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Zebre Rugby vs Cell C Sharks Match Preview

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Although the Vodacom United Rugby Championship kicked off last weekend, the Cell C Sharks will be in action for the first time in this year’s competition this evening when they’re hosted by Zebre in Italy,

Cell C Sharks head coach Sean Everitt explained his rationale behind the team selection, admitting that he was rewarding those in form while the squad misses a number of players unavailable for play.

“The make-up of our team is based on performance in our pre-season matches,” he admitted from Italy. “We have a long list of injuries, but we believe that this team has prepared and trained well in the off-season and can do the job while we’re here in Europe.”

While there is an element of youth about this Cell C Sharks team, Everitt explained that there is also a liberal helping of experience too.

“A guy like Rohan Janse van Rensburg has been a revelation for us, we’re very fortunate to have him in the 12 jersey as he brings a lot of experience to the group. We’re fortunate to have two very experienced centres to guide a young Boeta Chamberlain through this competition.

“We never would have expected to lose two of our flyhalves in the pre-season, but we’re fortunate to have a youngster like Boeta to step up to the plate. Last year this time he really grabbed the opportunity with both hands and performed admirably on our European tour and he gets the opportunity now after performing well in the pre-season friendlies, both at flyhalf and fullback.”

Someone who will be itching to show off his skills is fullback Aphelele Fassi who starts in the number 15 jersey. His coach can’t wait to see him in action.

“Aphelele has been on top of his game, he was outstanding in the two warm-up matches and has moved forward, knowing what he needs to do and what he needs to work on.”

Looking at Zebre who finished bottom of the pile last year, Everitt admitted that they’re a different prospect this season.

“They have a new coaching staff and they showed against Leinster last week that they’re an attack-minded team. They’re playing an exciting brand of rugby and they certainly performed well in that game.

“We’re wary of the challenge they bring, but at the same time, as the first game of the tournament, we are concentrated on ourselves.”

Captain Thomas du Toit, looking at the Zebre team upfront, gave similar warnings of the challenge his team faces.

“They matched the Leinster scrum, they play well off their lineout and maul well, so they’ve definitely beefed up their pack and we are aware of that. But we’re excited to put ourselves up for the challenge. They are a bit of a new team and with that comes some unpredictability, but we’re well-prepared.”

Talking second edition URC and the changes this time round, particularly no inconvenient Covid bubbles and the like, du Toit admitted that the team is in a much better place than this time last year.

“We’ve settled in much quicker this time, everything was new and a lot of players had never experienced anything like it before, but we’re ready to take the challenge head-on this second season.”

On the same subject, Coach Everitt explained that, “Having more of an experienced team on this trip is certainly going to benefit us. Having players with leadership qualities, guiding and developing the youngsters, is vitally important.”

He added that the first season review gave them food for thought for the next edition.

“We identified a few things we needed to work on. The challenges we faced were going into the unknown, but this time we’re more aware of what to expect.

“We’re up against teams that have their full international complement to select from, so we’re under no false illusions as to what is expected of us. That experience last year was good for us.”

Content & Images from – Cell C Sharks Rugby


URC

Ulster ready for interpro derby against Connacht in Belfast

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Ulster ready for interpro derby against Connacht in Belfast

41 minutes ago

Fixture News

Ulster Head Coach, Richie Murphy, has named his Ulster side to take on Connacht on Saturday night in Round 4 of the BKT United Rugby Championship (kick-off 8pm).

Iain Henderson captains the side and is joined in the second row by Kieran Treadwell.

Prop, Andrew Warwick, and lock, Alan O’Connor, are in line for their 200th Ulster caps this weekend.

Limited tickets are still available for Saturday’s big game via the link below.

Warwick starts at loosehead prop, joined by experienced hooker, John Andrew, and Irish international prop, Tom O’Toole, at tighthead prop.

In the back row, David McCann, starts as the openside flanker, with Sean Reffell starting on the blindside.

Nick Timoney starts at eight and marks a milestone of his own, making his 150th cap for Ulster.

The half-back partnership this weekend sees John Cooney start alongside Aidan Morgan, who has two tries in his opening three matches for Ulster.

After scoring a superb individual try against the Bulls last weekend, Jacob Stockdale, starts on the left wing, with Werner Kok making his first start at Kingspan Stadium on the right wing.

Jude Postlethwaite returns to the team, following an impressive Emerging Ireland tour, that saw the Lisburn man score a try against Western Force last weekend, before being released to play for the province.

He starts at inside centre and is joined by Stewart Moore, who scored a great try last weekend against the Bulls.

Ethan McIlroy starts at full-back, completing the back-field.

Murphy opts for a 5:3 split on the bench, with James McCormick, Callum Reid, Corrie Barrett, Alan O’Connor and Marcus Rea providing the forward replacement options.

Nathan Doak, Ben Carson and Mike Lowry provide the back options from the bench.

Ulster Rugby v Connacht Rugby, Saturday 12 October, 8pm, Kingspan Stadium (Live on BBC Two, BBC iPlayer, BBC Sounds, Premier Sports and TG4):

(1-8) Andrew Warwick, John Andrew, Tom O’Toole, Iain Henderson (C), Kieran Treadwell, David McCann, Sean Reffell, Nick Timoney;

(15-9) Ethan McIlroy, Werner Kok, Stewart Moore, Jude Postlethwaite, Jacob Stockdale, Aidan Morgan, John Cooney.

Replacements: James McCormick, Callum Reid, Corrie Barrett, Alan O’Connor, Marcus Rea, Nathan Doak, Ben Carson, Mike Lowry.

The Opposition:

Images & Content – Ulster Rugby


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URC

Squad Update | Munster Prepare For Leinster At Croke Park

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The Munster squad started preparations on Monday ahead of Saturday’s URC round four clash against Leinster at Croke Park (5.45pm).

In player news, Seán O’Brien returns from the Emerging Ireland tour to South Africa ahead of Saturday’s game.

Following Munster’s win over Ospreys on Saturday, Oli Jager (neck) and Peter O’Mahony (hamstring) are both going for scans and are unavailable this weekend.

Mike Haley has a leg contusion and his availability will be determined later in the week.

There is good news for Tom Ahern (ankle) and Alex Nankivell (shoulder) as they are both returning to training this week. Their respective availability for Croke Park will be determined later in the week.

Ruadhán Quinn is following the return to play protocols and his availability will be determined later in the week.

Billy Burns is increasing his training exposure this week and the out-half’s availability will be determined later in the week.

Shane Daly is unlikely to be available this week as he continues to recover from an elbow injury.

Thaakir Abrahams sustained a low-grade thigh injury against Zebre and is unavailable this week.

Long-term absentees Rory Scannell (ankle) and Paddy Patterson (knee) are making good progress and will increase their training exposure this week.

Patrick Campbell will have surgery on a shoulder injury he sustained in AIL action last month.

Josh Wycherley will visit a specialist this week for a neck injury.

Continuing to rehab: Liam Coombes (leg), Diarmuid Kilgallen (leg), Brian Gleeson (shoulder), Cian Hurley (knee),  Edwin Edogbo (achilles), Roman Salanoa (knee).

Tickets

Saturday, November 2

Munster v All Blacks XV, Thomond Park, 5.30pm; SOLD OUT

URC Round 7: Saturday, November 30

Munster v Emirates Lions, Thomond Park, 7.35pm; Buy tickets here

Champions Cup Round 1: Saturday, December 7

Munster v Stade Francais, Thomond Park, 5:30pm; Buy tickets here

Champions Cup Round 3: Saturday, January 11

Munster v Saracens, Thomond Park, 5.30pm; Buy tickets here

URC Round 9: Friday, December 27

Munster v Leinster, Thomond Park, 7.35pm; Buy tickets here

URC Round 11: Saturday, February 15

Munster v Scarlets, Thomond Park, 5.15pm; Buy tickets here

URC Round 12: Friday, February 28

Munster v Edinburgh, Virgin Media Park, 7.35pm; Buy tickets here

URC Round 15: Saturday, April 19

Munster v Bulls, Thomond Park, 5.15pm; Buy tickets here

URC Round 17: Friday, May 9

Munster v Ulster, Thomond Park, 7.35pm; Buy tickets here

URC Round 18: Friday, May 16

Munster v Benetton, Virgin Media Park, 8pm; Buy tickets here

Images & Content from Munster Rugby


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Ulster ready to take on Vodacom Bulls in Pretoria

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Ulster ready to take on Vodacom Bulls in Pretoria

10 minutes ago

News

Ulster Head Coach, Richie Murphy, has named his Ulster side to take on Vodacom Bulls at Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Round 3 of the BKT United Rugby Championship.

The starting XV features three players who make their first competitive starts in an Ulster jersey.

Hooker, James McCormick, and centre, Ben Carson, are given the nod for their first starts, with academy lock, Charlie Irvine, in line for his Ulster debut, starting in the second row alongside captain, Iain Henderson.

Joining McCormick in the front row is loosehead prop, Andrew Warwick, and tighthead prop, Corrie Barrett, who scored his first try in an Ulster shirt last weekend against Emirates Lions.

The back row features Development talent, James McNabney, at blindside flanker, with Sean Reffell starting on the openside and David McCann coming in at eight.

The half-back partnership sees Nathan Doak start at scrum-half alongside fly-half, Aidan Morgan, who last weekend made it two tries in his opening two appearances for the province.

Jacob Stockdale starts on the left wing, with Werner Kok starting on the right wing. Kok also scored his first try for the province in last weekend’s match in Johannesburg.

Outside Centre, Stewart Moore, joins Ben Carson at twelve, to form the midfield partnership.

Mike Lowry completes the starting XV at full-back.

Murphy opts for a 5:3 split for the reinforcements on the bench.

Two replacements, hooker Tadgh McElroy and development fly-half, James Humphreys, are also in line to make their debuts for Ulster’s senior side.

Eric O’Sullivan, Tom O’Toole, Alan O’Connor and Nick Timoney form the forward options from the bench, with Dave Shanahan and Ben Moxham providing the back options.

Vodacom Bulls v Ulster Rugby, Saturday 5th October, 3pm, Round 3, BKT United Rugby Championship, Loftus Versfeld Stadium (Live on Premier Sports)

(1-8) Andrew Warwick, James McCormick, Corrie Barrett, Iain Henderson (C), Charlie Irvine, James McNabney, Sean Reffell, David McCann

(15-9) Mike Lowry, Werner Kok, Stewart Moore, Ben Carson, Jacob Stockdale, Aidan Morgan, Nathan Doak;

Replacements: Tadgh McElroy, Eric O’Sullivan, Tom O’Toole, Alan O’Connor, Nick Timoney, Dave Shanahan, James Humphreys, Ben Moxham.

Images & Content – Ulster Rugby


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