The English Premiership started last weekend after a lengthy break due to restrictions imposed as a result of the Covid-19 virus. Domestic rugby competitions under the guise of ‘Super Rugby’ have been taking place in Australia and New Zealand. However the real rugby competition resumes tonight in Italy as Benetton and Zebre play the first of their two derby games in the re-jigged PRO14.
Clubs from 4 of the 5 nations taking part in the PRO14 will be in action this weekend, albeit in stadiums devoid of fans due to ongoing restrictions. When the South African teams, the Kings and the Cheetahs, play their next games remains a mystery. The PRO14 organizers will no doubt be pleased though that whether the Kings and Cheetahs play again this season or not it won’t make a difference to the knockout stages as neither team are in the running to get there. Had it still been possible for these teams to get to the Semi-Finals it could have posed a headache for the PRO14 with all the travel restrictions making it unlikely or very difficult for them to take part in knockout games.
The main game of the weekend takes place tomorrow when Glasgow ‘host’ Edinburgh at Murrayfield. Both of their remaining PRO14 games are against each other and are scheduled for Edinburgh’s home ground.
A number of players with South African connections will be eager to get their first opportunity to play a competitive game in a long time. Oli Kebble will line up for Glasgow while team mate, former Stormer, Huw Jones will start in the unfamiliar 15 jersey. WP Nel will be Kebble’s direct opponent as he has been named at tight head prop for Edinburgh and will be joined by a host of other South Africans. Nick Groom and Jaco van der Walt are Edinburgh’s starting halfbacks with flyer Duhan van der Merwe taking off on the wing. Mike Willemse and Pierre Schoeman are on the bench and will look to make their presence felt in the latter stages of the game.
It is a pity that Schoeman, who barring any unforseen circumstances should be capped by Scotland next year, isn’t starting the game. The battle between him and Glasgow’s giant Zander Fagerson would have been an intriguing one. The two of them could well form two thirds of Scotland’s front row for many years to come. Fagerson seems to have been around for ages but is still only 24 and almost 2 years junior to Schoeman. However, he already boasts a lot of experience for such a young tight head having played in 91 games for Glasgow Warriors, starting in 60 of them, as well as 29 international games for Scotland.
This weekend’s games (kick off times are in British Summer Time)
Friday, 21 August
Benetton v Zebre, Stadio Monigo, 19:00 BST
Saturday, 22 August
Scarlets v Cardiff Blues, Parc y Scarlets, 15:00 BST
Glasgow v Edinburgh, Murrayfield, 17:15 BST
Leinster v Munster, Aviva Stadium, 19:35 BST
Sunday, 23 August
Ospreys v Dragons, Liberty Stadium, 14:15 BST
Connacht v Ulster, Aviva Stadium, 16:30 BST
Latest score Benetton 3/0 Zebre
49th min Sale 17/17 Exeter try by Vermeulen for Exeter converted
Strange to see Jonny Gray in an Exeter top
14th min still Benetton 3/0 Zebre
61st min Sale 17/32 Exeter bonus point try
Final score Sale 22/32 Exeter
Halftime Benetton 3/10 Zebre
57th min Scarlets 32/7 Cardiff Blues as Scarlets score from a move that started 5m from their own tryline
The Blues had a lineout deep in Scarlet 22 after a penalty and then got turned over which led to the start of the play that ended up with Scarlets scoring
Blues try off a forward pass just minutes after they had scored a try
Scarlets 32/12 Cardiff that was poor play in the end with the final pass to Josh Adams going forward with no real pressure could easily have passed properly to Adams who was well behind when the pass was delivered
Final score Saracens 38/24 Harlequins
Final score London Irish 3/27 Northampton
4th min Glasgow 0/3 Edinburgh as Jaco vd Walt kicks penalty
16th min Glasgow 3/6 Edinburgh
Glasgow 10/6 Edinburgh wIth Edinburgh in possession midway between Glasgow 10m and 22
Turnover to Glasgow then turnover to Edinburgh
Ali Price holding his ribs after slicing a defensive kick
Edinburgh 5m from tryline
Groom darts over and scores for Edinburgh
34th min Glasgow 10/13 Edinburgh vd Wait converts
Hastings scores after sustained pressure by Glasgow. Oli Kebble was used to carry the ball up quite a few times in the build up
Glasgow 15/13 Edinburgh
Halftime Glasgow 15/13 Edinburgh. Some good passages of play from both sides on attack and defence in that first half. Both teams look to be playing with ball in hand with good running and passing and also carries by the forwards, don’t recall much kicking form either team
72nd min Leinster 27/20 Munster
76th min Leinster 27/25 Munster 3 tries each. Munster were always going to get something from this game…
Penalty to Munster for obstruction kicked to touch
Risky pass intercepted by Toner
Munster secure lineout 6m from there own try line
Final score Leinster 27/25 Munster. RG Snynan went off injured after about 6 minutes could have been the difference in the end
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