Round 16 of the BKT United Rugby Championship is upon us and the race for the play-offs is reaching boiling point. With just three rounds of the regular season remaining, every fixture carries weight — from the top-of-the-table showdown in Cape Town to the interprovincial derby at Thomond Park.
Glasgow Warriors lead the standings on 55 points, four clear of the DHL Stormers and Leinster, who are level on 51 apiece. Below them, the Lions (48), Ulster (47), Munster (46), Cardiff (46) and the Bulls (45) are locked in a ferocious battle for the remaining play-off berths, while Connacht (44) are knocking loudly on the door after six consecutive victories. Friday night opened the round with three fixtures, before five more on Saturday bring the curtain down on a pivotal weekend.
Cardiff Rugby v Ospreys
Venue: Cardiff Arms Park, Cardiff
Kick-off: 19.00 BST (Friday)
Referee: Christopher Allison (SARU, 10th game)
Assistant Referees: Adam Jones (WRU), Carwyn Sion (WRU)
TMO: Morne Ferreira (SARU)
Live on: S4C, Premier Sports, SuperSport, URC.tv and FloRugby
The Welsh derby kicked off Round 16 under the Friday night lights and there was no shortage of subplots. This fixture came just days after the collapse of a deal for Ospreys’ owners, Y11, to buy Cardiff, adding extra needle to an already fierce rivalry. On the pitch, Cardiff sit in the top eight and are chasing a first-ever URC play-off berth, while the Ospreys cling to slim play-off hopes of their own. The hosts were buoyed by last week’s dramatic 28-24 comeback win over the Scarlets, though head coach Corniel van Zyl was far from satisfied with what happened in between the fast start and the late rally. The Ospreys, unbeaten against Welsh opposition in the URC this season and without a loss at the Arms Park since 2007, had the prospect of being crowned Welsh Shield champions with a result here. Mark Jones’ side have been in encouraging form, winning six of their last eight URC fixtures.
Cardiff made five changes from last week. Wales Under-20s wing Tom Bowen made his first appearance for Cardiff since January, replacing the injured Mason Grady. Taine Basham and Dan Thomas started in the back row in place of Alex Mann and the injured James Botham. Rory Thornton came into the second row alongside Josh McNally, while last week’s two-try hero Javan Sebastian started at tighthead. Both sides opted for a 6-2 split on the bench. For the Ospreys, Jac Morgan captained the side with Owen Watkin and Keiran Williams paired in midfield. Gareth Thomas was fit to start at loosehead after initially failing his HIA last weekend, while Luke Morgan kept his place on the wing after no action was taken over the Ethan Hooker incident. Ross Moriarty provided impact from the bench.
Van Zyl said: “We know what is coming against the Ospreys. They have a very good set-piece and they are dangerous on the counterattack. It looks like the Arms Park is heading for a sellout so it will be a great occasion and a brilliant atmosphere.”
Ospreys coach Jones said: “We’re looking at this as an opportunity for us as a group. A result here keeps us going and moving towards the goal of qualifying. We want to be there if anybody doesn’t get their work done or slips up.”
Cardiff Rugby: 15 Cam Winnett, 14 Jacob Beetham, 13 Ben Thomas, 12 Rory Jennings, 11 Tom Bowen, 10 Callum Sheedy, 9 Johan Mulder, 8 Taine Basham, 7 Dan Thomas, 6 Alun Lawrence, 5 Rory Thornton, 4 Josh McNally, 3 Javan Sebastian, 2 Liam Belcher (c), 1 Rhys Barratt.
Replacements: Daf Hughes, Danny Southworth, Keiron Assiratti, George Nott, Evan Lloyd, Alex Mann, Ellis Bevan, Ioan Lloyd.
Ospreys: 15 Jack Walsh, 14 Dan Kasende, 13 Owen Watkin, 12 Keiran Williams, 11 Luke Morgan, 10 Dan Edwards, 9 Reuben Morgan-Williams, 8 Morgan Morris, 7 Jac Morgan (c), 6 James Ratti, 5 Ryan Smith, 4 Rhys Davies, 3 Tom Botha, 2 Sam Parry, 1 Gareth Thomas.
Replacements: Efan Daniel, Steffan Thomas, Ben Warren, Huw Sutton, Ross Moriarty, Harri Deaves, Kieran Hardy, Max Nagy.
Zebre Parma v Dragons RFC
Venue: Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi, Parma
Kick-off: 19.45 BST / 20.45 CEST (Friday)
Referee: Ru Campbell (SRU, 3rd game)
Assistant Referees: Gianluca Gnecchi (FIR), Lorenzo Pedezzi (FIR)
TMO: Colin Brett (SRU)
Live on: Sky Italia, Premier Sports, SuperSport, URC.tv and FloRugby
A bottom-of-the-table clash with little riding on it in terms of the play-off picture, but pride is very much at stake for both sides. Zebre prop up the standings with just 14 points from 15 matches, while the Dragons are 15th on 21 points. The Italians were unlucky not to come away from Edinburgh with a victory last weekend, losing 31-30 in a tight affair, while the Dragons had a sobering experience against the Bulls, conceding 21 points in the closing stages to turn a competitive contest into a lopsided scoreline. However, Filo Tiatia’s side are building towards a Challenge Cup semi-final and will want to regain confidence on the road. The Dragons have shown a knack for refusing to go away in matches, and that tenacity served them well in their Challenge Cup quarter-final victory over Zebre earlier this season.
Zebre made several changes, with Giovanni Montemauri shifting to full-back and Giacomo da Re starting at fly-half. Giulio Bertaccini came into midfield as Leonard Krumov moved into the second row. Giovanni Licata captains the side from number eight. For the Dragons, Aaron Wainwright, Thomas Young and Shane Lewis-Hughes form a powerful back-row trio. Aneurin Owen, David Richards and Rhodri Williams all start, while Angus O’Brien wears the 15 jersey.
Dragons head coach Tiatia said: “We know the challenge ahead against Zebre, they are a good side, a good mauling team, and they love to use the ball. They were very unlucky not to come away from Edinburgh with a victory last weekend. It is going to be a test, but we are looking forward to it and putting a performance in.”
Zebre Parma: 15 Giovanni Montemauri, 14 Malik Faissal, 13 Giulio Bertaccini, 12 Damiano Mazza, 11 Simone Gesi, 10 Giacomo da Re, 9 Alessandro Fusco, 8 Giovanni Licata (c), 7 Davide Odiase, 6 Alessandro Ortombina, 5 Leonard Krumov, 4 Matteo Canali, 3 Ion Neculai, 2 Tommaso Di Bartolomeo, 1 Paolo Buonfiglio.
Replacements: Shilo Klein, Muhamed Hasa, Matteo Nocera, Bautista Stavile, Samuele Locatelli, Thomas Dominguez, Marco Zanon, Jacopo Trulla.
Dragons RFC: 15 Angus O’Brien, 14 David Richards, 13 Fetuli Paea, 12 Aneurin Owen, 11 Jared Rosser, 10 Tinus de Beer, 9 Rhodri Williams, 8 Aaron Wainwright, 7 Thomas Young, 6 Shane Lewis-Hughes, 5 Ben Carter, 4 Levi Douglas, 3 Dillon Lewis, 2 Brodie Coghlan, 1 Rodrigo Martinez.
Replacements: Elliot Dee, Rhodri Jones, Owain James, Matthew Screech, Seb Davies, Morgan Lloyd, Harri Ackerman, Huw Anderson.
Edinburgh Rugby v Hollywoodbets Sharks
Venue: Hive Stadium, Edinburgh
Kick-off: 19.45 BST / 20.45 SAST (Friday)
Referee: Ben Breakspear (WRU, 19th game)
Assistant Referees: Rob McDowell (SRU), Jonny MacKenzie (SRU)
TMO: Keith David (WRU)
Live on: Premier Sports, SuperSport, URC.tv and FloRugby
An intriguing clash with plenty of coaching connections running through it. Edinburgh head coach Sean Everitt spent most of his career in Durban, while his assistant Scott Mathie — formerly of DHS and Griquas — will be joining the Sharks ahead of next season. In the opposite dugout, JP Pietersen is looking to build on his early tenure as Sharks head coach, having taken over from John Plumtree earlier in the campaign. The Sharks arrive in Edinburgh with their play-off hopes hanging by the thinnest of threads, sitting 11th in the standings and 11 points adrift of the top eight. A bonus-point victory is an absolute must if they are to keep even a slender mathematical chance alive. Edinburgh, meanwhile, are 12th and looking to blood youth — 12 current academy players or graduates are named in the matchday 23. More than 7,400 tickets have been sold and the hosts are pushing for a capacity crowd at the Hive.
Everitt has backed the young players who impressed in last week’s tight win over Zebre, giving Hector Patterson another shot at scrum-half alongside Cammy Scott at fly-half. Darcy Graham and Mosese Tuipulotu add international quality in the back line, while Grant Gilchrist captains from the second row and Pierre Schoeman anchors the scrum at loosehead. The Sharks have been forced into a midfield reshuffle following injuries to Ethan Hooker and Le Roux Malan. Skipper Andre Esterhuizen shifts from inside centre to outside centre to accommodate fly-half Siya Masuku in the number 12 jersey, while fellow Springbok Makazole Mapimpi comes into the starting line-up on the wing. The headline news from the visitors is the return of Siya Kolisi from a calf injury, set to mark his 50th Sharks appearance off the bench in what could be one of his final games for the Durban franchise before his return to the Stormers. Ox Nche and Vincent Koch again provide formidable front-row reinforcements from the bench.
Everitt said: “The Sharks come to Edinburgh knowing they need to win, and they’ll be fired up for that. They bring genuine international experience across the park, and we know how dangerous they can be. We won’t be underestimating them for a second.”
Pietersen said: “Edinburgh is very good with their kicking game, with their exits, and they’ve got a pack with Pierre Schoeman. They want to be physical, and they’ve got a good maul. They’ve also got a good phase attack — they can hold the ball for long, and we have prepped for that.”
Edinburgh Rugby: 15 Piers O’Conor, 14 Darcy Graham, 13 Mosese Tuipulotu, 12 Findlay Thomson, 11 Malelili Satala, 10 Cammy Scott, 9 Hector Patterson, 8 Tom Currie, 7 Freddy Douglas, 6 Glen Young, 5 Grant Gilchrist (c), 4 Marshall Sykes, 3 Ollie Blyth-Lafferty, 2 Ewan Ashman, 1 Pierre Schoeman.
Replacements: Dylan Richardson, Boan Venter, Paul Hill, Callum Hunter-Hill, Tom Dodd, Charlie Shiel, Ross Thompson, Jack Brown.
Hollywoodbets Sharks: 15 Zekhethelo Siyaya, 14 Edwill van der Merwe, 13 Andre Esterhuizen (c), 12 Siya Masuku, 11 Makazole Mapimpi, 10 Jean Smith, 9 Jaden Hendrikse, 8 Emmanuel Tshituka, 7 Vincent Tshituka, 6 Phepsi Buthelezi, 5 Emile van Heerden, 4 Jason Jenkins, 3 Hanro Jacobs, 2 Fez Mbatha, 1 Phatu Ganyane.
Replacements: Eduan Swart, Ox Nche, Vincent Koch, Corne Rahl, Nick Hatton, Siya Kolisi, Bradley Davids, Marnus Potgieter.
DHL Stormers v Glasgow Warriors
Venue: DHL Stadium, Cape Town
Kick-off: 12.45 BST / 13.45 SAST (Saturday)
Referee: Eoghan Cross (IRFU, 38th game)
Assistant Referees: Griffin Colby (SARU), Dylen November (SARU)
TMO: Peter Martin (IRFU)
Live on: Premier Sports, SuperSport, URC.tv and FloRugby
The headline fixture of the round as first meets second in a clash that could define the title race. Glasgow lead the standings on 55 points, four clear of the Stormers on 51, and a victory for either side would be a significant statement of intent with the play-offs looming. Both teams arrive smarting from damaging defeats — the Stormers fell to a shock home loss against Connacht in Round 15, surrendering a 24-14 lead to lose 33-24, while Glasgow were dismantled 54-12 by the Lions at Ellis Park after rotating heavily. Despite those setbacks, the stakes could not be higher. This is the Stormers’ final home game of the regular season, and Stormers backline coach Dawie Snyman has described the fixture as a “Test match”. Glasgow have won their last five meetings with the Stormers, but the Cape side have never lost to a Scottish team at home in the URC.
Director of rugby John Dobson has made several eye-catching selection calls for the Stormers. Damian Willemse returns to full-back after the wing experiment of recent weeks, with Wandisile Simelane — normally a centre — lining up on the wing. Springbok fly-half Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu will celebrate his 50th Stormers appearance, partnering Cobus Reinach at half-back. The big news in the pack is the absence of JD Schickerling, ruled out for six months with a knee injury — a devastating blow to a game model built around four quality locks. Ruben van Heerden replaces him, while Paul de Villiers returns at blindside flanker in place of Deon Fourie, who voluntarily stood himself down after feeling his lineout throwing was not yet sharp enough to risk in a game of this magnitude. Teenage sensation Markus Muller, just 18 years and nine months old, is named on the bench and is set to become the youngest Stormers player in history, breaking Willemse’s record. Keke Morabe returns to the matchday squad for the first time since suffering a serious leg injury in December 2024.
Glasgow have responded to their Ellis Park humiliation with 10 changes to the starting XV. Captain Kyle Steyn returns to lead the side from the wing, while Adam Hastings is back at fly-half having cleared return-to-play protocols after a head knock against Toulon. An all-new front row of Patrick Schickerling, Gregor Hiddleston and Zander Fagerson packs down, with Ryan Burke set to make his first start in senior rugby alongside Alex Samuel in the second row. Jack Dempsey anchors the back row at number eight, joined by Euan Ferrie and Angus Fraser, who signed a contract extension this week. Sione Tuipulotu and Huw Jones form a powerful centre pairing, with Ollie Smith and Kyle Rowe completing the back three. Stafford McDowall and Johnny Matthews offer significant experience from the bench. Head coach Franco Smith delayed naming his team to give George Horne, Scott Cummings and Matt Fagerson every chance of proving fitness, but all three miss out.
Dobson said: “With the play-offs getting closer all the time it is important that we make the most of this opportunity to play at home in front of our fans. There is a lot expected of Sacha and he handles the pressure so well.”
Glasgow assistant coach Scott Forrest said: “It’s within our gift to finish the top of the log. These are the games that in some ways are quite easy for the players to get motivated for because it’s the ones everyone wants to play in.”
DHL Stormers: 15 Damian Willemse, 14 Wandisile Simelane, 13 Ruhan Nel (c), 12 Dan du Plessis, 11 Leolin Zas, 10 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, 9 Cobus Reinach, 8 Evan Roos, 7 Ben-Jason Dixon, 6 Paul de Villiers, 5 Ruben van Heerden, 4 Adre Smith, 3 Neethling Fouche, 2 Andre-Hugo Venter, 1 Ntuthuko Mchunu.
Replacements: JJ Kotze, Oli Kebble, Zachary Porthen, Marcel Theunissen, Keke Morabe, Imad Khan, Jurie Matthee, Markus Muller.
Glasgow Warriors: 15 Kyle Rowe, 14 Kyle Steyn (c), 13 Huw Jones, 12 Sione Tuipulotu, 11 Ollie Smith, 10 Adam Hastings, 9 Ben Afshar, 8 Jack Dempsey, 7 Angus Fraser, 6 Euan Ferrie, 5 Alex Samuel, 4 Ryan Burke, 3 Zander Fagerson, 2 Gregor Hiddleston, 1 Patrick Schickerling.
Replacements: Johnny Matthews, Nathan McBeth, Sam Talakai, Dylan Cockburn, Jare Oguntibeju, Sione Vailanu, Stafford McDowall, Jack Oliver.
Fidelity SecureDrive Lions v Connacht
Venue: Ellis Park, Johannesburg
Kick-off: 15.00 BST / 16.00 SAST (Saturday)
Referee: Filippo Russo (FIR, 8th game)
Assistant Referees: Hanru van Rooyen (SARU), Jonathan Lottering (SARU)
TMO: Federico Vedovelli (FIR)
Live on: Premier Sports, SuperSport, TG4, URC.tv and FloRugby
Connacht are the form team of the competition, arriving in Johannesburg on the back of six consecutive victories — including last week’s stunning 33-24 triumph at the Stormers in Cape Town. Stuart Lancaster’s side have shown tremendous resilience and tactical discipline throughout their South African tour, and a bonus-point win here could leapfrog them above the Lions into play-off contention. The Lions, however, are formidable at home and riding high themselves after last week’s 54-12 demolition of league leaders Glasgow. Franco Smith’s side have won five on the bounce and have lost just once at Ellis Park in the URC this season. Hooker PJ Botha will bring up his 100th appearance for the Lions across all international club competitions, while the two teams have met four times previously with honours split evenly at two wins apiece.
The Lions have made tactical adjustments to counter Connacht’s physicality. Ruan Venter moves from the back row to lock in place of Etienne Oosthuizen, allowing South Africa Under-20 star Batho Hlekani into the starting loose trio alongside Siba Mahashe and captain Francke Horn. The move underlines the hosts’ desire to use hard-hitting ball carriers against the Connacht defence, with Venter having made the most carries in the Glasgow victory. Quan Horn starts at full-back with Angelo Davids and Erich Cronje on the wings, while Chris Smith and Morne van den Berg form the half-back pairing.
Connacht have made 10 changes from the Stormers win. Jack Aungier will become the 43rd player to reach 100 caps for the province when he starts at tighthead prop. Captain Cian Prendergast, flanker Shamus Hurley-Langton, and backs John Devine, Harry West and Sam Gilbert all retain their places. Jack Carty partners Colm Reilly at half-back, with Hugh Gavin coming in at inside centre following Cathal Forde’s injury withdrawal. Paul Boyle starts at number eight, while Sean Jansen has been passed fit for the bench. Sixteen academy graduates are named in the matchday 23.
Lancaster said: “The Lions are the form team in South African rugby right now with five straight wins under their belt, and like ourselves are fighting to secure a play-off spot. They’re very well coached with x-factor players across the pitch and play a great brand of attacking and offloading rugby.”
Lions scrum coach Julian Redelinghuys said: “We know what they will bring. We know their game model. It’s not easy to defend or attack against it, but if we do what we need to do well, I am sure there will be opportunities.”
Fidelity SecureDrive Lions: 15 Quan Horn, 14 Erich Cronje, 13 Richard Kriel, 12 Henco van Wyk, 11 Angelo Davids, 10 Chris Smith, 9 Morne van den Berg, 8 Francke Horn (c), 7 Batho Hlekani, 6 Siba Mahashe, 5 Darrien Landsberg, 4 Ruan Venter, 3 Asenathi Ntlabakanye, 2 PJ Botha, 1 SJ Kotze.
Replacements: Morne Brandon, Eddie Davids, Sebastian Lombard, Reinhard Nothnagel, Siba Qoma, JC Pretorius, Nico Steyn, Kelly Mpeku.
Connacht: 15 Sam Gilbert, 14 Harry West, 13 John Devine, 12 Hugh Gavin, 11 Shane Jennings, 10 Jack Carty, 9 Colm Reilly, 8 Paul Boyle, 7 Shamus Hurley-Langton, 6 Cian Prendergast (c), 5 Joe Joyce, 4 Niall Murray, 3 Jack Aungier, 2 Dylan Tierney-Martin, 1 Peter Dooley.
Replacements: Matthew Victory, Billy Bohan, Fiachna Barrett, Darragh Murray, Sean Jansen, Matthew Devine, Sean Naughton, Shayne Bolton.
Munster v Ulster
Venue: Thomond Park, Limerick
Kick-off: 17.30 IST / 18.30 SAST (Saturday)
Referee: Sam Grove-White (SRU, 62nd game)
Assistant Referees: Andrew Cole (IRFU), Andrew Fogarty (IRFU)
TMO: Dave Sutherland (SRU)
Live on: Premier Sports, SuperSport, URC.tv and FloRugby
The headline Irish fixture of the weekend, and one that could have a significant bearing on the play-off picture. Ulster travel to Thomond Park looking to do the double over Munster following their emphatic 28-3 victory in Belfast in January — a feat they have not achieved since the 2013/14 season. Richie Murphy’s side sit a point above Munster in the standings but fell to a 29-21 defeat at home to Leinster last weekend, and are nursing a lengthy injury list. Munster, meanwhile, have not won back-to-back URC games since Round 5 but come into this fixture off the back of a solid 45-10 victory at Benetton. Head coach Clayton McMillan has had to navigate numerous off-field distractions but has urged his squad to focus on the run-in, with the reds just a single point behind their northern rivals.
McMillan has made just one change to the Munster side, with Oli Jager making his first start since January after returning from injury at tighthead prop. The rest of the team that dismantled Benetton is retained, with Jack Crowley and Craig Casey directing operations at half-back behind a powerful pack led by captain Tadhg Beirne. Jean Kleyn partners Beirne in the second row, while the back-row trio of Tom Ahern, John Hodnett and Gavin Coombes offers a potent blend of carrying and breakdown work. Shane Daly starts at full-back with Calvin Nash — who will make his 100th appearance for Munster — Tom Farrell, Alex Nankivell and Andrew Smith completing the back line.
Ulster’s team sheet tells the story of their injury crisis. Michael Lowry captains the side for the first time in a competitive match, with five academy players included in the matchday 23. James McKillop, Tom Brigg and Aitzol Arenzana-King are all in line for their senior starting debuts. Bryan O’Connor makes his first senior Ulster start at tighthead alongside hooker James McCormick and loosehead Eric O’Sullivan. Angus Bell, Tom O’Toole, James Hume and Bryn Ward are among the frontliners ruled out. Jake Flannery starts at fly-half with Conor McKee at scrum-half, while Ethan McIlroy has been shifted to outside centre with Ben Carson at inside centre. Ben Moxham — making his first senior start since November 2023 — lines up on the right wing with Arenzana-King on the left.
Munster: 15 Shane Daly, 14 Calvin Nash, 13 Tom Farrell, 12 Alex Nankivell, 11 Andrew Smith, 10 Jack Crowley, 9 Craig Casey, 8 Gavin Coombes, 7 John Hodnett, 6 Tom Ahern, 5 Tadhg Beirne (c), 4 Jean Kleyn, 3 Oli Jager, 2 Diarmuid Barron, 1 Jeremy Loughman.
Replacements: Lee Barron, Michael Milne, Michael Ala’alatoa, Edwin Edogbo, Brian Gleeson, Ben O’Donovan, Dan Kelly, Alex Kendellen.
Ulster: 15 Michael Lowry (c), 14 Ben Moxham, 13 Ben Carson, 12 Ethan McIlroy, 11 Aitzol Arenzana-King, 10 Jake Flannery, 9 Conor McKee, 8 Lorcan McLoughlin, 7 Tom Brigg, 6 James McKillop, 5 Charlie Irvine, 4 Harry Sheridan, 3 Bryan O’Connor, 2 James McCormick, 1 Eric O’Sullivan.
Replacements: John Andrew, Callum Reid, Tom McAllister, Joe Hopes, Marcus Rea, David Shanahan, James Humphreys, Jonny Scott.
Scarlets v Vodacom Bulls
Venue: Parc y Scarlets, Llanelli
Kick-off: 19.45 BST / 20.45 SAST (Saturday)
Referee: Gianluca Gnecchi (FIR, 49th game)
Assistant Referees: Ben Whitehouse (WRU), Lloyd Edwards (WRU)
TMO: Stefano Roscini (FIR)
Live on: Premier Sports, SuperSport, URC.tv and FloRugby
The Bulls have never won in Llanelli in the URC, and the Scarlets have tripped them up before — but Johan Ackermann’s side arrive with renewed firepower and genuine play-off ambitions. The visitors sit eighth on 45 points, three behind the Lions, and know that a victory here would keep their challenge firmly on track heading into the final two rounds. The return of Springbok wing Kurt-Lee Arendse and the exciting Cheswill Jooste from injury is a significant boost, while tighthead Wilco Louw also comes back into the pack. The Scarlets are 14th and still reeling from their late capitulation against Cardiff, when they conceded 21 points in the final 10 minutes to lose 28-24. Interim director of rugby Nigel Davies has warned his players that discipline must improve, with flanker Taine Plumtree having picked up his seventh yellow card of the season last weekend.
The Scarlets will hand academy wing Callum Woolley his URC debut on the right wing. The 20-year-old from Cardigan, who was called up by Great Britain Sevens for the Singapore and Perth legs of the World Series in January, has been working in training with Wales great Liam Williams. Macs Page starts on the opposite wing in place of the injured Tom Rogers, while Joe Roberts comes in at outside centre with Eddie James shifting to inside centre. Henry Thomas replaces Archer Holz at tighthead after a head knock. Josh Macleod, Sam Costelow, Jake Ball and Alec Hepburn are all unavailable through injury, while Dan Davis is set to make his 100th Scarlets appearance if he comes off the bench. Blair Murray starts at full-back, with Joe Hawkins and Dane Blacker at half-back. Fletcher Anderson captains the side from number eight.
The Bulls welcome back Arendse and Jooste to the wings, with David Kriel moving to full-back for Devon Williams. Handre Pollard and Embrose Papier direct play at half-back, behind a pack captained by Marcell Coetzee and featuring Cameron Hanekom at number eight. Ruan Vermaak replaces Cobus Wiese in the second row. Willie le Roux and Marco van Staden provide quality from the bench, while Jeandre Rudolph returns to the matchday 23.
Ackermann said: “This is the last game of a four-week tour, so the challenge is to make sure we focus on the game before we see our families. They are a top team and their log position isn’t a true reflection of their ability. They are one of the teams that win most bonus points for losing by less than seven, which shows they stay in the fight for the full 80 minutes.”
Davies said: “Last weekend’s result hurt, but the response this week has been exactly what you want to see. There’s been honesty, energy and a real determination to move forward together. The Bulls bring a big, physical challenge, but these are the games you want to be involved in.”
Scarlets: 15 Blair Murray, 14 Callum Woolley, 13 Joe Roberts, 12 Eddie James, 11 Macs Page, 10 Joe Hawkins, 9 Dane Blacker, 8 Fletcher Anderson (c), 7 Jarrod Taylor, 6 Taine Plumtree, 5 Max Douglas, 4 Sam Lousi, 3 Henry Thomas, 2 Ryan Elias, 1 Kemsley Mathias.
Replacements: Marnus van der Merwe, Josh Morse, Harri O’Connor, Jac Price, Dan Davis, Archie Hughes, Carwyn Leggatt-Jones, Ioan Jones.
Vodacom Bulls: 15 David Kriel, 14 Cheswill Jooste, 13 Stedman Gans, 12 Harold Vorster, 11 Kurt-Lee Arendse, 10 Handre Pollard, 9 Embrose Papier, 8 Cameron Hanekom, 7 Elrigh Louw, 6 Marcell Coetzee (c), 5 Ruan Nortje, 4 Ruan Vermaak, 3 Wilco Louw, 2 Johan Grobbelaar, 1 Gerhard Steenekamp.
Replacements: Marco van Staden, Jan Hendrik Wessels, Francois Kloppers, Cobus Wiese, Mpilo Gumede, Paul de Wet, Willie le Roux, Jeandre Rudolph.
Benetton v Leinster
Venue: Stadio Monigo, Treviso
Kick-off: 19.45 IST / 20.45 CEST (Saturday)
Referee: Morne Ferreira (SARU, 23rd game)
Assistant Referees: Alberto Favaro (FIR), Alex Frasson (FIR)
TMO: Christopher Allison (SARU)
Live on: Sky Italia, TG4, Premier Sports, SuperSport, URC.tv and FloRugby
Leinster are closing in on the top two and a bonus-point victory in Treviso could propel them to the summit of the standings, depending on the result in Cape Town. Leo Cullen’s men are third on 51 points, level with the Stormers and four behind Glasgow, and have won their last six clashes with Benetton. Their only away victory outside Ireland in the URC this season came at the Dragons in Round 6, so they will be determined to put that record right. Benetton are 13th and have lost two successive home matches — to Munster in the URC and Exeter in the Challenge Cup — but have not lost three in a row at Stadio Monigo since April 2022. With a Champions Cup semi-final against Toulon the following weekend, Cullen has one eye on the bigger picture but has still named a formidable team.
Cullen has made 13 changes from the side that beat Ulster 29-21 last weekend, retaining only Jimmy O’Brien and Brian Deeny. The headline news is the return of Ireland back rows Caelan Doris and Josh van der Flier, both coming back from injury in a timely boost ahead of the Toulon semi-final. Doris captains the side from number eight with van der Flier at openside and Jack Conan at blindside. Tadhg Furlong and Dan Sheehan start in the front row alongside Ed Byrne, who makes his first start since May 2024. Harry Byrne, who signed a new contract this week, starts at fly-half with Jamison Gibson-Park at nine. Rieko Ioane and Jamie Osborne form the centre partnership, while Ciaran Frawley starts at full-back and Tommy O’Brien takes the right wing. From the bench, Sam Prendergast, Gus McCarthy, Thomas Clarkson and Alex Soroka — all of whom signed new Leinster contracts this week — provide considerable firepower.
Benetton are captained by Michele Lamaro, with Malakai Fekitoa and Tommaso Menoncello forming an exciting centre combination and Matt Gallagher at full-back. The pack is led by Lorenzo Cannone at number eight alongside Manuel Zuliani and Lamaro in the back row. The Italians have made five changes to the XV.
Leinster senior coach Jacques Nienaber said: “If you look at Benetton, they have the majority of the Italian team and some really good ball-carriers. They’re big men. They’re a tough team. We’re looking forward to the challenge.”
Benetton head coach Calum MacRae said: “Against Leinster, we will need intensity, focus, and dominance at the breakdown to secure quick ball. We’re playing at home, that has to be an advantage and give us extra momentum.”
Benetton: 15 Matt Gallagher, 14 Ignacio Mendy, 13 Tommaso Menoncello, 12 Malakai Fekitoa, 11 Paolo Odogwu, 10 Jacob Umaga, 9 Alessandro Garbisi, 8 Lorenzo Cannone, 7 Michele Lamaro (c), 6 Manuel Zuliani, 5 Riccardo Favretto, 4 Giulio Marini, 3 Tiziano Pasquali, 2 Bautista Bernasconi, 1 Destiny Aminu.
Replacements: Nicholas Gasperini, Ivan Nemer, Marcos Gallorini, Niccolo Cannone, So’otala Fa’aso’o, Eli Snyman, Andy Uren, Leonardo Marin.
Leinster: 15 Ciaran Frawley, 14 Tommy O’Brien, 13 Rieko Ioane, 12 Jamie Osborne, 11 Jimmy O’Brien, 10 Harry Byrne, 9 Jamison Gibson-Park, 8 Caelan Doris (c), 7 Josh van der Flier, 6 Jack Conan, 5 Brian Deeny, 4 Conor O’Tighearnaigh, 3 Tadhg Furlong, 2 Dan Sheehan, 1 Ed Byrne.
Replacements: Gus McCarthy, Jerry Cahir, Thomas Clarkson, Alex Soroka, Scott Penny, Fintan Gunne, Sam Prendergast, Charlie Tector.
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