URC
Ulster ready to take on Glasgow in season opener
Ulster ready to take on Glasgow in season opener
8 minutes ago
Fixture News
Head Coach, Richie Murphy, has named his Ulster team to face Glasgow Warriors in Round 1 of the United Rugby Championship at Kingspan Stadium (KO 7 45pm).
Captain, Iain Henderson, skippers the side, as he starts alongside Kieran Treadwell in the second row.
You can get your tickets for this unmissable clash via the button below:
The front row sees Eric O’Sullivan start at loosehead prop, John Andrew at hooker and Corrie Barrett, who signed a contract with the province this week, at tighthead prop.
Development talent, James McNabney, gets the nod at blindside flanker where he is joined by last season’s Bank of Ireland Men’s Player of the Year, David McCann, at openside flanker.
Nick Timoney starts at number eight.
After starting both pre-season friendlies against Benetton and Exeter Chiefs, scrum-half, Nathan Doak, and fly-half, Aidan Morgan, line up together as the half-back partnership to kick off the season.
Jacob Stockdale starts on the left wing, with the Ireland international hoping to continue his fine try-scoring form from last season.
After captaining the province for the first time in pre-season, Mike Lowry, starts on the right wing.
Jude Postlethwaite, who was one of six Ulstermen named in the upcoming Emerging Ireland tour, starts at inside centre and is joined by Stewart Moore at outside centre.
Ethan McIlroy starts at full-back, completing the starting XV.
Murphy opts for a 5:3 split on the Ulster bench, with three players potentially in line for their Senior Men’s debuts.
Two Development players, hooker, James McCormick, and fly-half, James Humphreys, are in contention for an appearance and new summer signing, Werner Kok, will also be hoping to make his debut in an Ulster jersey at Kingspan Stadium.
Andrew Warwick, Tom O’Toole, Harry Sheridan and Cormac Izuchukwu provide the other forward replacements.
Dave Shanahan provides cover at scrum-half on the bench.
Ulster Rugby v Glasgow Warriors, Saturday 21 September, 7.45pm, United Rugby Championship, Round 1, Kingspan Stadium (Live on Premier Sports, BBC Sounds, BBC Radio Ulster).
(15-9) Ethan McIlroy, Mike Lowry, Stewart Moore, Jude Postlethwaite, Jacob Stockdale, Aidan Morgan, Nathan Doak;
(1-8) Eric O’Sullivan, John Andrew, Corrie Barrett, Iain Henderson (C), Kieran Treadwell, James McNabney, David McCann, Nick Timoney.
Replacements: James McCormick, Andrew Warwick, Tom O’Toole, Harry Sheridan, Cormac Izuchukwu, Dave Shanahan, James Humphreys, Werner Kok.
Our opposition
Images & Content – Ulster Rugby
Talakai to make debut as Fagerson reaches 150
Sam Talakai will make his Glasgow Warriors debut in the opening round of the 2024/25 BKT United Rugby Championship against Ulster tomorrow night, after being named in a matchday 23 that also sees Zander Fagerson bring up 150 appearances for the Scotstoun outfit.
The tight-heads are part of a squad containing 16 internationals for the club’s first visit to the Kingspan Stadium since the opening match of the 2021/22 season, as Franco Smith’s men open their BKT URC title defence under the Saturday night lights.
Make. Every. Game. Count 👊
2024/25 – we’re ready for you 😤#WhateverItTakes ⚔️🛡️ pic.twitter.com/IbOLjEaeMd
— Glasgow Warriors (@GlasgowWarriors) September 18, 2024
Australian international Talakai packs down alongside Jamie Bhatti and Johnny Matthews in an experienced front-row, the latter having finished on top of the try-scoring charts with 14 in the 2023/24 campaign.
Richie Gray partners Max Williamson in the engine room, forming an all-international combination after Williamson’s senior international debut on Scotland’s summer tour.
Matt Fagerson – Player of the Match in the 2023/24 BKT URC Grand Final – and Rory Darge are named as the flankers, with Henco Venter selected at number eight one year on from making his Glasgow Warriors debut in the opening match of last season.
Behind the scrum, Jamie Dobie is given the nod at scrum-half, whilst Tom Jordan starts at fly-half after reaching a half-century of Glasgow Warriors appearances in the Grand Final win in Pretoria back in June.
Sione Tuipulotu lines up at inside centre three years on from making his club debut in Belfast, whilst Stafford McDowall comes in for his first outing in Glasgow colours since May’s clash with the Emirates Lions in Johannesburg.
The same back-three combination that started the 2023/24 Grand Final is selected for the opening match of the new campaign, as club captain Kyle Steyn and Sebastian Cancelliere line up either side of full-back, Josh McKay.
Fagerson’s inclusion in the matchday 23 means that the tight-head will become just the 15th Warrior to reach 150 appearances if and when called upon this Saturday, with the British and Irish Lion having become one of the sport’s premier tight-heads since making his Glasgow Warriors debut in 2014.
Also lining up amongst the replacements is Scotland international Adam Hastings, the fly-half set for his first appearance in a Glasgow shirt since 2021 after returning to the club from Gloucester over the summer.
Nathan McBeth and Gregor Brown are included in the matchday squad after both making their senior international debuts for Scotland during the summer tour, the pair both having also come off the bench in the Grand Final victory over the Vodacom Bulls in June.
Alex Samuel and Euan Ferrie complete a six-two split of forwards and backs, with Ben Afshar rounding out the replacements to take on the team against whom he made his professional debut last season.
Speaking following selection, Head Coach Smith told glasgowwarriors.org: “We are looking forward to taking to the field for the first time in 2024/25, with everyone driving each other forward and putting their hand up to be involved.
“Ulster will provide us with a stern test first up; they have recruited well ahead of the new season and will be defending a proud home record in front of a passionate crowd in Belfast.
“We’re pleased to see Sam make his first appearance for us since arriving in Glasgow, and for Zander to reach the 150 mark; anyone that plays 150 matches for their club is someone who clearly is proud to represent their club, and is a top professional as well as a top person.”
Glasgow Warriors team to face Ulster at Kingspan Stadium, Saturday 21 September, kick-off 7.45pm. You can watch the match live on Premier Sports, or follow all the action in our Live Match Centre at glasgowwarriors.org.
1 Jamie Bhatti (106)
2 Johnny Matthews (73)
3 Sam Talakai (0)
4 Max Williamson (19)
5 Richie Gray (115)
6 Matt Fagerson (111)
7 Rory Darge (48)
8 Henco Venter (22)
9 Jamie Dobie (68)
10 Tom Jordan (50)
11 Kyle Steyn (C) (77)
12 Sione Tuipulotu (55)
13 Stafford McDowall (78)
14 Sebastian Cancelliere (38)
15 Josh McKay (49)
Replacements
16 Gregor Hiddleston (9)
17 Nathan McBeth (42)
18 Zander Fagerson (149)
19 Alex Samuel (15)
20 Gregor Brown (20)
21 Euan Ferrie (20)
22 Ben Afshar (8)
23 Adam Hastings (53)
Unavailable for selection: Facundo Cordero (ankle), Scott Cummings (foot), Allan Dell (arm), Jack Dempsey (back), Huw Jones (calf), Ally Miller (calf), JP du Preez (knee), Ollie Smith (knee), Rory Sutherland (groin), Sione Vailanu (knee), Murphy Walker (neck)
Your champions return home 🤩
Be there as your Warriors run out for the first time at Scotstoun as defending #BKTURC champions when we take on Benetton on Friday 27 September!
🎟️ https://t.co/2QkIzRRnKh#WhateverItTakes pic.twitter.com/mHOPmtkoCK
— Glasgow Warriors (@GlasgowWarriors) September 13, 2024
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Content & Images from – Glasgow Rugby
The abrasive midfielder will earn his club debut having made a summer move from NSW Waratahs, with fellow summer recruits Paul Hill (tighthead) and Ross Thompson (fly-half) also set to start against the Irishmen.
Head Coach Sean Everitt’s first selection of the season also sees Ben Muncaster complete his injury return, to start at number eight tomorrow night.
On the selection, Everitt said: “It’s exciting to be back In BKT URC action this week, and matches don’t get much tougher in this league than facing Leinster.
“We know the challenge they will bring and it’s up to us to rise to that. We can’t wait to get the season started in front of a packed-out Hive Stadium for round one.”
Everitt has named the same back-three that started last Friday’s Scottish Building Society pre-season match against Gloucester, with Wes Goosen at full-back flanked by Scotland internationalists Darcy Graham and Duhan van der Merwe on the wings.
Tuipulotu is partnered by Matt Currie in the centres, fresh from earning his first Scotland caps during the recent summer test window, while Ali Price is reunitedwith former Glasgow teammate Thompson in the halves.
England internationalist Hill is joined in the front row by Scotland pair Pierre Schoeman (loosehead) and Dave Cherry (hooker), who made his debut against Leinster in 2018.
Grant Gilchrist leads the side from lock having been named as club co-captain for his 14th professional season, with Marshall Sykes again accompanying him in the second-row.
Muncaster’s impressive turn against Gloucester sees him rewarded with a starting berth, playing alongside club centurions Jamie Ritchie (blindside) and Hamish Watson (openside) in the back-row.
Edinburgh Rugby side to face Leinster at Hive Stadium in the BKT United Rugby Championship
Friday 20 September (kick-off 7.35pm) – live on Premier Sports
15. Wes Goosen (31)
14. Darcy Graham (64)
13. Mosese Tuipulotu*
12. Matt Currie (40)
11. Duhan van der Merwe (92)
10. Ross Thompson*
9. Ali Price (17)
1. Pierre Schoeman (115)
2. Dave Cherry (93)
3. Paul Hill*
4. Marshall Sykes (62)
5. Grant Gilchrist (205) CAPTAIN
6. Jamie Ritchie (114)
7. Hamish Watson (159)
8. Ben Muncaster (30)
Replacements
16. Ewan Ashman (20)
17. Boan Venter (66)
18. D’arcy Rae (5)
19. Jamie Hodgson (61)
20. Magnus Bradbury (113)
21. Ben Vellacott (61)
22. Ben Healy (23)
23. Emiliano Boffelli (40)
*Edinburgh Rugby debut
Unavailable: Luke Crosbie (neck), Nathan Sweeney (knee), James Lang (quad), Harry Paterson (foot/wound), Glen Young (pec), Sam Skinner (knee), Angus Williams (hamstring), Robin Hislop (knee)
Content & Images from – Edinburgh Rugby
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