PRO14 restart preview

BENETTON

Head coach: Kieran Crowley Captain: unconfirmed Stadium: Stadio Comunale di Monigo Current position: 5th (B) Last five games: WWLLW

The top team of Italian rugby is regrouping after the retirement of captain Dean Budd and knowing a place in the PRO14 semifinals is beyond them. With two derbies to come against Zebre, head coach Kieran Crowley is looking for new leaders after Azzurri veteran Alessandro Zanni retired and Marco Fuser left for Newcaste. Both were key figures in the team becoming the first Italian side to reach the knockout stages last season. Callum Braley,

above, is on board from Gloucester having won four caps for Italy in the last 12 months. Players in: Callum Braley (Gloucester), Niccolò Cannone (Petrarca), Joaquin Riera (Petrarca), Luca Petrozzi (San Donà), Edoardo Padovani (Zebre) Players out: Giuseppe Di Stefano (Fiamme Oro), Antonio Rizzi (Zebre), Tito Tebaldi (Petrarca), Marco Fuser (Newcastle Falcons), Nasi Manu (Otago), Engjel Makelara, Ian McKinley (both released), Alessandro Zanni, Dean Budd (both retired) Squad: Filippo Alongi, Derrick Appiah, Tomas Baravalle, Marco Barbini, Damiano Borean, Niccolo Cannone, Epalahame Faiva, Simone Ferrari, Ornel Gega, Toa Halafihi, Irne Herbst, Michele Lamaro, Marco Lazzaroni, Michele Mancini Parri, Lodovico Manni, Seb Negri, below, Tiziano Pasquali, Gio Pettinelli, Nicolo Quaglio, Marco Riccioni, Federico Ruzza, Eli Snyman, Braam Steyn, Cherif Traore, Federico Zani, Tommaso Allan, Alberto Benettin, Tommaso Benvenuti, Callum Braley, Giorgio Bronzini, Andrea Bronzini, Dewaldt Duvenage, Angelo Esposito, Enrico Francescato, Jayden Hayward, Juan Ignacio Brex, Monty Ioane, Ian Keatley, Luca Morisi, Edoardo Padovani, Luca Petrozzi, Andrea Pratichetti, Iliesa Ratuva, Joaquin Riera, Leonardo Sarto, Alberto Sgarbi, Luca Sperandio, Charly Trussardi, Marco Zanon

CARDIFF BLUES

Director of rugby: John Mulvihill Captain: Ellis Jenkins Stadium: Cardiff Arms Park Current position: 6th (B) Last five games: WLLWL

Cardiff Blues have made just three new signings althoughWelsh internationals duo Cory Hill and Rhys Carre should deliver an uplift to the team’s pack which has been the undoing of their star back-line this season.

With the likes of Josh Adams and Tomos Williams raring to go, the Blues also have centre Willis Halaholo back to fitness and are close to seeing their captain Ellis Jenkins return from long-term injury in the back row. What remains to be seen is how John Mulvihill will use his big-hitters, with Wales’ autumn Test schedule looming over the regions who have shifted their focus to 2020-21. Players in: Luke Scully (Worcester Warriors), Cory Hill (Dragons), below, Rhys Carré (Saracens) Players out: Macauley Cook (Jersey Reds), James Down (Lokomotiv Penza), Nick Williams (retired) Squad: Scott Andrews, James Botham, Willis Halaholo, Dmitri Arhip, Will Boyde, Jason Harries, Kieron Assiratti, Ellis Jenkins, Rey Lee-Lo, Rhys Carré, Shane LewisHughes, Harri Millard, Corey Domachowski, Sam Moore, Garyn Smith, Rhys Gill, Josh Navidi, Ben Thomas, Dillon Lewis, Olly Robinson, Brad Thyer, Josh Turnbull, Josh Adams, below, Owen Lane, Liam Belcher, Lewis Jones, Kristian Dacey, Lloyd Williams, Hallam Amos, Ethan Lewis, Tomos Williams, Dan Fish, Kirby Myhill, Aled Summerhill, Jarrod Evans, Seb Davies, Matthew Morgan, Cory Hill, Luke Scully, Ben Murphy, Jason Tovey, Filo Paulo, James Ratti, Rory Thornton

CONNACHT

Head coach: Andy Friend Captain: Jarrad Butler Stadium: The Sportsground Current position: 4th (B) Last five games: LLWLW

The PRO12 champions of 2016 are a long shot for the semi-finals but have some notable new names to help the cause in supercharged Australia Sevens star Ben O’Donnell, right, and code convert Abraham

Papali’i, who previously played for Sydney Roosters in NRL, while prop Finlay Bealham and scrumhalf Kieran Marmion all returned to training last month from injuries sustained prior to lockdown. Ireland centre Bundee Aki remains a key figure. Players in: Sammy Arnold (Munster), Jack Aungier (Leinster), Óisín Dowling (Leinster), Conor Oliver (Munster), Conor Dean, Jordan Duggan, Seán Masterson, Niall Murray, Colm Reilly, Peter Sullivan (all academy), Alex Wootton (Munster – season-long loan), Ben O’Donnell (Australia Sevens), Abraham Papali’i (Bay of Plenty) Players out: Colby Fainga’a (Lyon), Tom McCartney (retired), Robin Copeland (Soyaux Angoulême), Angus Lloyd (retired), Kyle Godwin (Western Force), Joe Maksymiw (Dragons), Niyi Adeolokun, Rory Burke, David Horwitz, Darragh Leader, Peter McCabe, Eoin McKeon, Luke Carty, Conor Hayes, Hugh Lane, Mikey Wilson (all released) Squad: Jack Aungier, Finlay Bealham, Paul Boyle, Bundee Aki, below, Denis Buckley, Jarrad Butler, Sammy Arnold, Matthew Burke, Cillian Gallagher, Tom Daly, Jordan Duggan, Eoghan Masterson, Tom Farrell, Conor Kenny, Seán Masterson, Peter Robb, Paddy McAllister, Seán O’Brien, Dominic RobertsonMcCoy, Conor Oliver, Matt Healy, Abraham Papali’I, Ben O’Donnell, Shane Delahunt, John Porch, Dave Heffernan, Caolin Blade, Peter Sullivan, Jonny Murphy, Stephen Kerins, Alex Wootton, Kieran Marmion, Ultan Dillane, Colm Reilly, Stephen Fitzgerald, Óisín Dowling, Tiernan O’Halloran, Niall Murray, Jack Carty, Quinn Roux, Conor Dean, Gavin Thornbury, Conor Fitzgerald

DRAGONS

Director of rugby: Dean Ryan Captain: Sam Davies Stadium: Rodney Parade Current position: 5th (A) Last five games: LWLWL

Wales internationals Jonah Holmes, Jamie Roberts and Nick Tompkins have joined a Dragons squad which looks to be taking steps forward under Dean Ryan. Backed by the WRU, the former army corporal’s first season in charge as director of rugby saw the Dragons rack up as many wins as the whole of last season in just 13 games games. Upcoming clashes against the Ospreys and Scarlets will provide a barometer for 2020-21. Players in: Jonah Holmes (Leicester Tigers), below, Nick Tompkins (Saracens – seasonlong loan), Joe Maksymiw (Connacht), Ben Fry (academy), Harry Fry (Gloucester), Luke Baldwin (Worcester Warriors – seasonlong loan), Jamie Roberts (Stormers) Players out: Nic Cudd, Rhys Lawrence, James Sheekey, Will Griffiths, Tom Hoppe, James McCarthy (all released), Tyler Morgan (Scarlets), Jacob Botica (Rennes), Cory Hill to Cardiff Blues, Dafydd Buckland (Pontypridd), Brandon Nansen (Brive) Squad: Ryan Bevington, Taine Basham, Jack Dixon, Leon Brown, James Benjamin, Connor Edwards, Christian Coleman, Lewis Evans, Tom Griffiths, Lloyd Fairbrother, Ben Fry, Aneurin Owen, Harry Fry, Lennon Greggains, Jamie Roberts, Brok Harris, Ollie Griffiths, Nick Tompkins, below, Aaron Jarvis, Harrison Keddie, Adam Warren, Josh Reynolds, Ross Moriarty, Huw Taylor, Rio Dyer, Elliot Dee, Aaron Wainwright, Ashton Hewitt, Richard Hibbard, Jonah Holmes, Ellis Shipp, Dan Babos, Dafydd Howells, Luke Baldwin, Owen Jenkins, Joe Davies, Tavis Knoyle, Jared Rosser, Joe Maksymiw, Rhodri Williams, Matthew Screech, Will TalbotDavies, Max Williams, Sam Davies, Jordan Williams, Josh Lewis, Arwel Robson

EDINBURGH

Director of rugby: Richard Cockerill Captain: Stuart McInally Stadium: Murrayfield Current position: 1st (B) Last five games: WWWWW

With ten wins from 13 games, Richard Cockerill’s Edinburgh are sitting pretty at the top of Conference A. Cockerill’s name was linked with the vacant Gloucester job but now safe in the knowledge that won’t be happening Edinburgh look good for a home semi-final spot with Scotland wing Darcy Graham,

above, back in action after injury. A PRO14 title might persuade the SRU to get out the cheque book to keep him as so far there have been no contract extension talks with Cockerill, who is free to leave next May. Players in: Jordan Venter (Paul Roos Gymnasium), Lee Roy Atalifo (Jersey Reds), Matt Gordon (London Scottish), Andrew Davidson (Glasgow Warriors), Marshall Sykes (Ayrshire Bulls), Sam Kitchen (Ayrshire Bulls), Connor Boyle (academy), Rory Darge (academy), Sam Grahamslaw (Watsonians) Players out: Pietro Ceccarelli (Brive), John Barclay (retired), Matt Scott (Leicester Tigers), Stan South (Exeter Chiefs), Callum Hunter-Hill (Saracens), Simon Hickey (Hurricanes), Dougie Fife (New England Free Jacks), Sam Thomson, Jason Baggott, Cameron Fenton (all released) Squad: Lee Roy Atalifo, Connor Boyle, Mark Bennett, Simon Berghan, Magnus Bradbury, Chris Dean, Jamie Bhatti, Luke Crosbie, Matt Gordon, Sam Grahamslaw, Rory Darge, James Johnstone, Murray McCallum, Nick Haining, George Taylor, WP Nel, Mesulame Kunavula, Pierre Schoeman, Viliame Mata, Jack Blain, Rory Sutherland, Jamie Ritchie, Jamie Farndale, Dan Winning, Hamish Watson, Darcy Graham, Damien Hoyland, David Cherry, Nic Groom, Eroni Sau, Sam Kitchen, Dan Nutton, Duhan van der Merwe, below, Stuart McInally, Henry Pyrgos, Mike Willemse, Charlie Shiel, Blair Kinghorn, Lewis Carmichael, Jaco van der Walt, Andrew Davidson, Grant Gilchrist, Jamie Hodgson, Fraser McKenzie, Marshall Sykes, Ben Toolis

GLASGOW

Director of rugby: Danny Wilson Captain: Ryan Wilson Stadium: Scotstoun Stadium Current position: 3rd (A) Last five games: LWWWL

One Gray in, one out at Scotstoun as Jonny heads to Exeter but older brother Richie returns from an eight-year excursion in the Premiership and Top 14. The loss of Jonny, whose tackle efficiency ranks as the best of any Tier 1 player dating back to 2011, will be a tricky void to fill and will be one of the key areas of focus for new head coach Danny Wilson, successor to new Wallabies supremo Dave Rennie. Players in: Richie Gray (Toulouse), below, Enrique Pieretto (Exeter Chiefs), Rufus McLean (academy), Hamish Bain (Stade Niçois) Players out: Jonny Gray (Exeter Chiefs), Cameron Henderson (Leicester Tigers), DTH van der Merwe, Rory Hughes, Callum Gibbins (all released), Ruaridh Jackson, Matt Smith, Petrus du Plessis (all retired), Andrew Davidson (Edinburgh), Tim Swinson (Saracens), Siua Halanukonuka (Perpignan), Nick Frisby (Western Force) Squad: Alex Allan, Adam Ashe, Nick Grigg, Zander Fagerson, Matt Fagerson, Peter Horne, Oli Kebble, Bruce Flockhart, Sam Johnson, Adam Nicol, Chris Fusaro, Huw Jones, Enrique Pieretto, Thomas Gordon, Paddy Kelly, D’Arcy Rae, Rob Harley, Stafford McDowall, Aki Seiuli, Jale Vakaloloma, George Thornton, Ryan Wilson, Lee Jones, Nikola Matawalu, Fraser Brown, Jamie Dobie, Robbie Nairn, Mesu Dolokoto, George Horne, Tommy Seymour, Johnny Matthews, Sean Kennedy, Kyle Steyn, Grant Stewart, Ali Price, Ratu Tagive, George Turner, Adam Hastings, Glenn Bryce, Hamish Bain, Brandon Thomson, Rufus McLean, Scott Cummings, Richie Gray, Kiran McDonald, Leone Nakarawa, below

LEINSTER

Head coach: Leo Cullen Captain: Jonathan Sexton Stadium: RDS Arena Current position: 1st (A) Last five games: WWWWW

Leinster are unbeaten this season with 13 wins from 13 in the PRO14 and six from six in the Champions Cup prior to the halting of the season. Assured of a semi-final place, expect to see more of mobile 21-year-old lock Ryan Baird,

right, as head coach Leo Cullen leans on the depth of his squad in the absence of James Ryan, who is expected to be back fit from a shoulder injury in time for the Champions Cup quarterfinal against Saracens. Players in: Ryan Baird, Harry Byrne, Jack Dunne, Tommy O’Brien, Dan Sheehan (all academy) Players out: Fergus McFadden (retired), Jack Aungier, Óisín Dowling (both Connacht), Roman Salanoa (Munster), Gavin Mullin, Joe Tomane (both released), Bryan Byrne (Bristol Bears), Barry Daly (retired) Squad: Vakh Abdaladze, Jack Conan, Robbie Henshaw, Michael Bent, Will Connors, Conor O’Brien, Ed Byrne, Max Deegan, Jimmy O’Brien, Peter Dooley, Caelan Doris, Tommy O’Brien, Tadhg Furlong, Dan Leavy, Rory O’Loughlin, Cian Healy, Josh Murphy, Garry Ringrose, Andrew Porter, Scott Penny, Rhys Ruddock, Adam Byrne, Seán Cronin, Josh van der Flier, Dave Kearney, Rónan Kelleher, Jordan Larmour, Dan Sheehan, Jamison Gibson-Park, James Lowe, James Tracy Luke McGrath, Rowan Osborne, Rob Kearney, Ryan Baird, Hugh O’Sullivan, Hugo Keenan, Jack Dunne, Cian Kelleher, Scott Fardy, Harry Byrne, Ross Molony, Ross Byrne, James, Ryan Ciarán Frawley, Devin Toner, Jonathan Sexton, below

MUNSTER

Head coach: Johann van Graan Captain: Peter O’Mahony Stadium: Thomond Park Current position: 2nd (B) Last five games: LLWWW

Johann van Graan outlined his desire to stick by the ‘Munsterness’ of Munster when planning for the return of rugby as the team look to snap a nine-year wait for silverware. Four academy players have been promoted to the first team to rub shoulders with World Cup-winning Springboks RG Snyman and Damian de Allende, below. The huge signings of lock Snyman and centre de Allende are the product of van Graan’s desire to reach a final after losing in two PRO14 semi-finals and one Champions Cup semi during his tenure. Players in: Keynan Knox, Liam Coombes, Alex McHenry, Jack O’Sullivan, Diarmuid Barron (all academy), Damian de Allende (Panasonic Wild Knights), Matt Gallagher (Saracens), RG Snyman (Honda Heat), Roman Salanoa (Leinster) Players out: Arno Botha (Bulls), Sammy Arnold (Connacht), Conor Oliver (Connacht), Alan Tynan (released), Seán O’Connor, Ciaran Parker (both Jersey Reds), Alex Wootton (Connacht – season-long loan), Darren O’Shea (Vannes), Jack Stafford (Harlequins) Squad: Stephen Archer, Chris Cloete, Shane Daly, James Cronin, Gavin Coombes, Damian de Allende, Dave Kilcoyne, Tommy O’Donnell, Chris Farrell, Keynan Knox, Jack O’Donoghue, Dan Goggin, Jeremy Loughman, Peter O’Mahony, Alex McHenry, Liam O’Connor, Jack O’Sullivan, Rory Scannell, John Ryan, CJ Stander, Roman Salanoa, Andrew Conway, Craig Casey, Liam Coombes, Diarmuid Barron, Neil Cronin, Keith Earls, Rhys Marshall, Nick McCarthy, Calvin Nash, Kevin O’Byrne, Conor Murray, below, Darren Sweetnam, Niall Scannell, Joey Carbery, Matt Gallagher, Tadhg Beirne, JJ Hanrahan, Mike Haley, Billy Holland, Jean Kleyn, RG Snyman, Fineen Wycherley

OSPREYS

Head coach: Toby Booth Captain: Justin Tipuric Stadium: Liberty Stadium Current position: 7th (A) Last five games: LLLWL

With new Hong Kong owners and Toby Booth as head coach it has been a summer of change at Ospreys. For Booth, a threeyear contract gives him licence to resurrect the team’s shortcomings this season that led to the departure of Allen Clarke after a winless league start and lacklustre Champions Cup. Entering the squad mix are vastly experienced halfbacks Rhys Webb, above, and Stephen Myler. Players in: Rhys Webb (Bath), Mat Protheroe (Bristol Bears), Nicky Thomas (Bristol Bears), Rhys Davies (Bath), Stephen Myler (London Irish) Players out: James Hook (retired), Gheorghe Gajion (Aurillac), Dan Baker (Mont-de-Marsan), Aled Davies (Saracens), Lesley Klim (Jersey Reds), Ben Glynn, Will Jones, Darryl Marfo, Tom Williams (all released) Squad: Tom Botha, Ma afu Fia, Olly Cracknell, Cory Allen, Rhodri Jones, Sam Cross, Tiaan Thomas-Wheeler, Nicky Smith, Gareth Evans, Owen Watkin, Gareth Thomas, James King, Kieran Williams, Nicky Thomas, Dan Lydiate, Scott Williams, Morgan Morris, Dewi Lake, Justin Tipuric, Hanno Dirksen, Scott Otten, Guido Volpi, Keelan Giles, Sam Parry, Luke Morgan, Ifan Phillips, Matthew Aubrey, George North, Harri Morgan, Lloyd Ashley, Reuben MorganWilliams, Dan Evans, Adam Beard, Shaun Venter, Mat Protheroe, Bradley Davies, Rhys Webb, Rhys Davies, Will Griffiths, Gareth Anscombe, Alun Wyn Jones, below, Cai Evans, Stephen Myler, Luke Price

SCARLETS

Head coach: Glenn Delaney Captain: Ken Owens Stadium: Parc y Scarlets Current position: 3rd (B) Last five games: WWLWL

The last Welsh region to win the trophy have undergone changes similar to their rivals in Ospreylia with a change of head coach and directors at board level. How influential Glenn Delaney was under Brad Mooar’s coaching tree will be laid bare in forthcoming fixtures against Cardiff Blues and Dragons. Tyler Morgan has switched from Dragons while Delaney has swooped on the Premiership to sign Johnny Williams, Sam Costelow and Sione Kalamafoni, below. Players in: Sam Costelow, Sione Kalamafoni (both Leicester Tigers), Tyler Morgan (Dragons), Johnny Williams (Newcastle Falcons), Morgan Jones, Jac Price, Joe Roberts, Tom Rogers (all academy) Players out: Corey Baldwin (Exeter Chiefs), Tom James (retired), Jonathan Evans, Rhys Fawcett, Simon Gardiner, Morgan Williams (all released), Hadleigh Parkes (Panasonic Wild Knights), Kieron Fonotia (Tasman) Squad: Dylan Evans, Uzair Cassiem, Paul Asquith, Rob Evans, James Davies, Jonathan Davies, Alex Jeffries, Dan Davis, Steffan Hughes, Wyn Jones, Sione Kalamafoni, Tyler Morgan, Werner Kruger, Ed Kennedy, Joe Roberts, Samson Lee, Josh Macleod, Johnny Williams, below, Phil Price, Jac Morgan, Javan Sebastian, Tom Phillips, Ryan Conbeer, Steffan Thomas, Aaron Shingler, Steff Evans, Blade Thomson, Johnny McNicholl, Taylor Davies, Ioan Nicholas, Ryan Elias, Dane Blacker, Tom Prydie, Shaun Evans, Gareth Davies, Tom Rogers, Dafydd Hughes, Kieran Hardy, Marc Jones, Leigh Halfpenny, Ken Owens, Sam Costelow, Tomi Lewis, Dan Jones, Liam Williams, Jake Ball, Angus O’Brien, Steve Cummins, Rhys Patchell, Danny Drake, Josh Helps, Morgan Jones, Sam Lousi, Jac Price, Tevita Ratuva, Lewis Rawlins

ULSTER

Head coach: Dan McFarland Captain: Iain Henderson Stadium: Kingspan Stadium Current position: 2nd (A) Last five games: LWWLW

Ulster have been dealt a hammer blow with Iain Henderson ruled out for the rest of the league campaign after the Ireland lock required hip surgery. Despite having a busy physio room, Ulster have stayed on course to reach the semi-finals in Dan McFarland’s second season in charge. Help arrives from fit-again Matt Faddes and Sam Carter for the two remaining matches against Connacht and Leinster. Players in: Stewart Moore (academy), Alby Mathewson (unattached), Ian Madigan (Bristol Bears), above Players out: Zack McCall, Clive Ross, Tommy O’Hagan (all released), Angus Kernohan (Ealing Trailfinders) Squad: Ross Kane, Marcell Coetzee, James Hume, Kyle McCall, Greg Jones, Luke Marshall, Jack McGrath, Jordi Murphy, Stuart McCloskey, Gareth Milasinovich, Marcus Rea, Stewart Moore, Marty Moore, Matty Rea, Eric O’Sullivan, Sean Reidy, Robert Baloucoune, Tom O’Toole, Nick Timoney, Matt Faddes, Andrew Warwick, Craig Gilroy, John Cooney, Rob Lyttle, John Andrew, Alby Mathewson, Jacob Stockdale, Rob Herring, David Shanahan, Adam McBurney, Johnny Stewart, Will Addison, Michael Lowry, Sam Carter, Billy Burns, below, Louis Ludik, Iain Henderson, Angus Curtis, Alan O’Connor, Bill Johnston, David O’Connor, Ian Madigan, Kieran Treadwell

ZEBRE

Head coach: Michael Bradley Captain: Tommaso Castello Stadium: Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi Current position: 6th (A) Last five games: LLLLL

Strugglers Zebre have had little to shout about in the PRO14, with their finest moments of the 2019-20 season coming in the Challenge Cup with wins over Brive and Stade Francais. Those memories will be key to draw on to keep Ospreys below them in the table and avoid finishing bottom of the pile in Conference A, something that has happened only once since they entered the league in 2012. The departure of wing Charlie Walker to Ealing will be a blow. Players in: Antonio Rizzi (Benetton), Nicolò Casilio, Paolo Pescetto (both Calvisano), Giovanni D’Onofrio, Iacopo Bianchi, Matteo Nocera (all Fiamme Oro), Players out: Edoardo Padovani (Benetton), Charlie Walker (Ealing Trailfinders), Roberto Tenga (Fiamme Oro), George Biagi (retired), Paula Balekana, Francois Brummer, Apisai Tauyavuca (all released) Squad: Eduardo Bello, Iacopo Bianchi, Giulio Bisegni, Paolo Buonfiglio, Renato Giammarioli, Tommaso Boni, Danilo Fischetti, Giovanni Licata, Tommaso Castello, Andrea Lovotti, Lorenzo Masselli, Jamie Elliott, above, Matteo Nocera, Maxime Mbanda, Enrico Lucchin, Daniele Rimpelli, Johan Meyer, Alexandru Tarus, Jimmy Tuivaiti, Mattia Bellini, below, Giosuè Zilocchi, Pierre Bruno, Nicolò Casilio, Gabriele Di Giulio, Luca Bigi, Guglielmo Palazzani, Giovanni D’Onofrio, Massimo Ceciliani, Josh Renton, Oliviero Fabiani, Marcello Violi, Michelangelo Biondelli, Marco Manfredi, Junior Laloifi, Carlo Canna, Mick Kearney, Paolo Pescetto, Leonard Krumov, Antonio Rizzi, Ian Nagle, Samuele Ortis, Dave Sisi