URC
Butler reaches 100 caps and two potential debutants for Ospreys game


Jarrad Butler will become the latest Connacht centurion in tomorrow’s BKT United Rugby Championship clash away to the Ospreys (k/o 7.35pm).
Butler joined Connacht in 2017 and has quickly reached a century of appearances, having spent three seasons as captain.
Meanwhile lock Darragh Murray and winger Adam Byrne are both in line to make their Connacht debuts, with the pair named among the replacements.
In the front row there are starts for Dylan Tierney-Martin and Jack Aungier while Denis Buckley is retained. The second row consists of Oisín Dowling and Gavin Thornbury, while number 8 Butler is joined by flankers Shamus Hurley-Langton and Conor Oliver.
Caolin Blade comes in at scrum-half to partner captain Jack Carty, while there’s a return to the starting team for Tom Farrell beside David Hawkshaw in the centre. The final change sees Alex Wootton come onto the wings, with John Porch and Tiernan O’Halloran both retained.
Commenting on the team selection, Director of Rugby Andy Friend says:
“Jarrad reaching 100 caps is a brilliant achievement. He’s a genuine leader within the group both on and off the field, and it’s a testament to him that he has hit a century of appearances in just six seasons with us.
We are continuing to keep the matchday squad fresh with a few o changes, whilst still selecting a 23 that is more than capable of picking up a win, albeit against difficult opposition in the Ospreys.
I feel like all of the hard work that has been done from pre-season to date is starting to be seen through our on field performances. We’re all keen to keep that momentum going and finish this block on a high.”
CONNACHT RUGBY MATCHDAY SQUAD VS OSPREYS
Saturday 29th October 2022, 19:35 @ Swansea.com Stadium
Number/Name/Caps
15. Tiernan O’Halloran (208)
14. Alex Wootton (36)
13. Tom Farrell (82)
12. David Hawkshaw (6)
11. John Porch (65)
10. Jack Carty (183) (C)
9. Caolin Blade (153)
1. Denis Buckley (214)
2. Dylan Tierney-Martin (9)
3. Jack Aungier (37)
4. Oisín Dowling (30)
5. Gavin Thornbury (67)
6. Shamus Hurley-Langton (5)
7. Conor Oliver (46)
8. Jarrad Butler (99)
16.Grant Stewart (3)
17. Jordan Duggan (29)
18.Sam Illo (3)
19. Darragh Murray *
20. Paul Boyle (78)
21. Kieran Marmion (214)
22. Tom Daly (65)
23. Adam Byrne *
Images & Content from – Connacht Rugby
Champions Cup
Leinster give update on Sexton injury


Leinster Head Coach Leo Cullen has issued an injury update ahead of Saturday’s Heineken Champions Cup match against Ulster in Aviva Stadium.
Over 48,000 tickets have already been sold for the match. You can buy the last remaining tickets for the Round of 16 clash here.
Johnny Sexton will see a specialist on Tuesday and have a procedure on the groin injury picked up in Ireland’s Guinness Six Nations game against England which will likely keep him sidelined for the remainder of the Leinster Rugby season.
Garry Ringrose, Hugo Keenan and Caelan Doris will continue to follow the Graduated Return to Play Protocols this week.
Ed Byrne came through the game at the weekend with no issues after his return from a knee injury.
There are no further updates on:
Jamie Osborne (knee), Rónan Kelleher (shoulder), Joe McCarthy (ankle), Cormac Foley (hamstring), Martin Moloney (knee) and Charlie Ngatai (hamstring)
Images & Content from Leinster Rugby
URC
Our Boks are Back

Cell C Sharks Director of Rugby Neil Powell has the pleasure of a full squad to select from and has chosen a Springbok-heavy side to take on Scarlets this Saturday at the Parc Y Scarlets in Wales.
After an enforced break due to this year’s Rugby World Cup, the Springboks have been unleashed on the Vodacom United Rugby Championship once more as they look to maintain a hold on a place in the knock-out rounds.
Scarlets have not quite enjoyed the success this season they would have hoped for and languish near the bottom of the log, in 14th position. Last year’s fixture, at Hollywoodbets Kings Park, ended in a 37-20 victory for the Cell C Sharks, a bonus point win with many of the same players who will do duty in this season’s clash, almost exactly a year later.
However, we know that no team can be written off and the Springboks in the Cell C Sharks side will be bringing their own level of intensity, leadership, character and standards that will drive their team-mates to deliver a special performance.
Springbok captain Siya Kolisi leads the team out and his all-Bok front row of Ox Nche, Bongi Mbonambi and Thomas du Toit will be called upon to deliver results upfront. Throw in Eben Etzebeth and you know this is a pack that will back down for nothing.
An athletic and mobile back row will provide impetus on attack while Springbok halfbacks Jaden Hendrikse and Curwin Bosch will be called on to direct traffic. Then there’s the powerful duo of Rohan Janse van Rensburg and Lukhanyo Am to keep everything in the midfield under control, while the likes of Makazole Mapimpi and co, will be called upon to deliver the killer blow.
Cell C Sharks
1. Ox Nche
2. Bongi Mbonambi
3. Thomas du Toit
4. Eben Etzebeth
5. Emile van Heerden
6. Siya Kolisi (c)
7. Vincent Tshituka
8. Phepsi Buthelezi
9. Jaden Hendrikse
10. Curwin Bosch
11. Makazole Mapimpi
12. Rohan Janse van Rensburg
13. Lukhanyo Am
14. Werner Kok
15. Boeta Chamberlain
Replacements
16. Kerron van Vuurren
17. Ntuthuko Mchunu
18. Carlu Sadie
19. Gerbrandt Grobler
20. Sikhumbuzo Notshe
21. Grant Williams
22. Ben Tapuai
23. Thaakir Abrahams
URC
Ulster ready for arrival of Bulls in Belfast

Ulster ready for arrival of Bulls in Belfast
6 minutes ago
Match Previews
Ulster go into Round 16 of the BKT United Rugby Championship against Vodacom Bulls hoping to make it three wins in succession, as they hunt down a top two finish in the league.
Dan McFarland’s men have fared well against South African opposition this season, becoming the only northern hemisphere team to win both away games against the Emirates Lions and the Cell C Sharks, as well as dominating DHL Stormers at Kingspan Stadium back in January.
Tickets are still available for Saturday’s big game at ulster.rugby/buytickets.
The win against Stormers was the last time the Ulster men ran out at Kingspan Stadium as the province faced a three match away block after the international break.
The stakes are high as Ulster currently sit third in the URC table on 54 points, knowing a win could see them draw level with DHL Stormers, currently in second on 59 points. A win would only increase Ulster’s hopes of securing a home advantage in the URC Play-Offs.
Meanwhile, the Bulls, who sit in sixth position, will hope to turn their form around after a tough spell of results, and with returning Springboks in their squad they will be looking to cause an upset in Belfast.
Ulster Forwards Coach Roddy Grant told reporters at the media briefing earlier this week that the province will be looking to continue their positive form:
“We feel refreshed, we’ve had a good week of training and everybody is raring to go this Saturday in front of a home crowd. Bulls are a good side, full of big physical guys, and our focus is fully on them.”
Vermeulen to captain Ulster against old side
Springbok Duane Vermeulen skippers the Ulster men against a side he knows all too well, having captained the Bulls when he played for them from 2019- 2021.
Leading the front row against the South African opposition, Ballymena man Andy Warwick starts at loosehead prop and is joined by Tom Stewart at hooker, who is back with the province after being part of Ireland’s Grand Slam winning training squad. They will be packing down with Jeff Toomaga-Allen at loosehead prop.
Kieran Treadwell, who featured for Ireland in the Grand Slam win against England, is back starting in the second row alongside experienced Wallaby lock, Sam Carter.
David McCann and Nick Timoney join Vermeulen in the back row, with both flankers hoping to continue their positive form from the last match against Cardiff.
Nathan Doak keeps the 9 shirt after a Player of the Match performance against Cardiff where he scored a try and slotted six out of six conversions. Billy Burns joins him at fly-half, hoping to build on a good try-scoring performance against Cardiff.
The midfield is kept the same as last time out, as young pair Stewart Moore and James Hume keep their places in Ulster’s centre positions.
The back three sees a welcome return for explosive winger Rob Baloucoune who hasn’t featured for Ulster since early January. He is joined by Jacob Stockdale and full back Mike Lowry.
McFarland has opted for a six-two split on the bench with John Andrew, Eric O’Sullivan, Gareth Milasinovich, Alan O’Connor, Harry Sheridan and Marcus Rea named as forward options, and John Cooney and Jude Postlethwaite covering the backline.
Ulster team to face Vodacom Bulls, Round 16 BKT United Rugby Championship, Saturday 25 March at Kingspan Stadium (KO 7 35pm), live on BBC NI, RTÉ, Viaplay and URC.tv
(15-9) Mike Lowry, Rob Baloucoune, James Hume, Stewart Moore, Jacob Stockdale, Billy Burns, Nathan Doak;
(1-8) Andy Warwick, Tom Stewart, Jeff Toomaga-Allen, Kieran Treadwell, Sam Carter, David McCann, Nick Timoney, Duane Vermeulen (Captain).
Replacements: John Andrew, Eric O’Sullivan, Gareth Milasinovich, Alan O’Connor, Harry Sheridan, Marcus Rea, John Cooney, Jude Postlethwaite.
Images & Content – Ulster Rugby
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