There probably isn’t a stranger game to open Connacht’s season. Two of last season’s URC play-off teams meet at Dexcom Stadium, but the sides actually taking the field are very different to the full-strength versions of Connacht and the Stormers.

Connacht finished eighth in the 2025/26 URC before losing away to Glasgow in the quarter-finals, while the Stormers finished third and reached the semi-finals.

International commitments have ripped through both squads, particularly the visitors, and the impact can be seen clearly in the betting market.

1. The Missing Internationals

Both teams are significantly below full strength, although the Stormers have been particularly badly hit by Springbok duty.

2. Connacht By The Numbers

There was plenty to like about Connacht’s underlying numbers during the 2025/26 season. They wanted the ball, played at a high tempo and generated plenty of attacking opportunities.

Connacht averaged 53.6% possession, the highest figure of the four Irish provinces, while their average ball-in-play time of 38 minutes 41 seconds was also the highest.

They averaged 178.9 passes, 134.3 carries and 111.5 rucks per game, with an average ruck speed of just 3.5 seconds.

Their defensive workload was enormous too. Connacht averaged 197.2 tackles per game while maintaining an excellent 89.7% tackle success rate.

The scrum operated at 93.4%, although an 85.6% lineout success rate leaves obvious room for improvement.

3. Why Galway Matters

Connacht enter Round 1 having won their last five home matches in all competitions, while the Stormers have won just once on their last five visits to Ireland.

The overall URC head-to-head favours the Stormers by four victories to two, but the most recent meeting went Connacht’s way.

4. Mack Hansen Is Back

There is also a Connacht debut for loosehead Francois van Wyk, while Academy back-rower Max Flynn is in line to make his senior debut from the bench.

With Ciarán Frawley unavailable, Josh Ioane starts at out-half alongside Ben Murphy, while Cathal Forde’s return gives Connacht another powerful option in midfield.

5. Connacht Starting XV

6. DHL Stormers Starting XV

7. Three Areas That Could Decide It

8. Match Officials

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Teofimo Lopez has considered the physical and psychological hurdles that Jaron Ennis would need to overcome against Terence Crawford.

While he claims to be happily retired, there appears to be a popular demand for Crawford to return to the ring and face two-division unified champion Ennis.

This is in spite of ‘Bud’ calling time on his career in December, having become a three-division undisputed king by dethroning Canelo Alvarez with a unanimous decision victory.

But while this legacy-defining moment arrived at 168lbs, most would argue that the five-division world champion was more effective at 147lbs, where he defeated Errol Spence Jr with a ninth-round finish in 2023.

Ennis, meanwhile, moved up from welterweight and dethroned Xander Zayas for the WBO and WBA world super-welterweight titles in June.

As a result of his seventh-round stoppage, many now consider him the top dog at 154lbs, where he aims to become the undisputed king by defeating fellow champions Josh Kelly and Sebastian Fundora.

Equally, though, the 29-year-old would gladly enter a showdown with Crawford who, even at 38, is regarded by Lopez as the superior fighter.

Speaking with Ring Champs, ‘The Takeover’ highlighted Crawford’s mental strength as a reason for backing the modern great if he ever locks horns with Ennis.

“Crawford [would win]. For Boots to fall into a trap like that [Crawford teasing his comeback] … he’s not prepared [to get] in the ring [and] go all the way, physically.”

While mentioning Crawford’s appetite for a game of chess, too, Lopez is perhaps suggesting that Ennis would fall short in the tactical department of their possible contest.

Richard and Will Freedman had initially thought Magnatear would be a doubtful starter in the 2026 Shannon Stakes. However, a reconsideration has led to the consistent gelding being entered for the race.

The original strategy was to give Magnatear one more run in the Alan Brown Stakes (1400m) prior to his main objective, the $3 million Big Dance (1600m) at Randwick on Melbourne Cup day.

Will Freedman conveyed that the decision was made to give the seven-year-old an additional start this weekend, ensuring he reaches peak fitness for the major November feature.

“We’d hate to be half a run short coming into the Big Dance, so we thought we’d give him an extra run now rather than try to squeeze one in after the Alan Brown if we felt he was slightly underdone,” Will Freedman explained. “It will be this one, then the Alan Brown, and then the Big Dance.”

Magnatear has been a standout performer for the Freedmans since joining their stable just under two years prior.

Having earned a spot in The Big Dance by winning the Muswellbrook Cup (1500m) in March, he returned with what many consider a career-best effort when runner-up to Skyhook in the Theo Marks Stakes (1300m).

The gelding has recorded seven wins and 15 placings from 32 career starts, amassing over $750,000 in prize money, and Will Freedman highlighted his importance to the stable’s success.

“He’s a fine wine. He just gets better,” he commented. “I was having a conversation with a friend of mine and he said, ‘he’s so good for your business’, and I said, ‘no he’s actually terrible for my business because if he wasn’t around there might have been times I could have gone on to a different career and lived a comfortable life!’ He just keeps coming back and he’s so honest. If you had a barn full of horses like him you’d be very happy.”

A field of ten runners is set to contest the Shannon Stakes, with the victor receiving exemption from ballot and penalty for the Group 1 Epsom Handicap (1600m) at Randwick the following week.

Magnatear has drawn the inside alley and has a solid record when racing second-up, having only missed a top-three finish on one occasion in five starts.

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Connections of Freshman are set to receive an immediate assessment of the three-year-old’s capabilities when he makes his debut in the Listed Heritage Stakes at Rosehill.

Trainer Bryce Heys, usually measured in his horse placements, has been drawn to the small field of eight, combined with the natural talent and progression his charge has exhibited at home.

While acknowledging the considerable task Freshman faces in competing in a Listed race on debut, Heys anticipates the colt will hold his own.

“The reason we’ve always liked him is the way he works,” Heys said. “When you teach him something, he’s always wanted to come to the party. It’s obviously a big ask on Saturday, but he’s in great order and he’s a lovely horse.”

The colt, by Wild Ruler, was bred in New Zealand and purchased for $380,000 from the 2025 Karaka sale. He underwent two trials in preparation for Saturday’s Heritage Stakes (1100m), winning his most recent hit-out, although he did tug for rein early. Heys attributed this to a lack of pace in the heat, rather than any indication of bad manners.

“They went very slow in that last trial. It wasn’t a true reflection,” Heys commented. “He will come back off the bridle. He has always been a touch immature, but he’s always had a sharp level of ability and just physically gotten stronger each time he’s been in work.”

Heys also has the lightly-raced Banjora entered in the TAB Handicap (1100m), but a decision on whether the gelding resumes from an awkward draw will be made on race morning.

Having won his first three starts, the five-year-old then placed in the Gosford heat of the Provincial-Midway Championships (1200m) before finishing fourth to Lord Of Biscay in the Wildcard (1400m). Lord Of Biscay subsequently claimed the Final.

“I’m not in a hurry to get him started. He’s obviously drawn a bit tricky,” Heys stated. “It’s just the fact he’s first-up and starting first-up quite higher in grade than he has previously, so I’m mindful of that, despite his ability. We’ve got him in there as if we’re going to run, but I haven’t committed to that yet.”

Heys described Banjora as a robust gelding who would benefit from racing, and added that he has had an uninterrupted build-up. “We love the horse, but I don’t have a grand plan for him,” he said. “I just feel he needs a little bit of racing. He may get himself somewhere this time around, but I just want him to have a good ‘prep’ where he sets himself up for a really nice autumn.”

Aaron Bullock is booked to partner both of Heys’ runners.

The Heritage Stakes is a key race for the three-year-olds, and punters are checking the racing odds at various bookmakers.

Agit Kabayel has been given until this evening to sign his contract and face an unbeaten heavyweight, who claims he is waiting patiently for the WBC champion to put pen to paper.

The Kurdish-German was elevated from ‘interim’ to full world champion in June, immediately after Oleksandr Usyk vacated his three major belts.

Prior to that, he had retained his secondary WBC title with a third-round finish over Damian Knyba, who now comes off a points victory over Andy Ruiz Jr.

Previous stoppages also saw Kabayel dismantle Zhilei Zhang, Frank Sanchez and Arslanbek Makhmudov with body shots and, in turn, establish himself as one of the world’s leading heavyweights.

In terms of his first WBC title defence, meanwhile, the 34-year-old is expected to return to Germany later this year, before pursuing unification matches with Filip Hrgovic and the winner of Daniel Dubois vs Fabio Wardley 2.

As for his next opponent, an announcement is expected soon enough after promoter Frank Warren confirmed that they were ‘moving on’ from Nelson Hysa.

According to Hysa, however, he has signed the contract and is now urging Kabayel to make a decision by close of play today.

Taking to social media, the 42-year-old offered his interpretation of the situation.

“Agit, I don’t want to play and I don’t want to waste time with you. You have started the training camp. Meanwhile, you left me without a response.

“The contract is in my hand. Since you wanted the facts, this is the contract signed by me. So sign the contract within 24 hours. If you don’t, I’ll make the contract public so everyone can see who hasn’t signed.”

Hysa seemingly emerged as a potential opponent last month, with the Albanian confronting Kabayel after stopping Thomas Narmo in two rounds.

Bryan Mbeumo and Patrick Dorgu have given Michael Carrick something to think about ahead of Manchester United’s return to Premier League action

Manchester United duo Bryan Mbeumo and Patrick Dorgu were both on target for Cameroon and Denmark respectively during the international break, providing under-pressure head coach Michael Carrick with an encouraging reminder of the attacking options at his disposal. Carrick is beginning to feel the pressure, with United winning just two of their seven matches in all competitions this season.

Those victories came against Ipswich Town in the Premier League and Sabah in the Champions League, while they were held to a 1-1 draw by Fulham in their final game before the international break. It is not just the results that have raised concerns, but also the quality of the opposition and the manner of some of United’s defeats.

Performances have not been good enough, with issues evident at both ends of the pitch. Defensively, United have looked vulnerable, while questions have also been raised about their fitness levels.

After the international break, United return to action against Tottenham at Old Trafford in a fixture that could have major implications for Carrick. It is a game United will be desperate to avoid losing.

A victory would go some way towards easing the pressure on Carrick, while anything less could see the scrutiny intensify once again. Things then become even more challenging, with United facing a demanding run of away fixtures against Atletico Madrid, Leeds United and Como in the space of just over a week.

It may be too early to describe that run as make or break, but if things do not go to plan against Spurs, it could quickly start to feel that way.

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There is little point getting caught up in hypotheticals over what each result might mean just yet, but there is no denying that the next couple of weeks could prove hugely important for Carrick and his United project.

With Carrick reportedly given just a handful of games to save his Manchester United job, criticised duo Bryan Mbeumo and Patrick Dorgu sent their boss a timely message during the international break by both finding the net. Dorgu even produced a stunning strike from the right wing.

While both players have faced their share of criticism this season, their goals provided a timely reminder that they can be relied upon to deliver in front of goal when the Reds need them most.

They will now be hoping to carry that goalscoring form into United’s crucial clash with Tottenham on October 10 (5:30pm).

Mbeumo’s Cameroon beat Comoros 3-1, while Dorgu’s Denmark suffered a 3-2 defeat to Erling Haaland’s Norway.

The Super Eagles are expected to have enough attacking quality and home support to begin their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign with a win when they face Madagascar in Uyo on Friday, September 25.

Éric Chelle’s side will host the Barea at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, with kick-off scheduled for 5:00pm Nigerian time.

Nigeria will be without Victor Osimhen, who has been ruled out with a muscle injury, but Chelle still has several attacking options available, including Ademola Lookman, Alex Iwobi, Tolu Arokodare and Akor Adams.

Nigeria vs Madagascar Preview

Friday’s Group L match is an important one for both teams. Tanzania have already qualified as one of the hosts of AFCON 2027, leaving Nigeria, Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau competing for the remaining qualification place in the group.

That makes a strong start important for Nigeria, especially with the Super Eagles set to face Guinea-Bissau four days after Friday’s match.

Nigeria come into the game with some encouraging recent results. The Super Eagles defeated Iran 2–1, Zimbabwe 2–0 and Jamaica 3–0 before drawing 2–2 with Poland and losing narrowly to Portugal.

Madagascar have also produced some good results, beating Kyrgyzstan 5–2, Equatorial Guinea 2–0 and Comoros 2–1. However, they lost 4–0 to Morocco in June.

Head-to-Head

Nigeria have won three of their five previous meetings with Madagascar, while one match ended in a draw.

Madagascar’s only victory came in the most recent meeting between the teams, when the Barea defeated Nigeria 2–0 at the 2019 AFCON in Egypt.

That result will serve as a reminder that the Super Eagles cannot afford to underestimate their opponents.

Team News

Osimhen will miss the match after being ruled out with injury, with Taiwo Awoniyi called up as his replacement.

Chelle still has an experienced squad featuring Lookman, Iwobi, Wilfred Ndidi, Samuel Chukwueze, Moses Simon, Ola Aina, Calvin Bassey and Stanley Nwabali.

Isaac James and George Ilenikhena are also in line to make their senior international debuts.

Madagascar will look to experienced players such as Rayan Raveloson, Marco Ilaimaharitra, Loïc Lapoussin and Warren Caddy for inspiration.

Prediction: Nigeria 2–0 Madagascar

Nigeria’s attacking options should give them an advantage, even without Osimhen.

Lookman can provide a threat from wide areas, while Iwobi offers creativity in midfield. The Super Eagles also have several options in attack who can trouble the Madagascar defence.

The Barea have enough quality to make the game competitive, but Nigeria’s home advantage and greater experience could help Chelle’s side secure all three points.