United Rugby Championship: Five storylines to follow in Round 14 including the North-South derby and Six Nations returnees
The United Rugby Championship returns this weekend in the fallow week for the Six Nations with a set of blockbuster fixtures headlined by the north-south South African derby between the Bulls and Stormers.
There is much to consider with some players being released from their national set-ups to express themselves at club level whilst the South Africans have had a small period of rest.
Planet Rugby has selected five storylines to follow in this weekend’s action, starting with the famous derby in South Africa.
North-South derby
The Bulls and the Stormers have been bitter rivals for a significant period, from the days of Northern Transvaal facing Western Province in the Currie Cup to the Bulls against Stormers in Super Rugby and now, finally in the URC.
It is a classic tale of the country’s two most glittering unions facing off and in the recent context, competing for supremacy in South Africa.
Despite the Bulls’ significant squad, the Stormers have not lost to the Pretoria men in the URC in the last four clashes, including the inaugural Grand Final last season.
In Pretoria, there has been disruption of late with director of rugby Jake White recovering from emergency surgery. However, the masterful tactician is back with a different outlook, one that is centred more around enjoyment.
On the flip side, the Stormers have done well to back up their title-winning season and despite some poor performances up north have managed to bounce back as often as required.
It only took minutes for tempers to flare in the last meeting between these teams, and expect the same again. The Stormers go into the clash as favourites but will have to be at their best, with the derby always expected to produce some drama.
The Bulls are pushing for fans to flood into Loftus Versfeld and produce an imposing atmosphere to welcome the champions. 31,000 tickets have reportedly been sold already. Strap in for a ruthless derby.
“They are the enemy now” 😤
Few have more insight on the North/South derby than the man that wore both jerseys. And after witnessing our loss in the final Nizaam Carr knew that he had to return 💪
Watch the full episode here: https://t.co/YFWHfZDMMT pic.twitter.com/NUPRo7gDUp
— Official Blue Bulls (@BlueBullsRugby) February 15, 2023
Must win for Sharks
The Sharks have really come on in leaps and bounds since Neil Powell assumed the head coaching role following Sean Everitt’s departure. The team showed improved intensity and played with a more apparent identity and structure. The former Sevens coach also had the luxury of his Springboks contingent returning to aid his cause.
However, the joys of a brilliant win against Edinburgh away were quickly squashed by a severe reality check against the Stormers as the champions beat the Durbanites 46-19 last time out. Both teams had Springboks going through their mandatory rest periods, and the Sharks had no answer for a free-flowing Manie Libbok who looked to have the ball on a string at times.
Regardless, the Sharks face the Lions this week in a must-win game. The Johannesburg side started the season really well but still lingers near the basement dwellers on the table.
Do not be fooled, this Lions team has potential but lacks consistency through inexperience and, at times, lack of quality. However, it is still a side that can run teams ragged at altitude, and if the Sharks do not have the right mental approach, as Powell claimed they didn’t against the Stormers, it could be an interesting afternoon.
There is no two ways about it, if the Sharks want to start becoming a team with title credentials, they must win at Ellis Park this weekend.
Can released Six Nations players make an impact?
With the Six Nations in a fallow week, several fringe players have been released by their respective countries to play in this weekend’s action to maintain match fitness and possibly to put their hands up.
Ireland boasts incredible squad depth that sees the likes of Gavin Coombes, Jordan Larmour and Keith Earls, amongst others, return for provincial duty.
Wales decided not to release players for this week, putting their clubs at risk of being exposed as the likes of Cardiff particularly struggle with injuries and, ultimately, depth concerns. The Ospreys will face a Munster side partly bolstered by some international stars and will likely struggle as a result as the sands of time are beginning to run out on a late surge for a playoff spot with only five rounds left.
Several Scots have also been released, with Jack Dempsey and Ali Price headlining those who return for club duty which could be vital for their clubs in the URC as they look to secure a playoff spot with the tournament entering its final stages of the regular season.
Will Glasgow’s resurgence continue?
The Scottish club are unbeaten in their last nine games in all competitions, with eight wins and a draw, including a sensational last-gasp win against the Stormers in Glasgow.
Franco Smith has certainly settled in at the helm of the club, who have shot up the table and are certainly looking to kick on and secure a home playoff.
Whilst a fair portion of the squad remains with the Scotland set-up, the return of Price and Dempsey, in particular, is a huge boost amongst others like Jamie Bhatti.
The assignment is a tricky fixture against Ulster, who are slightly weakened with their international contingent on a mini-camp and could be a great opportunity to pip the third-placed side and push up the table.
The influential centre pairing of Sione Tuipulotu and Huw Jones will be sorely missed. Nevertheless, it will be interesting to see if the Scots can continue their impressive run.
Leinster to continue impressive run
Speaking of runs, it simply doesn’t get better than Irish giants Leinster who have a ridiculous 13 wins from 13 games and nine points above the Stormers. It has been truly impressive from Leo Cullen’s men, and there are no signs of the Dubliners stopping.
With probably the greatest depth in club rugby, Leinster will continue their charge boosted by the return of several players, including Larmour and Jamie Osborn, amongst others.
The team is extremely well-drilled, the club ethos is strong, and the commitment to the vision from all stakeholders is truly admirable.
The way the season has played out it has become a case of, ‘can anyone actually beat Leinster in Dublin?’ because that is likely the only way to win the title this season.
