All you need to know about the URC festive fixtures
- URC Media
- 2 days ago
- 8 min read
The teams for this weekends festive derby fixtures of the United Rugby Championship have been named with all details of match officials and broadcast information below.
TEAM NEWS HEADLINES
Rhys Barratt, Rory Thornton, Alex Mann and Taulupe Faletau named in a refreshed pack for Cardiff Rugby
Hooker George Roberts makes first start for Dragons RFC as Aaron Wainwright returns to line-up
Scarlets hooker Ryan Elias takes over captaincy
Dewi Lake is set to captain Ospreys
Giovanni Licata captains Zebre Parma
Andy Uren will make his 50th appearance for Benetton
James Lang returns from injury to start at inside centre for Edinburgh
Captain Kyle Steyn to make 100th appearance with Scott Cummings to make his 150th appearance for Glasgow Warriors from the bench
Denis Buckley will become Connacht’s second highest capped player as he makes his 270th appearance. Daniel Ryan named on the wing & set to make his debut for the province
Harry Sheridan to make 50th appearance for Ulster
Captain Tadhg Beirne comes into the starting XV as one of seven changes to the team that beat Ospreys as John Ryan becomes just the third player to reach the 250-cap landmark for Munster
Andrew Porter returns to Leinster starting XV for the first time since October having recovered from an arm injury
FRIDAY
Cardiff Rugby v Dragons RFC
Cardiff Arms Park, Cardiff – KO 3pm IRE & UK/4pm ITA/5pm SA
Referee: Adam Jones (WRU, 47th league game)
AR 1: Ben Connor (WRU) AR 2: Amber Stamp-Dunstan (WRU)
TMO: Aled Griffiths (WRU)
Live on: BBC Wales, Premier Sports, SuperSport, Flo Rugby & URC.tv
Cardiff Rugby: Cam Winnett, Josh Adams, Harri Millard, Ben Thomas, Mason Grady, Callum Sheedy, Aled Davies, Rhys Barratt, Liam Belcher (CAPT), Javan Sebastian, Josh McNally, Rory Thornton, Alex Mann, Dan Thomas, Taulupe Faletau. Replacements: Evan Lloyd, Danny Southworth, Sam Wainwright, George Nott, Alun Lawrence, James Botham, Johan Mulder, Jacob Beetham.
Dragons RFC: Angus O’Brien (C.CAPT), Huw Anderson, Fine Inisi, Aneurin Owen, Rio Dyer, Tinus de Beer, Che Hope, Rodrigo Martinez, George Roberts, Robert Hunt, Levi Douglas, Ben Carter (C.CAPT), Ryan Woodman, Thomas Young, Aaron Wainwright. Replacements: Sam Scarfe, Wyn Jones, Cebo Dlamini, Matthew Screech, Harri Keddie, Shane Lewis-Hughes, Rhodri Williams, David Richards.
Cardiff Rugby coach Corniel van Zyl said: “We have had to quickly refocus on another big derby at the Arms Park. Sometimes you only need to make small changes to put things right and we believe that’s the case after Friday night.
“It’s a short turnaround with Christmas and we are determined to get back on track. The Dragons are coming here with plenty of confidence, following two good wins and they will be hugely motivated.
“So there is no doubt that we will have to bring much more accuracy, match their physicality and get back to our best.
“The boys are excited for another big test and a sell-out crowd only adds to that anticipation and motivation. We have had some brilliant nights at the Arms Park this year and on Boxing Day we will be doing everything possible to make our fans proud.”
Dragons RFC head coach Filo Tiatia said: “Boxing Day derbies are very special. The players that get picked are representing everyone at the club but also our Gwent people. We are looking forward to it.
“Players have put their hands up and want to play. We’ve debated as coaches the selection and the players are desperate to play in these games, put the jersey on and do it justice.
“We’re excited around the occasion. Our fans have been awesome at home, and it will be great to see them in Cardiff and hear those voices cheering for us.”
Scarlets v Ospreys
Parc Y Scarlets, Llanelli – KO 5.30pm IRE & UK/6.30pm ITA/7.30pm SA
Referee: Ben Whitehouse (WRU, 112th league game)
AR 1: Craig Evans (WRU) AR 2: Carwyn Sion (WRU)
TMO: Keith David (WRU)
Live on: S4C, Premier Sports, SuperSport, Flo Rugby & URC.tv
Scarlets: Ellis Mee, Tom Rogers, Eddie James, Johnny Williams, Joe Roberts, Joe Hawkins, Gareth Davies, Alec Hepburn, Ryan Elias (CAPT), Archer Holz, Sam Lousi, Jake Ball, Max Douglas, Taine Plumtree, Fletcher Anderson. Replacements: Marnus van der Merwe, Josh Morse, Henry Thomas, Tristan Davies, Jarrod Taylor, Archie Hughes, Elis Price, Macs Page.
Ospreys: Jack Walsh, Ryan Conbeer, Owen Watkin, Keiran Willians, Keelan Giles, Dan Edwards, Kieran Hardy, Steffan Thomas, Dewi Lake (CAPT), Rhys Henry, Huw Sutton, Ryan Smith, James Ratti, Harri Deaves, Ross Moriarty. Replacements: Sam Parry, Garyn Phillips, Tom Botha, Rhys Davies, Morgan Morris, Luke Davies, Phil Cokanasiga, Iestyn Hopkins.
Scarlets head coach Dwayne Peel said: “This has always been a physical encounter and I am expecting nothing different. I am sure they will be pumped coming down here.
“With the two teams being so close, just across the bridge, this fixture is great for rivalry, great for the community and from a rugby spectacle we’ve had some really good games over the years. It looks like there’s going to be a big crowd and the weather is set fair for this week. It should be a great occasion.”
SATURDAY
Zebre Parma v Benetton
Stadio Lanfranchi, Parma – KO 2.30pm IRE & UK/3.30pm ITA/4.30pm SA
Referee: Clara Munarini (FIR, league debut)
AR 1: Federico Vedovelli (FIR) AR 2: Lorenzo Pedezzi (FIR)
TMO: Matteo Liperini (FIR)
Live on: Sky Italia, Premier Sports, SuperSport, Flo Rugby & URC.tv
Zebre Parma: Giovanni Montemauri, Malik Faissal, Marco Zanon, Damiano Mazza, Simone Gesi, Giacomo Da Re, Alessandro Fusco, Muhamed Hasa, Tommaso Di Bartolomeo, Juan Manuel Pitinari, Alessandro Ortombina, Leonard Krumov, Giacomo Ferrari, Samuele Locatelli, Giovanni Licata (CAPT). Replacements: Giampietro Ribaldi, Paolo Buonfiglio, Matteo Nocera, David Odiase, Davide Ruggeri, Thomas Dominguez, Giulio Bertaccini, Bautista Stavile.
Benetton: Matt Gallagher, Paolo Odogwu, Tommaso Menoncello, Malakai Fekitoa, Ignacio Mendy, Jacob Umaga, Andy Uren; Mirco Spagnolo, Siua Maile, Giosuè Zilocchi, Riccardo Favretto, Eli Snyman, Alessandro Izekor, Manuel Zuliani, Michele Lamaro (CAPT). Replacements: Nicholas Gasperini, Destiny Aminu, Tiziano Pasquali, Niccolò Cannone, So’otala Fa’aso’o, Federico Ruzza, Louis Werchon, Rhyno Smith.
Zebre Parma head coach Massimo Brunello said: "We’re clearly very motivated to play the derby on our home turf. We want to be even more competitive and to do that we need to improve certain areas of our game and be more disciplined. What matters most, just like last Saturday, is walking off the pitch knowing we gave it everything and being proud of our performance."
Benetton head coach Calum MacRae said: “The derby in Parma will be just as tough. They will be playing at home and will have greater confidence, so we will need to raise the level of our performance compared to what we showed today.”
Edinburgh Rugby v Glasgow Warriors
Scottish Gas Murrayfield, Edinburgh – KO 3pm IRE & UK/4pm ITA/5pm SA
Referee: Hollie Davidson (SRU, 24th league game)
AR 1: Rob McDowell (SRU) AR 2: Jonny Mackenzie (SRU)
TMO: David Sutherland (SRU)
Live on: Premier Sports, SuperSport, Flo Rugby & URC.tv
Edinburgh Rugby: Wes Goosen, Darcy Graham, Matt Currie, James Lang, Duhan van der Merwe, Cammy Scott, Ben Vellacott, Pierre Schoeman, Harri Morris, Paul Hill, Glen Young, Grant Gilchrist, Liam McConnell, Dylan Richardson, Magnus Bradbury (CAPT). Replacements: Jerry Blyth-Lafferty, Boan Venter, Ollie Blyth-Lafferty, Callum Hunter-Hill, Freddy Douglas, Charlie Shiel, Ross Thompson, Jack Brown.
Glasgow Warriors: Ollie Smith, Kyle Steyn (CAPT), Stafford McDowall, Sione Tuipulotu, Jamie Dobie, Adam Hastings, George Horne, Patrick Schickerling, Johnny Matthews, Sam Talakai, Alex Craig, Alex Samuel, Matt Fagerson, Angus Fraser, Jack Dempsey. Replacements: Gregor Hiddleston, Nathan McBeth, Zander Fagerson, Scott Cummings, Gregor Brown, Rory Darge, Ben Afshar, Dan Lancaster.
Edinburgh Rugby head coach Sean Everitt said: “Saturday is a massive occasion for everyone connected to this club. The 1872 Cup is steeped in history, and to lead this club into the 153rd year of world rugby’s oldest intercity rivalry is a privilege that everyone in this building feels deeply.
“We were disappointed with our attacking performance in the opening leg at Hampden. We know we didn’t fire the shots we’re capable of and we’ve spent the week focusing on how we can be more clinical and assertive. We have a 12-point deficit to overturn, and the players are highly motivated to go out there and show what this Edinburgh team is truly about.
“To have over 30 000 fans already behind us at Scottish Gas Murrayfield is incredible. You feel that energy the moment you arrive at the stadium, and we want to reward that support with a performance they can be proud of. Every member of this squad is determined to make this a special end to 2025 and bring that trophy back to the capital.”
Glasgow Warriors head coach Franco Smith said: “We were pleased to get the win at Hampden Park last weekend, but we know that it is only half-time in terms of the wider 1872 Cup series.
“Edinburgh will bring physicality in both attack and defence in front of a passionate home support and we know they will throw everything at us on Saturday afternoon.
“We are also pleased to see Kyle reach his century and for Scott to reach 150 appearances – they each give their all each time they run out onto the field for this club and we congratulate them on reaching their respective landmarks. From a personal perspective, I’m proud to see both men reach their milestones and I know they will lead from the front on Saturday afternoon.”
Connacht Rugby v Ulster Rugby
Dexcom Stadium, Galway – KO 5.30pm IRE & UK/6.30pm ITA/7.30pm SA
Referee: Eoghan Cross (IRFU, 33rd league game)
AR 1: Robbie Jenkinson (IRFU) AR 2: Max Weston (IRFU)
TMO: Leo Colgan (IRFU)
Live on: TG4, Premier Sports, SuperSport, Flo Rugby & URC.tv
Connacht Rugby: Sam Gilbert, Daniel Ryan, Cathal Forde, Bundee Ali, Finn Treacy, Jack Carty, Ben Murphy, Denis Buckley, Dave Heffernan, Finlay Bealham, Joe Joyce, David O’Connor, Josh Murphy, Cian Prendergast (CAPT), Sean Jansen. Replacements: Dylan Tierney-Martin, Jordan Duggan, Fiachna Barrett, Darragh Murray, Sean O’Brien, Matthew Devine, Josh Ioane, Hugh Gavin.
Ulster Rugby: Jacob Stockdale, Werner Kok, James Hume, Stuart McCloskey, Zac Ward, Jack Murphy, Conor McKee, Sam Crean, Tom Stewart, Scott Wilson, Harry Sheridan, Cormac Izuchukwu, David McCann, Nick Timoney (CAPT) Juarno Augustus. Replacements: John Andrew, Angus Bell, Tom O’Toole Joe Hopes, Bryn Ward, Nathan Doak, Jake Flannery, Jude Postlethwaite.
Connacht Rugby head coach Stuart Lancaster said: “It has been a tough start to the week with such a disappointment last weekend but there is nothing better to get over the game against Dragons than an Interpro against Ulster at home here at the Dexcom. I have learned a lot about the playing group since I started in July and I know for sure the players want to give our loyal supporters something to cheer about in this fixture having felt we let ourselves down in Wales. Ulster are a quality side and we can clearly see the improvements from last season so we need to be at our best and all support and energy our supporters can bring will make a huge difference.”
Munster Rugby v Leinster Rugby
Thomond Park, Limerick – KO 7.45pm IRE & UK/8.45pm ITA/9.45pm SA
Referee: Peter Martin (IRFU, 10th league game)
AR 1: Keane Davison (IRFU) AR 2: Andrew Fogarty (IRFU)
TMO: Mark Patton (IRFU)
Live on: Premier Sports, SuperSport, Flo Rugby & URC.tv
Munster Rugby: Shane Daly, Calvin Nash, Tom Farrell, Alex Nankivell, Thaakir Abrahams, Jack Crowley, Craig Casey, Michael Milne, Lee Barron, Michael Ala'alatoa, Edwin Edogbo, Tom Ahern, Tadhg Beirne (CAPT), Jack O'Donoghue, Gavin Coombes. Replacements: Diarmuid Barron, Jeremy Loughman, John Ryan, Jean Kleyn, Fineen Wycherley, Paddy Patterson, Dan Kelly, John Hodnett.
Leinster Rugby: Ciarán Frawley, Tommy O’Brien, Rieko Ioane, Robbie Henshaw, James Lowe, Harry Byrne, Jamison Gibson-Park, Andrew Porter, Rónan Kelleher, Thomas Clarkson, Joe McCarthy, James Ryan, Max Deegan, Josh van der Flier, Caelan Doris (CAPT). Replacements: John McKee, Paddy McCarthy, Tadhg Furlong, Diarmuid Mangan, Scott Penny, Fintan Gunne, Charlie Tector, Andrew Osborne.
Leinster Rugby senior coach Jacques Nienaber said: “You have to say fair play to the teams that we play. When we make a mistake like last weekend, Ulster is good enough to capitalise on it. The same with Munster when we played them in Croke Park. You don't deal with an attacking kick, they're good enough to punish you.”
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