URC, Round Seven - Teams and Predictions
FRIDAY PREVIEW: Defending champions Glasgow Warriors will look to strengthen their current log position of second place and put pressure on leaders Leinster whose unbeaten streak will be on the line against Ulster.
The Warriors return to URC action following a semi-successful trip to South Africa where they collected seven out of a possible 10 log points.
Their late comeback against the Sharks saw them score four tries and finish within seven points to earn two bonus points before sealing an empathetic victory over 2022 champions the Stormers in Stellenbosch with a full-house of points.
They face a Scarlets side who are seven points behind them on the table and are fighting to keep their top eight spot in the competition.
Glasgow are boosted with seven Test internationals returning from national duty with former Scotland U20 prop Fin Richardson getting the nod at tighthead as one of three debutants alongside fellow starter Jare Oguntibeju at lock and his bench replacement Macenzzie Duncan.
Speaking following selection, head coach Franco Smith said: “We’re pleased to be back at home tomorrow night, as we look to hit the ground running in the second block of our season.
“The Scarlets have been in good form this season, and their mix of dynamic forwards and exciting backs can cause problems from anywhere on the field.
“We’re also pleased to include Fin [Richardson], Jare [Oguntibeju] and Macenzzie [Duncan] our matchday squad for the first time. All three have worked hard to earn their opportunity, and we look forward to seeing them in action tomorrow night.”
Scarlets have been boosted by the return of former All Black and current Tonga international Vaea Fifita from injury who hasn’t played since the opening round against Benetton.
Kemsley Mathias, Ryan Elias, Alex Craig, Taine Plumtree and Eddie James who all featured during the Nations Series are named on the bench.
Scarlets head coach Dwayne Peel said: “Glasgow are a team who play with high energy, high speed and it is a case of ‘expect the unexpected’ with them.
“It is going to be a big challenge for us, but one we are excited about, to go and see where we are at, going up against the champions on a fast track.
“We have spoken about using the opportunity and using the energy and having a go at them.
“I feel we have used the last month really well, the boys have applied themselves, worked hard and are ready for the start of another big block of matches with Europe to come followed by a couple of Welsh derbies.”
The article continues below…
View this post on Instagram
In the other Friday clash – Ulster will be out to end old foe Leinster’s URC unbeaten run this season when they host the men from Dublin at Ravenhill Stadium.
This is a special occasion for the club as Ulster celebrates 100 years of rugby at the iconic ground.
The fixture against Leinster dates back 100 years ago in 1924 when the first match at the iconic Ravenhill was held.
Meanwhile Leinster head coach Leo Cullen has made 11 changes to the last side that ran out against the Lions.
Jack Conan returns and will don the captain’s armband with Jimmy O’Brien, Jordan Larmour and John McKee all returning from injury to take their spots in the starting lineup.
Springbok RG Snyman will make his appearance off the bench in a six/two split in favour of the forwards.
The article continues below…
View this post on Instagram
See below for Friday’s teams and predictions!
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 29
Glasgow Warriors v Scarlets
(Scotstoun Stadium, Glasgow – Kick-Off: 19.35 IRE & UK / 20.35 ITA / 21.35 SA)
Prediction
@rugby365com: Glasgow by 12 points
Teams:
Glasgow Warriors: 15 Josh McKay, 14 Sebastian Cancelliere, 13 Stafford McDowall (captain) 12 Tom Jordan, 11 Kyle Rowe, 10 Adam Hastings, 9 George Horne, 8 Jack Mann, 7 Henco Venter, 6 Ally Miller, 5 Alex Samuel, 4 Jare Oguntibeju, 3 Fin Richardson, 2 Johnny Matthews, 1 Patrick Schickerling.
Replacements: 16 Grant Stewart, 17 Allan Dell, 18 Sam Talakai, 19 Macenzzie Duncan, 20 Gregor Huddleston, 21 Angus Fraser, 22 Ben Afshar, 23 Duncan Weir.
Scarlets: 15 Ioan Nicholas, 14 Ellis Mee, 13 Macs Page, 12 Johnny Williams, 11 Blair Murray, 10 Ioan Lloyd, 9 Gareth Davies, 8 Vaea Fifita, 7 Dan Davis, 6 Josh Macleod (captain), 5 Sam Lousi, 4 Max Douglas, 3 Henry Thomas, 2 Marnus van der Merwe, 1 Alec Hepburn.
Replacements: 16 Ryan Elias, 17 Kemsley Mathias, 18 Sam Wainwright, 19 Alex Craig, 20 Taine Plumtree, 21 Efan Jones, 22 Charlie Titcombe, 23 Eddie James.
Referee: Fillipo Russo (Italy)
Assistant referees: Sam Grove-White (Scotland), Ru Campbell (Scotland)
TMO: Matteo Liperini (Scotland)
Ulster v Leinster
(Ravenhill Stadium, Belfast – Kick-Off: 19.35 IRE & UK / 20.35 ITA / 21.35 SA)
Prediction
@rugby365com: Leinster by 15 points
Teams:
Ulster: 15 Stewart Moore, 14 Werner Kok, 13 Ben Carson, 12 Jude Postlethwaite, 11 Micheal Lowry, 10 Aidan Morgan, 9 Nathan Doak, 8 David McCann, 7 Nick Timoney, 6 James McNabney, 5 Kieran Treadwell, 4 Alan O’Connor (captain), 3 Scott Wilson, 2 James McCormick, 1 Eric O’Sullivan.
Replacements: 16 Tom Stewart, 17 Andrew Warwick, 18 Corrie Barrett, 19 Harry Sheridan, 20 Marcus Rea, 21 John Cooney, 22 James Humphreys, 23 Ben Moxham.
Leinster: 15 Jimmy O’Brien, 14 Jordan Larmour, 13 Liam Turner, 12 Charlie Tector, 11 Andrew Osborne, 10 Ross Byrne, 9 Luke McGrath, 8 Jack Conan (captain) 7 Will Connors, 6 Max Deegan, 5 Brian Deeny, 4 Diarmuid Mangan, 3 Rabah Slimani, 2 John McKee, 1 Jack Boyle.
Replacements: 16 Lee Barron, 17 Micheal Milne, 18 Rory McGuire, 19 RG Snyman, 20 James Culhane, 21 Fintan Gunne, 22 Harry Byrne, 23 Scott Penny.
Referee: Eoghan Cross (Ireland)
Assistant referees: Andrew Cole (Ireland), Andrew Fogarty (Ireland)
TMO: Leo Colgan (Ireland)
Louis Rees-Zammit joins Jim Hamilton for the latest episode of Walk the Talk to discuss his move to the NFL. Watch now on RugbyPass TV
