URC: Team News for Round 18 - Connacht chase top eight as Play-Off race concludes

The play-off places are up for grabs in one of the closest campaigns of the URC era, with only a bonus point win between the fourth placed Bulls and ninth-placed Connacht. A win for the Galwegians puts Stuart Lancaster's side in contention for a late push for the top eight, as Connacht head up to Edinburgh in a match that is truly 'do-or-die' for the Irish province.

Glasgow Warriors currently sit at the top of the standings, just a single point ahead of the second-placed Stormers. Leinster and the Bulls then populate the third and fourth placed rungs, with the Dublin and Pretoria sides desperate to hang on to their home field advantage ahead of the incoming quarter-finals.

However, a late slip up could spell disaster for the Bulls, with only four points between the Pretorian side and the chasing pack of Lions, Munster, Cardiff and Ulster, who populate the fifth to eighth placed spots respectively. With permutations galore, Connacht have kept the door open for a late spot in the top eight as we run through all the team news for what will be a dramatic final round in the URC.

The teams ranked 1st to 4th will earn a home quarter-final. Glasgow Warriors (1st) and the Stormers (2nd) have secured their home-field advantage. However, 3rd placed Leinster and 4th placed Bulls must win to ensure their home quarter-finals.

The Lions (5th), Munster (6th), Cardiff (7th) and Ulster (8th) can put pressure on Leinster and the Bulls, and can all sneak into the top four with a win, should other results go their way. Ninth placed Connacht need a win to stand a chance of getting into the play-offs, and require the Bulls, Lions, Munster, Cardiff or Ulster to drop points in the final round of the season.

Leigh Halfpenny is poised for an emotional farewell at Cardiff Arms Park after being named on the bench for Cardiff Rugby’s must-win clash against the DHL Stormers on Friday night. The legendary Welsh full-back, who will retire at the end of the season, could make his final appearance at the famous ground as Cardiff chase a play-off place. Cardiff head into the final round sitting seventh in the table, knowing victory over the second-placed Stormers would guarantee a quarter-final berth.

Corniel van Zyl has made five changes to the side beaten by Glasgow Warriors last weekend. Ioan Lloyd starts at fly-half after Callum Sheedy suffered a hamstring injury, while Rory Jennings returns in midfield with Josh Adams ruled out.

Up front, Danny Southworth and Javan Sebastian come into the front row and George Nott replaces Josh McNally, who is unavailable due to RAF duty. Cardiff head into the final round sitting seventh in the table, knowing victory over the second-placed Stormers would guarantee a quarter-final berth.

The visitors have already secured a home quarter-final but still arrive in Wales with a strong side. Neethling Fouché captains the Stormers in the absence of the injured Deon Fourie, while Damian Willemse shifts to full-back in a reshuffled backline. John Dobson’s side also welcome back Springbok lock Salmaan Moerat on the bench after injury.

Cardiff XV: 15 Cam Winnett, 14 Jacob Beetham, 13 Ben Thomas, 12 Rory Jennings, 11 Tom Bowen, 10 Ioan Lloyd, 9 Johan Mulder, 1 Danny Southworth, 2 Liam Belcher, 3 Javan Sebastian, 4 George Nott, 5 Rory Thornton, 6 James Botham, 7 Dan Thomas, 8 Taine Basham.

Replacements (16–23): 16 Daf Hughes, 17 Rhys Barratt, 18 Keiron Assiratti, 19 Alun Lawrence, 20 Evan Lloyd, 21 Ellis Bevan, 22 Stef Emanuel, 23 Leigh Halfpenny.

Stormers XV : 15 Damian Willemse, 14 Suleiman Hartzenberg, 13 Wandisile Simelane, 12 Jonathan Roche, 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 (16–23): 16 JJ Kotzé, 17 Oli Kebble, 18 Zachary Porthen, 19 Salmaan Moerat, 20 Marcel Theunissen, 21 Keke Morabe, 22 Stefan Ungerer, 23 Jurie Matthee.

Edinburgh are targeting a fourth straight URC victory as Sean Everitt’s side host Connacht at Hive Stadium. Club captain Magnus Bradbury returns at number eight for the Scots, while Marshall Sykes comes into the second row after Grant Gilchrist was ruled out with a finger injury.

Piers O’Conor also returns in midfield as Edinburgh continue to back a youthful squad featuring 15 academy graduates. The visitors from Galway still harbour realistic play-off ambitions and head into the fixture one point outside the top eight.

Connacht have made three changes following last weekend’s impressive win over Munster. Finlay Bealham returns at tighthead prop, while Eoin de Buitléar and Joe Joyce replace the injured Dylan Tierney-Martin and Darragh Murray. Bundee Aki continues in midfield alongside Harry West, with Shayne Bolton and Shane Jennings retained in the back three.

Edinburgh XV: 15 Harry Paterson, 14 Darcy Graham, 13 Piers O’Conor, 12 Findlay Thomson, 11 Duhan van der Merwe, 10 Ross Thompson, 9 Hector Patterson, 1 Pierre Schoeman, 2 Ewan Ashman, 3 Ollie Blyth-Lafferty, 4 Marshall Sykes, 5 Glen Young, 6 Tom Dodd, 7 Freddy Douglas, 8 Magnus Bradbury.

Replacements (16–23): 16 Jerry Blyth-Lafferty, 17 Boan Venter, 18 Paul Hill, 19 Callum Hunter-Hill, 20 Euan McVie, 21 Tom Currie, 22 Charlie Shiel, 23 Jack Brown.

Connacht XV: 15 Sam Gilbert, 14 Shane Jennings, 13 Harry West, 12 Bundee Aki, 11 Shayne Bolton, 10 Josh Ioane, 9 Ben Murphy, 1 Billy Bohan, 2 Eoin de Buitléar, 3 Finlay Bealham, 4 Joe Joyce, 5 Josh Murphy, 6 Cian Prendergast, 7 Shamus Hurley-Langton, 8 Sean Jansen.

Replacements (16–23): 16 Mikey Yarr, 17 Peter Dooley, 18 Sam Illo, 19 David O’Connor, 20 Paul Boyle, 21 Matthew Devine, 22 Jack Carty, 23 Seán Naughton.

League leaders Glasgow Warriors travel to Belfast looking to cement top spot, while Ulster know victory could secure a precious play-off place. Richie Murphy has handed starts to academy prospects Bryn Ward and Wilhelm De Klerk, while veteran hooker Rob Herring returns from injury. James Hume is also back in midfield after recovering from a neck issue.

Glasgow, meanwhile, welcome back Scotland international Gregor Brown after injury. Franco Smith has made three changes from the side that beat Cardiff last weekend, with Nathan McBeth and Brown both returning to the starting pack. George Horne continues at scrum-half after an impressive comeback performance, while Sione Tuipulotu and Stafford McDowall remain paired in midfield.

Ulster XV: 15 Michael Lowry, 14 Werner Kok, 13 James Hume, 12 Wilhelm De Klerk, 11 Zac Ward, 10 Jake Flannery, 9 Conor McKee, 1 Sam Crean, 2 Rob Herring, 3 Tom O’Toole, 4 Harry Sheridan, 5 Charlie Irvine, 6 Joe Hopes, 7 Nick Timoney, 8 Bryn Ward.

Replacements (16–23): 16 Tom Stewart, 17 Angus Bell, 18 Scott Wilson, 19 Cormac Izuchukwu, 20 Lorcan McLoughlin, 21 Nathan Doak, 22 Jack Murphy, 23 Ethan McIlroy.

Glasgow XV: 15 Josh McKay, 14 Kyle Steyn, 13 Stafford McDowall, 12 Sione Tuipulotu, 11 Kyle Rowe, 10 Dan Lancaster, 9 George Horne, 1 Nathan McBeth, 2 Johnny Matthews, 3 Zander Fagerson, 4 Gregor Brown, 5 Alex Samuel, 6 Ally Miller, 7 Matt Fagerson, 8 Macenzzie Duncan.

Replacements (16–23): 16 Gregor Hiddleston, 17 Rory Sutherland, 18 Sam Talakai, 19 Jare Oguntibeju, 20 Euan Ferrie, 21 Sione Vailanu, 22 Ben Afshar, 23 Ollie Smith.

The Sharks close out their regular season campaign against Zebre at Kings Park with several exciting changes to their backline. Junior Springbok playmaker Vusi Moyo is handed a URC debut at fly-half after starring during South Africa’s Under-20 Rugby Championship triumph.

JP Pietersen has largely kept faith with the side that dismantled Benetton last week, although injuries to Makazole Mapimpi and Edwill van der Merwe have forced alterations out wide. Andre Esterhuizen captains the side, while the departing Siya Kolisi and Emmanuel Tshituka continue in the back row. Zebre arrive in Durban looking to finish their campaign strongly after another difficult season, in the hopes of picking up a significant win away in South Africa.

Sharks XV:15 Zekhethelo Siyaya, 14 Jaco Williams, 13 Jurenzo Julius, 12 André Esterhuizen, 11 Litelihle Bester, 10 Vusi Moyo, 9 Bradley Davids, 1 Ox Nche, 2 Eduan Swart, 3 Vincent Koch, 4 Jason Jenkins, 5 Emile van Heerden, 6 Siya Kolisi, 7 Emmanuel Tshituka, 8 Nick Hatton.

Replacements (16–23): 16 Fez Mbatha, 17 Phatu Ganyane, 18 Hanro Jacobs, 19 Deon Slabbert, 20 Matt Romao, 21 Ross Braude, 22 Jean Smith, 23 Le Roux Malan.

Zebre XV: 15. Mirko Belloni 14. Malik Faissal 13. Luca Morisi 12. Damiano Mazza 11. Simone Gesi 10. Giovanni Montemauri 9. Alessandro Fusco 1. Muhamed Hasa 2. Tommaso di Bartolomeo 3. Ion Neculai 4. Franco Carrera 5. Matteo Canali 6. Alessandro Ortombina 7. Bautista Stavile 8. Samuele Locatelli

The Bulls will be without two of their biggest stars for Saturday’s clash against Benetton after captain Marcell Coetzee and Kurt-Lee Arendse were ruled out through illness. Despite already securing a play-off place, Johan Ackermann’s side can still finish in the top four with victory in Pretoria.

Elrigh Louw returns to the starting line-up, while Willie le Roux will make his 400th first-class appearance. There is also a welcome return for Stravino Jacobs, who could feature off the bench in his 100th Bulls appearance.

Benetton, already out of play-off contention, have rotated heavily for the final game of their South African tour. Rhyno Smith starts at fly-half, while Federico Ruzza captains the side from the second row.

Bulls XV: 15 Willie le Roux, 14 Devon Williams, 13 Canan Moodie, 12 Harold Vorster, 11 Sergeal Petersen, 10 Handre Pollard, 9 Embrose Papier, 1 Gerhard Steenekamp, 2 Johan Grobbelaar, 3 Wilco Louw, 4 Ruan Nortje, 5 Cobus Wiese, 6 Elrigh Louw, 7 Jeandre Rudolph, 8 Cameron Hanekom.

Replacements (16–23): 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 XV: 15 Matt Gallagher, 14 Louis Lynagh, 13 Paolo Odogwu, 12 Tomas Medina, 11 Federico Zanandrea, 10 Rhyno Smith, 9 Alessandro Garbisi, 1 Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro, 2 Bautista Bernasconi, 3 Tiziano Pasquali, 4 Mattia Midena, 5 Federico Ruzza, 6 Riccardo Favretto, 7 Lorenzo Cannone, 8 So’otala Fa’aso’o.

Replacements (16–23): 16 Nicholas Gasperini, 17 Ivan Nemer, 18 Marcos Gallorini, 19 Niccolò Cannone, 20 Giulio Marini, 21 Jadin Kingi, 22 Cristiano Tizzano, 23 Leonardo Marin.

Leinster have named a powerful side for their final regular-season fixture against the Ospreys at the Aviva Stadium. Jack Conan captains the Irish province in a back row that also includes Josh van der Flier and James Culhane. Jamison Gibson-Park starts at scrum-half alongside Harry Byrne, while Robbie Henshaw and Garry Ringrose reunite in midfield. There is also a significant boost on the bench with James Lowe returning from injury.

The Ospreys, meanwhile, are led for the final time by Wales back row Jac Morgan, will celebrate milestones for Dan Edwards and Iestyn Hopkins, who both make their 50th appearances for the Welsh region.

Leinster XV 15 Jimmy O’Brien, 14 Tommy O’Brien, 13 Garry Ringrose, 12 Robbie Henshaw, 11 Jordan Larmour, 10 Harry Byrne, 9 Jamison Gibson-Park, 1 Jerry Cahir, 2 Gus McCarthy, 3 Rabah Slimani, 4 Joe McCarthy, 5 Diarmuid Mangan, 6 Jack Conan, 7 Josh van der Flier, 8 James Culhane.

Replacements (16–23): 16 Rónan Kelleher, 17 Alex Usanov, 18 Tadhg Furlong, 19 Max Deegan, 20 Caelan Doris, 21 Fintan Gunne, 22 Ciarán Frawley, 23 James Lowe.

Ospreys XV: 15. Jack Walsh 14. Keelan Giles 13. Evardi Boshoff 12. Owen Watkin 11. Iestyn Hopkins 10. Dan Edwards 9. Reuben Morgan-Williams 1. Garwyn Phillips 2. Efan Daniel 3. Ben Warren 4. Rhys Davies 5. Huw Sutton 6. James Ratti 7. Jac Morgan 8. Ross Moriarty

Replacements: 16. Lewis Lloyd 17. Cam Jones 18. Kian Hire 19. Ben Roberts 20. Harri Deaves 21. Kieran Hardy 22. Phil Cokanasiga 23. Luke Morgan

Josh Macleod will captain Scarlets on his 150th appearance for the region when they host Dragons RFC in Llanelli. Nigel Davies has reshuffled his backline following Eddie James’ knee injury, with Macs Page moving into midfield and Blair Murray switching to the wing. Up front, 21-year-old Josh Morse earns his first URC start at loosehead prop.

The Dragons make four changes following defeat to Edinburgh, with Wales call-up Ryan Woodman returning to the back row. Niall Armstrong will also play his final game for the club.

Scarlets XV: 15 Ioan Jones, 14 Tom Rogers, 13 Macs Page, 12 Joe Roberts, 11 Blair Murray, 10 Joe Hawkins, 9 Dane Blacker, 1 Josh Morse, 2 Ryan Elias, 3 Archer Holz, 4 Jac Price, 5 Max Douglas, 6 Jarrod Taylor, 7 Josh Macleod, 8 Taine Plumtree.

Replacements (16–23): 16 Harry Thomas, 17 Sam O’Connor, 18 Harri O’Connor, 19 Dan Davis, 20 Osian Williams, 21 Gareth Davies, 22 Carwyn Leggatt-Jones, 23 Jac Davies.

Dragons XV: 15 Angus O’Brien, 14 David Richards, 13 Fine Inisi, 12 Aneurin Owen, 11 Rio Dyer, 10 Tinus de Beer, 9 Niall Armstrong, 1 Wyn Jones, 2 Brodie Coghlan, 3 Dillon Lewis, 4 Seb Davies, 5 Ben Carter, 6 Ryan Woodman, 7 Thomas Young, 8 Aaron Wainwright.

Replacements (16–23): 16 Elliot Dee, 17 Rhodri Jones, 18 Chris Coleman, 19 Levi Douglas, 20 Harrison Keddie, 21 Rhodri Williams, 22 Harri Ackerman, 23 Huw Anderson.

One of the biggest matches of the round takes place at Thomond Park where Munster and the Lions go head-to-head in what is effectively a play-off eliminator. Craig Casey captains Munster at Thomond Park for the first time, while club stalwarts Niall Scannell and John Ryan could both make their final home appearances before retirement.

Jack Crowley returns at fly-half as Munster make five changes from last weekend’s defeat to Connacht. The Lions know victory would secure a first-ever URC play-off place since the South African franchises joined the competition.

Ivan van Rooyen has been forced into changes after prop Asenathi Ntlabakanye was suspended this week, with Sebastian Lombard coming into the front row. Captain Francke Horn described the contest as “a straight shootout” as the Johannesburg side target a landmark result in Limerick. With so much still to be decided across the URC table, Round 18 promises one of the most dramatic finishes to a regular season yet.

Munster (15–1): 15 Mike Haley, 14 Andrew Smith, 13 Alex Nankivell, 12 Dan Kelly, 11 Seán O’Brien, 10 Jack Crowley, 9 Craig Casey, 1 Jeremy Loughman, 2 Niall Scannell, 3 Michael Ala’alatoa, 4 Tom Ahern, 5 Fineen Wycherley, 6 Jack O’Donoghue, 7 John Hodnett, 8 Brian Gleeson.

Replacements (16–23): 16 Diarmuid Barron, 17 Josh Wycherley, 18 John Ryan, 19 Evan O’Connell, 20 Gavin Coombes, 21 Ben O’Donovan, 22 JJ Hanrahan, 23 Alex Kendellen.

Lions (15–1): 15 Quan Horn, 14 Kelly Mpeku, 13 Henco van Wyk, 12 Richard Kriel, 11 Angelo Davids, 10 Chris Smith, 9 Morne van den Berg, 1 SJ Kotze, 2 PJ Botha, 3 Sebastian Lombard, 4 Reinhard Nothnagel, 5 Darrien Landsberg, 6 Siba Mahashe, 7 Batho Hlekani, 8 Francke Horn.

Replacements (16–23): 16 Morne Brandon, 17 Eddie Davids, 18 RF Schoeman, 19 Ruan Delport, 20 Siba Qoma, 21 JC Pretorius, 22 Haashim Pead, 23 Rynhardt Jonker.