Leinster Rugby take on Cell C Sharks at the RDS on Saturday, 8 October (ko 5.05 pm) in round 4 of the 2022/23 BKT URC.

The Official Leinster Supporters Club (OLSC) has compiled the following broadcast information:

Ireland: LIVE on RTE2 from 4:45 pm and Premier Sports 1 from 5:10 pm
UK: LIVE on Premier Sports 1 from 5:10 pm
Italy: LIVE on Discovery + (please check your local area for coverage time)
South Africa: LIVE on SuperSport Rugby (please check your local area for coverage time)
USA: LIVE on FloSports (please check your local area for coverage time)
Canada: Sportsnet holds the broadcasting rights to show URC games in Canada, however, 4 games
per round featuring the Irish Province teams will be available through URC TV as well should you
wish to use our service instead.
Australia: URC TV
New Zealand: Spark holds the broadcasting rights to show URC games in New Zealand, however, 4
games per round featuring non-South African teams will be available through URC TV as well should
you wish to use our service instead.
Twitter: @leinsterrugby – a Twitter account is not required to view updates
For options outside of the above, check out URC TV which is an online streaming service giving fans the opportunity to watch every game live and on demand.
Full list of URC TV availability HERE

Images & Content from Leinster Rugby

The 6ft 4in, 105kg strike-runner scored 32 tries in 67 appearances for Edinburgh after joining from Montpellier in 2017 – his scintillating form propelling him into the international spotlight after qualifying for Scotland on residency grounds.

He made a try-scoring debut against Georgia in the dark blue of Scotland at BT Murrayfield in 2020 and has racked up 12 tries in 19 Tests to date, as well as starting all three of the Lions’ Test matches against South Africa last year.

His return, after two seasons with Worcester Warriors, is a major boost to the capital club and Van der Merwe will now compete for a place in a talented back-three group.

Head Coach Mike Blair was pleased to secure the signing of the star winger, which stands as a statement of intent for the club’s style and ambition for the seasons ahead, while sending his sympathies to all those impacted at Worcester.

He said: “I’d first like to send my thoughts to all those impacted at Worcester and to all players, staff and supporters affected by today’s sad news.

“Duhan is a phenomenal athlete and rugby player who’s showcased his abilities at the highest level. He developed significantly in his three years here and we’re looking forward to continuing that together. He’s very much one of our own and we’re really pleased he’s coming home.

“It’s an exciting development for the entertaining, attacking brand of rugby we’re building at the club and something I’m sure supporters will be thrilled about too.”

Reflecting on the depth and competition for places in the back-three, Blair added: “We were already pretty strong in that area [back-three], but Duhan becoming available as part of the goings on at Worcester was hard for Scottish Rugby and Edinburgh Rugby to ignore.

“We’re really pleased to see Duhan back in Edinburgh colours and for supporters to watch him competing for a spot on the wing week in, week out at DAM Health Stadium is very exciting indeed.”

Duhan van der Merwe, said: “I’d like to thank the Worcester fans and staff for all their support during this difficult period, it’s something I’ll never forget.

“Edinburgh is home and it’s a club I have a special connection with. Many of the players and staff are like family to me and I’m hugely excited to return and get started once again.

“I’ve kept tabs on the club and it’s clearly in a really positive place. It’ll be special to make my ‘second debut’ for the team – running out at the new stadium in front of the Edinburgh supporters will be an amazing feeling. I can’t wait to get started.”

Content & Images from - Edinburgh Rugby

This Friday Connacht take on Munster in the BKT United Rugby Championship. A first home game of the season and on the new artificial surface at The Sportsground, (k/o 7.35pm).

Last Friday in Pretoria Connacht lost to the Vodacom Bulls which was their third defeat in-a-row, all coming away from home. For Andy Friend and his coaching team Friday’s Interprovincial-derby is one where a win is needed to kick start their season.

“We’re positive coming into this game on Friday but we’re not fools either because we are very aware we haven’t performed anywhere near our best” said Friend

“There’s been three losses against three good teams which is tough but our performances haven’t been where we need them to be”

“We’ve all put our hands up saying we need to be better”

“I see the energy and desire from the boys to get better, so while there is a disappointment in how we’ve started there’s real energy there to write the wrongs”

Munster come to Galway on Friday for what will be a massive Interprovincial-derby one which Andy and the squad are excited about.

“You can’t ask for a bigger game, our first game at home on a brand new pitch in front of family and friends”

“You have two teams at the moment that are searching for form”

“We need to be accurate on Friday and show real fight”

“It will be very emotional no doubt like derby’s are but I think the team that comes out on top will be be the ones who front up and make least mistakes”

One of the big frustrations for Connacht in the opening rounds of the new season has been the stop start nature in which the games have took, 36 penalties in total between Connacht and the Bulls last Friday is not something anyone wants to see. Andy gave is thoughts on the issue in the game.

“I think it is an issue because we are seeing games going on for two hours more and more regularly now”

“Fans don’t come to watch games for these large pauses”

“Players and coaches don’t want these long breaks either and it disrupts the flow of the game so much”

“There’s a few things to tidy up but lets hope this weekend will be the start of faster games and quicker decisions”

The world of rugby will have one eye down under for upcoming games in Queensland which will see new rules trialled out. The changes aim to increase the amount of ball-in-play time.

There will be limits on using the ball in the ruck, setting up for scrums, penalties, conversions and restarts to name a few. It’s an idea Andy likes and is interested to see how it works.

“I go back to my time with the 7s where there was a shot clock which was introduced there”

“If you didn’t kick the goal within a minute you didn’t kick the goal and the same with restarting”

“When players knew the clock was on these things were being done and no issues made”

“Anything that gives more ball-in-play time is a good thing for the game”

Coming into Friday’s game the new pitch at The Sportsground is the big talking point. The redevelopment of the ground is still only in the early stages but the new artificial surface is ready for Friday which Andy can’t wait for.

“We want to be a team that plays fast and this surface allows us to do that”

“Its a massive investment by Connacht Rugby and a brilliant one”

“Lets hope Friday night is the first of many good wins on it”

The Connacht squad for Friday will be announced at 12midday tomorrow.

Images & Content from - Connacht Rugby