United Rugby Championship

Giles’ last-gasp try seals Ospreys dramatic victory over Dragons

Published

4 months ago

31st January 2026

Giles’ last-gasp try seals Ospreys dramatic victory over Dragons

BKT United Rugby Championship, Dunraven Brewery Field, Wales 28/9/2024 Ospreys vs DHL Stormers A view of the Ospreys changing room Mandatory Credit ©INPHO/Mike Jones

Keelan Giles scored with just 50 seconds remaining to complete a dramatic late comeback as Ospreys beat Dragons 19-13 in an emotional Welsh derby at the Electric Brewery Field.

On a night when supporters staged a pre-match protest against the Welsh Rugby Union and owners Y11 Sport & Media, Mark Jones’ side proved their fighting spirit extends far beyond the off-field turmoil that has engulfed the region. Trailing 13-7 with eight minutes remaining, Ospreys scored twice in the final six minutes to snatch a victory that lifts them into the top eight of the United Rugby Championship.

It was Giles’ 50th try in the black jersey, a landmark score that could scarcely have come at a more significant moment. With Dragons reduced to 13 men following Cebo Dlamini’s yellow card and the subsequent move to uncontested scrums, the Wales wing burst through on the left to seal a result that had seemed beyond the hosts for much of the contest.

For Dragons, it was heartbreak for a second successive weekend after their late loss at Munster. Filo Tiatia’s side had looked set to record a first away win in the league since 2022, only to be denied by two tries in the final six minutes. The visitors had dominated large swathes of the contest despite losing both starting props inside the opening 12 minutes, but were left to reflect on what might have been.

Key moments

2′ – EARLY INJURY DRAGONS: Disaster strikes the visitors within 90 seconds. Influential South African tighthead Robert Hunt is carried off on a stretcher after injuring his left hamstring when cleared out of a ruck by James Fender and Ross Moriarty. Cebo Dlamini comes on for what will prove to be a fateful 78-minute shift

11′ – SECOND PROP LOST: Dragons’ injury woes deepen as Wales loosehead Wyn Jones is also forced off. Youngster Jordan Morris comes on, meaning the visitors have lost both starting props inside 12 minutes. The crowd takes this moment to light up their phone torches in protest against the Ospreys’ owners, Y11

13′ – SCRUM PENALTY DRAGONS: Despite their depleted front row, Dragons win a scrum penalty. Angus O’Brien kicks to the corner and the subsequent drive is stopped, but the ball goes wide to Rio Dyer who is inches short with his inside dart

18′ – TRY DRAGONS: The visitors’ patience finally pays dividends. After going close through Dyer, Dragons keep the ball through 15 phases of patient attack. David Richards carries hard in midfield before Aneurin Owen’s flat pass opens up space for fly-half Tinus de Beer to snipe through a gap and score. Angus O’Brien converts from wide (Ospreys 0-7 Dragons)

24′ – MORIARTY STRIPPED: The game remains scrappy as Ospreys struggle to build momentum. Ross Moriarty is stripped in the tackle and Dragons look to counter, but Owen’s kick is overcooked. The hosts are finding it difficult to gain any attacking platform

32′ – TRY OSPREYS: The hosts finally respond. James Ratti carries into the guts of the Dragons defence and Seb Davies overfolds, leaving a huge gap between himself and Levi Douglas. Scrum-half Reuben Morgan-Williams – released by Wales for game time – spots the opportunity and snipes through to score under the posts. Jack Walsh converts to level the scores (Ospreys 7-7 Dragons)

37′ – DYER DENIED TWICE: Rio Dyer, overlooked for Wales’ Six Nations squad, is carrying like a man with a point to prove. A searing break down the left sees him racing for the corner, but Keelan Giles produces a superb cover tackle to force him into touch. Moments later, Dyer threatens again but James Ratti denies him with another crucial intervention

Half-time: Ospreys 7-7 Dragons

45′ – MISSED PENALTY DRAGONS: O’Brien has an early shot at goal from near halfway to put the visitors back in front, but his effort drifts left of the target. Dragons have changed tack in the second half, opting for goal rather than the corner

47′ – PENALTY DRAGONS: Another shot at goal for O’Brien, this time from around 35 metres. The full-back makes no mistake, nudging Dragons back into the lead for the first time since the 32nd minute (Ospreys 7-10 Dragons)

58′ – PENALTY DRAGONS: Ryan Smith is penalised – perhaps harshly in the eyes of the home supporters – and O’Brien steps up again. The full-back, who missed out on Wales’ Six Nations selection despite his outstanding form this season, nails his second penalty to extend the Dragons’ advantage to six points (Ospreys 7-13 Dragons)

62′ – OSPREYS DENIED: The hosts finally win a scrum penalty against the head and set up a lineout drive. Morgan-Williams nearly gets through for his second, but the ball is spilled forward as Ospreys come within touching distance of the tryline once more

66′ – STUBBORN DEFENCE: Ospreys build through eight phases, then into double figures as Giles nearly sneaks through. However, there is a knock-on and Dragons survive again. The visitors’ defensive line has been outstanding throughout

69′ – CRUCIAL TURNOVER: A huge turnover from Ryan Woodman gives Dragons breathing room and O’Brien hammers the ball downfield. The visitors desperately needed that moment of relief

73′ – YELLOW CARD DRAGONS: The crucial moment of the match. Dlamini, who has been on the field since the second minute after Hunt’s early injury, catches Harri Houston with a high tackle. Referee Ben Connor shows yellow – a tired tackle from a prop who has been asked to play almost the entire match. Ospreys kick to the corner

74′ – TRY OSPREYS: The hosts take immediate advantage of their numerical superiority. Backs pile into the driving maul and they steer it expertly towards the line. Replacement hooker Lewis Lloyd emerges from the pile of bodies to score in the corner. Jack Walsh’s conversion drifts wide, meaning Dragons still lead by a single point (Ospreys 12-13 Dragons)

76′ – DRAGONS DOWN TO 13: Hooker Oli Burrows fails his HIA and cannot return, forcing Dragons to go to uncontested scrums. Under the laws, they must lose another player and are reduced to 13 men for the closing stages

78′ – FORWARD PASS: Ospreys pushing for a winning score but Walsh forces a pass forward with Moriarty outside him. Time running out for the hosts

79′ – TRY OSPREYS: The moment that will live forever in Ospreys folklore. Walsh breaks into the Dragons’ 22 and there is space out wide. The pass looks loose and Daniel Kasende has to scramble to pick it up, but Ospreys work the ball back through the hands. Max Nagy feeds Giles and the Wales wing does what he does best – bursting through on the left with devastating pace to dive over for his 50th Ospreys try with just 50 seconds remaining. Walsh converts and the comeback is complete (Ospreys 19-13 Dragons)

Full-time: Ospreys 19-13 Dragons

Match report

Long before kick-off, the narrative for this Welsh derby had been written. Hundreds of Ospreys supporters gathered at the mural of legendary Bridgend, Wales and British and Irish Lions full-back JPR Williams to stage a protest against the WRU and owners Y11. “WRU, shame on you” came the cry from fans who fear their region could disappear as a professional side within 18 months.

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Former players Shane Williams and Ian Gough addressed the crowd, reminding supporters of the Ospreys slogan “our blood is black” which originated from an interview Williams gave in 2012, the year the side won the last of its four league titles. Then, as the clock hit 11 minutes during the match, supporters lit up their phone torches to show their displeasure at Y11.

Yet for all the off-field turmoil, Mark Jones’ squad found a way to deliver on the pitch when it mattered most. This was far from a vintage Ospreys performance – they were outplayed for long periods and trailed for 49 of the 80 minutes – but the spirit and character that has defined this group was evident until the final whistle.

Dragons were dealt a cruel hand from the outset. Within 90 seconds, influential South African tighthead Rob Hunt was down in midfield after being caught awkwardly in a ruck as Fender and Moriarty cleared him out. He was carried off on a stretcher, his left hamstring gone, and Dlamini was thrust into the action far earlier than anyone anticipated. Then, with the clock showing just 11 minutes and the game still scoreless, Wales loosehead Wyn Jones joined him on the sidelines. Youngster Jordan Morris came on, and Dragons were left to contest the remaining 69 minutes with a makeshift front row.

Lesser sides would have crumbled. Instead, Tiatia’s men responded with a display of character and composure that deserved more than a losing bonus point. Their scrum – against all expectations – won crucial penalties throughout, and their attacking play in the first half was patient and precise.

The visitors’ opening try was a masterclass in controlled aggression. Dyer had already gone desperately close down the left, inches short with an inside dart after a lineout drive. When Dragons retained possession, they kept the ball alive through 15 phases of patient attack, the forwards making hard yards through the middle. Eventually, the space opened up on the right. Richards carried hard in midfield, drawing defenders towards him, before Owen delivered a flat pass that opened up the channel. De Beer needed no second invitation, the fly-half showing sharp footwork to snipe through the gap and dot down. O’Brien converted from wide to give Dragons a deserved 7-0 lead.

Ospreys were struggling to establish any attacking platform. Moriarty was stripped in the tackle, Walsh’s kicks were finding touch but yielding little territory, and the visitors were winning the penalty count comfortably. The hosts’ redzone defence was relentless – they repelled wave after wave of Dragons pressure – but they could not get their hands on the ball for long enough to threaten.

When the equaliser came on 32 minutes, it owed as much to Dragons indiscipline as Ospreys ingenuity. The pack marched downfield with carry after carry, Ratti taking the ball into the guts of the defence. When the Dragons overfold, Seb Davies left a huge gap between himself and Levi Douglas. Morgan-Williams, released by Wales specifically to get game time before the Six Nations, spotted the opportunity in a flash. The scrum-half darted through the hole and raced under the posts, leaving defenders grasping at thin air. Walsh converted to level the scores at 7-7.

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Dyer should have restored Dragons’ lead before half-time. A searing break down the left wing saw the Wales squad reject racing for the corner, his legs pumping, the try-line beckoning. But Giles had other ideas. The Ospreys wing covered the entire width of the pitch with remarkable speed, arriving at the crucial moment to force Dyer into touch inches from the line. Moments later, Dyer threatened again from another sweeping move, but this time James Ratti produced the covering tackle. The scores remained level at the break.

The second half became an arm-wrestle, with Dragons changing tack and opting to take the points whenever the opportunity arose. O’Brien missed his first attempt from near halfway, the ball drifting left, but made no mistake two minutes later from 35 metres to edge his side back in front at 10-7.

Ospreys probed for openings but found the visitors’ defensive line impenetrable. They won a scrum penalty against the head and set up a driving maul, but Morgan-Williams was denied a second try when the ball was spilled forward. Dragons cleared their lines and immediately won another penalty when Ryan Smith was pinged – harshly in the eyes of the home supporters. O’Brien stepped up again, his second successful kick extending the lead to 13-7.

The pattern continued as the hour mark approached. Ospreys built through eight phases, then into double figures, Giles nearly sneaking through on one occasion. But each time they threatened, a knock-on or a turnover halted their momentum. Ryan Woodman produced a crucial turnover with 11 minutes remaining, and O’Brien’s booming clearance gave Dragons breathing room. The visitors looked home and dry.

Then came the yellow card that changed everything. Dlamini, who had been on the field since the second minute after Hunt’s early departure, caught Harri Houston high. It was a tired tackle from a prop who had been asked to play almost the entire match – 71 minutes at that point – and referee Ben Connor had no choice but to show yellow.

Ospreys kicked to the corner and made the numerical advantage count immediately. The backs piled into the driving maul, adding their weight to the forwards’ shove, and they steered it expertly towards the try-line. Bodies heaved and strained before replacement hooker Lewis Lloyd emerged from the pile to touch down in the corner. Walsh’s conversion drifted wide, and Dragons still led 13-12 with six minutes remaining.

The drama intensified when hooker Oli Burrows failed his HIA and could not return. Under the laws, Dragons were forced to go to uncontested scrums and lose another player, leaving them with just 13 men for the closing stages. Suddenly, Ospreys had a two-man advantage and the momentum had shifted decisively.

Even then, Dragons almost held on. Walsh forced a pass forward with Moriarty outside him as the clock ticked past 78 minutes. The home crowd groaned – surely that was their last chance gone.

But this group refuses to surrender. From the resulting scrum, Ospreys worked the ball through the hands. Walsh broke into the Dragons 22, space opening up on the left. The pass looked loose, Kasende scrambling to pick it up, but the ball was recycled and worked back through Nagy to Giles. What happened next will live forever in Ospreys folklore.

The Wales wing received the ball 15 metres out with two defenders to beat and just 50 seconds on the clock. His acceleration was devastating, his angle perfect. He burst through the gap, the depleted Dragons defence unable to lay a hand on him, and dived over in the corner for his 50th try in the black jersey. Walsh converted from the touchline to seal a 19-13 victory and complete one of the most dramatic comebacks in Ospreys history.

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What they said

Mark Jones (Ospreys head coach): “We felt hard done by last week. Although we had three points, we felt like there was five on offer. I thought the boys put so much effort in – I just didn’t want them to be robbed. Sometimes you don’t always get what you deserve, and I thought we deserved the win tonight.”

Sam Parry (Ospreys co-captain): “It was an emotional week. It would have been easy to have a dip, but we stuck in there. It’s something we spoke about before the game, what it means to wear the jersey. You could see what it means to them, protesting before the game. It means so much to us. We’re proud to represent them and this team.”

Keelan Giles (Ospreys wing, match-winner): “We spoke about it all week, that it was going to be a massive game. The boys dug deep and I’m so glad we got the win. They had some early subs and a yellow card, so we thought if we took them edge to edge, there’d be some tired legs. I’d like to say a massive thanks to the crowd. They’ve been a massive voice tonight.”

Gareth Thomas (Ospreys prop): “It’s been tough for the players, but you won’t get much of a better test of character for us boys. The boys have pulled through. We’ve got such good boys in the room – staff, players, coaches. We just crack on with it.”

Filo Tiatia (Dragons head coach): “We are disappointed. I thought we played really well. We lost a couple of players early in the game with Rob and then Wyn within 11 minutes. Our young guys had to come on and play the distance. The tackle that Cebo made was a tired tackle and then we had the yellow card. We lose Buzz with a head knock, and he failed the HIA, so we had to lose players and be down to 13 with two minutes to play. I can’t fault the effort. I’m proud of the group and we deserved more than what we got.”

Player of the match

Keelan Giles’ match-winning try will dominate the headlines, and deservedly so – his 50th score in the black jersey came at the perfect moment. But his contribution extended far beyond those final seconds. The Wales wing’s cover tackle on Rio Dyer in the first half was outstanding, racing the entire width of the pitch to deny what looked a certain score. When Ospreys needed someone to step up in the dying moments, Giles delivered emphatically.

Special mention also for Dragons captain Angus O’Brien, who was excellent throughout despite ending on the losing side. His six points from the boot kept the visitors ahead for much of the second half, while his organisational skills and clearing kicks repeatedly frustrated Ospreys’ attacking ambitions. He deserved to be on the winning team.

Teams

Ospreys: Iestyn Hopkins; Daniel Kasende, Phil Cokanasiga, Keiran Williams, Keelan Giles; Jack Walsh (co-captain), Reuben Morgan-Williams; Gareth Thomas, Sam Parry (co-captain), Tom Botha; James Fender, Ryan Smith; James Ratti, Ross Moriarty, Morgan Morse
Replacements: Lewis Lloyd, Steffan Thomas, Rhys Henry, Marco de Witt, Gwilym Evans, Cormac Foley, Max Nagy, Harri Houston

Dragons: Angus O’Brien (captain); David Richards, Fine Inisi, Aneurin Owen, Rio Dyer; Tinus de Beer, Che Hope; Wyn Jones, Brodie Coghlan, Robert Hunt; Levi Douglas, Seb Davies; Ryan Woodman, Harry Beddall, Harri Keddie
Replacements: Oli Burrows, Jordan Morris, Cebo Dlamini, Shane Lewis-Hughes, Evan Minto, Rhodri Williams, Fetuli Paea, Cai Evans

Referee: Ben Connor (WRU)

Related Topics:Gwent Dragons Ospreys URC Wales

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United Rugby Championship

BKT United Rugby Championship quarter-final preview

Published

2 days ago

29th May 2026

rugbyisthegame

BKT United Rugby Championship quarter-final preview

Stormers v Cardiff URC rugby in Cape Town, South Africa Damian Willemse of DHL Stormers in action during the United Rugby Championship (URC) match between the DHL Stormers of South Africa and Cardiff Rugby of Wales at the DHL stadium in Cape Town, South Africa, on May 16, 2025. Cape Town South Africa Copyright: Matrix Images Nic Bothma (IMAGO / Matrix Images)

The BKT United Rugby Championship Finals Series begins this weekend with four quarter-finals across two days as the race for the title enters knockout territory. Connacht, Munster and defending champions Leinster are all in action, while three South African sides – the Bulls, Stormers and Lions – look to keep their campaigns alive on home soil or across the water in Dublin.

Top seeds Glasgow Warriors host an in-form Connacht at Scotstoun on Friday evening in what shapes as the most intriguing tie of the round, before a South African double-header on Saturday sees the Bulls welcome Munster to Loftus Versfeld and the Stormers host Cardiff at DHL Stadium in a rematch of the final regular-season fixture. The weekend concludes under the lights at the Aviva Stadium, where Leinster look to bounce back from their Investec Champions Cup final defeat by taking on the Lions.

Should all four home sides progress, the semi-final draw would see the Stormers travel to Dublin to face Leinster, while the Bulls would host Glasgow at Loftus Versfeld. However, upsets in Glasgow or Dublin would reshape the picture entirely, with the Bulls and Stormers eyeing home semi-finals should Connacht or the Lions spring surprises.

Glasgow Warriors v Connacht Rugby

Venue: Scotstoun Stadium, Glasgow
Kick-off: Friday, 29 May – 19:45 IRE & UK / 20:45 ITA & SA
Referee: Adam Jones (WRU, 51st league game)
Assistant Referees: Ben Breakspear (WRU), Craig Evans (WRU)
TMO: Aled Griffiths (WRU)

Form

Glasgow locked in the top seed in the playoffs with wins over Ulster and Cardiff in their final two games of the regular season and have been formidable at Scotstoun, losing only twice in the URC at this ground since the start of the 2023/24 season – to Ospreys in March 2025 and to the Bulls in April 2025. Their only home defeat this calendar year came against Toulon in the Champions Cup quarter-final in April.

Connacht, by contrast, are the competition’s form team, having won eight of their last nine URC games to snatch eighth place after claiming just two victories in the first half of the season. Stuart Lancaster’s side have transformed their campaign in the second half of the season to secure both a playoff spot and Champions Cup qualification for next season. However, history is firmly against the visitors – Connacht have lost on all nine of their previous visits to Scotstoun since the Warriors moved there in 2012, with their last away win against Glasgow coming at Firhill in 2010.

Team news

Glasgow welcome back Scotland second row Scott Cummings for his first appearance since January after recovering from a calf injury sustained during Scotland’s Six Nations win over France in March. The British and Irish Lions international replaces the injured Gregor Brown and adds significant experience and physicality to the Warriors’ engine room. Patrick Schickerling starts at loosehead having been rested for last weekend’s away win at Ulster, while Matt Fagerson and Rory Darge both return to the back row having also missed the trip to Belfast. Jamie Dobie remains unavailable. Kyle Steyn captains the side, with Sione Tuipulotu and Stafford McDowall forming a powerful midfield combination.

Connacht are boosted by the return of hooker Dylan Tierney-Martin and lock Darragh Murray, both of whom come back into the starting XV after recovering from injury. Cian Prendergast captains the side from the back row alongside Shamus Hurley-Langton and Paul Boyle, with Bundee Aki providing experience and physicality in the midfield. Josh Ioane continues at fly-half with Ben Murphy at scrum-half. The bench features a strong collection of finishers including the experienced trio of Dave Heffernan, Peter Dooley and Finlay Bealham in the front row.

Glasgow Warriors: 15 Josh McKay, 14 Kyle Steyn (CAPT), 13 Stafford McDowall, 12 Sione Tuipulotu, 11 Kyle Rowe, 10 Dan Lancaster, 9 George Horne; 1 Patrick Schickerling, 2 Johnny Matthews, 3 Zander Fagerson, 4 Scott Cummings, 5 Alex Samuel, 6 Matt Fagerson, 7 Rory Darge, 8 Jack Dempsey.
Replacements: 16 Gregor Hiddleston, 17 Rory Sutherland, 18 Sam Talakai, 19 Jare Oguntibeju, 20 Euan Ferrie, 21 Sione Vailanu, 22 Jack Oliver, 23 Ollie Smith.

Connacht Rugby: 15 Sam Gilbert, 14 Shane Jennings, 13 John Devine, 12 Bundee Aki, 11 Shayne Bolton, 10 Josh Ioane, 9 Ben Murphy; 1 Billy Bohan, 2 Dylan Tierney-Martin, 3 Sam Illo, 4 Darragh Murray, 5 Josh Murphy, 6 Cian Prendergast (CAPT), 7 Shamus Hurley-Langton, 8 Paul Boyle.
Replacements: 16 Dave Heffernan, 17 Peter Dooley, 18 Finlay Bealham, 19 Joe Joyce, 20 Sean O’Brien, 21 Matthew Devine, 22 Hugh Gavin, 23 Sean Naughton.

What they said

Glasgow Warriors head coach Franco Smith said: “Connacht will present a strong challenge tomorrow evening. They have a well-drilled squad full of talent, and come here as one of the most in-form teams in the competition. We are pleased to welcome Scott back into our matchday 23 after his injury layoff – he has worked hard and worked closely with our medical and S&C teams to put himself in the best possible position ahead of his return. We know the difference that the Warrior Nation can make, and we look forward to hearing them get behind the team at Scotstoun as we kick off the playoffs tomorrow night.”

Connacht Rugby head coach Stuart Lancaster said: “This is exactly where we wanted to be at the start of the season, so credit must go to all the players for what they’ve displayed in recent months to get us to this position. Now we have to go out there and seize the opportunity. Glasgow are a formidable opponent especially away from home, with an array of talented players who are very well coached, but we are excited by the challenge ahead of us.”

Where to watch

Premier Sports, TG4, SuperSport, Flo Rugby & URC.tv

Vodacom Bulls v Munster Rugby

Venue: Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria
Kick-off: Saturday, 30 May – 12:00 IRE & UK / 13:00 ITA & SA
Referee: Andrea Piardi (FIR, 62nd league game)
Assistant Referees: Federico Vedovelli (FIR), Fillipo Russo (FIR)
TMO: Matteo Liperini (FIR)

Form

The Bulls have been in remarkable form since recovering from a bruising mid-season wobble that saw them lose seven games in a row across all competitions. Johan Ackermann’s side have won nine of their last 10 URC games and come into the quarter-finals with a winning streak of six matches in the competition, having also lost just once in their last 10 games overall – that defeat coming against the Stormers in the home derby. Captain Marcell Coetzee has spoken about the backs-against-the-wall mentality that emerged from those difficult weeks, insisting the squad have been in knockout mode for some time already.

Munster’s season has been a story of inconsistency. Having started the campaign with five wins from five in the URC, the province somehow needed three wins from their final four games to secure a playoff spot and Champions Cup qualification. They arrive in Pretoria without Tadhg Beirne and Jack Crowley among a lengthy injury list, but know how to win at altitude, having done so in 2024. The head-to-head between these sides stands at 3–2 in the Bulls’ favour from five meetings, with the most recent being a gripping 34–31 thriller at Loftus Versfeld in March that the hosts shaded after Embrose Papier crossed for a brace. Both sides have been ever-present in the URC finals across all five seasons of the competition.

Team news

The Bulls have loaded up with power and pace for the knockout clash. Ruan Nortje returns to the engine room for what will be his 150th appearance for the franchise, replacing Cobus Wiese who drops to the bench. Kurt-Lee Arendse moves back to the right wing in place of Devon Williams, while Stravino Jacobs returns on the left wing for Sergeal Petersen. Captain Marcell Coetzee returns from a bout of flu to take his place in the back row alongside Cameron Hanekom and Elrigh Louw, with Jeandre Rudolph moving to an impact role from the bench. Handre Pollard and Embrose Papier form the halfback pairing, with Willie le Roux at full-back. The bench is formidable, featuring Springboks Marco van Staden, Jan-Hendrik Wessels and Wiese among the forwards.

Munster have made just one change from the side that faced the Lions in their final regular-season fixture, with Alex Nankivell returning to the starting XV after his late withdrawal from that game. Craig Casey again captains the side from scrum-half, with JJ Hanrahan at fly-half in the continued absence of Jack Crowley. Tom Ahern and Evan O’Connell form the second-row partnership in the absence of Tadhg Beirne, while the back row of Jack O’Donoghue, John Hodnett and Brian Gleeson offers a blend of experience and dynamism. Fineen Wycherley is set to reach 150 Munster appearances if called upon from the bench.

Vodacom Bulls: 15 Willie le Roux, 14 Kurt-Lee Arendse, 13 Canan Moodie, 12 Harold Vorster, 11 Stravino Jacobs, 10 Handre Pollard, 9 Embrose Papier; 1 Gerhard Steenekamp, 2 Johan Grobbelaar, 3 Wilco Louw, 4 Ruan Vermaak, 5 Ruan Nortje, 6 Marcell Coetzee (CAPT), 7 Elrigh Louw, 8 Cameron Hanekom.
Replacements: 16 Marco van Staden, 17 Jan-Hendrik Wessels, 18 Francois Klopper, 19 Cobus Wiese, 20 Jeandre Rudolph, 21 Paul de Wet, 22 Stedman Gans, 23 Sergeal Petersen.

Munster Rugby: 15 Mike Haley, 14 Andrew Smith, 13 Alex Nankivell, 12 Seán O’Brien, 11 Shane Daly, 10 JJ Hanrahan, 9 Craig Casey (CAPT); 1 Jeremy Loughman, 2 Niall Scannell, 3 Michael Ala’alatoa, 4 Tom Ahern, 5 Evan O’Connell, 6 Jack O’Donoghue, 7 John Hodnett, 8 Brian Gleeson.
Replacements: 16 Diarmuid Barron, 17 Josh Wycherley, 18 Conor Bartley, 19 Fineen Wycherley, 20 Gavin Coombes, 21 Ben O’Donovan, 22 Dan Kelly, 23 Alex Kendellen.

What they said

Vodacom Bulls head coach Johan Ackermann said: “We’re looking forward to playing in front of our home crowd. We have tremendous respect for Munster, a team that has shown its pedigree and were champions two seasons ago. They have a rich history and a proud culture. We are privileged to be in the quarter-finals, and will hopefully put in a good performance.”

Bulls captain Marcell Coetzee added: “If you take me through the season, we were under pressure, and it kind of forced us to be in a knockout rugby mindset every week. So I think we got used to that pressure now, knowing what the task is at hand. They’ll always stay in the fight until the last minute. Munster in particular, they’ve got ways to break you down and disrupt your rhythm. We just have to counter that this weekend.”

Where to watch

SuperSport, Premier Sports, Flo Rugby & URC.tv

DHL Stormers v Cardiff Rugby

Venue: DHL Stadium, Cape Town
Kick-off: Saturday, 30 May – 14:30 IRE & UK / 15:30 ITA & SA
Referee: Eoghan Cross (IRFU, 40th league game)
Assistant Referees: Andrew Brace (IRFU), Andrew Cole (IRFU)
TMO: Leo Colgan (IRFU)

Form

The Stormers enter the quarter-finals under pressure after an inconsistent run of form that saw them slip from a potential top-two finish to third place. John Dobson’s side started the season brilliantly and were unbeaten through early January, but have since won just one of their last five games – a run that includes a draw with Ulster, defeats to Connacht and Cardiff, and two losses to the Sharks. Their most recent outing, a 22–16 defeat to Cardiff at the Arms Park two weeks ago, was particularly chastening. However, the Stormers have been formidable at DHL Stadium this campaign, suffering only two home defeats, and have won both of their previous home quarter-finals in 2022 and 2023.

Cardiff arrive in Cape Town having achieved something few predicted at the start of the season. This is their first time making the playoffs of any iteration of this competition since 2002/03, made all the more remarkable given head coach Matt Sherratt departed a week before the season started, with Corniel van Zyl stepping up from forwards coach. The Welsh side won 11 of 18 URC games and never dropped out of the top eight all season, with their home form at Cardiff Arms Park the foundation – 10 wins from 11 in all competitions. Their weakness has been on the road, with just one URC win outside Wales all season, at Zebre in November. Still, they arrive with the confidence of that victory over the Stormers fresh in the memory.

Team news

The Stormers are boosted by the return of several key players. Regular captain Ruhan Nel returns from injury to lead the side from inside centre, while the pacy Seabelo Senatla is back on the right wing. Both full-back Damian Willemse and wing Leolin Zas were doubts after a collision in training on Wednesday but have been declared fit to start. Up front, the pack that dominated the scrum against Cardiff is retained, with the changes coming on the bench where Vernon Matongo, whom Dobson expects to become a top Springbok, returns from injury, and Ruan Ackermann – son of Bulls head coach Johan – is available for the first time since his influential display in the narrow win over the Bulls in early January. Salmaan Moerat also returns to the bench and could be playing his last home game as a Stormer before departing for La Rochelle. Lock Ruben van Heerden, also heading to France, starts in what could be his DHL Stadium swan song.

Cardiff make four changes to the side that beat the Stormers in the Arms Park. Josh Adams returns to fitness and takes his place on the left wing, while influential lock Josh McNally comes into the second row. Props Rhys Barratt and Keiron Assiratti are introduced in the front row, with Liam Belcher captaining the side from hooker. The coaches opt for six forwards on the bench. Wales flanker Alex Mann and wing Mason Grady were considered for selection after returning from injury but neither features in the matchday 23.

DHL Stormers: 15 Damian Willemse, 14 Seabelo Senatla, 13 Ruhan Nel (CAPT), 12 Dan du Plessis, 11 Leolin Zas, 10 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, 9 Imad Khan; 1 Ntuthuko Mchunu, 2 André-Hugo Venter, 3 Neethling Fouché, 4 Adré Smith, 5 Ruben van Heerden, 6 Paul de Villiers, 7 Ben-Jason Dixon, 8 Evan Roos.
Replacements: 16 JJ Kotzé, 17 Vernon Matongo, 18 Zachary Porthen, 19 Salmaan Moerat, 20 Ruan Ackermann, 21 Marcel Theunissen, 22 Stefan Ungerer, 23 Jurie Matthee.

Cardiff Rugby: 15 Cam Winnett, 14 Jacob Beetham, 13 Ben Thomas, 12 Rory Jennings, 11 Josh Adams, 10 Ioan Lloyd, 9 Johan Mulder; 1 Rhys Barratt, 2 Liam Belcher (CAPT), 3 Keiron Assiratti, 4 Josh McNally, 5 Rory Thornton, 6 James Botham, 7 Dan Thomas, 8 Taine Basham.
Replacements: 16 Daf Hughes, 17 Danny Southworth, 18 Javan Sebastian, 19 George Nott, 20 Alun Lawrence, 21 Evan Lloyd, 22 Ellis Bevan, 23 Tom Bowen.

What they said

DHL Stormers director of rugby John Dobson said: “Absolutely, this is a game that we need to show our true colours. We started off the season really well but this game will determine if we are still the team that was so good in the early part of the season or whether we have a lot of work to do to set things right before the next season starts. This calendar year, since the Bulls game in early January, we have been inconsistent and it has understandably led to questions about our game and how we are tracking.”

Stormers captain Ruhan Nel warned against complacency: “If there’s any sort of comfort or relaxation because they’re coming to our turf, it’s a given win for us – that’s completely the wrong mentality. They beat us fair and square, not because of the pitch but because we were outplayed, and we are fully aware of the danger that Cardiff bring and how good they are.”

Cardiff Rugby coach Corniel van Zyl said: “The pressure was on us last time out at Cardiff Arms Park, but I think that has obviously shifted back onto them a little now. If we can start well and apply pressure through what we do best – scoring points – then we can put them under pressure. That is ultimately the only way we can impose ourselves on them.”

Cardiff wing Josh Adams added: “We haven’t just crept into these play-offs, let’s be straight. We finished sixth and didn’t drop out of the top eight all season. We have finished sixth with all the uncertainty in Welsh rugby over the past 12 months – or longer – and how we have kept our focus and been disciplined in what we want to achieve has been excellent.”

Where to watch

SuperSport, S4C, Premier Sports, Flo Rugby & URC.tv

Leinster Rugby v Fidelity SecureDrive Lions

Venue: Aviva Stadium, Dublin
Kick-off: Saturday, 30 May – 20:00 IRE & UK / 21:00 ITA & SA
Referee: Sam Grove-White (SRU, 63rd league game)
Assistant Referees: Hollie Davidson (SRU), Ru Campbell (SRU)
TMO: Mike Adamson (SRU)

Form

Leinster’s quarter-final arrives just one week after their Investec Champions Cup final defeat to Bordeaux-Béglès, a heavy 41–19 loss that extended their agonising run to five European final defeats in six years. Leo Cullen’s side are now chasing the URC title as the one piece of silverware that can salvage a season of near-misses. Despite that European setback, Leinster’s domestic record has been strong – they finished second in the regular season, have won all five of their previous URC quarter-final appearances, and are making their eleventh successive appearance in the competition’s playoffs. They have not lost at the Aviva Stadium this season.

The Lions are making their first-ever URC playoff appearance at the fifth time of asking, a landmark moment for Ivan van Rooyen’s side. The Johannesburgers have remained in Ireland since the conclusion of the regular season to maximise preparation time for this clash. While the Lions have scored 17 more points than Leinster across their 18 regular-season matches, they face one of the strongest defensive units in the competition. Their recent record in Ireland is sobering – the Lions have won just once in their previous 10 games on Irish soil, that coming at Connacht in 2024, and they were beaten 31–7 by Leinster in their Round 17 meeting just three weeks ago. The loss of key players Morne van den Berg (bicep), Ruan Venter (knee) and Asenathi Ntlabakanye (doping ban) weakens their squad significantly.

Team news

Leinster name a formidable side. James Lowe starts on the left wing and is set to earn his 100th Leinster cap, currently level with Shane Horgan on 69 tries for the province’s all-time try-scoring record. Hugo Keenan is at full-back, with Jimmy O’Brien and Rieko Ioane on the right wing and outside centre respectively, and Jamie Osborne at inside centre. Sam Prendergast continues at fly-half with Luke McGrath at scrum-half. The pack is near full strength with Andrew Porter, Dan Sheehan and Tadhg Furlong in the front row, Joe McCarthy and James Ryan in the second row, and a back row of Max Deegan, Scott Penny and captain Caelan Doris. The bench is laden with internationals including Josh van der Flier, Jamison Gibson-Park, Harry Byrne and Robbie Henshaw.

The Lions received a significant boost with captain Francke Horn and centre Henco van Wyk both declared fit after injury concerns following the loss to Munster. Richard Kriel has also been cleared through his return-to-play protocols after suffering a concussion. With Morne van den Berg out, Nico Steyn starts at scrum-half with World Junior Player of the Year Haashim Pead on the bench. Erich Cronje comes in on the wing. JC Pretorius will bring up 50 caps for the Lions if called upon from the bench. The rest of the squad is unchanged from the Munster defeat.

Leinster Rugby: 15 Hugo Keenan, 14 Jimmy O’Brien, 13 Rieko Ioane, 12 Jamie Osborne, 11 James Lowe, 10 Sam Prendergast, 9 Luke McGrath; 1 Andrew Porter, 2 Dan Sheehan, 3 Tadhg Furlong, 4 Joe McCarthy, 5 James Ryan, 6 Max Deegan, 7 Scott Penny, 8 Caelan Doris (CAPT).
Replacements: 16 Gus McCarthy, 17 Alex Usanov, 18 Thomas Clarkson, 19 Diarmuid Mangan, 20 Josh van der Flier, 21 Jamison Gibson-Park, 22 Harry Byrne, 23 Robbie Henshaw.

Fidelity SecureDrive Lions: 15 Quan Horn, 14 Angelo Davids, 13 Henco van Wyk, 12 Richard Kriel, 11 Erich Cronje, 10 Chris Smith, 9 Nico Steyn; 1 SJ Kotze, 2 PJ Botha, 3 Sebastian Lombard, 4 Reinhard Nothnagel, 5 Darrien Landsberg, 6 Siba Mahashe, 7 Batho Hlekani, 8 Francke Horn (CAPT).
Replacements: 16 Franco Marais, 17 Eddie Davids, 18 RF Schoeman, 19 Ruan Delport, 20 Siba Qoma, 21 JC Pretorius, 22 Rynhardt Jonker, 23 Haashim Pead.

What they said

Leinster prop Andrew Porter said: “We’re incredibly lucky that we still have something to play for. We’re throwing everything into this weekend and there’s still a trophy to be won. We’re leaving no stone unturned this week. We want to have something to celebrate, that’s what we’re chasing. We’re chasing the URC trophy now and we have to throw everything into it.”

Lions flanker JC Pretorius, set for his 50th cap, said: “For me it is an honour and a privilege to get my 50th cap. Coming from Sevens I never thought I would get here and it actually arrived very quickly. I think Bordeaux made 250 tackles – that’s how you put teams under pressure. They like to play quick rugby so we need to be making the right choices at the right time and not going into a bad trap of getting stuck in the breakdown when the defence needs you.”

Where to watch

TG4, Premier Sports, SuperSport, Flo Rugby & URC.tv

United Rugby Championship

Special times for blond bombshell Dan Thomas at Cardiff

Published

3 days ago

28th May 2026

rugbyisthegame

Special times for blond bombshell Dan Thomas at Cardiff

Cardiff Rugby Dan Thomas // Photo Credit: Inpho Photography

For Dan Thomas, it’s been a special season with a special group and he’s now hoping for the perfect ending.

The flanker has had an outstanding campaign as he’s helped Cardiff Rugby reach the BKT URC Play-Offs for the first time, making more tackles (248) than any other player in the league and the second most turnovers (17).

His huge contribution has seen him recognised by his team-mates who have chosen him as the club’s Players’ Player of the Season.

Now the man with the flowing blond locks is looking to put the icing on the cake as Cardiff go in search of the BKT URC title, with a Quarter-Final clash against the DHL Stormers coming up in Cape Town this Saturday.

Thomas, who hails from a farming family in west Wales, moved to the Arms Park in the summer of 2024 after seven years with Bristol Bears and it’s proved to be a dream move for him.

“Having been long term at Bristol, I didn’t really know what to expect coming to Cardiff, but I’ve loved every minute of it. It has been really revitalising.

“It’s a great crack with the boys and I love the rugby we play. It suits my style and it’s very rewarding. We love throwing the ball around, plus we will never give up.

“I love the boys. It’s a special group and I hope we go forward and do special things.”

As for his award, he says: “It’s a huge honour to get voted by the boys. It’s a big thing for me. I am extremely happy.

“I feel good. I feel better when I play every week. This season it’s worked out pretty well.

“I have always prided myself on working hard and doing the things that don’t require talent well.

“At the end of the day, rugby is a simple sport. As long as I do my bit right, that’s all that matters.

“I knew coming to Cardiff, with the back rowers that were here already, it was going to be huge competition, but I feel that has helped me.

“I didn’t come here to cruise. I came here to push myself, to play rugby and have a smile on my face.

“It’s not every week the back row is the same, so everyone has been kept on edge. You have to play your best rugby, otherwise you miss out.

“It has driven us on to be better and obviously the results have shown that.”

The 32-year-old openside added: “At the end of the day, rugby is a short career and to enjoy it and put your body on the line with your mates every week is a special thing and a huge privilege.

“I’m going to try and play as long as I can because I love doing it.

“Rugby on and off the field is quite a special thing and the memories I make with the boys off the field mean just as much to me. I have loved my time here on and off the field.

“I am very thankful with how the season’s gone so far, but obviously the job is not done yet, so it’s on to the next one.

“It’s exciting and all eyes are on this weekend now.”

As for the trip to Cape Town, Thomas says: “We play in Scotland, we play in Ireland, we play in Italy, we play in South Africa, we play in France.

“We’ve all travelled enough now to know what’s happening and what’s coming. It’s not as if we are going to turn up there and say this is a shock.

“There is no excuse when it comes to travel or the body being sore or anything like that.

“As long as your mentality is up there, your body will catch up, so it’s about turning up on Saturday with the right mentality.

“There are no excuses, this is a great opportunity. How many boys have played in Quarter-Finals before? If you’re not up for it mentally, you shouldn’t be on the pitch.”

The last eight clash will be a rapid rematch as it was the DHL Stormers that Cardiff beat 22-16 at the Arms Park a fortnight ago to book their spot in the Play-Offs.

Looking back on that game, the Carmarthen-born Thomas said: “From minute one, everyone’s attitude was there.

“It wasn’t like ‘We will feel our way into the game and see where we are at 50’.

“It was ‘From minute one, we will take the game to them’.”

He concluded: “We were disappointed not to make the play-offs last year, so the hunger has been greater than ever this season.

“We wanted to be in the play-off mix because anything can happen then. You play rugby to win things. You want to win silverware.”

United Rugby Championship

Bulls 45–19 Benetton – URC Round 18

Published

2 weeks ago

17th May 2026

rugbyisthegame

BKT United Rugby Championship, Loftus Versfeld Stadium, Pretoria, South Africa 5/10/2024 Vodacom Bulls vs Ulster A view of the Bulls changing room ahead of the game Mandatory Credit ©INPHO/Steve Haag Sports/Christiaan Kotze

The Bulls powered past Benetton with seven tries in a commanding 45–19 bonus-point win at Loftus Versfeld.

Key moments

3 mins – TRY BULLS: Canan Moodie breaks through and Handre Pollard sets up Sergeal Petersen for the opening try. Pollard converts. (Bulls 7–0 Benetton)

12 mins – TRY BULLS: Spellbinding play from Pollard opens up space and Willie le Roux takes full advantage. Pollard converts. (Bulls 14–0 Benetton)

18 mins – TRY BENETTON: Matt Gallagher sets up a wonderful passing move finished off by Louis Lynagh. Unconverted. (Bulls 14–5 Benetton)

28 mins – TRY BULLS: The Bulls maul proves unstoppable as Johan Grobbelaar powers over. Pollard misses the conversion. (Bulls 19–5 Benetton)

34 mins – YELLOW CARD BENETTON: Alessandro Garbisi is shown yellow.

37 mins – TRY BULLS: The pick and go results in a try for Cobus Wiese. Pollard converts to secure the bonus point. (Bulls 26–5 Benetton)

39 mins – TRY BENETTON: Rhyno Smith wriggles through a gap to score. Smith converts his own try. (Bulls 26–12 Benetton)

Half-time: Bulls 26–12 Benetton. The hosts in command with the bonus point already secured.

41 mins – TRY BENETTON: Matt Gallagher creates again and Louis Lynagh finishes for his second. Smith converts. (Bulls 26–19 Benetton)

56 mins – TRY BULLS: Stedman Gans plays a key part as Petersen scores a stunning individual try for his second. Pollard converts. (Bulls 33–19 Benetton)

62 mins – TRY BULLS: Mpilo Gumede breaks through the defensive line to touch down. Pollard converts. (Bulls 40–19 Benetton)

74 mins – TRY BULLS: Paul de Wet sets it up and Ruan Nortje scores from close range. Pollard’s conversion drifts wide. (Bulls 45–19 Benetton)

Full-time: Bulls 45–19 Benetton

Full match report to follow.

Teams

Bulls: 15 Willie le Roux, 14 Sergeal Petersen, 13 Canan Moodie, 12 Harold Vorster, 11 Devon Williams, 10 Handre Pollard, 9 Embrose Papier; 1 Gerhard Steenekamp, 2 Johan Grobbelaar, 3 Wilco Louw, 4 Ruan Nortje, 5 Cobus Wiese, 6 Marcell Coetzee, 7 Elrigh Louw, 8 Cameron Hanekom
Replacements: 16 Marco van Staden, 17 Jan-Hendrik Wessels, 18 Francois Klopper, 19 Ruan Vermaak, 20 Mpilo Gumede, 21 Paul de Wet, 22 Stedman Gans, 23 Stravino Jacobs

Benetton: 15 Matt Gallagher, 14 Louis Lynagh, 13 Paolo Odogwu, 12 Mattia Midena, 11 Rhyno Smith, 10 Alessandro Garbisi, 9 Federico Zanandrea; 1 Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro, 2 Bautista Bernasconi, 3 Tiziano Pasquali, 4 Federico Ruzza, 5 Lorenzo Cannone, 6 Manuel Zuliani, 7 Alessandro Izekor, 8 Toa Halafihi
Replacements: 16 Nicholas Gasperini, 17 Ivan Nemer, 18 Marcos Gallorini, 19 Niccolo Cannone, 20 Cristiano Tizzano, 21 Jadin Kingi, 22 Leonardo Marin, 23 Giulio Marini

Match details

Bulls 45 (Tries: Petersen 2, le Roux, Grobbelaar, Wiese, Gumede, Nortje; Cons: Pollard 5/7)
Benetton 19 (Tries: Lynagh 2, Smith; Cons: Smith 2/3)
Half-time: 26–12

Venue: Loftus Versfeld Stadium, Pretoria
Referee: Craig Evans (WRU)