 Hanro Jacobs, 19 Vincent Tshituka, 20 Sikhumbuzo Notshe, 21 Zee Mkhabela, 22 Rohan Janse van Rensburg, 23 Aphelele Fassi

Munster: 15 Shane Daly; 14 Andrew Conway, 13 Antoine Frisch, 12 Rory Scannell, 11 Calvin Nash; 10 Joey Carbery, 9 Ethan Coughlan; 8 Gavin Coombes, 7 Alex Kendellen, 6 Jack O’Donoghue (captain), 5 Fineen Wycherley, 4 Edwin Edogbo, 3 Stephen Archer, 2 Diarmuid Barron, 1 Josh Wycherley
Replacements: 16 Scott Buckley, 17 Kieran Ryan, 18 John Ryan, 19 Tom Ahern, 20 Brian Gleeson, 21 Neil Cronin, 22 Alex Nankivell, 23 Shay McCarthy.

Referee: Gianluca Gnecchi (Italy)
Assistant referees: Jonathan Erskine (Ireland) & Andrew Fogarty (Ireland)
TMO: Stefano Penne (Italy)

[OomStruisbaai]

Bulls v Scarlets
(Loftus Versfeld Stadium, Pretoria – Kick-off: 15.00; 13.00 GMT; 14.00 Ireland and UK time)

Bulls: 15 Devon Williams, 14 Sebastian de Klerk, 13 David Kriel, 12 Harold Vorster, 11 Stravino Jacobs, 1 Johan Goosen, 9 Embrose Papier, 8. Cameron Hanekom, 7 Elrigh Louw, 6 Marcell Coetzee (captain), 5 Ruan Nortje (captain), 4 Ruan Vermaak, 3 Wilco Louw, 2 Johan Grobbelaar, 1 Gerhard Steenekamp,
Replacements: 16 Akker van der Merwe, 17 Simphiwe Matanzima, 18 Mornay Smith, 19 Reinhardt Ludwig, 20 Nizaam Carr, 21 Zak Burger, 22 Jaco van der Walt, 23 Stedman Gans

Scarlets: 15 Johnny McNicholl; 14 Tom Rogers, 13 Joe Roberts, 12 Jonathan Davies (captain), 11 Ryan Conbeer; 10 Ioan Lloyd, 9 Kieran Hardy; 8 Ben Williams, 7 Dan Davis, 6 Taine Plumtree, 5 Sam Lousi, 4 Alex Craig, 3 Sam Wainwright, 2 Shaun Evans, 1 Kemsley Mathias
Replacements: 16 Isaac Young, 17 Steff Thomas, 18 Wyn Jones, 19 Jac Price, 20 Carwyn Tuipulotu, 21 Archie Hughes, 22 Charlie Titcombe, 23 Ioan Nicholas.

Referee: Mike Adamson (Scotland)
Assistant referees: AJ Jacobs (South Africa) & Cwengile Jadezweni (South Africa)
TMO: Sam Grove-White (Scotland)

[OomStruisbaai]

Glasgow Warriors v Leinster
(Scotstoun Stadium, Glasgow – Kick-off: 16.00; 15.00 GMT)

Glasgow Warriors: 15 Josh McKay, 14 Sebastian Cancelliere, 13 Huw Jones, 12 Stafford McDowall, 11 Kyle Steyn, 10 Tom Jordan, 9 Jamie Dobie, 8 Henco Venter, 7 Rory Darge, 6 Gregor Brown, 5 Scott Cummings, 4 Greg Peterson, 3 Zander Fagerson, 2 Angus Fraser, 1 Oli Kebble
Replacements: 16 Johnny Matthews, 17 Nathan McBeth, 18 Lucio Sordoni, 19 Alex Samuel, 20 Ally Miller, 21 Thomas Gordon, 22 George Horne, 23 Duncan Weir

Leinster: 15 Ciarán Frawley, 14 Tommy O’Brien, 13 Liam Turner, 12 Charlie Ngatai,
11 Jordan Larmour, 10 Harry Byrne, 9 Luke McGrath, 8 James Culhane, 7 Scott Penny (captain), 6 Max Deegan, 5 Jason Jenkins, 4 Ross Molony, 3 Thomas Clarkson, 2 John McKee, 1 Jack Boyle
Replacements: 16 Lee Barron, 17 Paddy McCarthy, 18 Rory McGuire, 19 Brian Deeny, 20 Rhys Ruddock, 21 Cormac Foley, 22 Sam Prendergast, 23 Will Connors

Referee: Craig Evans (Wales)
Assistant referees: Ru Campbell (Scotland) & Jonny Perriam (Scotland)
TMO: Sean Brickell (Wales)

[average joe]

Has Blommetjies ever played 10? I can't remember much of him from his days at the Cheetahs except disappointment, but I doubt he played 10 there.

[OomStruisbaai]

Has Blommetjies ever played 10? I can't remember much of him from his days at the Cheetahs except disappointment, but I doubt he played 10 there.

Ja swaer. Laat ons maar sien.

[OomStruisbaai]

[OomStruisbaai]

So the day has arrived. Not much interest from the posters. Sadly

[GrahamWa]

So the day has arrived. Not much interest from the posters. Sadly

It's always the same in a World Cup year, even more so with it still ongoing.

[OomStruisbaai]

See the Scottish test players are back. Glasgow vs Leinster and Sharks vs Munster the games of round 1

[Uncle fester]

So the day has arrived. Not much interest from the posters. Sadly

It's always the same in a World Cup year, even more so with it still ongoing.

I'll watch as there's no other rugby on this weekend. None at all.

[sturginho]

Zebre - Ulster sounds like a bit of a thriller

[fishfoodie]

Zebre - Ulster sounds like a bit of a thriller

Zebre with their traditional million miles an hour start to the season