Let the URC play-offs begin

The wait is finally over. After 18 exhilarating rounds of the regular season, the United Rugby Championship Play-offs are here.

Just eight teams remain and over the next three weekends we will decide our 2024/2025 United Rugby Championship winners.

And the quarter-finals are absolutely stacked with the last three championship winners all still in the mix in the DHL Stormers, Munster and Glasgow Warriors.

And it's the defending champions who are up first on Friday night at Scotstoun, with the DHL Stormers in town.

The Warriors welcome back Josh McKay and Henco Venter back into the starting lineup for the fixture. The pair return from injury and suspension layoffs respectively to take their places in the starting XV for the visit of the Cape Town-based franchise, in a repeat of the 2023/24 quarter-final meeting between the two sides.

Jamie Bhatti is the only member of the front-row that started away to Leinster a fortnight ago to retain his place, the prop joined by Gregor Hiddleston and Murphy Walker – the latter making his first start of the 2024/25 season – at the coal face.

Alex Samuel continues in the second-row, with Scott Cummings reverting to the engine room after coming off the bench in Dublin.

Venter’s return from suspension sees the South African pack down at No 8, joining Euan Ferrie and Rory Darge as the loose-forward trio.

Behind the scrum, Tom Jordan is handed the No 10 jersey, joining fellow Scotland international George Horne in the half-backs.

Sione Tuipulotu is set to make his first appearance at Scotstoun since January’s victory over Racing 92 in the Investec Champions Cup, with Stafford McDowall returning to the midfield after coming off the bench in the back-row at the Aviva Stadium.

Kyle Steyn leads the squad from the wing, as Kyle Rowe – fresh from renewing his contract with the club earlier this week – joins McKay to complete the back-three.

Jack Mann could also make his return from injury tomorrow night after being named amongst the replacements for the visit of the Stormers, forming part of a six-two split of forwards and backs named on the bench.

Speaking following selection, Head Coach Smith told glasgowwarriors.org: “The Stormers will pose one of the most dangerous attacking threats in the competition tomorrow night and we know that we must be at our best to meet the challenge they will bring.

“They have the ability to hurt any team with ball in hand, mixing a physical forward pack with a backline that can spark something from anywhere.

“We know how special an atmosphere Scotstoun can provide on nights like these and we know the Warrior Nation will make themselves heard tomorrow night.”

Meanwhile, Warrick Gelant will link up with Seabelo Senatla and Ben Loader in a potent back three for the Stormers, with Suleiman Hartzenberg forming a midfield partnership with Dan du Plessis in the absence of the suspended Damian Willemse.

Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu and Stefan Ungerer will continue as the halfback pairing with the experienced Herschel Jantjies and Manie Libbok set to make an impact in the second half from the replacements bench.

Evan Roos resumes his place at the back of the scrum, with Marcel Theunissen and Paul de Villiers on the flanks and Louw Nel among the replacements.

Captain Salmaan Moerat starts alongside Ruben van Heerden in the second row, with locks JD Schickerling and Connor Evans among the six forwards set to feature after half-time.

Andre-Hugo Venter starts at hooker, with props Ali Vermaak and Neethling Fouche either side of him, with Vernon Matongo, Joseph Dweba and Sazi Sandi the front row forwards on the replacements bench.

Director of Rugby John Dobson said that following a good week in Glasgow his team is ready to give it a full go at Scotstoun.

“The build-up to this game has gone well and we know that it will take a huge effort to beat a good Glasgow team on their home track.

“We have built up some good momentum recently and want to take that into this game. This was a very tough team to pick with some deserving players missing out, but we are excited to see what these combinations can do,” he said.

Glasgow Warriors starting XV: 15 Josh McKay, 14 Kyle Rowe, 13 Stafford McDowall, 12 Sione Tuipulotu, 11 Kyle Steyn (capt); 10 Tom Jordan, 9 George Horn; 8 Henco Venter, 7 Rory Darge, 6 Euan Ferrie; 5 Scott Cummings, 4 Alex Samuel; 3 Murphy Walker, 2 Gregor Hiddleston, 1 Jamie Bhatti. Replacements: 16 Johnny Matthews, 17 Nathan McBeth, 18 Sam Talakai, 19 Max Williamson, 20 Jack Mann, 21 Macenzzie Duncan, 22 Jamie Dobie, 23 Adam Hastings.

DHL Stormers starting XV: 15 Warrick Gelant, 14 Ben Loader, 13 Suleiman Hartzenberg, 12 Dan du Plessis, 11 Seabelo Senatla; 10 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, 9 Stefan Ungerer; 8 Evan Roos, 7 Marcel Theunissen, 6 Paul de Villiers; 5 Ruben van Heerden, 4 Salmaan Moerat (capt); 3 Neethling Fouche, 2 Andre-Hugo Venter, 1 Ali Vermaak. Replacements: 16 Joseph Dweba, 17 Vernon Matongo, 18 Sazi Sandi, 19 JD Schickerling, 20 Connor Evans, 21 Louw Nel, 22 Herschel Jantjies, 23 Manie Libbok.

Then on Saturday, we've got three absolutely mouth-watering fixtures for you to enjoy with last year's Grand Finalists the Vodacom Bulls up first against Edinburgh at Loftus.

Wilco Louw and Embrose Papier return as Jake White bolsters a formidable lineup the home side.

The Springbok duo sat out the Round 18 win over the Dragons in Pretoria two weeks ago and start for the Bulls as they look to go one better than they did last season.

Tighthead prop Louw packs down in the front row with Jan-Hendrik Wessels and hooker Johan Grobbelaar, who trades places on the bench with fellow Bok Akker van der Merwe, while scrumhalf Papier partners flyhalf Keagan Johannes at halfback.

Locks JF van Heerden and Cobus Wiese retain their spots in the second row, with Marcell Coetzee taking over from Nama Xaba at openside flanker as part of a powerful loose trio with No 8 Cameron Hanekom and skipper Ruan Nortje.

Canan Moodie, meanwhile, shifts from outside centre to right wing in an exciting back three with Sebastian de Klerk and Willie le Roux. David Kriel reunites with inside centre Harold Vorster in midfield to complete the starting XV changes.

Xaba, who was named Man of the Match for his standout performance against Dragons, drops out of the match-day 23 with Sergeal Petersen.

Club centurion Jamie Ritchie returns to the starting line-up for Edinburgh who have named a strong travelling side.

Ritchie’s inclusion is the only change to the starting side that defeated Ulster to clinch Edinburgh’s play-off berth a fortnight ago. He starts at blindside flanker as Ben Muncaster shifts to the bench.

Saturday marks the third clash between the two teams this season, with both games decided by less than a converted try.

The Vodacom Bulls narrowly edged out Edinburgh 22-16 at Loftus in Round 2 of the Championship in September, however Sean Everitt’s side struck back in last month’s EPCR Challenge Cup Quarter-Final, winning 34-28 at Hive Stadium.

Head coach, Sean Everitt, said: “We know the Bulls are always a massive physical threat, especially here at Loftus. To compete and to win, we will need to be at our absolute very best. That means bringing passion and intensity but crucially, it also demands composure and clinical discipline for the full 80 minutes.

“We’ve been building momentum steadily throughout the season and the players have worked incredibly hard to put ourselves in this position. There’s a real belief and confidence within the squad right now and we’re in a good spot mentally and physically to tackle this challenge head-on.

“Winning a URC knockout match on the road would be a significant achievement for this club. It’s something we’ve been working towards, and the opportunity to make history is a powerful driver for us. We’ve got a fantastic group of players who are hungry for success and we’re determined to put in a performance that reflects the ambition of Edinburgh Rugby.”

The capital backline is unchanged, with Wes Goosen starting at fullback alongside Scotland wing duo Darcy Graham and Harry Paterson in the back-three.

May’s Scottish Building Society Player of the Month James Lang starts at inside-centre alongside Matt Currie in the midfield, with Ross Thompson and Ali Price forming a familiar partnership at flyhalf and scrumhalf respectively.

Pierre Schoeman returns to face his former club at loosehead, with Ewan Ashman (hooker) and D’arcy Rae (tighthead) forming the front row.

At lock, Marshall Sykes and Sam Skinner start together for the third week in a row, as club co-captain Grant Gilchrist remains sidelined with a hamstring injury.

In the back row, Ritchie is joined by fellow club centurions Hamish Watson (openside flanker) and captain Magnus Bradbury (No 8).

Vodacom Bulls starting XV: 15 Willie le Roux, 14 Canan Moodie, 13 David Kriel, 12 Harold Vorster, 11 Sebastian De Klerk; 10 Keagan Johannes, 9 Embrose Papier; 8 Cameron Hanekom, 7 Ruan Nortje (capt), 6 Marcell Coetzee; 5 JF van Heerden, 4 Cobus Wiese; 3 Wilco Louw, 2 Johan Grobbelaar, 1 Jan-Hendrik Wessels. Replacements: 16 Akker Van der Merwe, 17 Simphiwe Matanzima, 18 Mornay Smith, 19 Jannes Kirsten, 20 Marco Van Staden, 21 Zak Burger, 22 Stedman Gans, 23 Devon Williams.

Edinburgh Rugby starting XV: 15 Wes Goosen, 14 Darcy Graham, 13 Matt Currie, 12 James Lang, 11 Harry Paterson; 10 Ross Thompson, 9 Ali Price; 8 Magnus Bradbury (capt), 7 Hamish Watson, 6 Ben Jamie Ritchie; 5 Sam Skinner, 4 Marshall Sykes; 3 D’arcy Rae, 2 Ewan Ashman, 1 Pierre Schoeman. Replacements: 16 Paddy Harrison, 17 Boan Venter, 18 Javan Sebastian, 19 Liam McConnell, 20 Ben Muncaster, 21 Conor McAlpine, 22 Ben Healy, 23 Mark Bennett.

Then, it's over to Dublin as table-toppers Leinster host the Scarlets at the Aviva Stadium.

Jimmy O’Brien will make his 100th appearance in blue as he has been named on the wing, with James Lowe coming back into the team on the opposite side and Hugo Keenan named at fullback.

Jamie Osborne partners Jordie Barrett in the centre while Sam Prendergast starts at out-half with Jamison Gibson-Park at scrumhalf.

Jack Conan captains the team once more from No 8 as Ryan Baird continues at blindside flanker and Josh van der Flier takes the No 7 jersey.

James Ryan is partnered in the second row by Joe McCarthy, with Andrew Porter and Thomas Clarkson scrumming down either side of Rónan Kelleher at hooker.

Dan Sheehan, Jack Boyle and Rabah Slimani offer the front row cover from the bench, with RG Snyman, Max Deegan and Scott Penny all named among the replacements. Luke McGrath and Ciarán Frawley complete the matchday 23.

Leinster Assistant Coach Robin McBryde said: "In fairness to them they’re a cohesive bunch. They’re obviously tight as a unit, tight as a team. It’s a test that we failed a couple of weeks ago. First against the Scarlets and against Northampton. It will be a good test for us on Saturday. It is great from a Welsh perspective to see a Welsh team making it through to the quarter-final. It’s been a tough season for everybody in Wales. From their perspective, it’s great."

Meanwhile, Scarlets head coach Dwayne Peel has named an unchanged match-day squad for the visit to Dublin.

The Scarlets will take the field with the same team that took on the Sharks in Durban last time out as the West Walians look to upset the top seeded Irish province at the Aviva Stadium.

Blair Murray and Ellis Mee – who this week, along with Macs Page, were nominated for the URC Next-Gen player of the season – are joined by fellow Wales international Tom Rogers in the back three.

Joe Roberts and Johnny Williams continue in midfield for the fourth successive game, while Sam Costelow is again partnered by Archie Hughes, who has impressed at scrumhalf since replacing the injured Gareth Davies.

At 28, Williams is the oldest player in an exciting, all-Welsh back division.

In the front row, Ryan Elias gets the nod at hooker, packing down in between fellow experienced internationals Alec Hepburn and Henry Thomas.

Alex Craig and Sam Lousi link up in the second row, while the back row is made up of Vaea Fifita, Taine Plumtree and skipper Josh Macleod.

Kemsley Mathias, Marnus van der Merwe, Sam Wainwright, Dan Davis and Jarrod Tayor provide the replacement cover up front, with Efan Jones, Ioan Lloyd and Macs Page covering the backs.

Wainwright will make his 50th Scarlets appearance if he comes off the bench.

Peel said: “We have worked hard to get to the play-offs, now we have to embrace it, we have to make the most of it now we’re here.

“There is no greater task in club rugby than going to Dublin but we’re looking forward to it. We won’t shy away from it. We are confident in our own ability and we know we are going to have to be at our very, very best.

“It is going to be a great occasion, it will be a new experience for a lot of our boys – we are going to have to be brave, we are going to have to be accurate and we are going to have to try and put our stamp on our game, play the Scarlets way.”

Leinster starting XV: 15 Hugo Keenan, 14 Jimmy O’Brien, 13 Jamie Osborne, 12 Jordie Barrett, 11 James Lowe; 10 Sam Prendergast, 9 Jamison Gibson-Park; 8 Jack Conan (capt), 7 Josh van der Flier, 6 Ryan Baird; 5 James Ryan, 4 Joe McCarthy; 3 Thomas Clarkson, 2 Rónan Kelleher, 1 Andrew Porter. Replacements: 16 Dan Sheehan, 17 Jack Boyle, 18 Rabah Slimani, 19 RG Snyman, 20 Max Deegan, 21 Scott Penny, 22 Luke McGrath, 23 Ciarán Frawley.

Scarlets starting XV: 15 Blair Murray, 14 Tom Rogers, 13 Joe Roberts, 12 Johnny Williams, 11 Ellis Mee; 10 Sam Costelow, 9 Arhie Hughes; 8 Taine Plumtree, 7 Josh Macleod (capt), Vaea Fifita; 5 Sam Lousi, 4 Alex Craig; 3 Henry Thomas, Ryan Elias, 1 Alec Hepburn. Replacements: 16 Marnus van der Merwe, 17 Kemsley Mathias, 18 Sam Wainwright, 19 Dan Davis, 20 Jarrod Taylor, 21 Efan Jones, 22 Ioan Lloyd, 23 Macs Page.

And then finally, it's a clash of the juggernauts, as the Hollywoodbets Sharks host Munster in Durban for a place in the semi-finals.

Sharks head coach John Plumtree has made five changes to the side that defeated Scarlets in the final week of regular season action, bringing in some key players to do battle against the former champions,

In the first change, Jason Jenkins and Emile van Heerden swap jerseys in the lock position, with the former starting in place of the latter this week. James Venter returns to action after sustaining a neck injury against Ospreys and takes over from Tino Mavesere at flank, while two-time Rugby World Cup winning captain Siya Kolisi returns to the starting line-up at No 8 after taking a Springbok-enforced rest against Scarlets, replacing Phepsi Buthelezi, who will provide energy off the bench.

There are two further changes in the backline as Plumtree welcomes back the Springbok duo of Jordan Hendrikse who replaces the injured Siya Masuku at flyhalf and another dual Rugby World Cup winner Lukhanyo Am (who will earn his 100th cap for the Sharks in international competitions) returns in place of Jurenzo Julius at outside centre.

Although the Sharks have played in some tight games in the run-in to the knock-outs, captain Eben Etzebeth admits that this has been good prep for this stage of the tournament.

“We’ve seen in the past that play-offs can be tight affairs and winning tight games is something we’ve done a bit of this year,” he explains. “Last year when we ended up lower on the log, we lost those tight games but this year we’ve turned things around and won them.

“We’re used to those kinds of games, hopefully we don’t make it that tight on Saturday.”

While his side is filled with Springboks, Munster come to Durban having proved their worth over the years and Etzebeth is under no illusions as to what is coming.

“They’re a quality side and it’s probably going to come down to discipline on the day and who has the better goal-kicker. It’s going to be a very close game.”

With injuries and Springbok resting protocols, there have been opportunities for many of the players within the wider squad and they’ve all shown the drive and ability to play at a high level.

“A lot of guys got exposure this season, we’ve seen Ethan Hooker who has been amazing this season, the front row off the bench have really grown and put in great performances in the last few weeks. So, there are some young guys getting more and more game time and it feels that the more opportunities they’re given, the more confident they get and the better they play.”

For the third game in succession, Munster have named an unchanged starting XV.

Rory Scannell is included among the replacements and in line to make his 200th appearance for the province.

Scannell made his Munster debut against Cardiff in 2014 and became the youngest player to reach the 100-cap landmark at the age of just 25 in 2019. He is set to become the 16th player to reach the landmark for Munster.

Thaakir Abrahams, Calvin Nash and Diarmuid Kilgallen start in the back three.

Alex Nankivell and Tom Farrell, who has started every single game so far this season, continue their centre partnership with Craig Casey and Jack Crowley in the half-backs.

Michael Milne, Niall Scannell and Stephen Archer pack down in the front row with Jean Kleyn and captain Tadhg Beirne in the engine room.

Peter O’Mahony, John Hodnett and Gavin Coombes start in the back row.

Diarmuid Barron, Josh Wycherley, John Ryan provide the front row back-up with Tom Ahern and Alex Kendellen completing the forward cover.

Conor Murray, Rory Scannell and Mike Haley are the backline replacements.

Hollywoodbets Sharks starting XV: 15 Aphelele Fassi, 14 Ethan Hooker, 13 Lukhanyo Am, 12 Andre Esterhuizen, 11 Makazole Mapimpi; 10 Jordan Hendrikse, 9 Jaden Hendrikse; 8 Siya Kolisi, 7 Vincent Tshituka, 6 James Venter; 5 Jason Jenkins, 4 Eben Etzebeth (capt); 3 Vincent Koch, 2 Bongi Mbonambi, 1 Ox Nche. Replacements: 16 Fez Mbatha, 17 Ntuthuko Mchunu, 18 Hanro Jacobs, 19 Emile van Heerden, 20 Phepsi Buthelezi, 21 Bradley Davids, 22 Francois Venter, 23 Yaw Penxe.

Munster starting XV: 15 Thaakir Abrahams, 14 Calvin Nash, 13 Tom Farrell, 12 Alex Nankivell, 11 Diarmuid Kilgallen; 10 Jack Crowley, 9 Craig Casey; 8 Gavin Coombes, 7 John Hodnett, 6 Peter O’Mahony; 5 Tadhg Beirne (capt), 4 Jean Kleyn; 3 Stephen Archer, 2 Niall Scannell, 1 Michael Milne. Replacements: 16 Diarmuid Barron, 17 Josh Wycherley, 18 John Ryan, 19 Tom Ahern, 20 Alex Kendellen, 21 Conor Murray, 22 Rory Scannell, 23 Mike Haley.

Fixtures

FRIDAY

Glasgow Warriors v DHL Stormers @ Scotstoun Stadium, Glasgow – KO 7.35pm IRE & UK/8.35pm ITA & SA

Referee: Andrew Brace (IRFU, 106th league game)

AR 1: Ben Whitehouse (WRU) AR 2: Ben Breakspear (WRU)

TMO: Olly Hodges (IRFU)

Live on: Premier Sports, TG4, SuperSport, Flo Rugby & URC.tv

SATURDAY

Vodacom Bulls v Edinburgh Rugby @ Loftus Versfeld Stadium, Pretoria – KO 12.30pm IRE & UK/1.30pm ITA & SA

Referee: Adam Jones (WRU, 45th league game)

AR 1: Craig Evans (WRU) AR 2: Peter Martin (IRFU)

TMO: Leo Colgan (IRFU)

Live on: SuperSport, Premier Sports, Flo Rugby & URC.tv

Leinster v Scarlets @ Aviva Stadium, Dublin – KO 3pm IRE & UK/4pm ITA & SA

Referee: Hollie Davidson (SRU, 22nd league game)

AR 1: Gianluca Gnecchi (FIR) AR 2: Federico Vedovelli (FIR)

TMO: Andrew McMenemy (SRU)

Live on: RTÉ, BBC Wales, Premier Sports, SuperSport, Flo Rugby & URC.tv

Hollywoodbets Sharks v Munster @ Hollywoodbets Kings Park, Durban – KO 5.30pm IRE & UK/6.30pm ITA & SA

Referee: Mike Adamson (SRU, 91st league game)

AR 1: Sam Grove White (SRU) AR 2: Morne Ferreira (SARU)

TMO: Keith David (WRU)

Live on: SuperSport, TG4, Premier Sports, Flo Rugby & URC.tv