URC Round Five - Teams and Predictions

PREVIEW The four South African teams in the United Rugby Championship face a pivotal weekend as the cross-hemisphere competition pauses for next month’s Nations Championship.

All four teams began the third round of the URC in the top half of the table, with the Bulls and Stormers in the top four.

The Bulls and Stormers will aim to make their final home matches count before the break, while the Sharks and Lions look to finish their overseas campaigns on a high against quality opposition.

While they won’t be as strong over the next two weeks – with some of the Boks resting up before the Nations Championship – the Bulls and Stormers should do enough to bank back-to-back wins in the URC matches against the Scarlets and Ulster at home.

Daunting challenge for embattled Lions

The Lions kick off the action against Glasgow Warriors in Scotland on Friday. Saturday sees the Stormers host Ulster in Cape Town, the Bulls welcome Scarlets to Pretoria, and the Sharks take on Munster in Limerick.

The Lions face a formidable challenge at Scotstoun Stadium against second-placed Glasgow, one of only two unbeaten teams in the competition after winning three matches and drawing one. The Johannesburg side, meanwhile, have struggled on tour, losing their last two matches across the Champions Cup and URC.

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However, Ivan van Rooyen’s men will take confidence from their opening-round victory over Leinster, followed by a convincing win against the Ospreys. As underdogs, they have little to lose and much to gain.

The fixture against Edinburgh will be particularly challenging, given the six-day turnaround as well as the fact that Sean Everitt’s charges have yet to lose a URC game this season and are currently at the top of the standings.

The Lions certainly have the players to push Edinburgh close but given all that has transpired over the past week, expectations for a victory should be tempered.

Glasgow have shown resilience in narrow victories over Munster and Benetton, both decided by four points. The Scots boast superior attacking and defensive statistics over their opening four matches, but the Lions will take encouragement from the fact that Glasgow have conceded at least 20 points in a game this season.

Stormers need to deliver

The fourth-placed Stormers return to Cape Town on the back of consecutive victories but will not underestimate Ulster despite the Irish side sitting 13th on the log.

The Stormers needed two late tries to overcome Scarlets last weekend, while Ulster have demonstrated their ability to grind out results. The Bulls also had to fight hard to beat the Belfast-based side, who have scored at least 26 points in each of their matches this season.

John Dobson’s team have been more effective in both attack and defence, but Ulster will be determined to turn promising performances into points and improve their league position.

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The third-placed Bulls will also need to be wary of Scarlets, who pushed the Stormers to the limit with powerful attacking runs, incisive line breaks and impressive support play.

Although the Welsh side have won only one of their opening four matches, they have shown they can trouble opponents. Johan Ackermann’s team will be favourites at home, having maintained a perfect record at Loftus Versfeld this season, but their forwards and backs will need to combine effectively against an increasingly dangerous attacking outfit.

Sharks boost

The Sharks face another stern examination against ninth-placed Munster at Thomond Park. The hosts have endured an inconsistent start, winning once, drawing once and losing twice in the competition.

JP Pietersen’s fifth-placed Sharks, by contrast, have won three of their four URC matches and added a valuable away victory over Lyon in the Challenge Cup. That result should boost their confidence as they look to finish their overseas campaign strongly.

Pietersen opted to rest most of his frontline players in Lyon last week, although he did balance the lineup by including experienced players like Ivan van Zyl and Stephan Lewies in the matchday squad.

Several senior players with Test experience will return for the coming URC matches in Cardiff and Limerick.

Cardiff has proved a tough place to visit in recent seasons, but the local team is coming off a Champions Cup clash against the Northampton Saints on Sunday and may not be at their sharpest after a five-day turnaround.

Munster’s biggest URC defeat this season has been by just six points, while the teams’ defensive statistics are closely matched, setting the stage for a potentially tight contest.

The Sharks have impressed with their attacking intent, powerful ball-carrying and pace out wide. They will aim to reproduce that form in Ireland and collect more valuable points before returning home for the final stretch of the competition when it resumes in December.

The team to chase

Edinburgh sit top of the URC log on 19 points after four straight wins. The run began with a 34-29 victory over Ulster in Belfast, which brought five points on the road.

The Stormers were then edged 17-13 at Hive Stadium, before a bonus-point 29-12 win over Zebre Parma, with Matt Currie, Freddy Douglas, Magnus Bradbury and Ewan Ashman all crossing.

Last Friday, Edinburgh beat the Lions 31-10 at Hive Stadium for a third bonus point of the campaign, on a night when Marshall Sykes became the club’s 47th centurion.

URC break

Two weeks remain before the club season takes a break and the Springboks travel to Europe for the second instalment of the Nations Championship.

The Bulls, Stormers and Sharks look set to build on the platform that has been laid, although it remains to be seen whether the Durban-based side will continue their good run up north.

 FRIDAY, OCTOBER 30

Connacht v Leinster

(Dexcom Stadium, Galway -Kick-off: 19.45 IRE & UK; 19.45 GMT)

Prediction:

@Rugby365: Leinster by three points  

Teams: 

Connacht: 15 Josh Ioane, 14 Shayne Bolton, 13 John Devine, 12 Cathal Forde, 11 Daniel Ryan, 10 Sean Naughton, 9 Caolin Blade, 8 Paul Boyle (captain), 7 Will Connors, 6 Sean O’Brien, 5 David O’Connor, 4 Josh Murphy, 3 Finlay Bealham, 2 Dave Heffernan, 1 Francois van Wyk.
Replacements: 16 Matthew Victory, 17 Jerry Cahir, 18 Fiachna Barrett, 19 Niall Murray, 20 Shamus Hurley-Langton, 21 Colm Reilly, 22 Finn Treacy, 23 Sam Gilbert.

Leinster: 15 Todd Lawlor, 14 Joshua Kenny, 13 Connor Fahy, 12 Charlie Tector, 11 Jordan Larmour, 10 Joey Carbery, 9 Fintan Gunne, 8 James Culhane, 7 Scott Penny, 6 Max Deegan (captain), 5 Alan Spicer, 4 Brian Deeny, 3 Niall Smyth, 2 Gus McCarthy, 1 Alex Usanov.
Replacements: 16 Stephen Smyth, 17 Peter Dooley, 18 Alex Mullan, 19 Conor O’Tighearnaigh, 20 Alex Soroka, 21 Cormac Foley, 22 Caspar Gabriel, 23 Ciarán Mangan.

Referee: Hollie Davidson (Scotland)
Assistant referees: Andrew Brace (Ireland), Keane Davison (Ireland)
TMO: Olly Hodges (Ireland)

Glasgow Warriors v Lions

(Scotstoun Stadium, Glasgow – Kick-off: 19.45 IRE & UK; 21.45 SAST; 19.45 GMT)

Prediction:

@Rugby365:  Glasgow by 15 points

Teams:

Glasgow Warriors: 15 Ollie Smith, 14 Bayley Kuenzle, 13 Johnny Ventisei, 12 Stafford McDowall, 11 Fergus Watson, 10 Dan Lancaster, 9 George Horne, 8 Euan Ferrie, 7 Macenzzie Duncan, 6 Jamie Ritchie, 5 Jare Oguntibeju, 4 Alex Craig, 3 Fin Richardson, 2 Jack Singleton, 1 Jake Shearer.
Replacements: 16 Gregor Hiddleston, 17 Patrick Schickerling, 18 Sam Talakai, 19 Max Williamson, 20 Ally Miller, 21 Seb Stephen, 22 Callum Reidy, 23 Cameron van Wyk.

Lions: 15 Quan Horn, 14 Kelly Mpeku, 13 Henco van Wyk, 12 Bronson Mills, 11 Erich Cronje, 10 Chris Smith, 9 Morne van den Berg, 8 Francke Horne (captain), 7 Siba Qoma, 6 Siba Mahashe, 5 Ruan Delport, 4 Etienne Oosthuizen, 3 RF Schoeman, 2 Tiaan Lange, 1 SJ Kotze.
Replacements: 16 Morne Brandon, 17 Boan Venter, 18 Conraad van Vuuren, 19 Dylan Sjoblom, 20 Sikhumbuzo Notshe, 21 Nico Steyn, 22 Richard Kriel, 23 Boeta Chamberlain.

Referee: Andrea Piardi (France)
Assistant referees: Mike Adamson (Scotland), David Sutherland (Scotland)
TMO: Stefano Penne (France)

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 31

Stormers v Ulster

(DHL Stadium, Cape Town – Kick-off: 14.45 SAST; 12.45 IRE & UK; 12.45 GMT)

Prediction:

@Rugby365: Stormers by 10 points    

Teams:

Stormers: 15 Damian Willemse, 14 Seabelo Senatla, 13 Ruhan Nel (captain), 12 Jonathan Roche, 11 Leolin Zas, 10 Yaqeen Ahmed, 9 Cobus Reinach, 8 Evan Roos, 7 Louw Nel, 6 Paul de Villiers, 5 JD Schickerling, 4 Adré Smith, 3 Wilco Louw, 2 Vernon Paulo, 1 Ntuthuko Mchunu.
Replacements: 16 Bongi Mbonambi, 17 Vernon Matongo, 18 Neethling Fouché, 19 Riley Norton, 20 Connor Evans, 21 Wandile Mlaba, 22 Haashim Pead, 23 Wandisile Simelane.

Ulster: 15 Ethan McIlroy, 14 Michael Lowry, 13 James Hume, 12 Ben Carson, 11 Zac Ward, 10 Jack Murphy, 9 Matthew Devine, 8 Juarno Augustus, 7 David McCann (captain), 6 Cormac Izuchukwu, 5 Eli Snyman, 4 Ben Donnell, 3 Keynan Knox, 2 Rob Herring, 1 Eric O’Sullivan.
Replacements: 16 Henry Walker, 17 Tom McAllister, 18 Scott Wilson, 19 Harry Sheridan, 20 Martin Moloney, 21 Conor McKee, 22 Jake Flannery, 23 Chay Mullins.

Referee: Sam Grove-White (Scotland)
Assistant referees: Stephan Geldenhuys (South Africa), Sean Muller (South Africa)
TMO: Ru Campbell (Scotland)

Bulls v Scarlets

(Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria – Kick-off: 17.00 SAST; 15.00 IRE & UK; 15.00 GMT)

Prediction:

@Rugby365: Bulls by 17 points    

Teams:

Bulls: 15 Willie le Roux, 14 Dylan Maart, 13 Stedman Gans, 12 Harold Vorster, 11 Stravino Jacobs, 10 Curwin Bosch, 9 Paul de Wet, 8 Cameron Hanekom, 7 Hanro Liebenberg (captain), 6 Jeandre Rudolph, 5 JF van Heerden, 4 Ruan Vermaak, 3 Khutha Mchunu, 2 Jan-Hendrik Wessels, 1 Alu Tshakweni.
Replacements: 16 Johan Grobbelaar, 17 Gerhard Steenekamp, 18 Francois Klopper, 19 Cobus Wiese, 20 Marcell Coetzee, 21 Zak Burger, 22 Sebastian de Klerk, 23 Hakeem Kunene.

Scarlets: 15 Ioan Nicholas, 14 Ioan Jones, 13 Joe Roberts, 12 Gabe McDonald, 11 Isaac Murray-Macgregor, 10 Carwyn Leggatt-Jones, 9 Gareth Davies, 8 Fletcher Anderson, 7 Josh Macleod (captain), 6 Sam Lousi, 5 Alex Groves, 4 Tom Allen, 3 Harri O’Connor, 2 John McKee, 1 Corey Domachowski.
Replacements: 16 Isaac Young, 17 Sam O’Connor, 18 Gabe Hawley, 19 Harvey Cuckson, 20 Dan Davis, 21 Dane Blacker, 22 Gareth Anscombe, 23 Jac Davies.

Referee: Eoghan Cross (Ireland)
Assistant referees: Christopher Allison (South Africa), Dylen November (South Africa)
TMO: Robbie Jenkinson (Ireland)

Benetton v Edinburgh

(Stadio Monigo, Treviso – Kick-off: 16.00 ITA; 15.00 IRE & UK; 15.00 GMT)

Prediction:

@Rugby365:  Edinburgh by eight points   

Teams:

Benetton: 15 Matt Gallagher, 14 Ignacio Mendy, 13 Federico Zanandrea, 12 Paolo Odogwu, 11 Onisi Ratave, 10 Jacob Umaga, 9 Andy Uren, 8 Lorenzo Cannone, 7 Manuel Zuliani (captain), 6 Isaia Walker-Leawere, 5 Piero Gritti, 4 Mattia Midena, 3 Giosué Zilocchi, 2 Nicholas Gasperini, 1 Matias Medrano.
Replacements: 16 Siua Maile, 17 Ivan Nemer, 18 Marcos Gallorini, 19 Jadin Kingi, 20 Antony Miranda, 21 Louis Werchon, 22 Jean Smith, 23 François Mey.

Edinburgh: 15 Piers O’Conor, 14 Geordie Gwynn, 13 Matt Currie (captain), 12 Mosese Tuipulotu, 11 Duhan van der Merwe, 10 James Grayson, 9 Hector Patterson, 8 Magnus Bradbury (captain), 7 Freddy Douglas, 6 Liam McConnell, 5 Grant Gilchrist, 4 Glen Young, 3 Ollie Blyth-Lafferty, 2 Harri Morris, 1 Alec Hepburn.
Replacements: 16 Jerry Blyth-Lafferty, 17 Jamie Stewart, 18 Paul Hill, 19 Callum Hunter-Hill, 20 Tom Currie, 21 Conor McAlpine, 22 Ross Thompson, 23 Harry Paterson.

Referee: Hanru van Rooyen (South Africa)
Assistant referees: Fillipo Russo (France), Manuel Bottino (France)
TMO: Egon Seconds (South Africa)

Munster v Sharks

(Thomond Park, Limerick – Kick-off: 17.30 IRE & UK; 19.30 SAST; 17.30 GMT)

Prediction:

@Rugby365: Sharks by seven points  

Teams:

Munster: 15 Ben O’Connor, 14 Shay McCarthy, 13 Gordon Wood, 12 Alex Nankivell, 11 Rob Russell, 10 JJ Hanrahan, 9 Ben O’Donovan, 8 Brian Gleeson, 7 Jack O’Donoghue (captain), 6 Seán Edogbo, 5 Fineen Wycherley, 4 Ewan O’Connell, 3 Kieran Brookes, 2 Marnus van der Merwe, 1 Josh Wycherley.
Replacements: 16 Lee Barron, 17 Jeremy Loughman, 18 Michael Ala’alatoa, 19 Edwin Edogbo, 20 Gavin Coombes, 21 Jake O’Riordan, 22 Charlie O’Shea, 23 Alex Kendellen.

Sharks: 15 Zekhethelo Siyaya, 14 Edwill van der Merwe, 13 Suleiman Hartzenberg, 12 Ethan Hooker, 11 Jaco Williams, 10 Gianni Lombard, 9 Jaden Hendrikse, 8 Nick Hatton (captain), 7 Manu Tshituka, 6 Matt Romao, 5 Emile van Heerden, 4 Jason Jenkins, 3 Hanro Jacobs, 2 Ethan Bester, 1 Ox Nche
Replacements: 16 Esethu Mnebelele, 17 Cameron Dawson, 18 Thomas du Toit, 19 Stephan Lewies, 20 Vincent Tshituka, 21 Ivan van Zyl, 22 Siya Masuku, 23 Litelihle Bester

Referee: Ben Connor (Wales)
Assistant referees: Peter Martin (Ireland), Kevin Beakey (Ireland)
TMO: Aled Griffiths (Wales)

Dragons RFC v Zebre Parma

(Rodney Parade, Newport – Kick-off: 17.30 IRE & UK / 18.30 ITA; 17.30 GMT)

Prediction:

@Rugby365: Dragons by 12 points   

Teams:

Dragons: 15 Angus O’Brien (captain), 14 David Richards, 13 Fine Inisi, 12 Fetuli Paea, 11 Anzelo Tuitavuki, 10 Tinus de Beer, 9 Rhodri Williams, 8 Harrison Keddie, 7 Evan Minto, 6 Shane Lewis-Hughes, 5 Matthew Screech, 4 Barny Langton-Cryer, 3 Chris Coleman, 2 Elliot Dee, 1 Jordan Morris.
Replacements: 16 Brodie Coghlan, 17 Rodrigo Martinez, 18 Owain James, 19 Nick Thomas, 20 Sam Scarfe, 21 Morgan Lloyd, 22 Cai Evans, 23 Joe Westwood.

Zebre Parma: 15 Giovanni Montemauri, 14 Leonardo Sodo Migliori, 13 Marco Zanon, 12 Riccardo Casarin, 11 Simone Gesi, 10 Giacomo Da Re, 9 Thomas Dominguez, 8 Davide Ruggeri, 7 Bautista Stavile, 6 Giacomo Ferrari (captain), 5 Leonard Krumov, 4 Francesco Ruffolo, 3 Juan Barbotti, 2 Giampietro Ribaldi, 1 Sergio Pelliccioli.
Replacements: 16 Francisco Minervino, 17 Federico Pisani, 18 Octavio Barbatti, 19 Matteo Canali, 20 Jacopo Botturi, 21 Patricio Baronio, 22 Giovanni Licata / Jacopo Trulla, 23 Tobias Wade.

Referee: Griffin Colby (South Africa)
Assistant referees: Craig Evans (Wales), Gareth Newman (Wales)
TMO: Colin Brett (South Africa)

Ospreys v Cardiff

(St. Helens, Swansea -Kick-off: 19.45 IRE & UK; 19.45 GMT)

Prediction:

@Rugby365:  Ospreys by nine points   

Teams:

Ospreys: 15 Iestyn Hopkins, 14 Luke Morgan, 13 Owen Watkin (captain), 12 Keiran Williams, 11 Keelan Giles, 10 Lawson Creighton, 9 Luke Davies, 8 Morgan Morris, 7 Ross Moriarty, 6 Liam Wright, 5 Ryan Smith, 4 James Ratti, 3 Tom Botha, 2 Sam Parry (captain), 1 Steffan Thomas.
Replacements: 16 Efan Daniel, 17 Cam Jones, 18 Ben Warren, 19 Rhys Davies, 20 Morgan Morse, 21 Harri Williams, 22 Harri Wilde, 23 Evardi Boshoff.

Cardiff: 15 Matty Young, 14 Josh Adams, 13 Le Roux Malan, 12 Steff Emanuel, 11 Tom Bowen, 10 Jarrod Evans, 9 Johan Mulder, 8 Alun Lawrence, 7 Dan Thomas, 6 Semisi Paea, 5 Rory Thornton, 4 Josh McNally (captain), 3 Keiron Assiratti, 2 Daf Hughes, 1 Danny Southworth.
Replacements: 16 Tom Howe, 17 Scott Sio, 18 Javan Sebastian, 19 Tom Manz, 20 Lucas de la Rua, 21 Alex Davies, 22 Callum Sheedy, 23 Osian and Arwin Lewis.

Referee: Ben Breakspear (Wales)
Assistant referees: Carwyn Sion (Wales), Marc Caudle (Wales)
TMO: Jenny Davies (Wales)