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URC statement: New South African trip confirmed for Munster and co

By Liam Heagney

20 Dec 2021

(Photo by Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile via Getty Images)

The under-pressure United Rugby Championship has tweaked its upcoming fixtures schedule in the hope that the recent virus-enforced chaos involving cross-hemisphere travel isn’t repeated next month. Cardiff, Munster, Scarlets and Zebre Parma were all caught up in quarantine hell when shortly after they arrived in South Africa recently for two rounds of URC matches versus the local Bulls, Lions, Sharks and the Stormers franchises.

Those games were called off following the emergence of the omicron virus strain and it resulted in outbreaks and quarantine that affected those Welsh, Irish and Italian clubs and their respective European campaigns. Scarlets, for instance, has to forfeit their Champions Cup tie at Bristol as their squad was held up in quarantine in Belfast after its complicated return from South Africa.

The shambles of the trips to the southern hemisphere by the four European-based teams generated grave concerns that the URC season won’t be completed with all of its planned fixtures taking place. However, tournament organisers are determined they can safeguard the credibility of the cross-hemisphere tournament and they have now taken steps to ensure there is no more fixtures chaos in the near future.

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All four South African franchises were due to play in Europe in round ten of the URC on the weekend of January 7, but these matches which were to feature the Bulls at Zebre, the Lions at Leinster, the Stormers and Connacht and the Sharks at Benetton have been rescheduled for the weekend of February 25 in the hope that the current pandemic restrictions will have been lifted.

It is also intended to play the infamously postponed round six and seven URC matches featuring Cardiff, Munster, Scarlets and Zebre in South Africa on the weekend of March 11 and 18. A URC tournament statement on Monday read: “Scheduling for the United Rugby Championship up to round 17 has been completed with adjustments made to cater for postponed and rescheduled fixtures.

"It was a bit like Rocky against Apollo Creed in the original Rocky and they kept swinging until the end…"
– Adam Jones on the emergency Cardiff props coming up against a "monster" Toulouse pack#Cardiff #HeinekenChampionsCup #Harlequins #HARvCAR https://t.co/vKRFZHabWk
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) December 16, 2021

“To avoid further rescheduling in the immediate calendar, the round ten fixtures involving South African teams due to take place in Ireland and Italy have been rescheduled to the final weekend of February. The postponed fixtures from rounds six and seven that were due to take place in South Africa will now be moved to the weekends of March 11/12 and March 18/19. More details about these fixtures will be confirmed after further discussions with key stakeholders involved are completed.

“A number of South African derbies have also been adjusted to accommodate the revised schedule. The URC is fully committed to playing all games as scheduled but will ensure that the welfare of teams and players comes first. The league is greatly encouraged by the decision of the UK government to ease travel restrictions with respect to South Africa and will continue to comply with directions set out by the health authorities and government departments in our various jurisdictions.

“The URC medical advisory group will continue to provide regular guidance and updates to our clubs regarding best practice and health and safety measures in relation to Covid-19 protocols. The dates and kick-off times for round 18 will be confirmed next month after consultation with our broadcast partners who have been of great assistance during this process.”

Round 8 (SA derbies) – Saturday, January 22
Emirates Lions v Cell C Sharks | 13:00 UK / 14:00 ITA / 15:00 SA | Super Sport, Premier Sports
Vodacom Bulls v DHL Stormers | 15:05 UK / 16:05 ITA / 17:05 SA | Super Sport, Premier Sports

Round 9 (SA derbies) – Saturday, February 5
Vodacom Bulls v Emirates Lions | 13.00 UK / 14.00 ITA / 15.00 SA | Super Sport, Premier Sports
DHL Stormers v Cell C Sharks | 15.05 UK / 16.05 ITA / 17.05 SA | Super Sport, Premier Sports

Round 12 (SA derbies) – Saturday, February 12
Emirates Lions v DHL Stormers | 13.00 UK / 14.00 ITA / 15.00 SA | Super Sport, Premier Sports
Vodacom Bulls v Cell C Sharks | 15.05 UK / 16.05 ITA / 17.05 SA | Super Sport, Premier Sports

Round 12 – Friday, February 18
Munster v Edinburgh | 19.35 UK / 20.35 ITA / 21.35 SA | TG4, Premier Sports
Cardiff v Zebre Parma | 19.35 UK / 20.35 ITA / 21.35 SA | BBC Wales, Mediaset, Premier Sports
Saturday, February 19
Leinster v Ospreys | 17.00 UK / 18.00 ITA / 19.00 SA | RTÉ 2, S4C, Premier Sports
Scarlets v Connacht | 19.35 UK / 20.35 ITA / 21.35 SA | S4C, TG4, Premier Sports
Glasgow Warriors v Benetton | 19.35 UK / 20.35 ITA / 21.35 SA | Premier Sports, Mediaset
Sunday, February 20
Dragons v Ulster | 14:00 UK / 15:00 ITA / 16:00 SA | Premier Sports

Round 10 (rescheduled) – Friday, February 25
Zebre Parma v Vodacom Bulls | 17:30 UK / 18:30 ITA / 19:30 SA | Mediaset, Super Sport, Premier Sports
Leinster v Emirates Lions | 19:35 UK / 20:35 ITA / 21 :35 SA | TG4, Super Sport, Premier Sports
Saturday, February 26
Connacht v DHL Stormers | 13:00 UK / 14:00 ITA / 15:00 SA | RTE, Super Sport, Premier Sports
Benetton v Cell C Sharks | 15:05 UK / 16:05 ITA / 17:05 SA | Mediaset, Super Sport, Premier Sport

Round 13 – Friday, March 4
Ulster v Cardiff | 19.35 UK / 20.35 ITA / 21.35 SA | BBC NI, BBC Wales, RTÉ 2, Premier Sports
Edinburgh v Connacht | 19.35 UK / 20.35 ITA / 21.35 SA | Premier Sports, TG4
Saturday, March 5
Benetton v Leinster | 12.55 UK / 13.55 ITA / 14.55 SA | Mediaset, RTÉ 2, Premier Sports
Scarlets v Glasgow Warriors | 17.15 UK / 18.15 ITA / 19.15 SA | Premier Sports
Munster v Dragons | 17.15 UK / 18.15 ITA / 19.15 SA | TG4, S4C, Premier Sports
Sunday, March 6
Ospreys v Zebre Parma | 14.00 UK / 15.00 ITA / 16.00 SA | S4C, Mediaset, Premier Sports

Round 6 (rescheduled) – Weekend of March 11/12/13
DHL Stormers v Zebre Parma | TBC | Super Sport, Premier Sports
Cell C Sharks v Scarlets | TBC | Super Sport, S4C, Premier Sports
Vodacom Bulls v Munster | TBC | Super Sport, TG4, Premier Sports
Emirates Lions v Cardiff | TBC | Super Sport, S4C, Premier Sports

Round 7 (rescheduled) – Weekend of March 18/19/20
Vodacom Bulls v Scarlets | TBC | Super Sport, BBC Wales, Premier Sports
Cell C Sharks v Zebre Parma | TBC | Super Sport, Italian TV, Premier Sports
Emirates Lions v Munster | TBC | Super Sport, RTE, Premier Sports
DHL Stormers v Cardiff | TBC | Super Sport, S4C, Premier Sports

Round 14 – Friday, March 25
Emirates Lions v Ospreys | 17.00 UK / 18.00 ITA / 19.00 SA | Super Sport, BBC Wales, Premier Sports
Munster v Benetton | 19.35 UK / 20.35 ITA / 21.35 SA | TG4, Mediaset, Premier Sports
Saturday, March 26
Zebre Parma v Scarlets | 13.00 UK / 14.00 ITA / 15.00 SA | Mediaset, BBC Wales, Premier Sports
DHL Stormers v Ulster | 13.00 UK / 14.00 ITA / 15.00 SA | Super Sport, Premier Sports
Cell C Sharks v Edinburgh | 15.05 UK / 16.05 ITA / 17.05 SA | Super Sport, Premier Sports
Cardiff v Glasgow Warriors | 17.15 UK / 18.15 ITA / 19.15 SA | Premier Sports
Vodacom Bulls v Dragons | 17.15 UK / 18.15 ITA / 19.15 SA | SuperSport, S4C, Premier Sports
Connacht v Leinster | 19.35 UK / 20.35 ITA / 21.35 SA | RTÉ 2, Premier Sports

Round 13 (SA derbies) – Saturday, April 9
DHL Stormers v Vodacom Bulls | 13:00 UK / 14:00 ITA & SA | Super Sport, Premier Sport
Cell C Sharks v Emirates Lions | 15 :05 UK / 16 :05 ITA & SA | Super Sport, Premier Sport

Round 17 – Friday, April 29
Vodacom Bulls v Glasgow Warriors | 18.00 UK / 19.00 ITA & SA | Super Sport, Premier Sports
Munster v Cardiff | 19.35 UK / 20.35 ITA & SA | TG4, BBC Wales, Premier Sports

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RedWarrior 6 minutes ago

Men's 15s World Player of the Year was only a two horse race

Sounding like a blubbering baby. Listen the whole world saw PSDT whining to the ref. Are you going to act the baby and pretend you weren't watching??

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RedWarrior 7 minutes ago

Sione Tuipulotu's Scotland emphatically end Wallabies grand slam dream

NZ were down a player for a reason. Ireland could have and should have inflicted more damage there. From an Irish perspective that loss might be more valuable than a poor win.

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RedWarrior 10 minutes ago

Men's 15s World Player of the Year was only a two horse race

It's still poor. It's like an idiots attempt to present a people as stupid. Even the English are better than this (even though they started showing respect a long time ago). Go again. Do Better !!!

(Some of you Afrikaaners can be a little clueless if you can't copy and paste and have answers presented to you. Use your mutton head! Work it out! BTW Do you white guys still make jokes about Black folk or do you keep those "oldies but goodies" to yourself now)

69 Go to comments

Sn 14 minutes ago

Men's 15s World Player of the Year was only a two horse race

Jealous rugby panel every award should have gone to the bokkie

69 Go to comments

SL 15 minutes ago

'You could have four starting Scottish backs in that Lions team'

I am in favour of the British and Irish Lions squad selected from genuine British and Irish players, not those who qualify on residency or having a relative. Controversial I know but it would rule out 80% of the Scottish players, 70% of the Irish players and about 40% of English and Welsh players. However, you would still have a strong Lions squad and one capable of winning a test series against any of the SH nations. One for strong debate in my opinion?

1 Go to comments

Nickers 28 minutes ago

Can Will Jordan avoid the All Blacks curse of turning 27?

The end comes very quickly for players who rely on their acceleration. Virtually every All Black winger to play in the last 20 years are all great examples of that. One year you're the best in the world and undroppable, 2 years later you're coming off the bench for your NPC team.

Based on the way Jordan played this year at 15 I don't see him being part of the 2027 World Cup. His main attribute is his acceleration which unless he is a genetic freak like Cheslin Kolbe will desert him in the next year or so. Maybe his game will develop more but he is not currently someone who can switch in and out of a playmaker role like DMac. Knowing All Balcks coaches they will probably convert him to a midfielder!

1 Go to comments

Bull Shark 40 minutes ago

Men's 15s World Player of the Year was only a two horse race

Okay. But I still don't know what you mean by "Double Dutch"?

And again, not sure why you think I'm an Afrikaner? Do you think all South Africans are Afrikaners?

This one is one of my favorites. It's an oldie - but a goodie:

Ireland 's worst air disaster occurred early this morning when a small two-seater Cessna plane crashed into a cemetery.

Irish search and rescue workers have recovered 2826 bodies so far.

Digging continues.

69 Go to comments

Tk 49 minutes ago

'Let's not sugarcoat it': Former All Black's urgent call to protect eligibility rules

Another way to think about this. Yes it is a professional game. NZR are (supposedly) a professional organisation and their purpose is to support NZ rugby. NZR employ rugby players to support NZ rugby. That means playing in NZ for our teams, of which the ABs is one. If an employee doesn't want to do the whole job, they won't be employed, just the same as in my job. Players who go overseas have decided to seek alternative employment for a different set of working conditions and as such do not play for ABs. Richie Mounga quit his job to work elsewhere, anything else is emotional baggage.

37 Go to comments

Cantab 1 hour ago

Sione Tuipulotu's Scotland emphatically end Wallabies grand slam dream

Good luck to the Aussies, they are going to need that and more. As for Ireland v NZ, Ireland were really only in the game for the period NZ were down a player.

6 Go to comments

DH 2 hours ago

The Tier 2 Team of the Year

Shame no Welsh players made this XV.

2 Go to comments

AD 2 hours ago

'Welsh regional rugby has failed conclusively and there is no way back'

Thanks Nick

Competition structure clearly a problem in both countries.

IMO too little too late in both places.

Really, Australia should have 2 teams in SR or whatever comp they are in from 2026 onwards.

Call them North and South or whatever you like, but one team playing most of it's matches out of Brisbane/Queensland, and the other playing most of their matches out of Sydney/NSW.

Combined these two make up 80-90% of the players and supporters (and crowds)

Get real.

Add Western Australia (Force) to Queensland because they have some cultural similarities. Let 20% of games be played in Perth.

Down South, let the team play 20% of games in Canberra, despite the fact that crowds in Brumby-land are tiny.

If North and South don't suit, call the teams the Maroons and the Chardonnays, or if that doesn't suit, the Cane Toads and the Cockroaches.

Just do something to avoid a slow and agonising death

11 Go to comments

NB 2 hours ago

'Welsh regional rugby has failed conclusively and there is no way back'

The truth of it is in your last para Miz. There is nobody in Wales capable of repalcing him and doing any better.

They've talked about Steve Tandy and maybe Danny Wilson, but they are both in contract to Scotland and Quins.

Having said that I think they could improve the quality of soem of Gatlands support coaches. He doesn't do any himself and of the current group, only Mike Forshaw looks like he knows what he's doing!

11 Go to comments

NB 2 hours ago

'Welsh regional rugby has failed conclusively and there is no way back'

He was okay vs Fagerson in the Scotland game Tom, so maybe he just had an off-day? Aussie badly needs to get the best out of Tupou before it's too late, atm he could finish as one of the great unfulfilled talents, as good as he is.

11 Go to comments

NB 2 hours ago

'Welsh regional rugby has failed conclusively and there is no way back'

Amazing how Queenslanders esp always escape John's ire. Kiwis, Tahs and Brumbies always get it in the neck, but Queensland is untouchable, never makes a mistake. John should write a book on how to invent stuff!

11 Go to comments

NB 2 hours ago

'Welsh regional rugby has failed conclusively and there is no way back'

The Kiwis only arrived because Aussie was doing so badly under its own provenance John.

Adding two more SR franchises was suicide on the field, whatever pathways it may have created off it in other parts of Aussie.

That bit you did unto yourself. Since then you've hardly put up a fight in SR against the Kiwis.

Wales the same - we only went for the likes of Henry, Hansen and Gatland because we were not cutting it by ourselves. Jeez we lost by almost 100 points to the Boks before Ted arrived, next game we only lost by 8, then beat them the following year!

Go tell the current WBs that you they are 'not trying' for Joe Schmidt and you will end up in a heap on the floor, where you belong...😁

11 Go to comments

BP 2 hours ago

Men's 15s World Player of the Year was only a two horse race

No its a Irish thing just like choking! 🤣 now go play with your wannabe choking irish mates. You boring me now.......

69 Go to comments

Mzilikazi 2 hours ago

'Welsh regional rugby has failed conclusively and there is no way back'

A truly grim article, Nick. When I began my coaching career, it was the Welsh clubs that one looked to for ideas, inspiration, and then at top level the Welsh team. Fearsome clubs like Cardiff, Neath, Llanelli, and Pontypool with the fearsome front row. And Wales with best in the world players...Gareth Edwards, Barry John, Phil Bennett, JPR Williams in the backs to name a few, then hard forwards like Merv Davies, Tommy David, the Ponty front row, and many more.

It is just beyond sad to see this proud rugby nation where they are now. I read of the calls for Warren Gatland to step down, and think " Who on God's earth can be found who will do any better ?" Gatland knows this, and I suspect that is why he is not for shifting.

11 Go to comments

RedWarrior 2 hours ago

Men's 15s World Player of the Year was only a two horse race

You're still blubbering like a baby: no suprise. Just to repeat. PSDT whined like a baby at the referee in Durban. You can see the cry baby whining in Pretoria above!!! Is whining a Saffer thing?

69 Go to comments

NB 2 hours ago

'Welsh regional rugby has failed conclusively and there is no way back'

Theoretically it should improve Aussie DW. There wwill be greater depth and more competition for places, upping standards. It would be a major surprise if the Tahs do not improve noticeably in 2025 for example, with a good new coach and several ex-Rebels added up front [4] and another two behind, plus Suaalii.

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M.W.Keith 2 hours ago

'Let's not sugarcoat it': Former All Black's urgent call to protect eligibility rules

To think of another global sport, football...no one criticises a football player for earning a paycheck at a foreign club. Why does rugby think it is so special? It is a beautiful sport, but it is a sport nonetheless. It is time for rugby administrators, coaches, and fans to grow up and embrace the fact that we live in a global environment and embracing change is the only way that this sport will grow and thrive.

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