Team Sheets for URC Round 2

The teams for this weekend’s Round 2 fixtures of the Vodacom United Rugby Championship have been named with all details of match officials and broadcast information below.

NB: Due to worsening weather conditions across Scotland overnight from Storm Amy, the fixture between Edinburgh Rugby and Ulster Rugby which was due to take place this evening, Friday October 3 in Edinburgh will now be postponed to a later date.

TEAM NEWS HEADLINES

#STOvOSP

• Dewaldt Duvenage makes his 100th appearance for DHL Stormers alongside Adre Smith on his 50th appearance for the club
• Dewi Lake will captain the Ospreys side

#DRAvSHA

• Rodney Parade debuts for Tonga duo Fetuli Paea & Fine Inisi alongside Tinus de Beer, Wyn Jones and Rob Hunt
• Cameron Dawson and Cebo Dlamini both in line to make their debut for Hollywoodbets Sharks if called on from the bench

#CONvSCA

• Irish internationals Jack Aungier, Darragh Murray and Hugh Gavin all return for Connacht
• Johnny Williams to captain Scarlets for first time with Osian Williams set for Vodacom URC debut if called upon from the bench

#BENvGLA

• Giosuè Zilocchi returns and is named on the bench for Benetton
• Captain Kyle Steyn returns for Glasgow Warriors after a hand injury sustained on Scotland summer tour.

#BULvLEI

• Nicholaas Janse van Rendsburg named in Vodacom Bulls starting XV replacing the injured Cobus Wiese
• Paddy McCarthy to make his first Leinster start

#MUNvCAR

• Dan Kelly starts on his home debut for Munster and 200-cap Niall Scannell captains the side
• Sam Wainwright has been named among an experienced Cardiff Rugby bench and is set for his competitive debut for the club

#ZEBvLIO

• Leonard Krumov captains Zebre Parma
• Lions welcome back captain Francke Horn and flyhalf Chris Smith to starting XV

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 3

DHL Stormers v Ospreys

DHL Stadium, Cape Town – KO 18.00 IRE & UK / 19.00 ITA & SA

Referee: Peter Martin (IRFU, 7th league game)

AR 1: Hanru van Rooyen (SARU) AR 2:  JD Jadezweni (SARU)

TMO: Federico Vedovelli (FIR)

Live on: SuperSport, Premier Sports, Flo Rugby & URC.tv

DHL Stormers: Wandisile Simelane, Seabelo Senatla, Ruhan Nel (CAPT), Dan du Plessis, Leolin Zas, Jurie Matthee, Dewaldt Duvenage, Vernon Matongo, André-Hugo Venter, Neethling Fouché, Adré Smith, JD Schickerling, Marcel Theunissen, Connor Evans, Evan Roos

Replacements: JJ Kotze, Ali Vermaak, Sazi Sandi, Ruben van Heerden, Ben-Jason Dixon, Paul de Villiers, Stefan Ungerer, Clinton Swart

Ospreys: Jack Walsh, Dan Kasende, Phil Cokanasiga, Keiran Williams, Keelan Giles, Dan Edwards, Kieran Hardy, Gareth Thomas, Dewi Lake (CAPT), Rhys Henry, Rhys Davies, Huw Sutton, James Ratti, Harri Deaves, Ross Moriarty

Replacements: Lewis Lloyd, Cam Jones, Tom Botha, James Fender, Morgan Morse, Reuben Morgan Williams, Tom Florence, Iestyn Hopkins

DHL Stormers Director of Rugby John Dobson said: “While we were happy with the result last week, we know that there can be no complacency heading into this match against an Ospreys side that have proven tough customers for us in the past.

“There are a few areas we want to improve on and while we have maintained the core of the team that did duty last week, we are also looking forward to seeing what the players coming in can add,”

Dragons RFC v Hollywoodbets Sharks

Rodney Parade, Newport – KO 20.05  IRE & UK / 21.05  ITA & SA

Referee: Fillipo Russo (FIR, 6th league game)

AR 1: Ben Whitehouse (WRU) AR 2:  Lucas Yendle (WRU)

TMO: Stefano Roscini (FIR)

Live on: S4C, Premier Sports, SuperSport, Flo Rugby & URC.tv

Dragons RFC: Angus O’Brien (C.CAPT), Rio Dyer, Fetuli Paea, Aneurin Owen, Fine Inisi, Tinus de Beer, Rhodri Williams; Wyn Jones, Brodie Coghlan, Rob Hunt, Matthew Screech, Ben Carter (C.CAPT), Ryan Woodman, Shane Lewis-Hughes, Aaron Wainwright

Replacements: Oli Burrows, Rodrigo Martinez, Chris Coleman, Levi Douglas, Harri Keddie, Che Hope, Harri Ackerman, Huw Anderson

Dragons RFC Head Coach Filo Tiatia said: “We were in the game against Ulster last week, but we have got to be more clinical on penalties and how we gave them opportunities to get into our 22 and score.

“We’ve got to make sure we play our style of game and know how we impose our game this Friday.

“Sharks will also be disappointed. They went to Glasgow and played a good side, but I know Plums (John Plumtree) well and they will be very physical when they come here.

“We are clear on what they will bring. Big pack, they will be physical, and they will try and dominate space when they see it.

“They have a very good offloading game on the edges when you allow them too. We know what is coming.”

Hollywoodbets Sharks: Edwill van der Merwe, PK Sobahle, Jurenzo Julius, Lukhanyo Am, Christie Grobbelaar, Jean Smith, Jaden Hendrikse, Simphiwe Matanzima, Fez Mbatha, Ruan Dreyer, Deon Slabbert, Marvin Orie, Phepsi Buthelezi, Emmanuel Tshituka, Vincent Tshituka (CAPT)

Replacements: Eduan Swart, Cameron Dawson, Cebo Dlamini, Bathobele Hlekani, Nick Hatton, Ross Braude, Francois Venter, Hakeem Kunene

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 4

Connacht Rugby v Scarlets

Dexcom Stadium, Galway – KO 13.45  IRE & UK / 14.45  ITA & SA

Referee: Mike Adamson (SRU, 92nd league game)

AR 1: Eoghan Cross (IRFU) AR 2:  Max Weston (IRFU)

TMO: Colin Brett (SRU)

Live on: TG4, Premier Sports, SuperSport, Flo Rugby & URC.tv

Connacht Rugby: Sean Naughton, Chay Mullins, David Hawkshaw, Cathal Forde, Shayne Bolton, Jack Carty, Ben Murphy, Denis Buckley, Dave Heffernan, Jack Aungier, Darragh Murray, Joe Joyce, Cian Prendergast (CAPT), Paul Boyle, Sean Jansen

Replacements: Eoin de Buitlear, Jordan Duggan, Sam Illo, David O’Connor, Sean O’Brien, Matthew Devine, Hugh Gavin, Finn Treacy

Scarlets: Blair Murray, Tom Rogers, Joe Roberts, Johnny Williams (CAPT), Ellis Mee, Joe Hawkins, Gareth Davies, Alec Hepburn, Harry Thomas, Henry Thomas, Max Douglas, Jake Ball, Jarrod Taylor, Dan Davis, Taine Plumtree

Replacements: Kirby Myhill, Sam O’Connor, Harri O’Connor, Tristan Davies, Osian Williams, Dane Blacker, Ioan Nicholas, Macs Page

Connacht Head Coach Stuart Lancaster said: “I was really pleased with the result last weekend against a really strong Benetton side. There were a lot of positives to take from it but still plenty to improve on. The energy from the fans I thought was brilliant and we will need that same energy on Saturday this time with the earlier start.

I know the Scarlets coaching team well and I have a lot of respect for them, Dwayne will have them really well organised and up for the fight and Jared (Payne) is a great defence coach. They more than deserved their play-off chance last season.

We’ve made a few changes for the game with the new faces coming, it is exciting to see how they go”

Benetton v Glasgow Warriors

Stadio Monigo, Treviso  – KO 17.30 IRE & UK / 18.30 ITA & SA

Referee: Ben Connor (WRU, 4th league game)

AR 1: Franco Rosella (FIR) AR 2:  Lorenzo Pedezzi (FIR)

TMO: Aled Griffiths (WRU)

Live on: Sky Italia, Premier Sports, SuperSport, Flo Rugby & URC.tv

Benetton: Matt Gallagher, Louis Lynagh, Tommaso Menoncello, Malakai Fekitoa, Paolo Odogwu, Jacob Umaga, Ale Garbisi, Mirco Spagnolo, Siua Maile, Simone Ferrari, Riccardo Favretto, Eli Snyman, Alessandro Izekor, Michele Lamaro, Sootala Faasoo

Replacements: Nicholas Gasperini, Nahuel Tetaz, Giosue Zilocchi, Niccolo Cannone, Lorenzo Cannone, Louis Werchon, Giuliano Avaca, Rhyno Smith

Glasgow Warriors: Josh McKay, Kyle Steyn (CAPT), Stafford McDowall, Sione Tuipulotu, Kyle Rowe, Adam Hastings, Jamie Dobie; Rory Sutherland, Johnny Matthews, Fin Richardson, Jare Oguntibeju, Alex Samuel, Gregor Brown, Macenzzie Duncan, Matt Fagerson

Replacements: Gregor Hiddleston, Patrick Schickerling, Sam Talakai, Max Williamson, Scott Cummings, Euan Ferrie, George Horne, Dan Lancaster

Benetton Head Coach Calum MacRae said: “Glasgow is a highly adaptable team: they can move the ball quickly, alternating effectively between narrow channels and wide spaces. To give ourselves real chances, it will be crucial to impose ourselves in the physical battle”

Glasgow Warriors Head Coach Franco Smith said: “Whilst victory last weekend was a good start to our season, we know that there is still plenty to build and improve upon as we move forward.

“Training has been highly focused this week, with competition for places high across the field and each player looking to put their hand up to be involved.

“Benetton possess one of the proudest home records in the Vodacom URC, one which they defend fiercely against every opponent; we know that we will need to match their level and meet the challenge that they will present tomorrow evening.”

Vodacom Bulls v Leinster Rugby

Loftus Versfeld Stadium, Pretoria – KO 17.30 IRE & UK / 18.30 ITA & SA

Referee: Adam Jones (WRU, 46th league game)

AR 1: Sean Miller (SARU) AR 2:  AJ Jacobs (SARU)

TMO: Gianluca Gnecchi (FIR)

Live on: SuperSport, Premier Sports, Flo Rugby & URC.tv

Vodacom Bulls: Devon Williams, Sebastian de Klerk, David Kriel, Harold Vorster, Stravino Jacobs, Keagan Johannes, Embrose Papier, Gerhard Steenekamp, Johann Grobbelaar, Mornay Smith, Nicolaas Janse van Rensburg, JF van Heerden, Marcell Coetzee (CAPT), Mpilo Gumede, JJ Theron

Replacements: Juann Else, Alulutho Tshakweni, Francois Kloipper, Sintu Manjezi, Nama Xaba, Zak Burger, Stedman Gans, Willie le Roux

Leinster Rugby: Jimmy O’Brien, Tommy O’Brien, Hugh Cooney, Robbie Henshaw, Andrew Osborne, Sam Prendergast, Luke McGrath (CAPT), Paddy McCarthy, Gus McCarthy, Thomas Clarkson, Brian Deeny, Ryan Baird, Alex Soroka, Will Connors, Max Deegan

Replacements: John McKee, Jack Boyle, Rabah Slimani, Diarmuid Mangan, Scott Penny, James Culhane, Fintan Gunne, Ciarán Frawley

Vodacom Bulls Head Coach Johan Ackermann said: “We know Leinster are the best team in the competition, so they’ll definitely finish you if they get the same opportunities [as the Ospreys last week]. They will come for us, for sure. That Leinster – against the Stormers – we won’t see again. They’ll want to rectify that. We expect a lot more pressure than last week.”

Leinster Assistant Coach Robin McBryde said: “Everyone is scratching their heads with regard to where Friday night came from, really. We didn’t see that coming… But listen, nothing focusses the mind better than the Bulls on Saturday, next up. So, you know, there are going to be similar challenges for us on Saturday. They’re very strong up front, you know, again, they’re one of the most consistent teams in the Vodacom URC, three time finalists. Then you’ve got the added spice of last year’s final where we beat them, so they’ll be up for revenge, etc. So, it really is backs to the wall and we’ve got to give a much better account of ourselves on Saturday.”

Munster Rugby v Cardiff Rugby

Thomond Park, Limerick – KO 19.45 IRE & UK / 20.45 ITA & SA

Referee: Griffin Colby (SARU, 8th league game)

AR 1: Keane Davison (IRFU) AR 2:  Shane Gaughan (IRFU)

TMO: Chris Allison (SARU)

Live on: TG4, Premier Sports, SuperSport, Flo Rugby & URC.tv

Munster Rugby: Ben O’Connor, Shane Daly, Dan Kelly, Alex Nankivell, Thaakir Abrahams, Jack Crowley, Ethan Coughlan, Jeremy Loughman, Niall Scannell (CAPT), Oli Jager, Jean Kleyn, Fineen Wycherley, Thomas Ahern, Ruadhan Quinn, Gavin Coombes

Replacements: Diarmuid Barron, Josh Wycherley, Ronan Foxe, Jack O’Donoghue, Brian Gleeson, Paddy Patterson, Tony Butler, Sean O’Brien

Cardiff Rugby: Jacob Beetham, Josh Adams, Harri Millard, Rory Jennings, Tom Bowen, Callum Sheedy, Johan Mulder, Danny Southworth, Liam Belcher (CAPT), Javan Sebastian, Josh McNally, Teddy Williams, Alex Mann, Dan Thomas, Alun Lawrence

Replacements: Daf Hughes, Rhys Barratt, Sam Wainwright, Ben Donnell, Taine Basham, Aled Davies, Ioan Lloyd, Steff Emanuel

Munster Head Coach Clayton McMillan said: “We’ve to go and earn everything and that’s what we’re looking to do. We’ve got one under the belt, we’ve got another good team coming to our hometown and we want to put in a performance.”

Cardiff Rugby Coach Corniel van Zyl said: “It’s going to be a tough test away at Munster. They pride themselves on doing the basics really well – set-piece, breakdown, kicking game, and they obviously have a good attack. They also pride themselves on the fighting spirit of the game.

“They had an away win, which is great, and they will have some confidence from that. I’m sure the fans over there will be very excited to see them at home first game. So it will be a nice atmosphere.”

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 5

Zebre Parma v Lions

Stadio Lanfranchi, Parma – KO 14.00 IRE & UK / 15.00 ITA & SA

Referee: Craig Evans (WRU, 69th league game)

AR 1: Manuel Bottino (FIR) AR 2:  Luca Bisetto (FIR)

TMO: Aled Griffiths (WRU)

Live on: Sky Italia, Premier Sports, SuperSport, Flo Rugby & URC.tv

Zebre Parma: Giovanni Montemauri, Mirko Belloni, Giulio Bertaccini, Damiano Mazza, Simone Gesi, Giacomo Da Re, Alessandro Fusco, Davide Ruggeri, Bautista Stavile, Samuele Locatelli, Leonard Krumov (CAPT), Alessandro Ortombina, Ion Neculai, Tommaso Di Bartolomeo, Muhamed Hasa

Replacements: Giampietro Ribaldi, Juan Pitinari, Matteo Nocera, Guido Volpi, Giacomo Ferrari, Thomas Dominguez, Marco Zanon, Martin Roger Farias

Lions: Quan Horn, Eduan Keyter, Henco van Wyk, Richard Kriel, Angelo Davids, Chris Smith, Nico Steyn, SJ Kotze, Franco Marais, RF Schoeman, Etienne Oosthuizen, Ruan Delport, Renzo du Plessis, Ruan Venter, Francke Horn (CAPT)

Replacements: Morne Brandon, Heiko Pohlmann, Asenathi Ntlabakanye, Darrien Landsberg, WJ Steenkamp, Haashim Pead, Lubabalo Dobela, Rynhardt Jonker

Lions Forwards and Lineout Coach Barend Pieterse said: “Zebre is a team that’s improved significantly over the past few years. It’s not just about guts anymore, they’ve got a good system and coaches, and you can see they’re well drilled,”

“They’ve got dangerous attackers and a good backline. If we make the game too loose, they’ll be very dangerous.”