The Weekend's United Rugby Championship Round 5 Teams

The teams for this weekend's Round 5 fixtures of the United Rugby Championship have been named 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 Sti Sithole will make his 50th appearance for the Emirates Lions if called upon from the bench. While Edwill van der Merwe returns to the starting XV
• Springbok, Duane Vermeulen, will be pulling on the number 8 jersey for Ulster

#SHAvGLA

• Springbok lock Eben Etzebeth will make his debut for the Cell C Sharks
• Ollie Smith 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 in Scarlets starting XV
• Geronimo Prisciantelli will make his Zebre Parma debut alongside 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 all return to Vodacom Bulls matchday squad

 

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14

                          

Ospreys v DHL Stormers

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

Referee: Gianluca Gnecchi (FIR, 18th league game)

AR 1: Aled Evans (WRU) AR 2: Carwyn Williams (WRU)

TMO: Matteo Liperini (FIR)

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

                          

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

Replacements: Scott Baldwin, Rhys Henry, Tom Botha, Rhys Davies, Dan Lydiate, Reuben Morgan Williams, Jack Walsh, Luke Morgan

                          

DHL Stormers: Clayton Blommetjies, Angelo Davids, Alapati Leuia, Dan du Plessis, Leolin Zas, Manie Libbok, Paul de Wet, Ali Vermaak, Andre-Hugo Venter, Neethling Fouche, Salmaan Moerat (CAPT), Marvin Orie, Nama Xaba, Hacjivah Dayimani, Evan Roos

Replacements: Joseph Dweba, Steven Kitshoff, Brok Harris, Ernst van Rhyn, Marcel Theunissen, Willie Engelbrecht, Godlen Masimla, Sacha Mngomezulu

                          

Ospreys Head Coach Toby Booth said: “I’m on record of wanting to test our group whether that be the young players or the Internationals, we want to test what we’re trying to do against the best. Having the influence of the top South African teams in the competition means everyone must get better. Every week is an opportunity to mark where you are. We’re excited by the challenge of the Stormers. We have to defend well against them, and we did that well against Glasgow. We took our opportunities when they presented themselves and we know this Friday night will be a different challenge. We’re going against a team who like to be positive, they try to express themselves, good athletes and big collisions. It’ll be a big test for us but like all good teams your performances start and finish with your fundamentals so it’s up to us to decide how good we can be.”

                          

DHL Stormers Head Coach John Dobson said: "Leolin was one of the stand-out players for us last season until he was injured in the semifinal, so to 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 of Joseph and Steven's quality coming off the bench is also something we are looking forward to. It is a short turnaround this week playing on Friday night and we also lost a day travelling from Italy, so we are going to have to really lift ourselves against an Ospreys team which will be full of internationals having rested some of them last weekend."

                          

Connacht v Leinster

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

Referee: Frank Murphy (IRFU, 66th league game)

AR 1: Peter Martin (IRFU) AR 2: Oisin Quinn (IRFU)

TMO: Colin Stanley (IRFU)

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

                          

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

Replacements: Grant Stewart, Denis Buckley, Jack Aungier, Oisín Dowling, Conor Oliver, Caolin Blade, Tom Daly, Ciaran Booth

                          

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

Replacements: John McKee, Andrew Porter, Michael Ala'alatoa, Joe McCarthy, Martin Moloney, Nick McCarthy, Ciarán Frawley, Robbie Henshaw

                          

Connacht Director of Rugby Andy Friend said: “Last Friday's victory over Munster saw a much improved overall performance by us that is far more aligned to what we know we’re capable of as a 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 of the best in Europe. The atmosphere at The Sportsground last week was incredible and I know that our supporters will give us the same again and more tomorrow night.”

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 der Merwe, Henco van Wyk, Marius Louw, Quan Horn, Gianni Lombard, Sanele Nohamba, JP Smith, Jaco Visagie, Ruan Dreyer, Willem Alberts, Reinhard Nothnagel (CAPT), Emmanuel Tshituka, Ruan Venter, Francke Horn

Replacements: PJ Botha, Sti Sithole, Ruan Smith, Pieter Jansen van Vuren, Sibusiso Sangweni, Morne van den Berg, Jordan Hendrikse, Zander du Plessis

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

Replacements: John Andrew, Callum Reid, Tom O’Toole, Cormac Izuchukwu, Nick Timoney, Nathan Doak, Stewart Moore, Ethan McIlroy

Ulster Forwards Coach Roddy Grant said: “It’s so competitive now in the BKT United Rugby Championship, home and away. With the South African teams, they have some really good packs, and the travel is also exciting. This week, just like 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, Marnus Potgieter, Ben Tapuai, Anthony Volmink, Boeta Chamberlain, Jaden Hendrikse, Ntuthuko Mchunu, Kerron van Vuuren, Thomas du Toit (CAPT), Eben Etzebeth, Hyron Andrews, Dylan Richardson, Vincent Tshituka, Phepsi Buthelezi

Replacements: Bongi Mbonambi, Ox Nche, Carlu Sadie, Reniel Hugo, Siya Kolisi, Sikhumbuzo Notshe, Cameron Wright, Makazole Mapimpi

Glasgow Warriors: Ollie Smith, Sebastian Cancelliere, Sione Tuipulotu (CAPT), Sam Johnson, Josh McKay, Tom Jordan, Ali Price; Jamie Bhatti, George Turner, Zander Fagerson, Sintu Manjezi, Richie Gray, Scott Cummings, Thomas Gordon, Matt Fagerson

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

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

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, Pierre Schoeman, Dave Cherry, WP Nel, Sam Skinner, Grant Gilchrist (CAPT), Nick Haining, Luke Crosbie, Viliame Mata

Replacements: Adam McBurney, Boan Venter, Luan de Bruin, Jamie Hodgson, Ben Muncaster, Charlie Shiel, Charlie Savala, Chris Dean

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

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

Edinburgh Rugby Head Coach Mike Blair said: “We were obviously disappointed with last weekend’s result but, after further review, there were a lot many positives to take into this week’s training and the squad have reacted brilliantly. We’ve had a really strong 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 side full of confidence. We’re delighted to name Duhan [van der Merwe] in the starting line-up and he’ll no doubt get an excellent reception from our supporters who’ll be excited to see him back in Edinburgh colours. The squad are eager to get back to winning ways and the crowd at DAM Health Stadium will have a huge part to play in driving us forward for the full 80 minutes.”

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

Cardiff Rugby v Dragons RFC

Cardiff Arms 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; Rhys Carré, Kristian Dacey, Dmitri Arhip, Josh Turnbull (CAPT), Seb Davies, Shane Lewis-Hughes, Thomas Young, Taulupe Faletau

Replacements: Kirby Myhill, Corey Domachowski, Dillon Lewis, Matthew Screech, James Botham, Lloyd Williams, Mason Grady, Aled Summerhill

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

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

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

 

Dragons RFC Head Coach Dai Flanagan said: “It’s the local derby and Cardiff so all the players are very excited to be involved and get stuck in. We were disappointed with certain aspects of our game against Benetton, and we have been working hard to make sure we are better this week. There is no better time to do it than in a local derby against Cardiff. Cardiff have talent throughout their squad, a lot of X-Factor players and a lot of international players - we know what is coming. We must take away time and space because if you give them that they have the quality to hurt you. It’s a game 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, Jonathan Davies (CAPT), Scott Williams, Ryan Conbeer, Sam Costelow, Kieran Hardy, Wyn Jones, Ken Owens, Harri O’Connor, Jac Price, Tom Price, Sam Lousi, Josh Macleod, Sione Kalamafoni

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

Zebre Parma: Richard Kriel, Pierre Bruno, Franco Smith Jr, Tommaso Boni, Lorenzo Pani, Geronimo Prisciantelli, Chris Cook, Luca Rizzoli, Marco Manfredi, Matteo Nocera, David Sisi (CAPT), Leonard Krumov, Iacopo Bianchi, MJ Pelser, Davide Ruggeri

Replacements: Jacques Du Toit, Alessio Sanavia, Muhamed Hasa, Andrea Zambonin, Guido Volpi, Nicolò Casilio, Joey Caputo, Latu Latunipulu

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

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

 

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, Niall Scannell, Stephen Archer, Jean Kleyn, Edwin Edogbo, Tadhg Beirne, Peter O'Mahony (CAPT), Gavin Coombes.                      

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

Vodacom Bulls: Kurt-lee Arendse, Cornel Hendricks, Lionel Mapoe, Harold Vorster, Wandisile Simelane, Johan Goosen, Embrose Papier, Simphiwe Matanzima, Jan-Hendrik Wessels, Mornay Smith, Walt Steenkamp, Run Nortje, Marcell Coetzee (CAPT), WJ Steenkamp, Elrigh Louw

Replacements: Bismarck Du Plessis, Dylan Smith, Jacques van Rooyen, Ruan Vermaak, Marco Van Staden, Zak Burger, Chris Smith, David Kriel

Vodacom Bulls Director of Rugby Jake White said: “Nothing untoward (referring to the changes), we would have changed anyway and we will robably change 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 am very proud that these guys are coming through the ranks. 5-10 years ago, we wouldn’t have this sort of team makeup, where young guys form part of the core of the team. It is fantastic to see these players graduate and come through the youth 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 against the wall, it is going to be a tough encounter. There is also massive amount of test match rugby experience for their players that play for Ireland and we anticipate they will go back to draw from that experience.”