Official United Rugby Championship thread

[OomStruisbaai]

Time for the derbies to follow.
R8 – Friday, December 22

Glasgow Warriors v Edinburgh | 19.35 IRE & UK / 20.35 ITA / 21.35 SA | Viaplay, SuperSport, Premier Sports

Ulster v Connacht | 19.35 IRE & UK / 20.35 ITA / 21.35 SA | BBC NI, TG4, Viaplay, SuperSport, Premier Sports



Saturday, December 23

Zebre Parma v Benetton | 13.00 IRE & UK / 14.00 ITA / 15.00 SA | ITA, Viaplay, SuperSport, Premier Sports

DHL Stormers v Vodacom Bulls | 17.00 IRE & UK / 18.00 ITA / 19.00 SA | SuperSport, Viaplay, Premier Sports



Tuesday, December 26

Cardiff Rugby v Dragons RFC | 15.00 IRE & UK / 16.00 ITA / 17.00 SA | BBC Wales, Viaplay, SuperSport, Premier Sports

Scarlets v Ospreys | 17.15 IRE & UK / 18.15 ITA / 19.15 SA | S4C, Viaplay, SuperSport, Premier Sports

Munster v Leinster | 19.35 IRE & UK / 20.35 ITA / 21.35 SA | RTÉ, Viaplay, SuperSport, Premier Sports



Saturday, January 6

Cell C Sharks v Emirates Lions | 15.00 IRE & UK / 16.00 ITA / 17.00 SA | SuperSport, Viaplay, Premier Sports



R9 – Saturday, December 30

Benetton v Zebre Parma | 13.30 IRE & UK / 14.30 ITA / 15.30 SA | ITA, Viaplay, SuperSport, Premier Sports

Edinburgh v Glasgow Warriors | 15.00 IRE & UK / 16.00 ITA / 17.00 SA | Viaplay, SuperSport, Premier Sports

DHL Stormers v Cell C Sharks | 17.00 IRE & UK / 18.00 ITA / 19.00 SA | SuperSport, Viaplay, Premier Sports



Monday, January 1

Ospreys v Cardiff Rugby | 15.00 IRE & UK / 16.00 ITA / 17.00 SA | BBC Wales, Viaplay, SuperSport, Premier Sports

Dragons RFC v Scarlets | 17.15 IRE & UK / 18.15 ITA / 19.15 SA | S4C, Viaplay SuperSport, Premier Sports

Leinster v Ulster | 17.15 IRE & UK / 18.15 ITA / 19.15 SA | RTÉ, Viaplay, SuperSport, Premier Sports

Connacht v Munster | TBC | TG4, Viaplay, SuperSport, Premier Sports

[OomStruisbaai]

The top ten attendances this season:
1. 49,246 (Leinster v Munster, Round Six)
2. 24,515 (Bulls v Sharks, Round Seven)
3. 15,664 (Leinster v Scarlets, Round Five)
4. 15,045 (Munster v DHL Stormers, Round Five)
5. 14,960 (Ulster v Munster, Round Four)
6. 14,434 (Leinster v Edinburgh Rugby, Round Three)
7. 12,659 (Sharks v Dragons, Round Six)
8. 12,403 (Ulster v Edinburgh Rugby, Round Seven)
9. 11,471 (Ulster v Emirates Lions, Round Five)
10. 11,239 (Munster v Sharks, Round One)

[Simian]

Why was Leinster Scarlets so well attended?

[Tichtheid]

Why was Leinster Scarlets so well attended?

My guess is that it's just a winning team getting bums on seats, maybe there was a good contingent travelling who fancied a weekend in Dublin, too? There is only one Leinster home game that isn't in that top ten, round 2 v Sharks - not a lot of internationals back, just start of the season.
This is all guessing on my part.

[Simian]

Why was Leinster Scarlets so well attended?

My guess is that it's just a winning team getting bums on seats, maybe there was a good contingent travelling who fancied a weekend in Dublin, too? There is only one Leinster home game that isn't in that top ten, round 2 v Sharks - not a lot of internationals back, just start of the season.
This is all guessing on my part.

Ah yeah. That must be it. Ta.

[OomStruisbaai]

The attendances will pick up this weekend with the Derbies. Stormers vs Bulls always draw big crowds.

[Chilli2]

The attendances will pick up this weekend with the Derbies. Stormers vs Bulls always draw big crowds.

The Stormers should smash the Bulls.

The stadium will be full of Stormers supporters.
The bone heads from Pretoria go to Margate, Scottburgh and the likes. Not Slaapstad

[OomStruisbaai]

The attendances will pick up this weekend with the Derbies. Stormers vs Bulls always draw big crowds.

The Stormers should smash the Bulls.

The stadium will be full of Stormers supporters.
The bone heads from Pretoria go to Margate, Scottburgh and the likes. Not Slaapstad

32,000 tickets already sold

[Chilli2]

The attendances will pick up this weekend with the Derbies. Stormers vs Bulls always draw big crowds.

The Stormers should smash the Bulls.

The stadium will be full of Stormers supporters.
The bone heads from Pretoria go to Margate, Scottburgh and the likes. Not Slaapstad

32,000 tickets already sold

No doubt.

The stadium will be full of Stormers and Crusaders supporters.

[OomStruisbaai]

At least 40% Boland Crusader supporting the Bulls. They are mostly from Paarl and Boland angry because WP poach their talent. Boland belong to the Bulls, they have the poaching agreement. Wille, Moodie, KLA, Gans, Zakkie, Hanekom, Wilco Louw is from this area. That's all their star players. Their poaching from the Pumas Devon Williams and Sebastiaan de Klerk can be add to that list. Papier has been poachbfrom Hopefield. Fuck I just can support them aswell.

[assfly]

Great scheduling by the URC. Three weeks in between $harks losses. Nice to catch a break.

[OomStruisbaai]

The Stormers and Griquas just signed a deal to interchange players between WP and Griquas. This is the way forward since the CC scheduling changed to July-Sep timeslot. This will make the CC a much better quality product with all the franchises players except Springboks available for the CC. Springboks will be playing TRC during that time. Fuck know when our players will take a break from rugby.

[Chilli2]

Great scheduling by the URC. Three weeks in between $harks losses. Nice to catch a break.

[Chilli2]

The Stormers and Griquas just signed a deal to interchange players between WP and Griquas. This is the way forward since the CC scheduling changed to July-Sep timeslot. This will make the CC a much better quality product with all the franchises players except Springboks available for the CC. Springboks will be playing TRC during that time. Fuck know when our players will take a break from rugby.

Yet you want to add more SA teams

[OomStruisbaai]

The Stormers and Griquas just signed a deal to interchange players between WP and Griquas. This is the way forward since the CC scheduling changed to July-Sep timeslot. This will make the CC a much better quality product with all the franchises players except Springboks available for the CC. Springboks will be playing TRC during that time. Fuck know when our players will take a break from rugby.

Yet you want to add more SA teams

to the URC. Cheetahs should play URC. They proved it.

[LoveOfTheGame]

The Stormers and Griquas just signed a deal to interchange players between WP and Griquas. This is the way forward since the CC scheduling changed to July-Sep timeslot. This will make the CC a much better quality product with all the franchises players except Springboks available for the CC. Springboks will be playing TRC during that time. Fuck know when our players will take a break from rugby.

Yet you want to add more SA teams

to the URC. Cheetahs should play URC. They proved it.

Yeah, drop the Sharks. They're CC level now....

[OomStruisbaai]

Glasgow Warriors v Edinburgh
(Scotstoun Stadium, Glasgow – Kick-off: 19.35; 19.35 GMT)


Teams:

Glasgow Warriors: 15 Josh McKay, 14 Huw Jones, 13 Sione Tuipulotu (Captain), 12 Stafford McDowall, 11 Kyle Rowe, 10 Ross Thompson, 9 George Horne, 8 Sione Vailanu, 7 Rory Darge, 6 Ally Miller, 5 Richie Gray, 4 Scott Cummings, 3 Zander Fagerson, 2 George Turner, 1 Jamie Bhatti
Replacements: 16 Johnny Matthews, 17 Nathan McBeth, 18 Oli Kebble, 19 Greg Peterson, 20 Max Williamson, 21 Henco Venter, 22 Ben Afshar, 23 Tom Jordan

Edinburgh: 15 Wes Goosen, 14 Darcy Graham, 13 Matt Currie, 12 James Lang, 11 Duhan van der Merwe, 10 Ben Healy, 9 Ali Price, 8 Viliame Mata, 7 Hamish Watson, 6 Jamie Ritchie, 5 Grant Gilchrist (Captain), 4 Glen Young, 3 WP Nel, 2 Ewan Ashman, 1 Pierre Schoeman
Replacements: 16 Dave Cherry, 17 Boan Venter, 18 D’Arcy Rae, 19 Marshall Sykes, 20 Luke Crosbie, 21 Ben Vellacott, 22 Mark Bennett, 23 Emiliano Boffelli

Referee: Sam Grove-White (Scotland)
Assistant referees: Hollie Davidson (Scotland), Ru Campbell (Scotland)
TMO: David Sutherland (Scotland)

Ulster v Connacht
(Ravenhill Stadium, Belfast – Kick-off: 19.35; 19.35 GMT)

Teams

Ulster: 15 Mike Lowry, 14 Rob Baloucoune, 13 James Hume, 12 Stuart McCloskey, 11 Jacob Stockdale, 10 Jake Flannery, 9 John Cooney, 8 Nick Timoney, 7 Sean Reffell, 6 Matty Rea, 5 Iain Henderson (Captain), 4 Kieran Treadwell, 3 Marty Moore, 2 Tom Stewart, 1 Andy Warwick
Replacements: 16 John Andrew, 17 Steven Kitshoff, 18 Tom O’Toole, 19 Al O’Connor, 20 Dave Ewers, 21 Nathan Doak, 22 Jude Postlethwaite, 23 Will Addison

Connacht: 15 Mack Hansen, 14 Shayne Bolton, 13 Tom Farrell, 12 Bundee Aki, 11 Byron Ralston, 10 Jack Carty (Captain), 9 Caolin Blade, 8 Sean O’Brien, 7 Shamus Hurley-Langton, 6 Cian Prendergast, 5 Joe Joyce, 4 Darragh Murray, 3 Finlay Bealham, 2 Tadgh McElroy, 1 Denis Buckle
Replacements: 16 Dave Heffernan, 17 Peter Dooley, 18 Jack Aungier, 19 Gavin Thornbury, 20 Conor Oliver, 21 Michael McDonald, 22 JJ Hanrahan, 23 Shane Jennings

Referee: Eoghan Cross (Ireland)
Assistant referees: Frank Murphy (Ireland), Joy Neville (Ireland)
TMO: Olly Hodges (Ireland)

[sturginho]

[assfly]

to the URC. Cheetahs should play URC. They proved it.

I agree, I would like to see them in it too. It's crazy to think they are such an important part of the South African landscape but they've been left out in the cold like this. I just don't know how it would look, unless they replace one of the Welsh teams in the event the combine two teams or one folds completely.

I also don't know what their finances are like at the moment, can they afford to join?

There must also be questions over their player depth. Yes, they beat the $harks, but do they have the squad depth and quality to go a full season of the URC?

[assfly]

Yeah, drop the Sharks. They're CC level now....

I know you're comment is tongue in cheek, but the amount of people suggesting this online is ludicrous.

We finished fifth in the first URC, and 8th in the second season (out of 16 teams). The Lions finished 12th and 9th in the same seasons and they get a free pass for that?

[LoveOfTheGame]

Yeah, drop the Sharks. They're CC level now....

I know you're comment is tongue in cheek, but the amount of people suggesting this online is ludicrous.

We finished fifth in the first URC, and 8th in the second season (out of 16 teams). The Lions finished 12th and 9th in the same seasons and they get a free pass for that?

My tongue was firmly against my cheek there AF. I mean you and I both know what I should have said is that they should be playing the varsity club comp, can you imagine what the likes of the Pumas and Griquas would do the Sharks in CC?

[assfly]

can you imagine what the likes of the Pumas and Griquas would do the Sharks in CC?

Don't. Just don't.

[OomStruisbaai]

to the URC. Cheetahs should play URC. They proved it.

I agree, I would like to see them in it too. It's crazy to think they are such an important part of the South African landscape but they've been left out in the cold like this. I just don't know how it would look, unless they replace one of the Welsh teams in the event the combine two teams or one folds completely.

I also don't know what their finances are like at the moment, can they afford to join?

There must also be questions over their player depth. Yes, they beat the $harks, but do they have the squad depth and quality to go a full season of the URC?

I dont think you fully understand the Cheetahs situation. Surely they will get a bigger budget from SARU if they join the URC. If they can beat a full strength Sharks team and they are able to do the same to any other SA URC team in Bloemfontein. Their coach Hawies Fourie came from Maties to the Cheetahs and brought a lot of that youngsters and coaches with him. I also know that they are busy driving a process to try and keep the Grey College stream of talent at the Cheetahs. We all know what that will mean to one of our founder province

[assfly]

I dont think you fully understand the Cheetahs situation. Surely they will get a bigger budget from SARU if they join the URC. If they can beat a full strength Sharks team and they are able to do the same to any other SA URC team in Bloemfontein. Their coach Hawies Fourie came from Maties to the Cheetahs and brought a lot of that youngsters and coaches with him. I also know that they are busy driving a process to try and keep the Grey College stream of talent at the Cheetahs. We all know what that will mean to one of our founder province

Beating a full-strength (or "Bok-laden as our journalists continue to remind us) $harks team isn't a great yardstick to measure them against. They've played hardly any rugby this season, and the $harks had a 7 games behind them, including a tour and a world cup for some.

I wonder if they'd consider playing some of their games away from their stadium. I'd love to see them play at a local club or even Grey College grounds.

I want to see them do well, but let's see the rest of their Challenge Cup results before we get too excited.

[OomStruisbaai]

I dont think you fully understand the Cheetahs situation. Surely they will get a bigger budget from SARU if they join the URC. If they can beat a full strength Sharks team and they are able to do the same to any other SA URC team in Bloemfontein. Their coach Hawies Fourie came from Maties to the Cheetahs and brought a lot of that youngsters and coaches with him. I also know that they are busy driving a process to try and keep the Grey College stream of talent at the Cheetahs. We all know what that will mean to one of our founder province

Beating a full-strength (or "Bok-laden as our journalists continue to remind us) $harks team isn't a great yardstick to measure them against. They've played hardly any rugby this season, and the $harks had a 7 games behind them, including a tour and a world cup for some.

I wonder if they'd consider playing some of their games away from their stadium. I'd love to see them play at a local club or even Grey College grounds.

I want to see them do well, but let's see the rest of their Challenge Cup results before we get too excited.

They have beat Zebre at home in the 1st round. The challenge for the Cheetahs/Griquas/Pumas is much bigger now after they change the CC dates. The URC franchises poach their best players except if they can get a deal like Griquas have with the Stormers. Look like the best way forward for them.

Edit: The Cheetahs have the same deal with Ospreys. Now that is just so wrong.

[LoveOfTheGame]

can you imagine what the likes of the Pumas and Griquas would do the Sharks in CC?

Don't. Just don't.

They'll come right, way too much talent not too! I see Bongi's busy with his rehab, you are missing him big time.

[OomStruisbaai]

can you imagine what the likes of the Pumas and Griquas would do the Sharks in CC?

Don't. Just don't.

They'll come right, way too much talent not too! I see Bongi's busy with his rehab, you are missing him big time.

You must stop this negative postings about the Sharks. Jy is soos n vas gehaakte plant. Oor en oor dieselfde kak.

[OomStruisbaai]

DHL Stormers: 15 Damian Willemse, 14 Suleiman Hartzenberg, 13 Ruhan Nel, 12 Jean-Luc du Plessis, 11 Leolin Zas, 10 Manie Libbok, 9 Paul de Wet, 8 Hacjivah Dayimani, 7 Ben-Jason Dixon, 6 Deon Fourie (captain), 5 Ruben van Heerden, 4 Adre Smith, 3 Neethling Fouche, 2 Joseph Dweba, 1 Sti Sithole.
Replacements: 16 Andre-Hugo Venter, 17 Ali Vermaak, 18 Brok Harris, 19 Connor Evans, 20 Willie Engelbrecht, 21 Keke Morabe, 22 Stefan Ungerer, 23 Clayton Blommetjies.

Date: Saturday, December 23:
Venue: Cape Town Stadium, Cape Town
Kick-off: 19.00 (17.00 GMT)
Referee: Marius van der Westhuizen (South Africa)
Assistant referees: Aimee Barrett-Theron (South Africa), Griffin Colby (South Africa)
TMO: Marius Jonker (South Africa)


Bulls by 50


Out with injuries
Warrick Gelant, Evan Roos, Salmaan Moerat, Dan du Plessis, Frans Malherbe, Lizo Gqoboka, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, Ben Loader, and Angelo Davids.

[Chilli2]

DHL Stormers: 15 Damian Willemse, 14 Suleiman Hartzenberg, 13 Ruhan Nel, 12 Jean-Luc du Plessis, 11 Leolin Zas, 10 Manie Libbok, 9 Paul de Wet, 8 Hacjivah Dayimani, 7 Ben-Jason Dixon, 6 Deon Fourie (captain), 5 Ruben van Heerden, 4 Adre Smith, 3 Neethling Fouche, 2 Joseph Dweba, 1 Sti Sithole.
Replacements: 16 Andre-Hugo Venter, 17 Ali Vermaak, 18 Brok Harris, 19 Connor Evans, 20 Willie Engelbrecht, 21 Keke Morabe, 22 Stefan Ungerer, 23 Clayton Blommetjies.

Date: Saturday, December 23:
Venue: Cape Town Stadium, Cape Town
Kick-off: 19.00 (17.00 GMT)
Referee: Marius van der Westhuizen (South Africa)
Assistant referees: Aimee Barrett-Theron (South Africa), Griffin Colby (South Africa)
TMO: Marius Jonker (South Africa)


Bulls by 50


Out with injuries
Warrick Gelant, Evan Roos, Salmaan Moerat, Dan du Plessis, Frans Malherbe, Lizo Gqoboka, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, Ben Loader, and Angelo Davids.

Steady forwards
Very exciting backline

Playing at home in front of 40 000 fans.

The Bulls haven't beaten them in years.

Stormers by 12

[LoveOfTheGame]

Don't. Just don't.

They'll come right, way too much talent not too! I see Bongi's busy with his rehab, you are missing him big time.

You must stop this negative postings about the Sharks. Jy is soos n vas gehaakte plant. Oor en oor dieselfde kak.

Don't you start with me little oompie, ek is reg vir jou! Hoe voel jy oor môre se game? Prediction?

Edit: See you posted above, Surely the fact that Galant isn't playing must be at least +7 for the Stormers oom?

[Chilli2]

[OomStruisbaai]

DHL Stormers: 15 Damian Willemse, 14 Suleiman Hartzenberg, 13 Ruhan Nel, 12 Jean-Luc du Plessis, 11 Leolin Zas, 10 Manie Libbok, 9 Paul de Wet, 8 Hacjivah Dayimani, 7 Ben-Jason Dixon, 6 Deon Fourie (captain), 5 Ruben van Heerden, 4 Adre Smith, 3 Neethling Fouche, 2 Joseph Dweba, 1 Sti Sithole.
Replacements: 16 Andre-Hugo Venter, 17 Ali Vermaak, 18 Brok Harris, 19 Connor Evans, 20 Willie Engelbrecht, 21 Keke Morabe, 22 Stefan Ungerer, 23 Clayton Blommetjies.

Date: Saturday, December 23:
Venue: Cape Town Stadium, Cape Town
Kick-off: 19.00 (17.00 GMT)
Referee: Marius van der Westhuizen (South Africa)
Assistant referees: Aimee Barrett-Theron (South Africa), Griffin Colby (South Africa)
TMO: Marius Jonker (South Africa)

Bulls — 15 Willie le Roux, 14 Kurt-Lee Arendse, 13 Stedman Gans, 12 David Kriel, 11 Canan Moodie, 10 Johan Goosen, 9 Embrose Papier, 8 Cameron Hanekom, 7 Elrigh Louw (c), 6 Marco van Staden, 5 Reinhardt Ludwig, 4 Janko Swanepoel, 3 Wilco Louw, 2 Akker van der Merwe, 1 Gerhard Steenekamp.
Subs: 16 Jan Hendrik Wessels, 17 Simphiwe Matanzima, 18 Mornay Smith, 19 Deon Slabbert, 20 Mpilo Gumede, 21 Keagan Johannes, 22 Chris Smith, 23 Sebastian de Klerk.

[OomStruisbaai]

They'll come right, way too much talent not too! I see Bongi's busy with his rehab, you are missing him big time.

You must stop this negative postings about the Sharks. Jy is soos n vas gehaakte plant. Oor en oor dieselfde kak.

Don't you start with me little oompie, ek is reg vir jou! Hoe voel jy oor môre se game? Prediction?

Edit: See you posted above, Surely the fact that Galant isn't playing must be at least +7 for the Stormers oom?

Bulls better bench plus Blommetjies will fuck it up again.

[boere wors]

Bulls — 15 Willie le Roux, 14 Kurt-Lee Arendse, 13 Stedman Gans, 12 David Kriel, 11 Canan Moodie, 10 Johan Goosen, 9 Embrose Papier, 8 Cameron Hanekom, 7 Elrigh Louw (c), 6 Marco van Staden, 5 Reinhardt Ludwig, 4 Janko Swanepoel, 3 Wilco Louw, 2 Akker van der Merwe, 1 Gerhard Steenekamp.
Subs: 16 Jan Hendrik Wessels, 17 Simphiwe Matanzima, 18 Mornay Smith, 19 Deon Slabbert, 20 Mpilo Gumede, 21 Keagan Johannes, 22 Chris Smith, 23 Sebastian de Klerk.

Thats a really good team. Front row, Loose forward trio and back three is lekker

[Chilli2]

It's going to be close, but the Bulls will win.

Fvck the Stormers.

[OomStruisbaai]

It's going to be close, but the Bulls will win.

The Bulls will cut loose. Easy win for them.

[Sandstorm]

It's going to be close, but the Bulls will win.

Fvck the Stormers.

I like Chilli1 better

[Sards]

The match officials...

[Sards]

The match officials...

Oh my word...a real homie performance

[OomStruisbaai]

The match officials...

Oh my word...a real homie performance

You are so fucking stupid. Bonkers try his best to fuck it up for the Stormers.

Red card ignore, try disallowed.

Excellent crowd in.