URC, Round Nine - Teams and Predictions
THURSDAY PREVIEW: Cardiff will have another opportunity to put pressure on the Stormers and Munster at the top of the United Rugby Championship standings when they face the Ospreys in Bridgend on Thursday.
Cardiff will enter their Round Nine match in third position, level on points (30) with second-placed Munster. Meanwhile, the unbeaten Stormers are in first place with 32 points.
Corniel van Zyl’s side are coming off a 22-19 win over the Dragons on Boxing Day, while the Ospreys also have some momentum after recording a 26-19 away win over Scarlets.
“We were obviously pleased to get the win against the Dragons on Boxing Day, but it was a frustrating performance,” said Van Zyl.
“We left some opportunities out there in the second half and let them back into the game.
“But that’s given us plenty to work on and a sharpened focus this week, and we are all very aware that we will need to be much better on Thursday.
“The Ospreys are a quality team and enjoyed an impressive win over the Scarlets. We will have to match their physicality, set-piece and manage the middle third of the pitch well.
“It’s a challenge we are looking forward to.
“We talk a lot about growth and going away to the Brewery Field gives us the chance to test our game in a different environment in what will be a tough game.”
Meanwhile, A second consecutive Welsh derby takes centre stage as the Dragons welcome Scarlets to Rodney Parade, with both sides desperate to build momentum in the URC.
The Dragons have endured a tough campaign, collecting just a single win from eight games, but will see this fixture as an opportunity to ignite their season in front of a passionate home crowd.
Physicality and breakdown pressure from the likes of Aaron Wainwright and Thomas Young will be key if the Dragons are to challenge a Scarlets side that has shown flashes of attacking quality but struggled for consistency.
On the back of two consecutive URC wins before a loss at home to Ospreys, Scarlets will be hoping to get back on track against a side sat at a similar crossroads.
For both teams, this derby represents a chance to reset and make a statement to begin the New Year.
“The result on Boxing Day was disappointing for us all,” said Scarlets head coach Dwayne Peel.
“We have had to lick our wounds, and it’s been important to recover well and turn our focus to the Dragons.
“The games are coming thick and fast, and this is another important game and another tough game for us.
“They are going well at the moment, and we have to make sure we go to Rodney Parade with a spark and full of energy.”
See below for Thursday’s teams and predictions!
Thursday, January 1:
Dragons v Scarlets
(Rodney Parade, Newport – Kick-off: 15.00 IRE & UK; 16.00 CET; 17.00 SAST)
Prediction
Rugby365: Scarlets by three points.
Teams:
Dragons: 15 Angus O’Brien (co-captain), 14 David Richards, 13 Fine Inisi, 12 Aneurin Owen, 11 Rio Dyer, 10 Tinus de Beer, 9 Che Hope, 8 Aaron Wainwright, 7 Harry Beddall, 6 Harri Keddie, 5 Ben Carter (co-captain), 4 Ryan Woodman, 3 Robert Hunt, 2 Oli Burrows, 1 Rodrigo Martinez.
Replacements: 16 George Roberts, 17 Wyn Jones, 18 Cebo Dlamini, 19 Levi Douglas, 20 Thomas Young, 21 Rhodri Williams, 22 Joe Westwood, 23 Ewan Rosser.
Scarlets: 15 Ioan Nicholas, 14 Tom Rogers, 13 Joe Roberts, 12 Eddie James, 11 Ellis Mee, 10 Joe Hawkins, 9 Gareth Davies, 8 Fletcher Anderson, 7 Josh Macleod (captain), 6 Taine Plumtree, 5 Harvey Cuckson, 4 Max Douglas, 3 Henry Thomas, 2 Marnus van der Merwe, 1 Kemsley Mathias.
Replacements: 16 Ryan Elias, 17 Josh Morse, 18 Harri O’Connor, 19 Sam Lousi, 20 Dan Davis, 21 Archie Hughes, 22 Carwyn Leggatt-Jones, 23 Macs Page.
Referee: Adam Jones (Wales)
Assistant referees: Ben Breakspear (Wales), Amber Stamp-Dunstan (Wales)
TMO: Craig Evans (Wales)
Ospreys v Cardiff
(Dunraven Brewery Field, Bridgend – Kick-off: 17.30 IRE & UK; 18.30 CET; 19.30 SAST)
Prediction
Rugby365: Cardiff by five points.
Teams:
Ospreys: 15 Jack Walsh (co-captain), 14 Iestyn Hopkins, 13 Owen Watkin, 12 Keiran Williams, 11 Keelan Giles, 10 Dan Edwards, 9 Kieran Hardy, 8 Morgan Morris, 7 Harri Deaves, 6 James Ratti, 5 Ryan Smith, 4 Rhys Davies, 3 Tom Botha, 2 Sam Parry (co-captain), 1 Garyn Phillips.
Replacements: 16 Dewi Lake, 17 Steffan Thomas, 18 Rhys Henry, 19 James Fender, 20 Morgan Morse, 21 Gwilym Evans, 22 Phil Cokanasiga, 23 Max Nagy.
Cardiff: 15 Cam Winnett, 14 Josh Adams, 13 Harri Millard, 12 Ben Thomas, 11 Mason Grady, 10 Callum Sheedy, 9 Johan Mulder, 8 Alun Lawrence, 7 Dan Thomas, 6 Alex Mann, 5 George Nott, 4 Josh McNally, 3 Keiron Assiratti, 2 Liam Belcher (captain), 1 Danny Southworth.
Replacements: 16 Evan Lloyd, 17 Rhys Barratt, 18 Javan Sebastian, 19 Rory Thornton, 20 James Botham, 21 Taulupe Faletau, 22 Aled Davies, 23 Jacob Beetham.
Referee: Adam Jones (Wales)
Assistant referees: Ben Breakspear (Wales), Amber Stamp-Dunstan (Wales)
TMO: Craig Evans (Wales)
