URC
Young urges Cardiff to fire more attacking shots against Dragons

Dai Young has urged his Cardiff side to fire more attacking shots as they prepare to welcome Dragons RFC to the capital for a fiery BKT United Rugby Championship Welsh derby on Saturday (KO 5.15pm).
With a total of 215 tackles completed, the Blue and Blacks showed plenty of defensive tenacity to claim an away win over Scarlets last week, as they resisted a late comeback effort from the hosts.
Young wants Cardiff to continue to show their fight for the jersey but hopes they will have more opportunities to show what they can do with ball-in-hand.
“We’re a bit battered and bruised, but we’re doing it with a smile on our faces and that’s the important thing,” said the Director of Rugby.
“It was a real tough game but we showed a lot of togetherness, a lot of team spirit and a lot of pride in the jersey, because that’s a game we could’ve easily lost.
“We had our backs against the wall for big parts of the game so it was a performance to be proud of. The attitude was excellent.
“We didn’t get much opportunity to play a lot of rugby as we didn’t have the ball for big parts of the game, and obviously what you don’t want to do is make more than 200 tackles in a game because that’s unsustainable.
“So as pleased as we were with the performance and the result, going into the Dragons game we want to fire a lot more shots than we actually fired on the weekend and really take the game to them.
“That means that our set piece is going to have to be top draw, the tackle area is always huge against the Dragons and is something they really attack.
“We’re going to have to be really accurate to get into a position where we can play the game that we want to play because certainly what we don’t want to be doing again is making over 200 tackles because the dam will eventually burst.
“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.
“That has to be something that becomes part and parcel of our DNA. We’ve talked about it, and I thought we had it against Munster.
“We got steamrolled against Glasgow and we couldn’t handle their physicality, which meant we were always on the back foot. We couldn’t control the speed of the game and it quickly got away from us.
“Against the Lions, I thought it was a game we should have won. In the first half we should have been comfortable, but once they got their noses in front, they got the momentum and it was very hard for us to turn it around with their physicality.
“So I’m pleased with the performance but we need to back that up on a consistent basis.”
While Cardiff head into Saturday’s encounter with 13 consecutive league wins over their east Wales rivals, only five points have separated the sides across the last four meetings.
Young is braced for another tough encounter against the Dragons and knows his side must be at their best to secure the result.
The former Wales prop added: “We spoke about the Scarlets game being physical, but I think this game will be up there, if not even more physical again.
“One thing you can always say about Dragons is that they roll their sleeves up and chuck themselves into every contact area. In every game we’ve played against them there’s been nothing in it except a couple of points here and there.
“We’ve come on the right side of those victories but we could’ve quite easily lost as well.
“So there’s nothing between us and it’s going to be very much a case of whoever turns up on the day.
“We’re expecting another tight game. Any of the Welsh teams can beat each other on any day. I don’t think there’s much between any of us.
“We got embarrassed against Scarlets last year, they were far too strong for us. Against the Dragons we were probably good for the win at home but away, at the end of the season, it was a game that we could’ve easily lost.
“It was one kick right at the end that was the difference, so there was nothing in that game and I don’t see much being in this game either.
“We want to keep the same spirit in defence, that’s the first thing, but you don’t want to be defending anywhere near as much as we were last week.”
Tickets for Cardiff Rugby versus Dragons RFC are available now. Call 029 20 302030 or click here to purchase yours today.
Cardiff v Dragons will be celebrating the superb work done by the Cardiff Rugby Community Foundation, who use the power and values of sport to INSPIRE, ENGAGE and IMPROVE opportunities for all people within our community. For more information on how to support the Foundation, please click HERE
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
URC
Match Preview: Connacht

Match Officials
Referee: Ben Whitehouse (WRU, 89th competition game) Assistant: Chris Busby, Paul Haycock (both IRFU)
TMO: Sean Brickell (WRU)
Recent meetings
Date | Venue | C | E | Connacht scorers | Edinburgh scorers |
Fri 23 Mar 18 | Sportsground | 22 | 29 | Tiernan O’Halloran(T) Tom Farrell(T) Jack Carty(2C/P) Finlay Bealham(T) | Duncan Weir(T/C/3P) Duhan van der Merwe(T) Jaco van der Walt(P) Dougie Fife(T) |
Fri 14 Sep 18 | BT Murrayfield | 10 | 17 | Jack Carty(C/P) Niyi Adeolokun(T) | Pierre Schoeman(T) Duhan van der Merwe(T) Jaco van der Walt(2C/P) |
Fri 21 Feb 20 | BT Murrayfield | 14 | 41 | Tiernan O’Halloran(2T) Jack Carty(2C) | Pierre Schoeman(T) Duhan van der Merwe(T) Simon Berghan(T) Simon Hickey(3C/2P) Penalty Try(2T) |
Sun 25 Oct 20 | BT Murrayfield | 37 | 26 | Tom Daly(3C/P) Caolin Blade(T) Sammy Arnold(T) Shane Delahunt(T) Conor Fitzgerald(P) Alex Wootton(2T) | Mike Willemse(2T) Jaco van der Walt(3C) Nic Groom(T) Andrew Davidson(T) |
Sat 13 Mar 21 | Sportsground | 14 | 15 | Jack Carty(2C) Shane Delahunt(T) Sean O’Brien(T) | Nathan Chamberlain(T/C/P) Magnus Bradbury(T) |
Fri 4 Mar 22 | DAM Health Stadium | 8 | 56 | Peter Sullivan(T) Jack Carty(P) | Glen Young(T) Ramiro Moyano Joya(T) Dave Cherry(T) Ben Vellacott(T) Emiliano Boffelli(T/8C) Blair Kinghorn(T) Henry Immelman(2T) |
Overall record
Played 35, Connacht won 14, Edinburgh won 19 with 2 matches drawn.
Did you know?
- Connacht Rugby have won their last four BKT United Rugby Championship fixtures since their defeat to Leinster in Dublin on New Year’s Day.
- The Irishmen have not won five in succession in the Championship since they were Champions in 2015/16.
- Connacht have lost their last three matches against Scottish opponents.
- Edinburgh Rugby’s only victory in their last eight BKT United Rugby Championship encounters was 24-17 at home to Zebre Parma in Round 12.
- The Scotsmen have won just twice away from home in the Championship this campaign, both in October, beating Zebre in Parma and Cardiff at the Arms Park.
- Edinburgh have beaten an Irish province just three times since November 2019 and all were against today’s opponents, Connacht.
- Connacht have won only one of their last seven clashes with Edinburgh: 37-26 at BT Murrayfield in October 2020.
- Edinburgh have won on their last two visits to Galway.
URC Form
COMPARISON | Connacht | Edinburgh |
Last 3 URC results: | 28 Jan – Lions (H) W 43-24 | 28 Jan – Sharks (H) L 19-22 |
18 Feb – Zebre (A) W 57-34 | 18 Feb – Scarlets (A) L 14-42 | |
4 Mar – Dragons (A) W 22-20 | 4 Mar – Leinster (H) L 27-47 | |
URC 2022/23 | 8th – W8 D0 L7 – 39pts | 12th – W5 D0 L10 – 32pts |
URC form | LlWWww (20pts) | lLWLlL (9pts) |
Top try scorer | 8 – Caolin Blade | 9 – Darcy Graham |
Top points scorer | 69 – Jack Carty | 60 – Emiliano Boffelli |
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