URC Round 15

So let's take a break out of that international tournament thing and get back to the stuff everyone cares most about with round 15

Some big games in the race for the top 4 and playoffs.

All games on Premier Sports (ViaPlay), Discovery +, URC TV, Supersport.  All times UK/Ireland time.

Friday 3rd March 2023

Glasgow Warriors v Zebre Parma- 19:35- Scotstoun Stadium, Glasgow
Munster v Scarlets- 19:35- Musgrave Park, Cork- BBC Wales, RTE

Saturday 4th March 2023

DHL Stormers v Cell C Sharks- 12:30- DHL Stadium, Cape Town
Vodacom Bulls v Emirates Lions- 14:45- Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria
Edinburgh v Leinster- 17:05- The DAM Health Stadium, Edinburgh
Ospreys v Benneton- 17:15- Swansea.com Stadium, Swansea- S4C
Dragons v Connacht- 19:35- Rodney Parade, Newport- S4C, RTE
Cardiff v Ulster- 19:35- Cardiff Arms Park, Cardiff

Munster could get punished if they play loosely as that’s what Scarlets have been doing lately, but Munster won’t play that way. I envision them winning this one. Hopefully home wins for Cardiff and Dragons, they’ve had some players sent back which I feel gives them an advantage. Ospreys need to show a response after what we saw against Munster, which was horrific.

Do we know how many players Benetton are getting back? They had 18 called up to Italy, but still managed to give Munster a good game at home which shows some depth to thier squad. Away though they haven't been great. Won't be an easy game for Ospreys. If at home id say Benetton win, away im 50/50.

Ulster left a lot of players at home for the trip to SA, add the players that have been released by Ireland and I think only 4/5 of the team that beat Sharks will start this. Think Ulster should win unless Cardiff can stop the rolling maul.

Quite excited for this weekend. It might be my first visit to RP this season, due to going away.

Should have a good side out too, with Brown, Dee and Wainwright back.

Connacht and Ulster really need to win these games if they want to be considered contenders (top 2/4 for Ulster and top 8 for Connacht).

They should be close to full strength as each are only losing a few players each to Ireland. Connacht are only missing Aki and Hansan + injuries, and Ulster only ToT, McCluskey and Henderson. No excuses, and I think they will be far more motivated as they have something to actually play for.

My picks for this weekend:

Friday 3rd March 2023

Glasgow Warriors v Zebre Parma- 19:35- Scotstoun Stadium, Glasgow
Munster v Scarlets- 19:35- Musgrave Park, Cork- BBC Wales

Saturday 4th March 2023

DHL Stormers v Cell C Sharks- 12:30- DHL Stadium, Cape Town
Vodacom Bulls v Emirates Lions- 14:45- Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria
Edinburgh v Leinster- 17:05- The DAM Health Stadium, Edinburgh
Ospreys v Benneton- 17:15- Swansea.com Stadium, Swansea- S4C
Dragons v Connacht- 19:35- Rodney Parade, Newport- S4C
Cardiff v Ulster- 19:35- Cardiff Arms Park, Cardiff

Yeah really big ask for us to go over to Munster without our internationals but we have done well in the recent weeks so will be looking for us to put in a performance & put up more resistance than our neighbours over the Loughor did.

Munster have picked a pretty strong team, and a certain RG Snyman on the bench.

Dragons: Angus O'Brien, Jared Rosser, Steff Hughes, Max Clark Ashton Hewitt, Will Reed, Rhodri Williams (c); Rhodri Jones, Bradley Roberts, Leon Brown, Matthew Screech, Ben Carter, Aaron Wainwright, Taine Basham, Ross Moriarty

Replacements: Elliot Dee, Aki Seiuli, Lloyd Fairbrother, George Nott, Harrison Keddie, Lewis Jones, Sam Davies, Jordan Williams

Connacht: Tiernan O'Halloran; Shayne Bolton, Tom Farrell, Cathal Forde; John Porch; Jack Carty (capt), Caolin Blade; Denis Buckley, Dylan Tierney-Martin, Jack Aungier, Josh Murphy, Niall Murray, Cian Prendergast, Conor Oliver, Paul Boyle.

Replacements: Dave Heffernan, Peter Dooley, Sam Illo, Oisin Dowling, Jarrad Butler, Colm Reilly, David Hawkshaw, Shane Jennings.

Good team put out from Dragons. Decent bench too apart from LH and 9 replacements. Wondering if Sio is injured for us?

I see Ulster have picked Carter at 5. Nice of them to play with 14 against Cardiff.

Welshmushroom wrote:I see Ulster have picked Carter at 5.  Nice of them to play with 14 against Cardiff.  

See the Ulster thread you are wrong

If it was 21/22 I'd agree - this year he has been decent

Welshmushroom wrote:I see Ulster have picked Carter at 5.  Nice of them to play with 14 against Cardiff.  

Cardiff picked Seb Davies, so that's 14 against 14. #TurnbullsFavouriteCoPassenger

Thrilling end to that one… Munster 49 - 42 Scarlets.

Good to see the Scarlets make a game of it

Entertaining game Dragons v Connacht.  Dragons with a red card in the 1st half, but surprisingly were probably the better team and had many many chances to win the match.  3 missed drop goals, fluffed line outs close to the try line, held up over the line, lots of over kicked kicks to the wing……poor composure from Dragons, but kudos for not capitulating when a man down for so long (13 v 15 at one point).

Big win for Ulster in the top 4 race. Played well to beat Cardiff away with reasonable control on the game.

Nice to see Jude Postlethwaite make his debut off the bench too, looked the real deal at U-20's level excited to see how he pushes on

TAFKA The Oracle wrote:Entertaining game Dragons v Connacht.  Dragons with a red card in the 1st half, but surprisingly were probably the better team and had many many chances to win the match.  3 missed drop goals, fluffed line outs close to the try line, held up over the line, lots of over kicked kicks to the wing……poor composure from Dragons, but kudos for not capitulating when a man down for so long (13 v 15 at one point).

I think teams have trained a lot more to deal with red cards. Used to be that it was gsme over, now its not so much. Certainly not as bad as they used to be.

Well if someone had offered me one bonus point on Friday, before kick off, I would have taken it. If they'd offered 2 at half time I would have laughed at them!! Not a great game for the defence coaches but to score the most points against Munster away is impressive.

How good was Johnny Williams, what a game he had when he came on, was so hungry for work & that first hit he made was outstanding. I don't think we can or will win the Welsh shield but this performance will keep the performances up as we build towards our European match against Brive.

TAFKA The Oracle wrote:Entertaining game Dragons v Connacht.  Dragons with a red card in the 1st half, but surprisingly were probably the better team and had many many chances to win the match.  3 missed drop goals, fluffed line outs close to the try line, held up over the line, lots of over kicked kicks to the wing……poor composure from Dragons, but kudos for not capitulating when a man down for so long (13 v 15 at one point).

It was a good game, but one that sadly got away from us again. I feel for Sam Davies really, as he has been left out in the cold a bit and then his first job is to have to kick at goal like that.