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Challenge Cup: Vaea Fifita at number eight for Scarlets against Glasgow Warriors while Cheslin Kolbe set to shine at full-back for Toulon

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The Challenge Cup semi-finals take place this weekend as Scarlets take on Glasgow Warriors on Saturday before Toulon face Benetton on Sunday.

Take a check over the team news and our predictions for two fascinating contests, which take place at Parc y Scarlets and Stade Felix Mayol respectively.

Saturday

Scarlets v Glasgow Warriors

Scarlets have recalled four internationals to their starting line-up for the Challenge Cup semi-final with Glasgow Warriors at Parc y Scarlets on Saturday.

Johnny McNicholl, Gareth Davies, Wyn Jones and Sam Lousi are straight into the XV for the Welsh region’s first European last-four tie on home soil.

With a crowd close to 13,000 expected in Llanelli it promises to be a massive occasion for Dwayne Peel and his side.

McNicholl starts at full-back, with Steff Evans and Ryan Conbeer making up the rest of the back three. Johnny Williams and Joe Roberts continue in midfield, while Gareth Davies returns to the number nine jersey to partner Sam Costelow.

Up front, Wales and British & Irish Lions prop Wyn Jones gets the nod at loosehead and packs down alongside fellow Lion Ken Owens and Scotland international Javan Sebastian.

After sitting out the last two games, Sam Lousi is named in the second-row, as is Morgan Jones.

There is a reshuffle in the back-row. Josh Macleod leads the side from blindside, Vaea Fifita is handed the number eight jersey for the first time this season, while Dan Davis makes his return from injury at openside.

Aaron Shingler hasn’t recovered from a back issue so Iestyn Rees is named among the replacements.

Meanwhile, Sebastian Cancelliere will make his return from injury as the Warriors take to the field for the club’s first-ever European semi-final.

The Argentinian winger returns to take his place in a starting XV that will also see Richie Gray make his 100th appearance in Glasgow colours, the second-rower reaching the milestone 14 years on from his professional debut for his hometown club.

Having come off the bench in last weekend’s victory over Connacht, Jamie Bhatti and Zander Fagerson are promoted to the starting line-up to pack down either side of George Turner, who returns from injury to start at hooker.

Scott Cummings is selected to partner Gray on the latter’s landmark appearance, having reached his own century in the Challenge Cup round-of-16 victory over the Dragons at Scotstoun.

An unchanged back-row sees Jack Dempsey continue at number eight, the Scotland international flanked by Rory Darge and Sione Vailanu.

George Horne starts at scrum-half having scored more points than any other Warrior in the Challenge Cup to date, with Tom Jordan partnering the former Howe of Fife man in the half-backs.

Sione Tuipulotu comes back into the matchday 23 after missing the last two matches, Stafford McDowall shifting to inside centre to accommodate the Scotland star.

Kyle Steyn captains the side from the wing after being rested last time out, as Ollie Smith and the returning Cancelliere complete the back-three.

The tournament’s joint-top try-scorer takes his place amongst the replacements for Franco Smith’s men, as Johnny Matthews joins Nathan McBeth and Simon Berghan as the front-row cover.

JP du Preez continues his run of being involved in every one of the club’s Challenge Cup matches to date in the 2022/23 season, whilst Lewis Bean wears the number 20 jersey in a six-two split of forwards and backs.

Matt Fagerson is included in the matchday 23 for the fourth match in succession, as Ali Price rotates to the bench after starting against Connacht last weekend.

The matchday 23 is completed by Duncan Weir, the fly-half having slotted the match-winning penalty in the round one win away to Bath at The Rec back in December.

Prediction: Glasgow by 3

The teams:

Scarlets: 15 Johnny McNicholl, 14 Steff Evans, 13 Joe Roberts, 12 Johnny Williams, 11 Ryan Conbeer, 10 Sam Costelow, 9 Gareth Davies, 8 Vaea Fifita, 7 Dan Davis, 6 Josh Macleod (c), 5 Sam Lousi, 4 Morgan Jones, 3 Javan Sebastian, 2 Ken Owens, 1 Wyn Jones
Replacements: 16 Shaun Evans, 17 Kemsley Mathias, 18 Sam Wainwright, 19 Carwyn Tuipulotu, 20 Iestyn Rees, 21 Kieran Hardy, 22 Dan Jones, 23 Ioan Nicholas

Glasgow Warriors: 15 Ollie Smith, 14 Sebastian Cancelliere, 13 Sione Tuipulotu, 12 Stafford McDowall, 11 Kyle Steyn (c), 10 Tom Jordan, 9 George Horne, 8 Jack Dempsey, 7 Sione Vailanu, 6 Rory Darge, 5 Richie Gray, 4 Scott Cummings, 3 Zander Fagerson, 2 George Turner, 1 Jamie Bhatti
Replacements: 16 Johnny Matthews, 17 Nathan McBeth, 18 Simon Berghan, 19 JP du Preez, 20 Lewis Bean, 21 Matt Fagerson, 22 Ali Price, 23 Duncan Weir

Venue: Parc y Scarlets
Kick-off: 17:30 BST (16:30 GMT)
Referee: Mathieu Raynal (France)
Assistant Referees: Pierre Brousset (France), Tual Trainini (France)
TMO: Eric Gauzins (France)

Sunday

Toulon v Benetton

Toulon have named a fully-loaded team for their Challenge Cup semi-final with Benetton, with Springbok Cheslin Kolbe starting at full-back on Sunday.

Kolbe is joined in the back three by Jiuta Naqoli Wainiqolo and France international Gabin Villière, with Benetton set to have their hands full defensively.

Duncan Paia’aua and Waisea Vuidravuwalu start in midfield with Baptiste Serin at scrum-half alongside Wales fly-half Dan Biggar in a solid combination.

The pack is just as impressive as Italy great Sergio Parisse is at number eight alongside France star Charles Ollivon and the powerful Cornell du Preez.

Mathieu Tanguy and Brian Alainu’uese are the locks while props Dany Priso and Beka Gigashvili will pack down either side of hooker Teddy Baubigny.

Benetton aren’t to be written off, however, as their recent form has shown they can prove a match for any team, with Dewaldt Duvenage the skipper.

The South African is joined at half-back by Tomas Albornoz with Italy internationals Tommaso Menoncello and Nacho Brex the midfield at Stade Mayol.

An Englishman and South African combine on the wings as Marcus Watson and Rhyno Smith start, with lethal Azzurri star Matteo Minozzi at full-back.

Up front, Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro and Simone Ferrari join hooker Siua Maile in the front-row while Niccolò Cannone and Federico Ruzza are the locks.

An all-international back-row trio of Seb Negri, Michele Lamaro and Lorenzo Cannone complete the starting line-up, with Henry Stowers on the bench.

Prediction: Toulon by 10

The teams:

Toulon: 15 Cheslin Kolbe, 14 Jiuta Naqoli Wainiqolo, 13 Waisea Vuidravuwalu, 12 Duncan Paia’aua, 11 Gabin Villière, 10 Dan Biggar, 9 Baptiste Serin, 8 Sergio Parisse, 7 Charles Ollivon (c), 6 Cornell du Preez, 5 Brian Alainu’uese, 4 Mathieu Tanguy, 3 Beka Gigashvili, 2 Teddy Baubigny, 1 Dany Priso
Replacements: 16 Christopher Tolofua, 17 Bruce Devaux, 18 Kieran Brookes, 19 Adrien Warion, 20 Facundo Isa, 21 Benoit Paillaugue, 22 Ihaia West, 23 Jérémy Sinzelle

Benetton: 15 Matteo Minozzi, 14 Rhyno Smith, 13 Nacho Brex, 12 Tommaso Menoncello, 11 Marcus Watson, 10 Tomas Albornoz, 9 Dewaldt Duvenage (c), 8 Lorenzo Cannone, 7 Michele Lamaro, 6 Seb Negri Da Oleggio, 5 Federico Ruzza, 4 Niccolò Cannone, 3 Simone Ferrari, 2 Siua Maile, 1 Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro
Replacements: 16 Giacomo Nicotera, 17 Thomas Augustin Gallo, 18 Filippo Alongi, 19 Marco Lazzaroni, 20 Henry Stowers, 21 Manuel Zuliani, 22 Alessandro Garbisi, 23 Jacob Umaga

Venue: Stade Felix-Mayol
Kick-off: 13:30 local (12:30 BST, 11:30 GMT)
Referee: Karl Dickson (England)
Assistant Referees: Matthew Carley (England), Christophe Ridley (England)
TMO: Tom Foley (England)

Nantes begin talks with Aston Villa for Jordan Veretout

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FC Nantes are in active discussions with Championship side Aston Villa over the possible signing of central midfielder Jordan Veretout.

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As reported by Gianluca di Marzio, Nantes have been in discussions with Aston Villa for some time now over a possible return for their initial youth academy product, but the Championship outfit are playing hardball in fee negotiations.

Veretout has been on President Kita’s watchlist for some time and the French side remain confident of reaching an agreement.

Official | Caen complete deal for Stef Peeters from Saint-Triond

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Stef Peeters has officially joined Ligue 1 side Caen from Belgian side Saint-Trond on a deal until 2020.

The 25-year-old was on top form in the Jupiler league last season for Saint-Trond, assisting his teammates 12 times in all. The attacking midfielder caught the attention of other Belgian clubs, but Caen won his signature to bring him to Ligue 1, much like they did with Ivan Santini last season.

“This is part of our new recruitment policy. We look at what is happening in neighbouring countries,” says Xavier Gravelaine, the General Director for the club.

“Stef has a very good left foot, he has superb positional play, can work in a number of positions and is a really good passer of the ball,” said Gravelaine who was glowing in his praise for the new Caen number eight.

T.S.

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United Rugby Championship: Glasgow Warriors sign Sharks flanker Venter while lock Snyman to join Benetton

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Glasgow Warriors have announced the signing of South African back-row Henco Venter, who will arrive from the Sharks at the end of the season.

Subject to visa clearance, the 31-year-old forward will line up in a Glasgow jersey from the next campaign and is set to be a handy addition to the Scottish outfit.

He has played 48 matches thus far for the Sharks, representing them in Super Rugby and Currie Cup action in addition to the United Rugby Championship.

Venter is capable of playing across the back-row and has turned out for the Cheetahs and Toshiba Brave Lupus before making the switch to the Dubanites.

Admires the Warriors playing style

“Glasgow has always been a club I have enjoyed watching and admired the way they approach their rugby,” the back-row told the Warriors’ official website.

“The way the team has played this season, in particular under Franco, has been so great to see, and seeing the results and how much everyone is enjoying their rugby makes Glasgow a place you want to come and play.

“Franco plays a winning brand of rugby, but he also understands that it’s a brand of rugby that people in the stands need to enjoy coming to see. You can see how he’s blended that this season with the coaches at Glasgow, and I can’t wait to get involved.

“I’ve also played with both JP [Du Preez] and Sintu [Manjezi], so I spoke to them before signing, and they just said how great a place Glasgow is to both live and play. The enthusiasm they spoke about the club and the city just makes me can’t wait to get started.

“I’m happy to do whatever it takes to help the team win – I enjoy being physical in attack and defence, and I love to have the ball in hand. An attacking mindset is always more fun.

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“The result against Connacht last weekend showed the character of this team, and that character just makes you really want to fight for your team and be a part of everything.

“I honestly can’t wait to join this club. I want to give back to the club and the supporters in the stand, and I believe this club is capable of doing something special.”

Glasgow head coach Franco Smith added: “Henco is not only a top-class rugby player, but also a first-rate person.

“He’s an incredibly hard-working athlete, and his ability to cover all three back-row positions will make him an invaluable asset to our squad next season.

“He leads from the front, and we believe he will contribute a great deal to our squad as we move forward. We look forward to welcoming him to Scotstoun this summer.”

Eli Snyman returns to Benetton

Elsewhere, Benetton have signed South African second-row Eli Snyman, who will rejoin the club from Premiership side Leicester Tigers ahead of 2023/24.

Snyman, 27, has made 34 appearances to date since arriving in the East Midlands before the 2021/22 campaign.

Born in Zimbabwe, Snyman represented South African U20s in 2016 before making his Currie Cup debut for the Bulls in the same season.

His Super Rugby debut came in 2019, for the Bulls, before signing with Treviso ahead of the 2019/20 European season.

Speaking about Snyman, Leicester Tigers interim head coach Richard Wigglesworth said: “Eli has been a big part of the Leicester pack during these past two seasons, playing a key role both on the pitch and as a leader for the young players in his position.

“I enjoyed the opportunity to play alongside Eli last season and for the first part of this season and equally so the chance to have coached him during that time.

“He’s been a great contributor to Leicester Tigers and we thank him for that, as well as wishing him all the best for the next stage of his career back in Italy with Benetton.”

Challenge Cup: Franco Smith urges Glasgow Warriors to silence Scarlets crowd in bid to reach final

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Glasgow Warriors boss Franco Smith has challenged his players to conquer the Scarlets’ home support when they face off in their Challenge Cup semi-final on Saturday.

The Warriors are in a rich vein of form as they have lost only once in 17 matches in all competitions and will be slight favourites to advance to their first-ever European final, at the expense of their United Rugby Championship (URC) rivals.

Smith‘s troops finished in fourth position during the league phase of the URC, which was 10 places above the Scarlets and they beat the Welsh region 12-9 in a tough encounter at Scotstoun two weeks ago.

Wary of Scarlets

Despite that result, Smith is wary of his opponents especially the galvanising effect home ground advantage will have on the Dwayne Peel’s charges.

“The Scarlets will be favouring their chances to go all the way in front of their home supporters,” he told the Warriors website.

“We as a team know this, and therefore it presents an opportunity to take on this challenge that will ask the very best of us.

“We have prepared well this week for what we know will be a hard battle in front of a big Welsh crowd.”

One in one out for Edinburgh

Elsewhere in Scotland, Edinburgh have announced the departure of attack coach Gareth Baber and the signing of back-row forward Tom Dodd.

Baber’s exit at the end of his contract could potentially pave the way for Mike Blair to remain at the club when he steps down as head coach to pursue a career as a specialist attack coach.

Former Fiji Sevens coach Baber joined Edinburgh in December 2021 as skills and assistant attack coach and will return to Wales to be with his family.

He said: “I’ve thoroughly enjoyed my time in Edinburgh and I’ve built connections with coaches, management and players that will last a lifetime. It’s a brilliant club and I’m certain this group will bounce back next season.

Right time to end time at club

“I have, however, spent the last 18 months away from my family who are living in Wales, so it felt like the right time to relocate home and bring an end to my time in Edinburgh. It’s been a truly brilliant experience and I can’t talk up the club enough.”

Former Scotland U20 international Dodd will sign on a two-year deal following a spell with English Championship side Coventry.

The 25-year-old scored four tries for Scotland U20s and helped them to a fifth-placed finish at the 2017 World Rugby U20 Championship.

The flanker – who qualifies for Scotland through his Glenrothes-born mother – made 31 appearances for Worcester before the club went into administration in September last year.

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Nicolas Maurice-Belay undergoes trial with Toulouse

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Toulouse manager Pascal Dupraz has invited French winger Nicolas Maurice-Belay to join the Ligue 1 side during their pre-season camp this week with a view to a possible deal.

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Maurice-Belay, 32, has only just recovered from a long-term injury and is currently a free agent after not receiving a contract extension proposal from his most recent club Bordeaux.

Exclusive | St Étienne lead the way for Marcel Tisserand

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St Étienne are the side in pole position to land French defender Marcel Tisserand, according to sources contacted by Get French Football News.

Tisserand, who is formerly of AS Monaco and was relegated with Ingolstadt from the Bundesliga in the 2016/17 campaign, is expected to return to Ligue 1.

It is our understanding that St Étienne are the side that are in pole position at the moment, with constant contacts occurring between the player’s camp and Les Verts. Talks have even intensified in recent days.

Marseille were initially thought to have been in the race, but are no longer there. As for Lyon, lines of communication are open but it would appear as if Les Gones are exploring other central defensive options. Tisserand can play both at left-back and as a central defender.

In the Premier League, Watford, who were interested last season, have held informal talks for the player with a view to a transfer for this summer.

It is our understanding that Tisserand will chose his future destination in a definitive fashion next week, but St Étienne lead the way.

S.R.

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Charlie Ewels: England and Bath lock makes shock move to the Bulls – report

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In a shock move, the Bulls have reportedly signed Bath and England lock Charlie Ewels on a short-term deal as he makes his return from injury.

Ewels has returned from a serious knee injury earlier than expected and is looking to make a late claim for a place in England’s Rugby World Cup squad.

Why the Bulls?

The England and Bath second-row underwent knee surgery last July after sustaining the injury during the preparations for the first of the three Test match series against the Wallabies.

The 27-year-old was not expected to return during this season but has recovered in time to prove his fitness and press for a place in Steve Borthwick’s England squad.

According to The Times, he has joined the Bulls and could make his Currie Cup debut this weekend against the Sharks.

The report adds that the Stormers were in line to sign the lock, but the side could not raise enough funds to pay for his visa in time.

He also explored options in Australia but has now arrived in Pretoria.

Bath expected Ewels to miss the entire season and signed players such as Ted Hill and Fergus Lee-Warner from Worcester Warriors as injury dispensation.

They, therefore, used up their salary cap and Ewels needed a short-term deal elsewhere due to his early return.

Things to know about Charlie Ewels

Ewels was a member of the England U20 team that won the 2014 Junior World Championship, partnering Maro Itoje in the second-row. He captained the side a year later and finished as runners-up to New Zealand.

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He made his debut for Bath at 19 and has played over 100 times for the Premiership club. 

Ewels took over the captaincy at Bath ahead of the 2019/20 season under former head coach Stuart Hooper.

In 2016, he earned his maiden Test call-up for England and debut against Fiji in November.

He was part of Eddie Jones’ wider Rugby World Cup squad and featured in the 2020 Six Nations squad.

During the Six Nations, he set the unwanted record of the quickest red card in the tournament’s history.

In the Test against Ireland, he was given his marching orders for a late and high tackle on James Ryan, with the pair colliding heads.

Ewels lists former Bulls legend and captain Victor Matfield as his most admired player in his player profile on England Rugby’s official website.

The lock is a car collector and takes his Ford Mustang to motor shows across the South West of England. 

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READ MORE: Premiership: The race for the top four and Champions Cup qualification with three rounds left

Challenge Cup: Glasgow Warriors have a ‘massive opportunity’ to advance to the final

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Glasgow Warriors are looking to grab hold of a “massive opportunity” to reach the Challenge Cup final when they face Scarlets in the semi-finals this weekend.

The Warriors will travel to Wales to face their United Rugby Championship (URC) rivals in the last four of the tournament with all eyes on progressing to the final.

Glasgow are in great form of late, winning their last six games in all competitions, subsequently earning them a top-four finish in the URC.

Semi-final week

Their last outing was a narrow 29-27 win against Connacht, and assistant coach Peter Murchie is hoping the team will make the most of the energy a semi-final week brings.

He said: “We have had a really good day. We reviewed the game we just played, and there is always a spring in the step coming into semi-final week.

“We spoke about the occasion. I am sure there will be a full stadium down in Scarlets, so it is a massive opportunity, a semi-final; you are obviously one away from a final and an opportunity to win something so there is an excitement.

“For the group, it is excellent to have the opportunity to get to a big final.

“They haven’t happened every year, the last time for the club would have been the Celtic Park final (2019 Guinness PRO14 final).

“It would be something to cherish. It is a massive event, and if we could get ourselves to Dublin, it would be a big event, I am sure Glasgow would be behind us, and there would be a big turnout from the city to watch us but let’s not get too far ahead of ourselves, we have a tough one this weekend to get through.”

No injury update

The fitness of several stars was thrown into doubt after last weekend’s game, including Huw Jones (head), Jamie Dobie (knee), Cole Forbes (hamstring) and Lucio Sordoni (head), but Murchie could not offer any updates.

He said: “There is nothing to report on the guys that came out, they are still being assessed.

“But we are hoping that there is nothing major and we will have a good squad to select from at the weekend, and hopefully we will have a couple of guys coming back to us who have been injured in the last couple of weeks.

“So we will have a strong squad.

“If players are in your squad, they are good enough to play, and when they play they generally repay you, and it is a good loop to be on.

“If guys think they have a genuine opportunity, they train hard during the week.

“If they don’t have that, then human nature dictates that you maybe are not going to work as hard during the week.

“In pretty much every position, there is three you can pick from. That’s something that we maybe haven’t had in the last couple of years but we have now so that’s brilliant.”

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