Super Rugby, Greene King IPA Championship and Top 14 all live on Sky Sports this weekend
Last Updated: 16/02/19 7:32am
Super Rugby returns on Friday and we'll have seven matches live on Sky Sports alongside Greene King IPA Championship and Top 14 action.
It may be a fallow week in the Six Nations Championship but there's no shortage of rugby here on Sky Sports. We mark your cards with a few players to keep an eye on over the course of an action-packed weekend...
Stephen Donald - Chiefs
Not only is Super Rugby back but the 35-year-old known to most as 'Beaver' is back too!
The World Club winner has signed for the Chiefs as an injury replacement after Tiaan Falcon ruptured his Achilles and will, therefore, miss the whole of the season.
Donald made his Super Rugby debut back in 2005 and the local legend's return has delighted his head coach Colin Cooper.
"We are pleased to have Stephen Donald the Beaver re-join our Chiefs whanau for 2019," said Cooper.
"He is a great team man who brings a wealth of experience and mana to our side. He is a good conductor of the game and will deliver for the team when provided the opportunity."
The Chiefs will kick-start their campaign against the Highlanders, live on Sky Sports Action from 6.30am on Friday.
The visitors to the FMG Stadium will be led by co-captains Ben Smith at full-back and Luke Whitelock at No 8.
Ma'a Nonu - Blues
The Blues finished last term on a winning note and face the defending champions the Crusaders first up.
Ma'a Nonu is back and will partner TJ Faiane in the midfield at Eden Park. Nonu's fellow World Cup winning-centre Sonny Bill Williams on the bench.
This will be the 36-year-old's first Super Rugby appearance since the 2015 final, when the Highlanders upset his Hurricanes to apparently bring an end to his career in New Zealand as he headed off to France.
Nonu will turn 37 in May and is the oldest player in Super Rugby this year. With age comes experience, though, and excellent form over the course of the season could see him add to his 103 All Black caps.
See how Nonu and the Blues get on against the Crusaders in the first match of our Saturday morning triple-header. Tune in from 6.30am on Sky Sports Action.
Duane Vermeulen - Bulls
The Bulls confirmed in October that the physical No 8 would be joining them and international forward will be a huge asset this season, alongside another experienced 'newbie' Schalk Brits.
Vermeulen arrived after time playing in Japan and in a massive year for the sport, is eager to keep his head down and not look beyond the here and now.
"I'm just taking it step-by-step. You know, in a year like this, you cannot plan too far ahead. You've really just got to work hard, take care of your body, and be in a good mental space in every single game you play," he said at TheBulls.co.za
"And then you need to be ready to take your opportunities when they come. When it comes to the Springboks and the World Cup, my attitude is that it's still a race for everyone, and it's still open to everyone to pull on that jersey."
The Bull's first assignment is a clash with the Stormers on Saturday and it's live on Sky Sports Action and Main Event from 3.10pm.
Gareth Denman - Hartpury RFC
On Friday night our focus turns to the Greene King IPA Championship and a huge night for both Hartpury RFC and Richmond.
The home side are at the foot of the Championship table, five-points below Richmond, and will be keen that a recent wealth of new faces continue to gel.
One new face will be Gloucester Rugby and former Northampton Saints prop Gareth Denman. He will pack down with Dan Murphy and Will Tanner and look to provide significant influence across the park in order to boost the home side.
Hartpury need to try and end a run of defeats that spans back to September and the game at the Gillman's Ground will be live on Sky Sports Action from 7.30pm on Friday.
Simon Zebo - Racing 92
Racing 92 are hosting the Top 14 league leaders Toulouse at the Paris La Défense Arena on Sunday and will be eager to put in a strong showing in front of their home fans.
Since the beginning of the season Simon Zebo has made more clean breaks than any other player [22]. He's beaten 29 defenders, made 11 offloads and only Kylan Hamdaoui of Stade Français Paris has made more metres [702].
The added context to this clash is the fact that they'll be meeting again at end of March for a Heineken Champions Cup quarter-final... and we all know that recent bragging rights are helpful to have in your back pocket.
Ten live matches on Sky Sports
From Friday to Sunday we're bringing you 10 live matches across Super Rugby, the Greene King IPA Championship and the Top 14.
Start your Friday with back-to-back Super Rugby matches and finish your day with Hartpury College RFC against Richmond.
On Saturday there's a feast of matches with six in total over the course of the day from an early Super Rugby start at 6.30am to Los Jaguares against the Lions from 9.35pm.
Finally, enjoy a relaxing Sunday afternoon in front of Racing 92 against Toulouse from 3.45pm.
