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The URC is back! This weekend the cross-board competition featuring teams from Ireland, South Africa, Scotland, Italy & Wales commences for its 5th edition. So, who will be looking up? Who will be glancing down? Who will be quite happy to stay where they are? Let’s break it down nation by nation…
The URC is back! This weekend the cross-board competition featuring teams from Ireland, South Africa, Scotland, Italy & Wales commences for its 5th edition. So, who will be looking up? Who will be glancing down? Who will be quite happy to stay where they are? Let’s break it down nation by nation…
Ulster - Ulster have bolstered not only their on field squad but also their backroom staff. Mark Sexton and Willie Faloon join from Connacht as backs and defense coach respectively, whilst Springbok squad member Juarno 'Trokkie' Augustus and Wallaby Angus Bell bring star power as well as literal power to their on-field side. The pressure will be on to get back into the top 8.
Connacht - All the narrative around Connacht this season will be about the appointment of Stuart Lancaster as head coach. Despite his difficult stint at Racing, there are those in Ireland who still see Lancaster as a contender to replace Andy Farrell as Ireland coach. Their squad isn't at its peak and the additions aren't dazzling (Sam Gilbert representing their now annual signing from super rugby), but Lancaster's forte is developing players. Getting the Galway side into top 10 can be deemed a success.
Munster - Munster have a strong squad, even considering the retirement of legends Peter O'Mahony & Conor Murray last season. Poaching JJ Hanrahan from Connacht as back-up to Jack Crowley is a shrewd move, but the story is all about Clayton McMillan taking over as head coach. McMillan's Chiefs side has probably been, on balance, the best side in Super Rugby over the last 3 seasons but suffered an agonising 3 final defeats in a row. If Conor Murray's book is to be believed, he will be a significant upgrade on Rowntree, so expect them to be back up to challenging top 4 (even through their annual injury crisis).
Leinster - Writing a preview for Leinster is a challenge because anything other than lifting the title is an under performance. Rumors of discontent in the coaches box will be quelled by Nienaber and McBryde signing new contracts to remain in Dublin, whilst all eyes will be on new signing Reiko Ioane and if they can resurrect his form after a dismal season in New Zealand.
Dragons - The Dragons finished bottom of the league last season with an all time worst campaign. New signings flopped and the much vaunted coaching overhaul fell apart. This season, though, the players they have brought in are experienced campaigners with proven records in recent years. There are those in Wales who will tell you they have poached Cardiff's best 10 in Tinus de Beer, whilst more coaching reinforcements have arrived too. We've said it before, but this time there really are reasons to believe things can get better.
Ospreys - Ospreys will be playng their season in the semi-familiar surroundings of Bridgend having delayed their move to St Helens still next season. Ryan SMith from the Reds and Ross Moriarty from Brive represent their star signings, but their squad probably is slightly weaker than last season having lost Adam Beard and the iconic Justin Tipuric - who was probably still their best player even in his last ever season. Head coach Mark Jones managed to salvage some respecatability for their season last term having taken over from Toby Booth mid way through, but he will need to have had a strong off-season to get them back up to the top half.
Cardiff - Cardiff have been rocked by the loss of head coach Matt Sherratt on the eve of the URC season to Wales. They missed top 8 by a single point last time out, but their squad is somewhat stagnat and still looks injury prone. Holding steady in mid-table is the realistic goal for them.
Scarlets - Scarlets’ squad is another that’s probably slightly weaker than last season. They have replaced one project 10 in Ioan Lloyd with another in Joe Hawkins, lost marquee player Vaea Fifita and Marnus van der Merwe’s success last season has resulted in him being called up to the Springboks, precluding him from pre-season or selection for the first block of games. Holding ground in 8th will be a success for this young but developing squad. They may not achieve the Hollywood wins over Bulls or Leinster this season but they should be better equipt to hang onto the leads they let slip against mid table position last term.
Glasgow - Head coach Franco Smith has spent most of 2025 so far being linked to every vacant job under the sun, only to sign an extension with Glasgow till 2028. With some flux in the teams around them keeping in the top 4 is realistic, although losing super-star Tom Jordan to big spending Bristol is a blow and the interference of David Nucifora looks set to cause short term pain.
Edinburgh - Sean Everitt: is he good? There were plenty of times over the last 2 years where Edinburgh fans wanted him gone, but they did manage top 8 in the end. Some players will be in last chance territory, but treading water is the most likely outcome for the capital club come May.
Benetton - A squad of Benetton's quality, stacked with Italian internationals and boosted by world class foreign imports, should be top 6 in the URC every year. To miss out on play-offs entirely last time out was a massive under-performance. This season, they have a new coach and have moved on some of their top stars. Rumours are more are to leave for big wages in France too. Perhaps a refresh is what this team needed?
Zebre - The men from Parma were one of the stories of last season, picking up 5 thrilling wins and only narrowly missing out on more. Sadly, many of their better players have since moved up to play for Benetton. With the strengthening of the Dragons they are most likely destined for bottom spot.
Bulls - Jake White did an objectively good job at the bulls, getting them playing a styyle that worked, strong away from home and reaching 4 finals in 5 years. However, it seems he managed to alienate too many people behind the scenes. In his place, they have brought the more affable but less successful Johan Ackerman. The addition of Handre Pollard could be what takes them the final step to the URC title, but the change of direction under Ackerman could lead to a season of transition rather than success. Even so, top 4 is the expectation.
Sharks - The Sharks should be winning the URC, or at least playing Leinster in the final, every season. Their squad is loaded with double world cup winning 'Boks that would have even Toulouse turning green with jealousy. They managed to get to the semi-final last season, much to the bemusement of anyone who watched them play. The disorganisation on the field is shocking, they lack identity and rely far too heavily on their superstars to bail them out. Jon Plumtree has to bring more stability to the side this season.
Lions - The Lions are really starting to feel like the sob story of the URC. Their best players leave every season, depleting what is already a paper thin squad. The coaches are under pressure, but it is difficult to see them ever challenging for top half with current resources. Yet another last minute loss in a Currie Cup final is not the note they would want to go into the URC on. They might start the season hot having played most of their URC team in the Currie cup, but don't expect them to maintain it.
Stormers - Goof-troop season 2? The Stormers were a flawed team last season with a faltering set peice and overly-exuberant backs play. Keeping Damian WIllemse & Sacha Fainberg-Mngomezulu fit and available will be vital to any success. A recruitment drive is well underway but not expected to take effect until next season, so this term may well be a continuation of last. Expect them to be strong in Cape Town but somewhat light touches up north.