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United Rugby Championship: Five talking points ahead of Round Three with Ulster v Leinster clash set to thrill

The United Rugby Championship heads into the third round of the 2022/2023 season with some exciting match-ups ahead.

Planet Rugby breaks down five talking points to consider ahead of this weekend’s action.

Bulls need improvement

Jake White’s men held a 15-0 lead against Edinburgh last time out and stumbled to a 33-31 win courtesy of Morne Steyn’s boot and a missed penalty by Edinburgh’s Henry Immelman that could have stolen the game.

While the Bulls did perform well in Round One, White will be looking for his side to command the game better when holding a lead as the tournament’s top teams will take advantage of situations like the one in Round Two.

White has called on Springboks Kurt-Lee Arendse and Canan Moodie to start the clash against Connacht, while Johan Goosen starts for the first time since returning from injury. Game management is crucial for the Bulls to become the complete package.

Big Irish derby

Last season Ulster completed a rare double over their Irish rivals, winning both clashes in URC I. Dan McFarland’s men have flown out of the blocks this season and look like a team that could challenge for the title.

However, Leinster’s success and history make them a team to always be concerned about, and Leo Cullen will be looking to prove that on Friday. Johnny Sexton returns on the bench and will once again be key for the province in their hopes to improve on last season’s fortunes, where they were left empty-handed after falling short in the URC and Champions Cup.

The clash will be a solid measuring stick for Ulster as to whether they are in a position to push for the URC II title and will no doubt be a classic Irish derby. As we saw last season, every point counts in this tightly-contested league, and the winners of the game will send a statement to all other teams.

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Munster set to find their feet

Although the tournament is still in its early stages, the Irish province are already on the back foot after suffering back-to-back defeats in their first two fixtures against Cardiff and the Dragons.

Both those matches were away from home and despite suffering losses on both occasions, it was somewhat surprising as Munster are amongst the traditional powerhouses of the European game and they were expected to win those matches. While the Cardiff result was a mild surprise, their defeat against the Dragons rocked the competition as it was the first time since 2015 that the Welsh outfit managed to beat the Ulstermen.

Those defeats have put pressure on Ulster head coach Graeme Rowntree, who is in his first season since taking over the coaching reins from Johann van Graan, and the former England front-row will expect an improved effort from his troops when they host Zebre Parma at Musgrave Park on Saturday. With international stars like captain Peter O’Mahony, Malakai Fekitoa and Tadhg Beirne in their ranks, Munster should be victorious but they face a tough challenge against the Italian outfit, who depite losing their two previous games in the competition, picked up double bonus points in both of those defeats against Leinster and the Sharks.

Taulupe Faletau returning for Cardiff

There was plenty of fanfare amongst Cardiff supporters when Faletau joined them in the off season and he showed what all the fuss was about with an excellent performance in the Welsh region’s tournament opener against Munster.

The Wales international delivered a man-of-the-match performance as Cardiff kicked off their campaign with a 20-13 triumph at Cardiff Arms Park. Faletau made an immediate impact at his new club, finishing the match with 66 metres gained which included one clean break and a couple of offloads while he also caught the eye with his breakdown work as Cardiff got their campaign off to a fantastic start.

However, he did not feature in their next game, against Glasgow Warriors at Scotstoun last Friday as Cardiff director of rugby Dai Young was forced to rest the 31-year-old due to a Welsh Rugby Union directive which instruct their regions’ coaches to leave out Wales internationals at certain times during the season. Faletau’s influence was missed against the Warriors and it came as no surprise that his team suffered a 52-24 defeat to their Scottish opponents.

Cardiff have seven matches before Wales get their end-of-year Test programme underway against the All Blacks on November 5 and Faletau is limited to playing in five matches for his region. He returns to action against the Lions on Friday and will be hoping to continue where he left off in his previous game against Munster.

Return of Springboks

The Sharks have opted to rest their heavyweight Springboks, while the Bulls and Stormers have decided to make use of their premier talent.

The electric duo of Moodie and Arendse return for the Bulls to set up an exciting back-three alongside new signing and fellow Bok Sbu Nkosi. White will be hoping the trio can gel and light up the competition in broken play.

Meanwhile, John Dobson has handed a debut to Springbok Joseph Dweba whilst starting Deon Fourie and Damian Willemse, who recently signed a mega five-year contract extension at the club, at inside centre.

Dweba should add improvements to the Stormers’ scrummaging but must get his lineout throwing right to make a full impact on Saturday. Fourie will be prowling around the breakdowns as he did in URC I, where he finished with the most turnover won in the competition.

Willemse has had a brilliant Test season and returns to 12 where he has excelled every time he plays there. It will be interesting to see the new triple playmaker axis in full flight with Willemse, Manie Libbok, and newly signed fullback Clayton Bloemmetjies expected to pull the strings in the attacking structures.

PSG are in talks with Bayer Leverkusen full-back Wendell

PSG have been in ongoing discussions with the entourage of 24-year-old Bayer Leverkusen full-back Wendell for several weeks, according to L’Équipe.

The Bundesliga side has recently failed to qualify for next season’s edition of the Champions’ League and could be willing to sell the player for around €20m.

Les Parisiens, who have decided to sell Layvin Kurzawa, are in the market for a left-back and are at the moment being forced to make two series’ of plans for the upcoming window: one where they are faced by transfer window restrictions if an FFP sanction falls and another where they are not.

Although Alex Sandro (Juventus) and Ryan Sessegnon (Fulham) are top-end targets, Wendell would represent a financially prudent move.

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England: Bristol Bears scrum-half Harry Randall out for up to four months while Mako Vunipola and Jacob Umaga banned

England and Bristol Bears have been dealt a blow after Harry Randall was ruled out of the end-of-year internationals due to a hamstring injury.

The busy scrum-half has undergone surgery on the torn muscle and has subsequently been ruled out for up to four months, according to his club side.

Randall suffered the injury during Bristol Bears‘ recent Premiership defeat to Exeter Chiefs at Ashton Gate, with the visitors running out 50-14 winners.

This surgery news compounds that result and also gives England coach Eddie Jones a selection decision as he looks to build on a series win over Australia.

England chances suffer a setback

Although the Bristol scrum-half was not included in a 36-player squad named by Jones for a recent training camp, he remains in the frame for Test action.

Jones instead picked Ben Youngs, Jack van Poortvliet and Alex Mitchell as his number nine options, with Danny Care once again out in the cold for England.

“Harry had surgery on a hamstring tear yesterday and will be out for between three and four months,” said Bristol director of rugby Pat Lam on Wednesday.

“He did it tackling Jack Nowell and got in an awkward position. It is a loss for us, but time for Andy (Uren) and Tom (Whiteley) to step up.

“We are not looking elsewhere at the moment. We lost Harry one week last year, then Andy the next and then Tom and then two others. I hope it is not the same.

“It is frustrating for us, but all the more so for Harry. Some of the hamstring came off the bone, and he had surgery to repair it.

“I feel for him, but I have always said injuries are an opportunity to improve, and he will come back fighting fit.”

England begin their Autumn Nations Series against Argentina on November 6 and then face Japan, New Zealand and South Africa over the following weekends.

Meanwhile, Bristol are currently preparing for their next Premiership game, against Gloucester, as they look to bounce back from that reversal against Exeter.

Bans for Mako Vunipola and Jacob Umaga

Meanwhile, England prop Mako Vunipola has been handed a three-week ban after he was red carded in Saracens’ Premiership victory over Newcastle Falcons.

While this is a blow for his club, England will be relieved that the suspension doesn’t run into their Test schedule as he is available for their year-end opener.

The 70-cap international was sent-off for dangerous play in a ruck or maul at Kingston Park last weekend and will miss league ties against Bath and Exeter.

He will also be absent for the Premiership Rugby Cup clash with London Irish, but the ban could be reduced by one game if he completes a World Rugby course.

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Wasps full-back Jacob Umaga has also received a three-week ban after he was dismissed against Northampton Saints in their Premiership meeting last week.

He was charged with tackling, charging, pulling or grasping the jumper (Northampton wing Courtnall Skosan) in the air, contrary to World Rugby law 9.17.

Umaga is currently injured, and the RFU said that the fixtures he will miss will be determined following confirmation from Wasps when he’s fit to play again.

Official | Goalkeeper Anthony Maissonial switches St Étienne for Sion

After coming up through the youth ranks of Saint Étienne, French youth international goalkeeper Anthony Maisonnial has departed Les Verts to join Swiss Pro League team FC Sion on a free transfer at the end of his current contract.  

Maisonnial, 20, made his Ligue 1 debut for Saint Etienne in a 2-1 away loss at Lorient back in December of 2016, and promptly followed that up with another appearance in the 0-0 home draw against Nancy, which would prove to be his first, last and only Ligue 1 clean sheet in what would be his final Ligue 1 game for the club.

Despite his lack of first team appearances, with the formidable Stephane Ruffier in front of him in the pecking order, Maisonnial developed somewhat of a reputation for being a highly rated young goalkeeper, making 15 appearances for the French youth teams, ranging from the U16’s to the U20 side, with former Rennes and Nottingham Forest manager Philippe Montanier giving his debut at U20 level.

Les Verts will be due a small amount of compensation from the Swiss outfit, owing to the fact that he is just 20.

T.S.

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All Blacks: Ian Foster is looking to maximise development opportunities on the tour of the northern hemisphere

All Blacks head coach Ian Foster is looking to maximise the opportunities offered for growth and development in their end-of-year tour.

Due to Covid-19 disruptions, it is only the second tour to the northern hemisphere in this World Cup cycle and is very important as there is less than a year to go until the global showpiece.

Japan is the first challenge for the All Blacks on October 29, and Foster acknowledged the Brave Blossoms’ immense progress and looks forward to the challenge ahead.

Treasure the tour

“We’ve got to treasure this tour and the opportunities it presents,” Foster told the All Blacks’ official website.

“If you go back to the last World Cup, they won a couple of big games, and they played really well against France and Australia A recently, so they’re well-prepared.

“We know they’re a growing nation, and this is a Test they’re going to target.

“So, nothing changes. Everyone we play is going to be ready to play us, and they [Japan] certainly will be.”

Wales follows the Japan Test as the All Blacks travel to Cardiff on November 5 before playing Scotland a week later on November 13.

Twickenham clash

However, the most anticipated clash of the tour comes against England at Twickenham on November 20, a Test Foster is looking forward to.

“It’s on the horizon, and playing England at Twickenham is always special and the fact we haven’t played them since 2019 in a game I remember well is going to make it even more important,” he said.

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Foster said the tour’s goal was to grow team performance, which involved giving players as many opportunities as possible.

The return of Anton Lienert-Brown has given the coach more options in the centres while Roger Tuivasa-Sheck added some versatility to his game after playing two games on the wing for Auckland in the NPC.

“It’s given him a greater insight into the game. So, it’s going to help him,” the head coach added.

The All Blacks began to find their feet at the back end of the Rugby Championship but will be eager to string some wins together and build solid form going into the 2023 Rugby World Cup.

England: Owen Farrell and Courtney Lawes set to reach 100 caps after being named in squad for November Tests

Owen Farrell and Courtney Lawes are set to pass a century of Tests in November after being named in the England squad for the Autumn Tests.

Harlequins speedster Cadan Murley earned his first call-up to the national squad and is one of five uncapped players, along with Alex Coles, George McGuigan, Val Rapava Ruskin and David Ribbans.

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The squad meets on Monday for a five-day training camp as Eddie Jones’s men prepare for their first Test against Argentina on November 6.

Following the clash against Los Pumas, England welcome the All Blacks in a blockbuster clash on November 19 before taking on world champions South Africa on November 26.

Jones is excited with the squad he has selected and said England will use the Tests as a ‘mini World Cup.’

“This is a very strong, vibrant squad and a number of good players have been left out. We are pleased with the depth and the strength of the squad,” said Jones.

“The autumn internationals will be like a mini Rugby World Cup for us, starting with two tough games against Argentina and Japan which mirrors our Pool fixtures at next year’s tournament. Then we’ll have knock out type games against New Zealand and South Africa – all four games will be great tests for us.

“In Jersey we’ll start the week with Misogi activity where the players will find out about themselves and each other. Then we’ll rip into training for the rest of the week, so the team can come together on and off the pitch.

“We’re very pleased to be going back to Jersey and to a good Championship club in Jersey Reds who are very supportive of us and of the local rugby community. We’ve been made to feel very welcome there and look forward to our return.”

Meanwhile, Jones has drafted former Great Britain hockey coach Danny Kerry onto his coaching team as a training coordinator, with Joe Lewis moving into a full-time analyst role.

Jones said: “I’ve known Danny for a long time and his depth and breadth of coaching knowledge will be a real asset to us as staff as we work towards becoming the best coaching team in the world. Joe will move back to an analyst role where he has a real impact and suits his strengths and skills.”

England squad:

Forwards: Alex Coles, Luke Cowan-Dickie, Tom Curry, Ellis Genge, Joe Heyes, Jonny Hill, Maro Itoje, Courtney Lawes, Lewis Ludlam, George McGuigan, Val Rapava Ruskin, David Ribbans, Bevan Rodd, Sam Simmonds, Kyle Sinckler, Jack Singleton, Hugh Tizard, Billy Vunipola, Mako Vunipola, Jack Willis

Backs: Henry Arundell, Joe Cokanasiga, Owen Farrell, Max Malins, George Furbank, Will Joseph, Jonny May, Cadan Murley, Jack Nowell, Guy Porter, Raffi Quirke, Marcus Smith, Freddie Steward, Manu Tuilagi, Jack van Poortvliet, Ben Youngs

Official | Strasbourg sign defender Stefan Mitrović from KAA Gent

Strasbourg have today completed the signing of Serbian international defender Stefan Mitrović from KAA Gent in a deal believed to be €3m.

The 28-year-old defender has signed a 4-year contract with the Ligue 1 side.

An imposing 6 ft 2 central defender, Mitrović has played for a host of clubs around European in recent years, including Benfica B, Real Valladolid, Freiburg and spent two years in his latest spell at Gent. The Serb has also been capped by his country 13 times.

Mitrović expressed his excitement today after the deal was concluded:

“The love of the French league is high and I am very happy to join RC Strasbourg, which for me is a top club. I would like to tell these supporters that I will give everything for these colours and that I will never give up for anything.”

H.W.

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Scotland: Steve Tandy hails new captain Jamie Ritchie and relishes Autumn Nations Series, which begins against Wallabies

Scotland assistant coach Steve Tandy is confident Jamie Ritchie will do a “fantastic job” as captain during the upcoming Autumn Nations Series.

Ritchie, 26, has followed up being named skipper for club side Edinburgh this season with this incredible achievement as he takes over from Stuart Hogg.

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While it might have been viewed as a surprise decision by head coach Gregor Townsend in some quarters, Ritchie has the full confidence of Tandy and co.

People follow him

“He will do a fantastic job, he’s super competitive,” Tandy revealed. “I think he leads and people follow him, and he’s an outstanding rugby player as well.

“He plays really well in a Scotland shirt. It’s a great opportunity for him to lead his country and to start at home as well.

“He’s embraced it so far, he doesn’t change a lot, he wants to drive standards anyway.

“He’s maturing, and he’s around lots of experienced guys and he doesn’t need to change too much. He leads anyway, and he’ll naturally grow and embrace the moment.”

Scotland are preparing to tackle Australia this weekend before matches against Fiji, New Zealand and Argentina at Murrayfield follow over the next month.

Tandy admits he’s “unbelievably excited” about his squad making progress in the autumn as they look to fire in next year’s Six Nations and Rugby World Cup.

“Getting the boys back yesterday was brilliant, just getting connected again and catching up,” the coach said on Tuesday. “Then get into our processes, our first day’s training today had great energy.

Four huge Tests

“I’m excited for the next four Tests coming up. It’s about building on summer stuff as well. We didn’t win that series, but there was a lot of good things that went on.

“It’s just building, rather than a fresh start, just building momentum against outstanding teams. It’s great to get back to Murrayfield in front of full houses and we’re excited to grow our game over the autumn period.”

Looking ahead to the Wallabies clash on Saturday, defence coach Tandy revealed he is aware of the threat the opposition will pose in their year-end opener.

“When you look through the autumn games there’s a little bit of scary things from everyone, whether it be Fiji or New Zealand – but Australia, there’s lots of variety in their set-piece attack and some powerful ball-carriers that can really cause damage, especially close to your goal-line,” he said.