Teams have been named for Round 5 of the BKT United Rugby Championship, and several players are set for milestone appearances and debuts across the seven fixtures.
Connacht Rugby v Leinster Rugby
Dexcom Stadium, Galway | KO 19.45 IRE & UK / 20.45 ITA / 21.45 SA
Referee: Hollie Davidson (SRU, 31st league game). Assistant referees: Andrew Brace (IRFU) and Keane Davison (IRFU). Live on TG4, Premier Sports, SuperSport, Flo Rugby and URC.tv.
Niall Murray is set to make his 100th appearance for Connacht from the bench. Leinster academy players Connor Fahy and Alex Mullan are in line to make their debuts for the province. Paul Boyle captains Connacht, while Max Deegan leads Leinster.
Connacht head coach Stuart Lancaster said: “Tomorrow is a big day for a few reasons, but above all else it’s a great opportunity to finish the block on a high. We know what’s at stake and the challenge ahead of us, but I can see the progress we’re making each week, and having 12,000 Connacht fans behind us will be a big boost too.”
Lancaster added that Connacht have 13 players unavailable through internationals and injury, but the club has put a big emphasis on building squad depth. “For a few players it’ll be their first experience of an interpro,” he said.
Leinster head coach Leo Cullen paid tribute to Sean Coppinger, Connacht’s long-serving groundsman, who has died. “We always look forward to coming to Connacht but this time it will be tinged with sadness after the passing of Sean Coppinger, their long serving groundsman. He was always a great character and gave us a great welcome. He will be sadly missed by all of us that love rugby.”
Glasgow Warriors v 10bet Lions
Scotstoun Stadium, Glasgow | KO 19.45 IRE & UK / 20.45 ITA / 21.45 SA
Referee: Andrea Piardi (FIR, 63rd league game). Assistant referees: Mike Adamson (SRU) and David Sutherland (SRU). Live on Premier Sports, SuperSport, Flo Rugby and URC.tv.
Jake Shearer, Jack Singleton and Cameron van Wyk are all in line for Glasgow Warriors debuts. Stafford McDowall captains the home side, while Francke Horn captains the 10bet Lions.
Glasgow head coach Franco Smith said: “The Lions play a unique brand of rugby that makes them a challenge for any team in the BKT URC, and we know that we must be switched on throughout the match in order to take on that challenge. Jake, Jack and Cameron have each earned their selections in a matchday 23 for the first time, with all three men working hard to put themselves in the best possible position ahead of the match.”
Smith added: “We look forward to running out in front of the Warrior Nation one more time before the international window, and we know that they will get behind us at what’s set to be a sold out Scotstoun.”
Lions assistant coach Wessel Roux praised the opposition. “They’re a really good side. Most of them are international players, really well coached by Franco, and they have a real attacking mindset with amazing skills in the wet. Their set-piece is also good.”
Roux also addressed his own side’s recent issues. “We just had a combination of calls that were communicated incorrectly. Once or twice, we made the wrong call, so there was a communication issue, which is something we’ve worked on. We’ve spoken about it at length and found solutions.”
DHL Stormers v Ulster Rugby
DHL Stadium, Cape Town | KO 12.45 IRE & UK / 13.45 ITA / 14.45 SA
Referee: Sam Grove-White (SRU, 65th league game). Assistant referees: Stephan Geldenhuys (SARU) and Sean Muller (SARU). Live on SuperSport, Premier Sports, Flo Rugby and URC.tv.
Bongi Mbonambi is named on the Stormers bench on his return to the club. Rob Herring and James Hume are in line for their first Ulster appearances of the season. Ruhan Nel captains the Stormers, and David McCann leads Ulster.
Stormers director of rugby John Dobson said: “There are many changes, but every player coming in bar the vastly experienced Bongi Mbonambi has already played an important role for us this season. It will take a big effort to end this phase of the season with a fourth straight win at home, and everyone is determined to give our fans another win at DHL Stadium.”
Dobson noted the break ahead. “After this match we go into a four-week break, so you can expect to see them leave it all out there on Saturday.”
Vodacom Bulls v Scarlets
Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria | KO 15.00 IRE & UK / 16.00 ITA / 17.00 SA
Referee: Eoghan Cross (IRFU, 42nd league game). Assistant referees: Christopher Allison (SARU) and Dylen November (SARU). Live on SuperSport, Premier Sports, Flo Rugby and URC.tv.
Eight Springboks are named in the Vodacom Bulls matchday squad. New signing Tom Allen is set to make his Scarlets debut. Hanro Liebenberg captains the Bulls, while Josh MacLeod leads the Scarlets.
Bulls head coach Johan Ackermann said: “Scarlets are a quality side who we managed to only narrowly beat last year, by a point or two. Of all the BKT URC teams last season, they brought the most intensity. They keep the ball in play, they test you. They have a very good counter-attacking game. Our work is cut out for us, no doubt.”
Scarlets director of rugby Nigel Davies said: “Our performance against the Stormers has given us all plenty of encouragement. We showed what we are capable of when we play with confidence, move the ball into space and back ourselves to take opportunities.”
Davies acknowledged areas for improvement. “We know there are areas we need to improve, including being more consistent in our execution and to manage moments in games that can change momentum. That’s particularly important against a side like the Bulls, with their power, physicality and their ability put you under enormous pressure, especially at Loftus. We want to finish this South Africa tour knowing we have taken another step forward as a group.”
Benetton v Edinburgh Rugby
Stadio Monigo, Treviso | KO 15.00 IRE & UK / 16.00 ITA / 17.00 SA
Referee: Hanru van Rooyen (SARU, 4th league game). Assistant referees: Fillipo Russo (FIR) and Manuel Bottino (FIR). Live on Sky Italia, Premier Sports, SuperSport, Flo Rugby and URC.tv.
Giosuè Zilocchi will make his 50th appearance for Benetton. Duhan van der Merwe and Liam McConnell have both been released from Scotland camp to start for Edinburgh. Manuel Zuliani captains Benetton, and Matt Currie and Magnus Bradbury share the captaincy for Edinburgh.
Benetton head coach Wayne Pivac said: “Edinburgh will test us in different ways. They are a well-organised team, physically strong and capable of putting opponents under pressure, so we’ll need to be smart in how we approach the game. We want to impose our identity on the game, show ambition in the way we play and make the most of the opportunities we create.”
Edinburgh head coach Sean Everitt said: “Treviso is never an easy place to go. Benetton are a proud side, especially in front of their own supporters, and they’ve been on the wrong end of some tight results this season. Our group is just as hungry to sign off this block on a high. To do that, we’ll need to be switched on for the full 80 minutes.”
Munster Rugby v Hollywoodbets Sharks
Thomond Park, Limerick | KO 17.30 IRE & UK / 18.30 ITA / 19.30 SA
Referee: Ben Connor (WRU, 9th league game). Assistant referees: Peter Martin (IRFU) and Kevin Beakey (IRFU). Live on Premier Sports, SuperSport, Flo Rugby and URC.tv.
Munster academy centre Gordon Wood makes his first start, and Rob Russell makes his debut for the province. Sharks and Springbok back Ethan Hooker is set to make his 50th appearance for the club. Jack O’Donoghue captains Munster, while Nick Hatton leads the Sharks.
Dragons RFC v Zebre Parma
Rodney Parade, Newport | KO 17.30 IRE & UK / 18.30 ITA / 19.30 SA
Referee: Griffin Colby (SARU, 14th league game). Assistant referees: Craig Evans (WRU) and Gareth Newman (WRU). Live on Premier Sports, Sky Italia, SuperSport, Flo Rugby and URC.tv.
Harrison Keddie makes his 150th appearance for the Dragons, with Rodrigo Martinez set for his 50th if called upon from the bench. Angus O’Brien captains the Dragons, while Giacomo Ferrari captains Zebre Parma.
Other squad news
Owen Watkin and Sam Parry are set to co-captain the Ospreys. Josh Adams has been released from Welsh camp and named in Cardiff’s starting XV.