Team Announcements Round 8

The teams for this weekend's Round 8 fixtures of the Vodacom United Rugby Championship have been named with all details of match officials and broadcast information below.

TEAM NEWS HEADLINES

#STOvSCA

• Lock Gary Porter will make his DHL Stormers debut
• Scott Williams returns at centre while Dan Davis makes his first start of the season for Scarlets

#ULSvZEB

• World Cup-winning Springbok, Duane Vermeulen, to captain Ulster
• Riccardo Genovese and Matt Kvesic set to make their debut for Zebre Parma if called upon from the bench

#BULvOSP

• Ruan Nortje will captain the Vodacom Bulls
• James Fender and Luke Scully are set to make their Osprey’s debut if called upon from the bench

#BENvEDI

• Rhyno Smith returns at full-back for Benetton
• Stuart McInally, Henry Immelman, James Lang and Ben Vellacott al return from injury & named in Edinburgh Rugby matchday squad

#LEIvGLA

• Ronan Kelleher and Harry Byrne return from injury and are named in Leinsters matchday squad
• Nine players return from Scotland camp and into Glasgow Warriors matchday squad

#MUNvCON

• Tadhg Beirne, who was named in World Rugby Men's 15s Team of the Year, starts on his 50th Munster appearance
• Six Connacht players who were with the Ireland squad in November have been named in the starting XV

#LIOvDRA

• Andre Warner and Asenathi Ntlabakanye in line to make their season debut for Emirates Lions if called upon from the bench
• Sio Timkinson returns to Dragons RFC starting XV

#SHAvCAR

• James Venter will captain Cell C Sharks
• Lopeti Timani returns to the Cardiff Rugby starting XV

  
  

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 25

DHL Stormers v Scarlets

DHL Stadium, Cape Town – KO 17.00 IRE & UK / 18.00 ITA / 19.00 SA

Referee: Eoghan Cross (IRFU, 5th league game)

AR 1: Morne Ferreira (SARU) AR 2: Paul Mente (SARU)

TMO: Frank Murphy (IRFU)

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

DHL Stormers: Clayton Blommetjies, Angelo Davids, Cornel Smit, Dan du Plessis, Leolin Zas, Kade Wolhuter, Paul de Wet, Ali Vermaak, Joseph Dweba, Neethling Fouche, Ernst van Rhyn (CAPT), Gary Porter, Junior Pokomela, Marcel Theunissen, Hacjivah Dayimani

Replacements: JJ Kotze, Leon Lyons, Sazi Sandi, Connor Evans, Ben-Jason Dixon, Nama Xaba, Herschel Jantjies, Jean-Luc du Plessis

Scarlets: Johnny McNicholl, Tom Rogers, Jonathan Davies (CAPT), Scott Williams, Ryan Conbeer, Dan Jones, Gareth Davies, Steff Thomas, Daf Hughes, Harri O’Connor, Sam Lousi, Tom Price, Aaron Shingler, Dan Davis, Sione Kalamafoni

Replacements: Taylor Davies, Kemsley Mathias, WillGriff John, Blade Thomson, Tomás Lezana, Archie Hughes, Rhys Patchell, Steff Evans

DHL Stormers Head Coach John Dobson said: “The players getting an opportunity this week have all been training incredibly hard all season and are determined to make the most of this game. We are pleased with the depth we have built already this season and this is also a side that features plenty of experience in key positions, so we are excited to see how they go. This selection forms part of a clear strategy to prepare ourselves to be competitive across the various competitions we are involved in this season. We have an exciting young generation of young players coming through and it will be a big challenge for them against a team which boasts almost 300 Test caps, but we are looking forward to it."

Scarlets Head Coach Dwayne Peel said: “We have had a good week here in Cape Town and are looking forward to getting back out there. We are not where we want to be in the table, there is no hiding from that, but we have an exciting block ahead of us. We need to climb the ladder in the URC and then have a good start in Europe and it starts on Friday. When you play out here you have to match the South African physicality. Stormers are a team who like to play expansive rugby, but first and foremost we have to match that physicality. We also need to be more ruthless when it comes to taking opportunities, which we haven’t really done in the first block of matches. We had a great game against the Stormers at Parc y Scarlets at the end of last season. We have to make sure we show that mettle again.”

Ulster v Zebre Parma

Kingspan Stadium, Belfast – KO 19.35 IRE & UK / 20.35 ITA / 21.35 SA

Referee: AJ Jacobs (SARU, 13th league game)

AR 1: Andrew Cole (IRFU) AR 2: Robbie Jenkinson (IRFU)

TMO: Marius van der Westhuizen (SARU)

Live on: BBC NI, TG4, Viaplay, Eurosport, Discovery +, SuperSport, Premier Sports & URC.tv

Ulster: Stewart Moore, Ethan McIlroy, James Hume, Luke Marshall, Jacob Stockdale, Jake Flannery, Nathan Doak, Callum Reid, Tom Stewart, Marty Moore, Cormac Izuchukwu, Sam Carter, Matty Rea, Marcus Rea, Duane Vermeulen (CAPT)

Replacements: John Andrew, Andy Warwick, Jeff Toomaga-Allen, Iain Henderson, David McCann, Michael McDonald, Angus Curtis, Ben Moxham

Zebre Parma: Lorenzo Pani, Jacopo Trulla, Richard Kriel, Enrico Lucchin (CAPT), Simone Gesi, Geronimo Prisciantelli, Chris Cook, Juan Pitinari, Jacques Du Toit, Matteo Nocera, Jan Uys, Andrea Zambonin, Guido Volpi, Giacomo Ferrari, Matt Kvesic

Replacements: Marco Manfredi, Daniele Rimpelli, Riccardo Genovese, Leonard Krumov, Iacopo Bianchi, Ratko Jelic, Joey Caputo, Erich Cronjé

Ulster Assistant Coach Dan Soper said: “The guys have been lapping-up that we are back to a match week. We’re looking at ourselves, the opposition, and what we’re going to do on Friday, and we are really looking forward to getting going now.”

Zebre Parma Head Coach Fabio Roselli said: "The autumn test match break has allowed us to recharge our energy and identify what is progressing and what we need to improve. We have introduced innovations in all areas, in the game and in methodology; this makes us eager to express ourselves in Belfast, at home of a top European club. Ulster have great physicality, a very solid pack and the ability to create a lot of problems when they play with rhythm. We have prepared ourselves to face them head-to-head with determination. We want to express enthusiasm, fun and competitiveness, trying to find the characteristics of our playing identity. As in the past, the biggest challenge will be to start the game the way we have prepared. We are excited to see Riccardo Genovese and Matt Kvesic at work, in this first opportunity”.

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 26

Vodacom Bulls v Ospreys

Loftus Versfeld Stadium, Pretoria – KO 13.00 IRE & UK / 14.00 ITA / 15.00 SA

Referee: Ben Blain (SRU, 26th league game)

AR 1: Cwengile Jadezweni (SARU) AR 2: Griffin Colby (SARU)

TMO: Sam Grove-White (SRU)

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

Vodacom Bulls: Wandisile Simelane, David Kriel, Lionel Mapoe, Harold Vorster, Stravino Jacobs, Chris Smith, Embrose Papier, Gerhard Steenekamp, Bismarck Du Plessis,  Francois Klopper, Janko Swanepoel, Ruan Nortje (CAPT), Nizaam Carr, Wj Steenkamp, Elrigh Louw

Replacements: Jan-Hendrik Wessels, Simphiwe Matanzima, Mornay Smith, Ruan Vermaak, Cyle Brink, Zak Bruger, Morne Steyn, Marco Jansen van Vuren

Ospreys: Max Nagy, Luke Morgan, Tiaan Thomas-Wheeler, Keiran Williams, Keelan Giles, Jack Walsh, Rhys Webb (CAPT), Garyn Phillips, Scott Baldwin, Tom Botha, Bradley Davies, Huw Sutton, Ethan Roots, Will Hickey, Morgan Morris

Replacements: Sam Parry, Rhys Henry, Ben Warren, James Fender, Jack Regan, Reuben Morgan-Williams, Luke Scully, Cai Evans

Ospreys Head Coach Toby Booth said: “The Vodacom Bulls are one of the toughest teams we’ll face this year. The biggest challenge for us in this game is to prepare for the physicality of the Bulls and focus on how we deal with that.”

Benetton v Edinburgh Rugby

Stadio Monigo, Treviso – KO 13.00  IRE & UK / 14.00 ITA / 15.00 SA

Referee: Craig Evans (WRU, 39th league game)

AR 1: Filippo Russo (FIR) AR 2: Alex Frasson (FIR)

TMO: Jon Mason (WRU)

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

Benetton: Rhyno Smith, Marcus Watson, Ignacio Brex, Marco Zanon, Matteo Minozzi, Tomas Albornoz, Dewaldt Duvenage (CAPT),  Nahuel Tetaz, Gianmarco Lucchesi, Simone Ferrari, Niccolò Cannone, Federico Ruzza, Sebastian Negri, Manuel Zuliani, Lorenzo Cannone

Replacements: Giacomo Nicotera, Ivan Nemer, Tiziano Pasquali, Scott Scrafton,  Giovanni Pettinelli, Alessandro Garbisi, Jacob Umaga, Tommaso Menoncello

Edinburgh Rugby: Henry Immelman, Damien Hoyland, Matt Currie, James Lang, Wes Goosen, Charlie Savala, Henry Pyrgos, Boan Venter, Stuart McInally, Angus Williams, Marshall Sykes, Jamie Hodgson, Nick Haining, Luke Crosbie (CAPT), Ben Muncaster

Replacements: Patrick Harrison, Jamie Jack, Lee-Roy Atalifo, Glen Young, Connor Boyle, Ben Vellacott, Jaco van der Walt, Chris Dean

Edinburgh Rugby Head Coach Mike Blair said: “While it’s been great to get a period of rest where we’ve been able to get guys fit, work on certain aspects of our game and take stock on the season so far, we’re hugely excited to return to action this weekend as we take on a quality Benetton side. As a team, we were really happy with how we played in large parts in both wins at Zebre and Cardiff, and we know we’ll need to match those levels of intensity and work rate for the full 80 minutes in Treviso. It’s great that we’re able to integrate some of our international contingent back into the squad, with those players bringing added quality to a group who’ve performed really well in recent weeks.”

Leinster v Glasgow Warriors

RDS Arena, Dublin – KO 15.15 IRE & UK / 16.15 ITA / 17.15 SA

Referee: Marius van der Westhuizen (SARU, 13th league game)

AR 1: Keane Davison (IRFU) AR 2:  Andy Fogarty (IRFU)

TMO:  AJ Jacobs (SARU)

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

Leinster: Jamie Osborne, Rob Russell, Liam Turner, Charlie Ngatai, Dave Kearney, Ross Byrne, Luke McGrath, Ed Byrne, Rónan Kelleher, Thomas Clarkson, Ross Molony, Joe McCarthy, Rhys Ruddock (CAPT), Scott Penny, Max Deegan

Replacements: John McKee, Michael Milne, Vakh Abdaladze, Jason Jenkins, Ryan Baird, Cormac Foley, Harry Byrne, Chris Cosgrave

Glasgow Warriors: Josh McKay, Sebastian Cancelliere, Kyle Steyn (CAPT), Stafford McDowall, Rufus McLean, Tom Jordan, George Horne, Oli Kebble, Fraser Brown, Murphy Walker, Sintu Manjezi, Alex Samuel, Gregor Brown, Sione Vailanu, Jack Dempsey

Replacements: Johnny Matthews, Jamie Bhatti, Simon Berghan, JP du Preez, Lewis Bean, Euan Ferrie, Jamie Dobie, Ross Thompson

Glasgow Warriors Head Coach Franco Smith said: “Tomorrow is an opportunity to measure ourselves against a strong Leinster side. We were pleased with how we ended our last block of games with our win over Benetton and we plan to carry that momentum into this important block. Tomorrow is the start of the next part of our journey as we continue to build our squad and our performances.”

Munster v Connacht

Thomond Park, Limerick – KO 19.35 IRE & UK / 20.35 ITA / 21.35 SA

Referee: Gianluca Gnecchi (FIR, 20th league game)

AR 1: Paul Haycock (IRFU) AR 2: Jonny Erskine (IRFU)

TMO: Andrew McMenemy (SRU)

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

Munster: Mike Haley, Calvin Nash, Antoine Frisch, Rory Scannell, Shane Daly, Joey Carbery, Craig Casey, Josh Wycherley, Diarmuid Barron, Roman Salanoa; Jean Kleyn, Tadhg Beirne, Peter O'Mahony (CAPT), John Hodnett, Alex Kendellen

Replacements: Niall Scannell, Jeremy Loughman, John Ryan, Edwin Edogbo, Jack O'Donoghue, Paddy Patterson, Jack Crowley, Gavin Coombes

Connacht: John Porch, Byron Ralston, Tom Farrell, Bundee Aki, Alex Wootton, Jack Carty (CAPT) Caolin Blad, Denis Buckley, Dave Heffernan, Finlay Bealham, Josh Murphy, Gavin Thornbury, Cian Prendergast, Conor Oliver, Jarrad Butler

Replacements: Shane Delahunt, Peter Dooley, Jack Aungier, Niall Murray, Oisín Dowling, Kieran Marmion, Conor Fitzgerald, Paul Boyle

Connacht Director of Rugby Andy Friend said: "Everyone had ten days off after the Ospreys game which I think was needed for coaches and players. Now that we have everyone back it's all eyes on Munster for the start of an important ten week block for us, and we’re well positioned for these games going forward. Munster away at Thomond Park is never an easy task but I thought we were close last year and the previous year we won there. You can’t just rock up to Thomond and think you’re going to win, you’ve got to work your backside off and bring an element of physicality along with accuracy in what you are doing.”

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 27

Emirates Lions v Dragons RFC

Emirates Airline Park, Johannesburg – KO 14.00 IRE & UK / 15.00 ITA / 16.00 SA

Referee: Sam Grove-White (SRU, 29th  league game)

AR 1: Cwengile Jadezweni (SARU) AR 2: Griffin Colby (SARU)

TMO: Ben Blain (SRU)

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

Emirates Lions: Quan Horn, Rabz Maxwane, Henco van Wyk, Marius Louw, Edwill van der Merwe, Jordan Hendrikse, Sanele Nohamba, Sti Sithole, PJ Botha, Ruan Dreyer, Ruben Schoeman, Reinhard Nothnagel (CAPT) Emmanuel Tshituka, Ruhan Straeuli, Francke Horn

Replacements: Jaco Visagie, JP Smith, Asenathi Ntlabakanye, Pieter Jansen van Vuren, Sibusiso Sangweni, Andre Warner, Gianni Lombard, Zander du Plessis

Dragons RFC: Angus O’Brien, David Richards, Steff Hughes, Jack Dixon, Sio Tomkinson, Sam Davies, Lewis Jones; Aki Seiuli, James Benjamin, Lloyd Fairbrother, Joe Davies, Sean Lonsdale, Aaron Wainwright, Ben Fry, Ross Moriarty (CAPT)

Replacements: Ellis Shipp, Josh Reynolds, Chris Coleman, Matthew Screech, Huw Taylor, Che Hope, JJ Hanrahan, Jordan Williams

Dragons RFC Head Coach Dai Flanagan said: “We’re excited to be in South Africa. The pitches should suit what we are trying to do in attack and we’re just looking to express ourselves. There's an opportunity for certain players with the internationals away early on and I can't stress how excited we are as a group to see how we perform. They've really expanded their game. We all know about the power the South Africans have, but they have some subtleties with two really good outside halves and a scrum half who gives them energy. It is up to us to match it. We can't get too loose out there. We've got to contain and control. The altitude will be tough, but it's something most of us have experienced so it shouldn't be a surprise. We're excited to get back playing and it’s about staying in the fight. I experienced it last year with the Scarlets, when we had two different types of games. Against the Sharks we were in the fight until the end, but against the Bulls they blew us off the park early on. It's important we stay in that fight and that gives us the best chance to get a positive result.”

Cell C Sharks v Cardiff Rugby

Hollywoodbets Kings Park, Durban – KO 16.10 IRE & UK / 17.10 ITA / 18.10 SA

Referee: Frank Murphy (IRFU, 69th league game)

AR 1: Aimee Barrett-Theron (SARU) AR 2: Stephan Geldenhuys (SARU)

TMO: Eoghan Cross (IRFU)

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

Cell C Sharks: Anthony Volmink, Marnus Potgieter, Francois Venter, Rohan Janse van Rensburg, Werner Kok, Boeta Chamberlain, Cameron Wright, Dian Bleuler, Kerron van Vuuren, Carlu Sadie, Justin Basson, Gerbrandt Grobler, James Venter (CAPT), Vincent Tshituka, Sikhumbuzo Notshe

Replacements: Dan Jooste, Khwezi Mona, Khutha Mchunu, Hyron Andrews, Phepsi Buthelez, Bradley Davids, Lionel Cronje, Ben Tapuai

Cardiff Rugby: Ben Thomas, Jason Harries, Rey Lee-Lo, Max Llewellyn, Theo Cabango, Jarrod Evans, Lloyd Williams, Rhys Carré, Liam Belcher, Dmitri Arhip, Lopeti Timani, Rory Thornton, Josh Turnbull (CAPT), Thomas Young, James Botham

Replacements: Kristian Dacey, Corey Domachowski, Will Davies-King, Seb Davies, Gwilym Bradley, James Ratti, Ellis Bevan, Mason Grady

Cardiff Rugby Director of Rugby Dai Young said: “We were disappointed with our last game out here last season so we have plenty of motivation to put things right and we’ve shown we are heading in the right direction and we want to build upon that. It is important now that we keep that momentum and confidence and show we have learnt and developed from last season. We know what to expect from the Sharks and they are formidable at home but we are in a good place. We will need to perform at our best and if we do that then there is no reason why we cannot make a statement.”