URC 24/25 Round 5

The action keeps coming as the URC enters round 5 this week in this opening 6 game block. Munster and Glasgow are off to South Arica for the start of their tours in what are sure to be some cracking matches.

Congratulations and good luck to WRU official Ben Connor who makes his league referee debut in the Zebre v Lions game.

Friday 18th October 2024

Scarlets v Vodacom Bulls
Parc y Scarlets, Llanelli – KO 19.35 IRE & UK / 20.35 ITA & SA
Live on: BBC Wales, Premier Sports, SuperSport, Flo Rugby & URC.tv

Ulster v Ospreys
Kingspan Stadium, Belfast – KO 19.35 IRE & UK / 20.35 ITA & SA
Live on: Premier Sports, SuperSport, Flo Rugby & URC.tv


Saturday 19th October 2024

Zebre Parma v Emirates Lions
Stadio Lanfranchi, Parma – KO 12.30 IRE & UK / 13.30 ITA & SA
Live on: Sky Italia, Premier Sports, SuperSport, Flo Rugby & URC.tv

Hollywoodbets Sharks v Glasgow Warriors
Hollywoodbets Kings Park, Durban – KO 14.45 IRE & UK / 15.45 ITA & SA
Live on: SuperSport, Premier Sports, Flo Rugby & URC.tv

DHL Stormers v Munster
DHL Stadium, Cape Town – KO 17.00 IRE & UK / 18.00 ITA & SA
Live on: SuperSport, RTÉ, Premier Sports, Flo Rugby & URC.tv

Edinburgh Rugby v Cardiff Rugby
Hive Stadium, Edinburgh – KO 17.15 IRE & UK / 18.15 ITA & SA
Live on: Premier Sports, SuperSport, Flo Rugby & URC.tv

Connacht v Leinster
Dexcom Stadium, Galway – KO 19.35 IRE & UK / 20.35 ITA & SA
Live on: TG4, Premier Sports, SuperSport, Flo Rugby & URC.tv

Dragons RFC v Benetton
Rodney Parade, Newport – KO 19.35 IRE & UK / 20.35 ITA & SA
Live on: S4C, Premier Sports, SuperSport, Flo Rugby & URC.tv

Scarlets will get drubbed. Ospreys I feel will just be on the backfoot and struggle to get into the game. Cardiff will probably get drubbed. That leaves Dragons as the great hope again, hopefully it's not another plucky loss.

Ospreys will present a tough game for Ulster, Ulsters scrum and maul is not good these days so that's a good way for Ospreys to get into the game away from home.

I don't think Dragons will even manage to be plucky, this week.

Edinburgh vs Cardiff is probably the biggest must-win for both sides. Lose this game and that is probably any hopes of playoff contention over without a ridiculous run of form

Some really good games though with Sharks vs Glasgow, Stormers vs Munster and Ulster vs Ospreys all looking like close games on paper.

If I were a betting man
Bulls, Ulster, Lions, Glasgow, Stormers, Edinburgh, Leinster, Benetton

neilthom7 wrote:Ospreys will present a tough game for Ulster, Ulsters scrum and maul is not good these days so that's a good way for Ospreys to get into the game away from home.

Maybe not

"Ospreys head coach Toby Booth has outlined his "horrific" unavailability list as he prepares to send a depleted squad to face Ulster in the United Rugby Championship (URC) on Friday night.

Booth has 40% of his squad unavailable for the away fixture in Belfast, either through injury or with Wales internationals being rested.

The usual squad figure is about 22%.

The players missing include Rhys Henry, Dewi Lake, Tom Botha, Huw Sutton, Rhys Davies, Adam Beard, James Fender, James Ratti, Will Griffiths, Harri Deaves, Tristan Davies, Morgan Morse, Jac Morgan, Ryan Conbeer, Keiran Williams, Owen Watkin, Phil Cokanasiga and Iestyn Hopkins.

The major injury concern comes at lock with six players absent, while back row and centre positions are also presenting problems.

It means Booth will have to field players out of position and rely on feeder teams in the Super Rygbi Cymru (SRC)"

Ospreys no longer have the scrum weapon without Nicky Smith. Tom Botha is probably not available due to injury. They just haven’t replaced Smith, nor Francis before him. When you match them there they look bereft of ideas. In the game against Munster and Bulls they were really poor.

mikey_dragon wrote:Ospreys no longer have the scrum weapon without Nicky Smith.

Thanks for that one, he's fitting in brilliantly in Leicester. Like he's been here for years already. Solid 7/10 every week type of player.

I wonder if Booth leaving is already having an impact. To be fair they have a horrific injury list as well.

formerly known as Sam wrote:

mikey_dragon wrote:Ospreys no longer have the scrum weapon without Nicky Smith.

Thanks for that one, he's fitting in brilliantly in Leicester. Like he's been here for years already. Solid 7/10 every week type of player.

Just 7? 9 out of 10 scrums he would just fold the opposition. If he's playing for Leicester then maybe some international coaches will finally recognise him, given how they fawn over the premiership.

Kingshu wrote:

neilthom7 wrote:Ospreys will present a tough game for Ulster, Ulsters scrum and maul is not good these days so that's a good way for Ospreys to get into the game away from home.

Maybe not

"Ospreys head coach Toby Booth has outlined his "horrific" unavailability list as he prepares to send a depleted squad to face Ulster in the United Rugby Championship (URC) on Friday night.

Booth has 40% of his squad unavailable for the away fixture in Belfast, either through injury or with Wales internationals being rested.

The usual squad figure is about 22%.

The players missing include Rhys Henry, Dewi Lake, Tom Botha, Huw Sutton, Rhys Davies, Adam Beard, James Fender, James Ratti, Will Griffiths, Harri Deaves, Tristan Davies, Morgan Morse, Jac Morgan, Ryan Conbeer, Keiran Williams, Owen Watkin, Phil Cokanasiga and Iestyn Hopkins.

The major injury concern comes at lock with six players absent, while back row and centre positions are also presenting problems.

It means Booth will have to field players out of position and rely on feeder teams in the Super Rygbi Cymru (SRC)"

Some Wales players being rested. This early in the season? They've only played 3 games.

Well here goes my predictions this week:-

Scarlets vs Bulls - Bulls side on paper doesnt look as strong as last week. I can see Scarlets pinching this one. Scarlets by 3.

Ulster vs Ospreys - Ospreys have so many injuries and their lineup looks very week. Ulster should win this at a canter. Ulster by 20

Zebre vs Lions - Lions by 15

Sharks vs Glasgow - Big guns out for both sides on this one, on paper it should be the one to watch this weekend. I just have a feeling the way Glasgow are and the pressure Sharks are under they will sneak it. Glasgow by 3

Stormer vs Munster - Stormers still missing their Springboks. Munster by 10.

Edinburgh vs Cardiff - Litterick is starting so that says it all. Edinburgh by 15

Connacht vs Leinster - Leinster by 10

Dragons vs Benetton - Dai really has messed with the lineup for this one. Benetton have brought a strong team over. Benetton by at least 14

I don't know what Flanagan could've done differently, tbf to him.

SLH in the second row stands out, but aside from that it's probably what I would've expected.

Benetton will be comfortable though aye.

Well Scarlets are at least mounting a comeback. Bulls are back in the Scarlets 22 again though and thats never a good thing

Ospreys look like they are getting worked over by Ulster. Not unexpected though.

If Scarlets can't beat this Bulls side with their first team I think it's safe to say their season is already over. Enjoy the challenge cup...

Bulls 22-18 - Scarlets are in this with 20 mins to go.....Bulls look like they are tired now...

Red Card - bulls to 14......Scarlets wont get a better chance now....

Scarlets defence has looked terrible this evening. They just look like a poorly coached team. How long can this continue?

Rogers beats 3 to go over.....they take the lead 23-22 and a conversion to come........think there is only 5 mins to go as well so if they can take the kick off and get field position this might be over.....

mikey_dragon wrote:Scarlets defence has looked terrible this evening. They just look like a poorly coached team. How long can this continue?

Anybody's guess at this point......

I just hope that solo Rogers try isnt the reason he is called into the wales squad.......Rosser should be miles ahead of him at the moment...

Hepburn looks like he's out of his depth at loosehead - cant seem to scrum for toffee

3 mins - they just need to take a lineout and run 3 mins in carries......should be basic stuff really

and they kick it away - mindless stuff.....

got lucky bulls full back kicked it too long - they might win but this was pretty poor.

Well Scarlets win - but it was poor

Welshmushroom wrote:I just hope that solo Rogers try isnt the reason he is called into the wales squad.......Rosser should be miles ahead of him at the moment...

He’s a shocking player, but his defence is the worst I’ve ever seen. It might be worse than Luke Morgan’s which is saying something. I think Rosser is much better.

Some observations from this Dragons game.

Owen is to small at 12. He is a tidy rugby player but from what I have seen from the URC if you dont have a powerful 12 to give you go forward your going to struggle in the league. If we could get a Hennessey or Llewellyn playing there I think that would make a difference to our backline play and probably bring Westwood on a lot more.

Lloyd to me I dont think is the kind of 10 we need - im sceptical of his passing and kicking game. Jarrod Evans is the guy I would like to see us get or if we could push the boat out maybe Albanoz.

SLH cant play second row. He should be our 6 full stop.

Basham needs to play at 7. Not big enough at 8.

Im happy with Carter but if we want to be competitive we need to drop our second lock being a lightweight option at lineout and have another bruiser in there with another off the bench. I'd make the 6 the lineout option.

Our looseheads are not good enough. We need to replace what we have with 2 good options.

O'Brien needs to stay at 15. With his boot he offers us to much back there to move to 10.

Frustrating as I think about 8 good players would turn us into a different team altogether. I just dont have any faith in Dai to make the above signings if we do end up getting another 2 million on our budget which realistically should probably give us those signings. Shame really because I really think with those changes we could end up being the best side in wales.

Welshmushroom wrote:Well here goes my predictions this week:-

Scarlets vs Bulls - Bulls side on paper doesnt look as strong as last week.  I can see Scarlets pinching this one.  Scarlets by 3.

Ulster vs Ospreys - Ospreys have so many injuries and their lineup looks very week.  Ulster should win this at a canter.  Ulster by 20

Zebre vs Lions - Lions by 15

Sharks vs Glasgow - Big guns out for both sides on this one, on paper it should be the one to watch this weekend.  I just have a feeling the way Glasgow are and the pressure Sharks are under they will sneak it.  Glasgow by 3

Stormer vs Munster - Stormers still missing their Springboks.  Munster by 10.

Edinburgh vs Cardiff - Litterick is starting so that says it all.  Edinburgh by 15

Connacht vs Leinster - Leinster by 10

Dragons vs Benetton - Dai really has messed with the lineup for this one.  Benetton  have brought a strong team over.  Benetton by at least 14

Doing a lot better this week on my predictions - Sharks and Stormers the 2 I've got wrong with the other all pretty much on the money. Dragons one is still in the balance at the moment though and not done yet. Going to end up with 5-6 out of 8. I'll take that given the URC is getting harder to predict each year.

Try for Benetton - this game is getting away from us.....

Dragons were doing well first half I thought. Now they’re getting smashed. Weak replacements making us an easier proposition 2nd half.

I dont want to be to harsh - we are fighting for sure. But tactically I just feel we do some silly things. I also as per my earlier post can see the clear weaknesses of this team. I just dont have any faith in the management to really go out and fix this.

I know we cant sign superstars but there are enough people out there who have serious talent, are getting no gametime and could be tomorrows superstars. But we seem to be obsessed with adding guys who are middle of the range players with no actual room to get better.

Hennessey is exactly the sort of guy who we could offer 15 games a season to, who will be on a crap academy contract and probably 150K a year would be more than enough to get him. I accept we wont compete in the transfer market today with the best teams in the league but if we planned ahead for a season or two we really could have a excellent team at that point.

I did find it interesting that the commentary team mentioned Benetton have the 2nd biggest salary spend in the league. Wonder how much they must be spending if that statement is true?

Lost 3 home games in a row. It’s hard to see where we go from here, without better players and a better coach.

Connacht vs Leinster not quite finished but I think im 6 out of 8 now...... Munster losing like that was a surprise and I did mention i though Sharks vs Glasgow would be tight.

mikey_dragon wrote:Lost 3 home games in a row. It’s hard to see where we go from here, without better players and a better coach.

Do you think Dai is out of his depth at this level?

Welshmushroom wrote:

mikey_dragon wrote:Lost 3 home games in a row. It’s hard to see where we go from here, without better players and a better coach.

Do you think Dai is out of his depth at this level?

I’ve always said that. You didn’t catch me saying it on one of those occasions?

Yeah I just wasnt sure if you think he has a place as just a coach at the club. I dont think either of us think he is a top man. Just wondering if he even has a future as a basic coach at this level.

Some really poor play at the end there from the Dragons when trying to get a try to secure a losing BP. Coleman throwing it to no one resulting in us going from inside their 22 to almost back to half way; someone passing it into touch near the wing by passing behind the player; Angus O’Brien (who I thought had a decent game and his boot from hand is a real weapon) with a real poor run down a blind alley right at the end and getting easily nudged into touch to end the game. What was he hoping to do on his own???

All we needed was 3 points towards the end to get a LBP. Much more composure and basic skills needed.

My main worry is that we wont get the top end players we need. But if we target those that could be future internationals we actually need a coaching team capable of getting them there which I dont think we have. Defence and fitness has got better so our fitness and defence coach could stay. But everyone else should be let go.

I also think rugby has it wrong in terms of how recruitment works. I genuinely think we should be adopting a NFL style where the GM deals with finding and signing players. Coaching teams essentially would only train and manage the actual selections and tactics. Would stop any sort of biases around player retention which lets be fair always seems to happen.

Yeah agree our defence and fitness is better. Some players are making individual errors that are costly, but we have nobody better to replace them. Lloyd Evans springs to mind, although he’s still much better than Reed. I also think if we let a bunch of players go then we could find someone decent, but Dai won’t make the big decisions, in fact he’ll probably keep re-signing guys like Coleman and Davies.

SLH isn’t a lock, he’s good at 6 and 8. Basham might not be big but he is certainly good enough and physical enough to play across the back-row. We’re blessed here.
It’s old news now but yeah he didn’t do enough to address the front 5. His signings Martinez and Arhip don’t seem to be working out.