URC: Round 4 Team News - Leinster & Munster clash as Springboks reinforce the Sharks

Leinster enter the All-Ireland clash with an added bounce, after Andy Farrell named 21 of Leo Cullen's men in the Ireland squad for the Autumn Nations Series. Munster contribute four in the official group, with break-out forwards Edwin Edogbo and Brian Gleeson on the plane for Chicago as injury cover.

Aside from the Irish derby which headlines the fourth round of the URC, there is plenty of talking points to dive into as the top clubs from Scotland, Wales, Italy, Ireland and South Africa all collide this weekend.

Edinburgh Rugby welcome Benetton to the Hive for a pivotal Round 4 clash. Grant Gilchrist returns to the starting XV, marking a milestone for the double-centurion, while three changes in the side signal the coaching staff’s intent to maintain momentum.

Wes Goosen and Duhan van der Merwe provide pace out wide, with Darcy Graham and Piers O’Conor combining agility and creativity in the midfield. Cammy Scott and Charlie Shiel will manage play in the halves, while Pierre Schoeman and Ewan Ashman anchor the forward pack. Edinburgh will look to exploit turnovers, dominate the breakdown, and maintain discipline in attack and defense.

Benetton return Manuel Zuliani and Leonardo Marin to their side, with Eli Snyman captaining the pack. The Italian side will aim to test Edinburgh’s set-piece and defensive structures, with former All Black Malakai Fekitoa and Matt Gallagher offering attacking options in the backs.

EDINBURGH RUGBY STARTING XV
15 Wes Goosen, 14 Darcy Graham, 13 Piers O’Conor, 12 James Lang, 11 Duhan van der Merwe, 10 Cammy Scott, 9 Charlie Shiel, 1 Pierre Schoeman, 2 Ewan Ashman, 3 D’arcy Rae, 4 Sam Skinner, 5 Grant Gilchrist, 6 Liam McConnell, 7 Dylan Richardson, 8 Magnus Bradbury (c)

Replacements: 16 Paddy Harrison, 17 Jame Whitcombe, 18 Paul Hill, 19 Glen Young, 20 Freddy Douglas, 21 Ben Vellacott, 22 Ross Thompson, 23 Ross McCann

BENETTON STARTING XV
15 Matt Gallagher, 14 Rhyno Smith, 13 Filippo Drago, 12 Malakai Fekitoa, 11 Ignacio Mendy, 10 Jacob Umaga, 9 Louis Werchon, 1 Mirco Spagnolo, 2 Siua Maile, 3 Giosuè Zilocchi, 4 Giulio Marini, 5 Eli Snyman (c), 6 Alessandro Izekor, 7 John Bryant, 8 So’otala Fa’aso’o

Replacements: 16 Bautista Bernasconi, 17 Thomas Gallo, 18 Tiziano Pasquali, 19 Riccardo Favretto, 20 Federico Ruzza, 21 Manuel Zuliani, 22 Alessandro Garbisi, 23 Leonardo Marin

Connacht host Vodacom Bulls in a fixture that promises a clash of contrasting styles. British & Irish Lions Bundee Aki, Finlay Bealham, and Mack Hansen all start, bringing experience and leadership to the home side.

Hansen’s pace and creativity, combined with Byron Ralston’s finishing skills, give Connacht a dangerous backline, while Caolin Blade and Peter Dooley provide structure in the forwards. Stuart Lancaster’s men will aim to dominate the breakdown, secure lineout possession, and build pressure through quick ball and tactical kicking.

The Bulls make 11 changes to their starting lineup, with Reinhardt Ludwig named as captain. The South African side aims to recover from last week’s loss to Ulster, relying on a powerful pack and an experienced back line including Willie le Roux.

CONNACHT STARTING XV
15 Mack Hansen, 14 Chay Mullins, 13 Byron Ralston, 12 Bundee Aki, 11 Shayne Bolton, 10 Josh Ioane, 9 Caolin Blade, 1 Peter Dooley, 2 Dave Heffernan, 3 Finlay Bealham, 4 Darragh Murray, 5 David O’Connor, 6 Josh Murphy, 7 Cian Prendergast (c), 8 Sean Jansen

REPLACEMENTS
16 Dylan Tierney-Martin, 17 Jordan Duggan, 18 Jack Aungier, 19 Joe Joyce, 20 Sean O’Brien, 21 Matthew Devine, 22 Sean Naughton, 23 Cathal Forde

VODACOM BULLS STARTING XV
15 Willie le Roux, 14 Canan Moodie, 13 David Kriel, 12 Jan Serfontein, 11 Sebastian de Klerk, 10 Keagan Johannes, 9 Paul de Wet, 1 Alu Tshakweni, 2 Jan-Hendrik Wessels, 3 Wilco Louw, 4 Cobus Wiese, 5 Reinhardt Ludwig (c), 6 Nama Xaba, 7 JJ Theron, 8 Jeandre Rudolph

REPLACEMENTS
16 Johan Grobbelaar, 17 Gerhard Steenekamp, 18 Francois Klopper, 19 Nicolaas Janse van Rensburg, 20 Mpilo Gumede, 21 Embrose Papier, 22 Harold Vorster, 23 Stravino Jacobs

Dragons RFC host Cardiff Rugby in a high-stakes Welsh derby. Wales Under-20 captain Harry Beddall makes his Dragons debut, adding energy and leadership to the forwards. Ben Carter and Shane Lewis-Hughes will form the engine room alongside Aaron Wainwright, while Rhodri Williams and Tinus de Beer control play from scrum-half and fly-half.

The backline, including Rio Dyer and Fine Inisi, aims to exploit space and finish attacking opportunities. Dragons will look to combine structured forward play with quick offloads to challenge Cardiff’s defensive lines.

Cardiff welcome Taulupe Faletau back to the starting XV, strengthening their back row alongside Liam Belcher and Josh McNally. Callum Sheedy and Aled Davies will direct play in the halves, while Josh Adams and Tom Bowen provide pace and finishing in the backline.

DRAGONS RFC STARTING XV
15 Angus O’Brien (C.CAPT), 14 Rio Dyer, 13 Aneurin Owen, 12 Harri Ackerman, 11 Fine Inisi, 10 Tinus de Beer, 9 Rhodri Williams, 1 Wyn Jones, 2 Brodie Coghlan, 3 Robert Hunt, 4 Seb Davies, 5 Ben Carter (C.CAPT), 6 Shane Lewis-Hughes, 7 Harry Beddall, 8 Aaron Wainwright

REPLACEMENTS
16 Oli Burrows, 17 Rodrigo Martinez, 18 Dillon Lewis, 19 Matthew Screech, 20 Ryan Woodman, 21 Niall Armstrong, 22 Cai Evans, 23 Huw Anderson

CARDIFF RUGBY STARTING XV
15 Cam Winnett, 14 Josh Adams, 13 Jacob Beetham, 12 Ben Thomas, 11 Tom Bowen, 10 Callum Sheedy, 9 Aled Davies, 1 Corey Domchowski, 2 Liam Belcher (c), 3 Keiron Assiratti, 4 Josh McNally, 5 George Nott, 6 Alex Mann, 7 Dan Thomas, 8 Taulupe Faletau

REPLACEMENTS
16 Evan Lloyd, 17 Danny Southworth, 18 Javan Sebastian, 19 Rory Thornton, 20 Alun Lawrence, 21 Taine Basham, 22 Johan Mulder, 23 Ioan Lloyd

The Lions host Scarlets in a marquee Round 4 clash at Ellis Park. Reinhard Nothnagel returns from injury, bolstering the Lions’ forward pack, while the side remains packed with pace and power. Francke Horn captains a back row featuring JC Pretorius and Ruan Venter, aiming to dominate the breakdown and secure quick ball.

The Lions backline, led by Quan Horn and Eduan Keyter on the wings, is built to exploit space and challenge defensive lines. Nico Steyn and Chris Smith provide creativity at 10 and 12, with SJ Kotze orchestrating from scrum-half. With the altitude and home advantage, the Lions will look to play an expansive, high-tempo game to put Scarlets under pressure from the outset.

Scarlets welcome on-loan second rows Harvey Cuckson and Alex Groves for their debuts, while Johnny Williams leads as captain. Blair Murray and Sam Costelow will direct play in the halves, supported by Ioan Nicholas and Ellis Mee in the back three. Scarlets will aim to match the Lions physically, retain possession, and exploit turnovers for counter-attacks.

LIONS STARTING XV
15 Quan Horn, 14 Eduan Keyter, 13 Henco van Wyk, 12 Richard Kriel, 11 Angelo Davids, 10 Chris Smith, 9 Nico Steyn, 1 SJ Kotze, 2 Franco Marais, 3 Asenathi Ntlabakanye, 4 Etienne Oosthuizen, 5 Darrien Landsberg, 6 JC Pretorius, 7 Ruan Venter, 8 Francke Horn (c)

REPLACEMENTS
16 Morne Brandon, 17 RF Schoeman, 18 Conraad van Vuuren, 19 Reinhard Nothnagel, 20 Jarod Cairns, 21 Layton Horn, 22 Lubabalo Dobela, 23 Kelly Mpeku

SCARLETS STARTING XV
15 Ioan Nicholas, 14 Ellis Mee, 13 Macs Page, 12 Johnny Williams (c), 11 Blair Murray, 10 Sam Costelow, 9 Archie Hughes, 1 Alec Hepburn, 2 Marnus van der Merwe, 3 Archer Holz, 4 Harvey Cuckson, 5 Alex Groves, 6 Jarrod Taylor, 7 Dan Davis, 8 Taine Plumtree

REPLACEMENTS
16 Kirby Myhill, 17 Sam O’Connor, 18 Henry Thomas, 19 Dan Gemine, 20 Ben Williams, 21 Dane Blacker, 22 Joe Hawkins, 23 Joe Roberts

The Hollywoodbets Sharks welcome Ulster in a high-intensity URC encounter. The Sharks boast a star-studded South African contingent, with Ox Nche, Eben Etzebeth, and Siya Kolisi starting, joining Bongi Mbonambi and Vincent Koch after last week’s bench appearances.

The forward pack is formidable, with Marvin Orie and Phepsi Buthelezi providing power, while Grant Williams and Andre Esterhuizen bring skill and distribution from the back row. Out wide, Edwill van der Merwe and Makazole Mapimpi will look to exploit space and break the gain line. Sharks will aim to dominate set-piece exchanges, disrupt Ulster’s possession, and utilize their dynamic backs to score from turnovers.

Ulster welcome Michael Lowry back from injury, strengthening the backline, while Iain Henderson leads a disciplined forward pack. Jack Murphy and Nathan Doak will control play in the halves, supported by Stuart McCloskey’s physicality and Jacob Stockdale’s finishing prowess.

HOLLYWOODBETS SHARKS STARTING XV
15 Edwill van der Merwe, 14 Ethan Hooker, 13 Jurenzo Julius, 12 Andre Esterhuizen, 11 Makazole Mapimpi, 10 Siya Masuku, 9 Grant Williams, 1 Ox Nche, 2 Bongi Mbonambi, 3 Vincent Koch, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 5 Marvin Orie, 6 Siya Kolisi, 7 Vincent Tshituka (c), 8 Phepsi Buthelezi

REPLACEMENTS
16 Fez Mbatha, 17 Simphiwe Matanzima, 18 Ruan Dreyer, 19 Bathobele Hlekani, 20 Emmanuel Tshituka, 21 Jaden Hendrikse, 22 Jordan Hendrikse, 23 Lukhanyo Am

ULSTER STARTING XV
15 Michael Lowry, 14 Werner Kok, 13 James Hume, 12 Stuart McCloskey, 11 Jacob Stockdale, 10 Jack Murphy, 9 Nathan Doak, 1 Sam Crean, 2 Tom Stewart, 3 Scott Wilson, 4 Iain Henderson (c), 5 Harry Sheridan, 6 David McCann, 7 Nick Timoney, 8 Juarno Augustus

REPLACEMENTS
16 Rob Herring, 17 Callum Reid, 18 Tom O’Toole, 19 Joe Hopes, 20 Sean Reffell, 21 Conor McKee, 22 Jake Flannery, 23 Jude Postlethwaite

Leinster host Munster in one of the URC’s most anticipated encounters. Tommy O’Brien is set to make his 50th appearance for Leinster, providing experience and leadership in the forwards. Jamie Osborne and Sam Prendergast bring pace and vision to the backline, while Garry Ringrose and Robbie Henshaw provide strength and creativity in midfield.

Jamison Gibson-Park directs play at scrum-half, supported by James Lowe’s attacking threats on the wing. Leinster will aim to dominate possession, control territory, and use their dynamic backs to exploit defensive lapses.

Munster welcome Tadhg Beirne back as captain, reinforcing the forward pack alongside Fineen Wycherley and Jack O’Donoghue. The backline, led by Shane Daly and Tom Farrell on the wings and Jack Crowley at 10, will provide attacking flair, while Diarmuid Barron and John Ryan anchor the scrum.

Saturday 18 October, 2025 – 19:45 KO, Stadio Lanfranchi, Parma

Zebre Parma host DHL Stormers in a key fixture for both sides. Captain Giovanni Licata returns to the starting XV, adding leadership and experience to the forwards. The backline, featuring Giulio Bertaccini and Simone Gesi, will aim to exploit gaps and create attacking opportunities, while Thomas Dominguez marshals play at fly-half. Zebre will rely on quick ball, disciplined defense, and physicality in the set-piece to challenge the touring Stormers.

DHL Stormers welcome Hencus van Wyk for his debut, while Warrick Gelant returns to strengthen the back three. Ruhan Nel leads the pack as captain, supported by Damian Willemse and Leolin Zas in the backline. Stormers will aim to assert dominance in contact, secure clean ball at rucks, and use their pace to punish Zebre’s defensive lapses.

The Ospreys backline, featuring Jack Walsh, Dan Kasende, and Phil Cokanasiga, combines pace, flair, and finishing ability, while fly-half Dan Edwards and scrum-half Reuben Morgan-Williams provide the tactical direction from the spine. Captain Dewi Lake leads a physical forward pack, with Ben Warren and Rhys Davies anchoring the front row and ensuring a solid platform at the breakdown.

James Fender, James Ratti, Morgan Morse, and Ross Moriarty complete the pack, bringing power, mobility, and experience across the back row. Gwilym Evans is set to make his debut off the bench, offering fresh legs and energy for the closing stages.

Glasgow Warriors bring experience, structure, and tactical acumen to the contest. Led by captain Kyle Steyn in the backline, Ollie Smith, Stafford McDowall, and Sione Tuipulotu provide attacking threat, while Adam Hastings directs play at fly-half with Jamie Dobie at scrum-half. The Warriors’ forwards, including Patrick Schickerling and Murphy Walker, will aim to dominate set-pieces and disrupt the Ospreys’ rhythm. Seb Stephen and Nathan McBeth are in line for their first appearances of the season, adding physicality and depth from the bench.

OSPREYS STARTING XV
15 Jack Walsh, 14 Dan Kasende, 13 Phil Cokanasiga, 12 Keiran Williams, 11 Keelan Giles, 10 Dan Edwards, 9 Reuben Morgan-Williams, 1 Gareth Thomas, 2 Dewi Lake (CAPT), 3 Ben Warren, 4 Rhys Davies, 5 James Fender, 6 James Ratti, 7 Morgan Morse, 8 Ross Moriarty

REPLACEMENTS
16 Ethan Lewis, 17 Garyn Phillips, 18 Kian Hire, 19 Huw Sutton, 20 Gwilym Evans, 21 Luke Davies, 22 Tom Florence, 23 Iestyn Hopkins

GLASGOW WARRIORS STARTING XV
15 Ollie Smith, 14 Kyle Steyn (CAPT), 13 Stafford McDowall, 12 Sione Tuipulotu, 11 Kyle Rowe, 10 Adam Hastings, 9 Jamie Dobie, 1 Patrick Schickerling, 2 Johnny Matthews, 3 Murphy Walker, 4 Max Williamson, 5 Alex Samuel, 6 Euan Ferrie, 7 Angus Fraser, 8 Matt Fagerson

REPLACEMENTS
16 Seb Stephen, 17 Nathan McBeth, 18 Sam Talakai, 19 Jare Oguntibeju, 20 Alex Craig, 21 Macenzzie Duncan, 22 Ben Afshar, 23 Dan Lancaster