ROUND 5

The teams for this weekends Round 5 fixtures of the Vodacom United Rugby Championship have beennamed with all details of match officials and broadcast information below.

TEAM NEWS HEADLINES

#OSPvSTO

• Rhys Webb returns as Ospreys captain and Stephen Myler will make his first start of the season
• Last season’s top try-scorer, DHL Stormers Leolin Zas makes his return from injury as he is named in the starting XV

#CONvLEI

• Connacht make five changes to their match-day squad
• Jack Conan back in Leinster’s starting XV after pulling up in the warm up ahead of last weekend’s game in the RDS

#LIOvULS

• Prop StiSithole will make his 50th appearance for the Emirates Lions ifcalled upon from the bench. While Edwill van der Merwe returns to the startingXV
• Springbok, Duane Vermeulen, will bepulling on the number 8 jersey for Ulster

#SHAvGLA

• Springbok lock Eben Etzebeth will make his debutfor the Cell C Sharks
• OllieSmith returns from off-season injury to start at full-back for Glasgow Warriors

#EDIvBEN

• British & Irish Lion Duhan van der Merwe starts for Edinburgh on his return to the capital club
• Marco Lazzaroni will captain the Benetton side

#CARvDRA

• Josh Adams returns to Cardiff Rugby starting XV
• Will Rowlands returns to captain Dragons RFC as one of eight changes

#SCAvZEB

• Scott Williams returns from injury as he is named inScarlets starting XV
• Geronimo Prisciantelli will make his Zebre Parma debutalongside Alessio Sanavia if called upon from the replacements

#MUNvBUL

• Shane Daly will make his 50th appearance for Munster
• Simphiwe Matanzima, Johan Goosen and Harold Vorster allreturn to Vodacom Bulls matchday squad

FRIDAY,OCTOBER 14

Ospreys vDHL Stormers

Swansea.comStadium, Swansea – KO 19.35 IRE & UK / 20.35 ITA & SA

Referee: GianlucaGnecchi (FIR, 18th league game)

AR 1: AledEvans (WRU) AR 2: Carwyn Williams (WRU)

TMO: MatteoLiperini (FIR)

Live on:BBC Wales, Premier Sports, SuperSport, Discovery + & URC.tv

Ospreys: MaxNagy, George North, Owen Watkin, Michael Collins, Keelan Giles, Stephen Myler,Rhys Webb (CAPT), Nicky Smith, Dewi Lake, Tomas Francis, Adam Beard, Alun WynJones, Ethan Roots, Jac Morgan, Morgan Morris

Replacements: ScottBaldwin, Rhys Henry, Tom Botha, Rhys Davies, Dan Lydiate, Reuben MorganWilliams, Jack Walsh, Luke Morgan

DHLStormers: Clayton Blommetjies, Angelo Davids, Alapati Leuia, Dan duPlessis, Leolin Zas, Manie Libbok, Paul de Wet, Ali Vermaak, Andre-Hugo Venter,Neethling Fouche, Salmaan Moerat (CAPT), Marvin Orie, Nama Xaba, HacjivahDayimani, Evan Roos

Replacements: JosephDweba, Steven Kitshoff, Brok Harris, Ernst van Rhyn, Marcel Theunissen, WillieEngelbrecht, Godlen Masimla, Sacha Mngomezulu

OspreysHead Coach Toby Booth said: “I’m on record of wanting to test ourgroup whether that be the young players or the Internationals, we want to testwhat we’re trying to do against the best. Having the influence of the top SouthAfrican teams in the competition means everyone must get better. Every week isan opportunity to mark where you are. We’re excited by the challenge of theStormers. We have to defend well against them, and we did that well againstGlasgow. We took our opportunities when they presented themselves and we know thisFriday night will be a different challenge. We’re going against a team who liketo be positive, they try to express themselves, good athletes and bigcollisions. It’ll be a big test for us but like all good teams yourperformances start and finish with your fundamentals so it’s up to us to decidehow good we can be.”

DHLStormers Head Coach John Dobson said: "Leolin was one of thestand-out players for us last season until he was injured in the semifinal, soto have him back in the team along with the likes of Clayton, Dan, Paul,Hacjivah, Nama and Marvin is exciting for us. Then of course to have players ofJoseph and Steven's quality coming off the bench is also something we arelooking forward to. It is a short turnaround this week playing on Friday nightand we also lost a day travelling from Italy, so we are going to have to reallylift ourselves against an Ospreys team which will be full of internationalshaving rested some of them last weekend."

Connachtv Leinster

TheSportsground, Galway – KO 19.35 IRE & UK / 20.35 ITA & SA

Referee: FrankMurphy (IRFU, 66th league game)

AR 1: PeterMartin (IRFU) AR 2: Oisin Quinn (IRFU)

TMO: ColinStanley (IRFU)

Live on:RTÉ, Premier Sports, SuperSport, Discovery + & URC.tv

Connacht: ConorFitzgerald, John Porch, Byron Ralston, David Hawkshaw, Mack Hansen, Jack Carty(CAPT), Colm Reilly, Peter Dooley, Dave Heffernan, Finlay Bealham, NiallMurray, Gavin Thornbury, Josh Murphy, Shamus Hurley-Langton, Paul Boyle

Replacements: GrantStewart, Denis Buckley, Jack Aungier, Oisín Dowling, Conor Oliver, CaolinBlade, Tom Daly, Ciaran Booth

Leinster: JimmyO'Brien, Liam Turner, Garry Ringrose (CAPT), Charlie Ngatai, Rob Russell, RossByrne, Cormac Foley, Ed Byrne, Dan Sheehan, Tadhg Furlong, Ross Molony, JamesRyan, Caelan Doris, Josh van der Flier, Jack Conan

Replacements: JohnMcKee, Andrew Porter, Michael Ala'alatoa, Joe McCarthy, MartinMoloney, Nick McCarthy, Ciarán Frawley, Robbie Henshaw

Connacht Director ofRugby Andy Friend said: “Last Friday's victory over Munster saw a much improved overallperformance by us that is far more aligned to what we know we’re capable of asa team. We now have to use that as a springboard for the rest of the season,and tomorrow is another brilliant opportunity to test ourselves against some ofthe best in Europe. The atmosphere at The Sportsground last week was incredibleand I know that our supporters will give us the same again and more tomorrownight.”

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 15

Emirates Lions v Ulster

Emirates Airline Park, Johannesburg – KO 13.00 IRE& UK / 14.00 ITA & SA

Referee: Sam Grove-White (SRU, 28th league game)

AR 1: Jaco Peyper (SARU) AR 2: Griffin Colby (SARU)

TMO: Ben Blain (SRU)

Live on: SuperSport, Premier Sports, Discovery + &URC.tv

Emirates Lions: Andries Coetzee, Edwill van derMerwe, Henco van Wyk, Marius Louw, Quan Horn, Gianni Lombard, Sanele Nohamba, JPSmith, Jaco Visagie, Ruan Dreyer, Willem Alberts, Reinhard Nothnagel (CAPT), EmmanuelTshituka, Ruan Venter, Francke Horn

Replacements: PJ Botha, Sti Sithole, RuanSmith, Pieter Jansen van Vuren, Sibusiso Sangweni, Morne van den Berg, JordanHendrikse, Zander du Plessis

Ulster: Michael Lowry, Rob Baloucoune, Luke Marshall,Stuart McCloskey, Rob Lyttle, Billy Burns, John Cooney, Eric O’Sullivan, RobHerring, Gareth Milasinovich, Alan O’Connor (CAPT), Sam Carter, Dave McCann,Marcus Rea, Duane Vermeulen

Replacements: John Andrew, Callum Reid, TomO’Toole, Cormac Izuchukwu, Nick Timoney, Nathan Doak, Stewart Moore, EthanMcIlroy

Ulster Forwards Coach Roddy Grant said: “It’s socompetitive now in the Vodacom United Rugby Championship, home and away. With the South African teams, theyhave some really good packs, and the travel is also exciting. This week, justlike every week, we are preparing to play and win.”

Cell C Sharks v Glasgow Warriors

Hollywoodbets Kings Park, Durban – KO 15.05  IRE & UK / 16.05 ITA & SA

Referee: Chris Busby (IRFU, 26th league game)

AR 1: AJ Jacobs (SARU) AR 2: Cwengile Jadezweni(SARU)

TMO: Eoghan Cross (IRFU)

Live on: SuperSport, Premier Sports, Discovery +& URC.tv

Cell C Sharks: Aphelele Fassi, Werner Kok, MarnusPotgieter, Ben Tapuai, Anthony Volmink, Boeta Chamberlain, Jaden Hendrikse, NtuthukoMchunu, Kerron van Vuuren, Thomas du Toit (CAPT), Eben Etzebeth, Hyron Andrews,Dylan Richardson, Vincent Tshituka, Phepsi Buthelezi

Replacements: Bongi Mbonambi, Ox Nche, CarluSadie, Reniel Hugo, Siya Kolisi, Sikhumbuzo Notshe, Cameron Wright, MakazoleMapimpi

Glasgow Warriors: Ollie Smith, SebastianCancelliere, Sione Tuipulotu (CAPT), Sam Johnson, Josh McKay, Tom Jordan, AliPrice; Jamie Bhatti, George Turner, Zander Fagerson, Sintu Manjezi, RichieGray, Scott Cummings, Thomas Gordon, Matt Fagerson

Replacements: Fraser Brown, Oli Kebble,Murphy Walker, JP du Preez, Ryan Wilson, Gregor Brown, George Horne, RossThompson

Glasgow Warriors Head Coach Franco Smith said: “As lastweek’s game proved the South African sides are really physical and we will haveto take our level of physicality to another level away from home tomorrow. Tomorrowis another challenge and we will need to be ruthless in the contact area and inattack on away soil. We’re pleased to be able to welcome Ollie Smith and RossThompson back into the side. Both have worked hard to recover from injury andwe’re looking forward seeing both men pull on the jersey for the first timethis season. Everyone is excited for the challenge that tomorrow’s gamebrings.”

Edinburgh Rugby v Benetton

The DAM Health Stadium, Edinburgh – KO 17.15 IRE& UK / 18.15 ITA & SA

Referee: Marius van der Westhuisen (SARU, 10th league game)

AR 1: Jonny Perriam (SRU) AR 2: Ru Campbell (SRU)

TMO: Leo Colgan (IRFU)

Live on: Premier Sports, Eurosport, , Discovery +, SuperSport& URC.tv

Edinburgh Rugby: Emiliano Boffelli, Darcy Graham,Mark Bennett, James Lang, Duhan van der Merwe, Blair Kinghorn, Henry Pyrgos, PierreSchoeman, Dave Cherry, WP Nel, Sam Skinner, Grant Gilchrist (CAPT), NickHaining, Luke Crosbie, Viliame Mata

Replacements: Adam McBurney, Boan Venter, Luande Bruin, Jamie Hodgson, Ben Muncaster, Charlie Shiel, Charlie Savala, ChrisDean

Benetton: Edoardo Padovani, Mattia Bellini, Tommaso Menoncello,Marco Zanon, Ratuva Tavuyara, Tomas Albornoz, Sam Hidalgo-Clyne, Thomas Gallo, GianmarcoLucchesi, Nahuel Tetaz, Marco Lazzaroni (CAPT), Carl Wegner, Abraham Steyn, ToaHalafihi, Henry Time-Stowers

Replacements: Manuel Arroyo, Federico Zani, Tiziano Pasquali, NicolaPiantella, Alessandro Izekor, Manfredi Albanese, Filippo Drago, Dewi Passarella

Edinburgh Rugby Head Coach Mike Blair said: “We were obviously disappointed with last weekend’sresult but, after further review, there were a lot many positives to take intothis week’s training and the squad have reacted brilliantly. We’ve had a reallystrong week of training and the guys have been switched on and fully focussed,ready take the field again this Saturday night where’ll face a Benetton sidefull of confidence. We’re delighted to name Duhan [van der Merwe] in the startingline-up and he’ll no doubt get an excellent reception from our supporterswho’ll be excited to see him back in Edinburgh colours. The squad are eager toget back to winning ways and the crowd at DAM Health Stadium will have a hugepart to play in driving us forward for the full 80 minutes.”

Benetton Head Coach Marco Bortolami said: “AgainstEdinburgh will be a very difficult game. They are a team that bases own game onset pieces, scrum, touch and in these phases it will be a very important clashto have dominion over the control of the field and game situations. Playing onthe synthetic pitch so we’ll have a very fast game ahead of us and we will haveto be ready. We go there enthusiastic, with the desire to challenge thembecause we come from two victories. We need to be confident and enter the fieldconfidently to get the most.”

Cardiff Rugby v Dragons RFC

CardiffArms Park, Cardiff – KO 17.15 IRE & UK / 18.15 ITA & SA

Referee: Craig Evans (WRU, 36th league game)

AR 1: Adam Jones (WRU) AR 2: Rhys Jones (WRU)

TMO: Jon Mason (WRU)

Live on: Premier Sports, SuperSport, Discovery +& URC.tv

Cardiff Rugby: Rhys Priestland; Jason Harries,Max Llewellyn, Uilisi Halaholo, Josh Adams; Jarrod Evans, Tomos Williams; RhysCarré, Kristian Dacey, Dmitri Arhip, Josh Turnbull (CAPT), Seb Davies, ShaneLewis-Hughes, Thomas Young, Taulupe Faletau

Replacements: Kirby Myhill, CoreyDomachowski, Dillon Lewis, Matthew Screech, James Botham, Lloyd Williams, MasonGrady, Aled Summerhill

Dragons RFC: Angus O’Brien, Rio Dyer, SioTomkinson, Jack Dixon, Jared Rosser, JJ Hanrahan, Rhodri Williams, Aki Seiuli,Bradley Roberts, Lloyd Fairbrother, Ben Carter, Will Rowlands (CAPT), SeanLonsdale, Taine Basham, Ross Moriarty

Replacements: Elliot Dee, Rhodri Jones, ChrisColeman, Aaron Wainwright, Harrison Keddie, Gonzalo Bertranou, Steff Hughes,Jordan Williams

Cardiff Rugby Director of Rugby Dai Young said:“TheDragons were one of the most improved teams in the competition last season andthey have taken another stride forward this season. There isn’t much betweenthe Welsh teams and we can all beat each other on our day. The last few gamesagainst the Dragons have been very close affairs, with pretty much one score init, so we will have to be at our best come Saturday. We were pleased with theresult against the Scarlets and the challenge now is to back that up at CardiffArms Park. There was no lack of spirit, no lack of pride and everybody chuckedeverything into it. What we need is consistency in that and that’s what we needweek-after-week. It promises to be a great occasion, with a bumper crowd inattendance and these are the days we all get excited for.”

Dragons RFC Head Coach Dai Flanagan said: “It’s thelocal derby and Cardiff so all the players are very excited to be involved andget stuck in. We were disappointed with certain aspects of our game againstBenetton, and we have been working hard to make sure we are better this week. Thereis no better time to do it than in a local derby against Cardiff. Cardiff havetalent throughout their squad, a lot of X-Factor players and a lot ofinternational players - we know what is coming. We must take away time andspace because if you give them that they have the quality to hurt you. It’s agame we are all looking forward to being a part of.”

Scarlets v Zebre Parma

Parc y Scarlets, Llanelli – KO 19.35 IRE & UK /20.35 ITA & SA

Referee: Morne Ferreira (SARU, league debut)

AR 1: Ian Davies (WRU) AR 2: Tom Spurrier (WRU)

TMO: Marius Jonker (SARU)

Live on: S4C, Discovery +, Premier Sports,SuperSport & URC.tv

Scarlets: Leigh Halfpenny, Johnny McNicholl, JonathanDavies (CAPT), Scott Williams, Ryan Conbeer, Sam Costelow, Kieran Hardy, WynJones, Ken Owens, Harri O’Connor, Jac Price, Tom Price, Sam Lousi, JoshMacleod, Sione Kalamafoni

Replacements: Ryan Elias, Steff Thomas, JavanSebastian, Morgan Jones, Shaun Evans, Dane Blacker, Rhys Patchell, Steff Evans.

Zebre Parma: Richard Kriel, Pierre Bruno, FrancoSmith Jr, Tommaso Boni, Lorenzo Pani, Geronimo Prisciantelli, Chris Cook, LucaRizzoli, Marco Manfredi, Matteo Nocera, David Sisi (CAPT), Leonard Krumov, IacopoBianchi, MJ Pelser, Davide Ruggeri

Replacements: Jacques Du Toit, AlessioSanavia, Muhamed Hasa, Andrea Zambonin, Guido Volpi, Nicolò Casilio, JoeyCaputo, Latu Latunipulu

Scarlets Head Coach Dwayne Peel said:  “We can’t hide from the fact we aredisappointed where we are sitting in the table and disappointed that we havehad opportunities in games and haven’t finished them off. We are working hardon all parts of our game, on and off the field, and are determined to putthings right.”

Zebre Parma Head Coach Fabio Roselli said: "Thematch with Scarlets is another important moment for us: we have the opportunityto take a step forward and learn and win challenges like these, after comingclose to success against Leinster and Sharks. We are very confident in what wehave to do and we are proud to have two debutants in the team this week: theyare Geronimo Prisciantelli and Alessio Sanavia, along with Marco Manfredi whoreturns after a long absence. Scarlets are going through a moment of pressurein terms of results but, like all Welsh teams, they play with great passion inthe physical clashes and in the breakdown. We have to be ready in theseareas".

Munster v Vodacom Bulls

Thomond Park, Limerick – KO 19.35 IRE & UK /20.35 ITA & SA

Referee: Mike Adamson, (SRU, 64th league game)

AR 1: Andrew Cole (IRFU) AR 2: Dermot Blake (IRFU))

TMO: Andrew McMenemy (SRU)

Live on: TG4, Premier Sports, SuperSport, Discovery+ & URC.tv

Munster: Patrick Campbell, Calvin Nash, Malakai Fekitoa,Dan Goggin, Shane Daly, Joey Carbery, Craig Casey, Jeremy Loughman, NiallScannell, Stephen Archer, Jean Kleyn, Edwin Edogbo, Tadhg Beirne, PeterO'Mahony (CAPT), Gavin Coombes.                      

Replacements: Diarmuid Barron, Dave Kilcoyne,Roman Salanoa, Tom Ahern, Jack O'Donoghue, Conor Murray, Jack Crowley, JohnHodnett

Vodacom Bulls: Kurt-lee Arendse, CornelHendricks, Lionel Mapoe, Harold Vorster, Wandisile Simelane, Johan Goosen, EmbrosePapier, Simphiwe Matanzima, Jan-Hendrik Wessels, Mornay Smith, Walt Steenkamp, RunNortje, Marcell Coetzee (CAPT), WJ Steenkamp, Elrigh Louw

Replacements: Bismarck Du Plessis, DylanSmith, Jacques van Rooyen, Ruan Vermaak, Marco Van Staden, Zak Burger, ChrisSmith, David Kriel

Vodacom Bulls Director of Rugby Jake White said: “Nothinguntoward (referring to the changes), we would have changed anyway and we will robablychange for the game against the Cell C Sharks too before we go into the break.These changes help keep good morale and motivation for the entire squad. I amvery proud that these guys are coming through the ranks. 5-10 years ago, wewouldn’t have this sort of team makeup, where young guys form part of the coreof the team. It is fantastic to see these players graduate and come through theyouth system, and in a couple of years we will have a strong Vodacom Bulls team.Munster are a good team, playing at home (in Limerick), with their back againstthe wall, it is going to be a tough encounter. There is also massive amount oftest match rugby experience for their players that play for Ireland and weanticipate they will go back to draw from that experience.”