Official United Rugby Championship thread

[Biffer]

Official URC social media confirms full fixture list for 24/25 out tomorrow

[assfly]

$harks vs Zebre is the tournament opener the masses want to see.

[bok_viking]

oh, a point that someone (a Munster supporter) raised elsewhere, it has been said that Leinster's B team would win the league. That is obviously far from true now and perhaps they don't have the depth that we all thought they had.

The schedule is Kinder to them this year so they'll be able to go fully loaded for all the games, instead of trying to rotate.

I am starting to think the Leinster 1st XV do not play enough rugby in a season, so even though they are more rested than any team they come up against, they lack the mental and physical toughness you get from playing games when it comes to these important games towards the end of the season. They are basically undercooked for the tough games. I saw some stats a while back (cannot remember where) that the Leinster players on average play far less games in a season compared to any of the other teams in the top leagues (excluding Japan)

[Sandstorm]

$harks vs Zebre is the tournament opener the masses want to see.

In Galway

[assfly]

$harks vs Zebre is the tournament opener the masses want to see.

In Galway

Late Friday night kick-off, mid-winter. Both teams without their internationals.

[PornDog]

oh, a point that someone (a Munster supporter) raised elsewhere, it has been said that Leinster's B team would win the league. That is obviously far from true now and perhaps they don't have the depth that we all thought they had.

The schedule is Kinder to them this year so they'll be able to go fully loaded for all the games, instead of trying to rotate.

I am starting to think the Leinster 1st XV do not play enough rugby in a season, so even though they are more rested than any team they come up against, they lack the mental and physical toughness you get from playing games when it comes to these important games towards the end of the season. They are basically undercooked for the tough games. I saw some stats a while back (cannot remember where) that the Leinster players on average play far less games in a season compared to any of the other teams in the top leagues (excluding Japan)

This sort of nonsense gets trotted out all the time. Any time an Irish team wins its because they rest all their players. Any time an Irish team loses its because their players aren't battle hardened enough! It can't be both lads, and I'm quite certain it's neither!

Somebody on the other bored said that Doris has played 32 games so far this year. I'm sure that's not breaking any records, but I'm also sure it doesn't count as "not playing enough rugby".


(Having said that, I've been calling out for Frawley to get more game time at 10, which he hasn't had, but that's more of a positional question rather than a "battle hardened" gametime one)

[OomStruisbaai]

Just figure out why Sards don't want the Sharks to win. He is bang the Stormers win the SA Shield again.

Don't worry Sards, we won it two years on the trot, nobody rate the shields.

What a fucking doos.

[OomStruisbaai]

There are a lot of X Stormers in the Sharks team. They,ll spoil Sards party.

[Jim Lahey]

The schedule is Kinder to them this year so they'll be able to go fully loaded for all the games, instead of trying to rotate.

I am starting to think the Leinster 1st XV do not play enough rugby in a season, so even though they are more rested than any team they come up against, they lack the mental and physical toughness you get from playing games when it comes to these important games towards the end of the season. They are basically undercooked for the tough games. I saw some stats a while back (cannot remember where) that the Leinster players on average play far less games in a season compared to any of the other teams in the top leagues (excluding Japan)

This sort of nonsense gets trotted out all the time. Any time an Irish team wins its because they rest all their players. Any time an Irish team loses its because their players aren't battle hardened enough! It can't be both lads, and I'm quite certain it's neither!

Somebody on the other bored said that Doris has played 32 games so far this year. I'm sure that's not breaking any records, but I'm also sure it doesn't count as "not playing enough rugby".


(Having said that, I've been calling out for Frawley to get more game time at 10, which he hasn't had, but that's more of a positional question rather than a "battle hardened" gametime one)

I don't buy the argument either tbf.

My view is that rugby teams, and sport teams in general, are built on momentum. Chopping and changing players every week messes that up. Leinster were utter shite the week before against Ulster. Dreadful in fact. Dropping balls, missing tackles, making basic errors etc. This is off the back of a shite tour to SA. Not playing your best players is obviously a factor but seeing relatively senior guys like James Ryan and Harry Byrne playing like donkeys against an Ulster side that is down in the dumps, is piss poor. That stuff filters through to the wider squad at training on Monday morning.

My view is that Leinster are simply not as good as they were 3 or 4 years ago. Facing a teamsheet with the likes Furlong, Porter, VDF, Doris, Henshaw and Keenan isn't the same death sentance as it once was, for opponents. Plus, Leinster lack a box office player that can pull a rabbit out of the hat with a moment of individual brilliance, like a Dupont, Kolbe, Finn Russell etc.

[OomStruisbaai]

Boet we cant get on the sheet?

[OomStruisbaai]

2024/25 fixture list

https://www.unitedrugby.com/content-pag ... 5-fixtures

[Sandstorm]

2024/25 fixture list

https://www.unitedrugby.com/content-pag ... 5-fixtures

Targeting this one for a live ticket:

Sat, Mar 22 Scarlets v DHL Stormers Parc Y Scarlets

[Sandstorm]

Opening game of the season:
Sat, Sept 28
Ospreys vs DHL Stormers
Stadium: TBC

Any Osprey fans know why Swansea stadium isn't guaranteed yet? Kevball?
Where would they play instead?
Or maybe switch to Sunday?

[topofthemoon]

Boet we cant get on the sheet?

I've logged back into it and everything seems to be working again from my end. Try again and let me know if you still can't get in.

[Tichtheid]

Boet we cant get on the sheet?

I've logged back into it and everything seems to be working again from my end. Try again and let me know if you still can't get in.

I had it working the other day, but I could only see doom and despair from an Edinburgh perspective.

[Sandstorm]

I had it working the other day, but I could only see doom and despair from an Edinburgh perspective.

[OomStruisbaai]

Boet we cant get on the sheet?

I've logged back into it and everything seems to be working again from my end. Try again and let me know if you still can't get in.

"This item might not exist or is no longer available
This item might have been deleted, expired, or you might not have permission to view it. Contact the owner of this item for more information."

message I get.

The spreadsheet is a master piece, when can we connect for zoom training on Xcell?

[GrahamWa]

Opening game of the season:
Sat, Sept 28
Ospreys vs DHL Stormers
Stadium: TBC

Any Osprey fans know why Swansea stadium isn't guaranteed yet? Kevball?
Where would they play instead?
Or maybe switch to Sunday?

The Sprays aren't playing at the football ground next season. It'll be either Bridgends ground (The Brewery Field) or Swansea's (Sports Ground), visiting some old fashioned rugby grounds will be "interesting" for visiting fans and players alike.

[Sandstorm]

Opening game of the season:
Sat, Sept 28
Ospreys vs DHL Stormers
Stadium: TBC

Any Osprey fans know why Swansea stadium isn't guaranteed yet? Kevball?
Where would they play instead?
Or maybe switch to Sunday?

The Sprays aren't playing at the football ground next season. It'll be either Bridgends ground (The Brewery Field) or Swansea's (Sports Ground), visiting some old fashioned rugby grounds will be "interesting" for visiting fans and players alike.

Bollocks! Neither of those is convenient for a weekend without a car in Swansea Town Centre, especially Brig-fucking-end!

[topofthemoon]

Boet we cant get on the sheet?

I've logged back into it and everything seems to be working again from my end. Try again and let me know if you still can't get in.

"This item might not exist or is no longer available
This item might have been deleted, expired, or you might not have permission to view it. Contact the owner of this item for more information."

message I get.

The spreadsheet is a master piece, when can we connect for zoom training on Xcell?

I've uploaded a new version so that should hopefully work:

https://1drv.ms/x/s!AvvixG1z7ESBywMbaix ... 6?e=vxd3tR

[OomStruisbaai]

[Uncle fester]

Opening game of the season:
Sat, Sept 28
Ospreys vs DHL Stormers
Stadium: TBC

Any Osprey fans know why Swansea stadium isn't guaranteed yet? Kevball?
Where would they play instead?
Or maybe switch to Sunday?

The Sprays aren't playing at the football ground next season. It'll be either Bridgends ground (The Brewery Field) or Swansea's (Sports Ground), visiting some old fashioned rugby grounds will be "interesting" for visiting fans and players alike.

Bollocks! Neither of those is convenient for a weekend without a car in Swansea Town Centre, especially Brig-fucking-end!

There's a train surely?

[Jim Lahey]

There's always Newport as an alternative for a game. I hear its lovely, the missus would love to come along as well.

[Sandstorm]

The Sprays aren't playing at the football ground next season. It'll be either Bridgends ground (The Brewery Field) or Swansea's (Sports Ground), visiting some old fashioned rugby grounds will be "interesting" for visiting fans and players alike.

Bollocks! Neither of those is convenient for a weekend without a car in Swansea Town Centre, especially Brig-fucking-end!

There's a train surely?

There is a train to Bridgend. However I'm coming from England and will travel thru that Bridgend station on the way to Swansea where my hotel is 3 hours earlier! Then I have to catch a train 30 mins back to Bridgend. Then get the train back again (with several 1000 other people possibly) to have a pint in the evening. Not going to spend more time than I have to in Bridgend because it's a dump

Dropping £500+ to Edinburgh or Dublin games looking less like a hardship now.

[OomStruisbaai]

Stormers B vs Lions
DHL Stormers: 15 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, 14 Suleiman Hartzenberg, 13 Wandisile Simelane, 12 Dan du Plessis, 11 Angelo Davids, 10 Manie Libbok, 9 Herschel Jantjies, 8 Hacjivah Dayimani, 7 Ben-Jason Dixon, 6 Evan Roos, 5 Ruben van Heerden, 4 Salmaan Moerat (captain), 3 Neethling Fouche, 2 Andre-Hugo Venter, 1 Sti Sithole.
Replacements: 16 Joseph Dweba, 17 Brok Harris, 18 Frans Malherbe, 19 Adre Smith, 20 Marcel Theunissen, 21 Stefan Ungerer, 22 Jean-Luc du Plessis, 23 Ben Loader.

[Sandstorm]

2 Andre-Hugo Venter
16 Joseph Dweba

Finally they get the starting order right!!!

[Jim Lahey]

Stormers B vs Lions
DHL Stormers: 15 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, 14 Suleiman Hartzenberg, 13 Wandisile Simelane, 12 Dan du Plessis, 11 Angelo Davids, 10 Manie Libbok, 9 Herschel Jantjies, 8 Hacjivah Dayimani, 7 Ben-Jason Dixon, 6 Evan Roos, 5 Ruben van Heerden, 4 Salmaan Moerat (captain), 3 Neethling Fouche, 2 Andre-Hugo Venter, 1 Sti Sithole.
Replacements: 16 Joseph Dweba, 17 Brok Harris, 18 Frans Malherbe, 19 Adre Smith, 20 Marcel Theunissen, 21 Stefan Ungerer, 22 Jean-Luc du Plessis, 23 Ben Loader.

Bastards. Don't know many of these lads. Are the Stormers throwing this one then? Not good news for Ulster FFS as we'll likely get tanked in Limerick.

[OomStruisbaai]

Stormers B vs Lions
DHL Stormers: 15 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, 14 Suleiman Hartzenberg, 13 Wandisile Simelane, 12 Dan du Plessis, 11 Angelo Davids, 10 Manie Libbok, 9 Herschel Jantjies, 8 Hacjivah Dayimani, 7 Ben-Jason Dixon, 6 Evan Roos, 5 Ruben van Heerden, 4 Salmaan Moerat (captain), 3 Neethling Fouche, 2 Andre-Hugo Venter, 1 Sti Sithole.
Replacements: 16 Joseph Dweba, 17 Brok Harris, 18 Frans Malherbe, 19 Adre Smith, 20 Marcel Theunissen, 21 Stefan Ungerer, 22 Jean-Luc du Plessis, 23 Ben Loader.

Bastards. Don't know many of these lads. Are the Stormers throwing this one then? Not good news for Ulster FFS as we'll likely get tanked in Limerick.

Nah not really, Gelant is out with a light strain. Otherwise is the best available team.

Lions – 15 Quan Horn, 14 Rabz Maxwane, 13 Erich Cronje, 12 Jordan Hendrikse, 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 (c), 3 Asenathi Ntlabakanye, 2 PJ Botha, 1 Morgan Naude.
Subs: 16 Jaco Visagie, 17 JP Smith, 18 Ruan Dreyer, 19 Etienne Oosthuizen, 20 Reinhardt Nothnagel, 21 Izan Esterhuizen, 22 Marius Louw, 23 Gianni Lombard.

Date: Saturday, June 1
Venue: Cape Town Stadium, Cape Town
Kick-off: 13.45 (11.45 GMT)
Referee: Marius van der Westhuizen (South Africa)
Assistant referees: Griffin Colby (South Africa) and Hanru van Rooyen (South Africa)
TMO: Christi du Preez (South Africa)

Ref = Sards in 3.2.1.

[OomStruisbaai]

Sharks: 15 Aphelele Fassi, 14 Werner Kok, 13 Ethan Hooker, 12 Francois Venter (Captain), 11 Eduan Keyter, 10 Siya Masuku, 9 Cameron Wright, 8 Phepsi Buthelezi, 7 Vincent Tshituka, 6 James Venter, 5 Gerbrandt Grobler, 4 Corne Rahl, 3 Vincent Koch, 2 Bongi Mbonambi, 1 Ox Nche
Replacements: 16 Fez Mbatha, 17 Ntuthuko Mchunu, 18 Khwezi Mona, 19 Jeandre Labuschagne, 20 Dylan Richardson, 21 Bradley Davids, 22 Boeta Chamberlain, 23 Diego Appollis.

Bulls: 15 Willie Le Roux, 14 Canan Moodie, 13 David Kriel, 12 Harold Voster, 11 Kurt-Lee Arendse, 10 Johan Goosen, 9 Embrose Papier, 8 Cameron Hanekom, 7 Elrigh Louw, 6 Marco van Staden, 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 Francois Klopper, 19 Reinhardt Ludwig, 20 Nizaam Carr, 21 Keagan Johannes, 22 Chris Smith, 23 Sebastian de Klerk.

Date: Saturday, June 1
Venue: Kings Park, Durban
Kick-off: 16.00 (14.00 GMT)
Referee: Morne Ferreira (South Africa)
Assistant referees: Cwengile Jadzweni (South Africa) and Dylen November (South Africa)
TMO: Marius Jonker (South Africa)

Bulls by 50

[OomStruisbaai]

2 Andre-Hugo Venter
16 Joseph Dweba

Finally they get the starting order right!!!

Its BJD 50th match.

[OomStruisbaai]

Bastards. Don't know many of these lads. Are the Stormers throwing this one then? Not good news for Ulster FFS as we'll likely get tanked in Limerick.

Nah not really, Gelant is out with a light strain. Otherwise is the best available team.

Saffers love to spoil in derbies. They will try and knock the kak out of each other.

Its only cockroach supporters like Sards that want his team to throw the result or blame the ref when the Stormers win.

[Sards]

Oh my word......GOSH......

Marius van der Westhuizen.

What a surprise

It's not even worth making alternative arrangements to watch the match.

[Sandstorm]

Oh my word......GOSH......

Marius van der Westhuizen.

What a surprise

It's not even worth making alternative arrangements to watch the match.

Like flies on shit.....he's here. Talking kak.

[Sards]

Oh my word......GOSH......

Marius van der Westhuizen.

What a surprise

It's not even worth making alternative arrangements to watch the match.

Like flies on shit.....he's here. Talking kak.

Truth hurts.
Or it's the most the most ridiculous coincidence.
I called long ago that everything depended on whether Marius got the whistle or not.
Because let's be honest. He hasn't been doing much reffing in the URC. But.....here's Marius.

[topofthemoon]

Not a huge amount of jeopardy left in the URC's Shields these days but there is a still trophy, bragging rights plus a bit of charity promotion for each winner - and all based only on head to results.

[OomStruisbaai]

What's wrong with Glasgow?

[KingBlairhorn]

What's wrong with Glasgow?

They’ve gone to absolute shit haven’t they. They pride themselves on their fitness both in-game and late-season but they look leggy and tired out there and their skills are falling apart because of it.

[OomStruisbaai]

Oh well they got the 5 points in the end.

[OomStruisbaai]

Pressure mounting on the Bulls.

[Uncle fester]

Bollocks! Neither of those is convenient for a weekend without a car in Swansea Town Centre, especially Brig-fucking-end!

There's a train surely?

There is a train to Bridgend. However I'm coming from England and will travel thru that Bridgend station on the way to Swansea where my hotel is 3 hours earlier! Then I have to catch a train 30 mins back to Bridgend. Then get the train back again (with several 1000 other people possibly) to have a pint in the evening. Not going to spend more time than I have to in Bridgend because it's a dump

Dropping £500+ to Edinburgh or Dublin games looking less like a hardship now.

So staying in Bridgend is completely and absolutely out of the question then?