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5 is a good number; people like 5. 5 rounds into a competition we can say we have enough data to give us that warm feeling - the feeling that we have seen enough to draw some meaningful conclusions about the runners and riders. What are the conclusions we draw from the URC so far? Let’s talk about it…
Tuipulotu (4'), Penalty Try (64'), McBeth (70')
Tries
Jacobs (10'), Roux (48')
Hastings (5', 70')
Conversions
Johannes (48')
5 is a good number; people like 5. 5 rounds into a competition we can say we have enough data to give us that warm feeling - the feeling that we have seen enough to draw some meaningful conclusions about the runners and riders. What are the conclusions we draw from the URC so far? Let’s talk about it…
Friday night's game between Glasgow and Bulls showcased the best of what the URC can be: two strong teams packed with star names playing a very high level of rugby with a bit if historical rivalry thrown in.
Glasgow started the game better and played with an intensity that the Bulls, initially, could not match. However, the visitors found their way back into the game and got themselves into the lead in the 2nd half. The turning point proved to be Kurt-Lee Arendse's spectacular try - where he linked up superbly with Wille le Roux - being rightly disallowed for a knock on in the buildup.
In the end it was the Warrior's superior fitness that made the difference. They kept their heads and went to their excellent driving maul to make the game safe, despite being under heavy pressure at scrum time. They finished the game with a huge 146 rucks, 66% of which were under 3 seconds - a phenomenal display of organisation and cardio fitness.
Refereeing discussions always turn toxic, especially on social media. It's for this reason that most try to avoid the subject, but when the league has handed out 3 bans in 1 week, not banned another and handed out 2 more red cards this weekend, it is impossible not to talk about it.
The circumstances of Jan Hendrik Wessel's ban have ignited fanbases in both Ireland and South Africa whilst Josh Murphy's non-ban seems to have confused everyone in equal measure. Meanwhile, Melikia Fekitoa was handed a 3 game ban a full 9 days after his offence was committed.
On the field, Andre Piardi had even neutrals scratching their heads for some of his decisions in Munster vs Connacht whilst in Benetton vs Stormers the TMO intervened to rule out a Benetton try for a knock on the on-field referee was far from convinced had actually happened.
TMOs in general are still being called on far to often robbing games of their flow - especially when the officials have to job the full length of the pith to observe the only screen in the ground. We don't want to pile onto refs who are carrying out a thankless task but sometimes they could help themselves better.
Neither the Stormers nor Munster have played the most dazzling rugby across this first block, but 5 from 5 is a record anyone should be delighted with. Perhaps we should have expected a dip from Munster after the high of their win over Leinster and their best players going off to Ireland but they always seemed on top against a stubborn Connacht.
Stormers are very good value for their league leaders status. A nil-ing of Leinster and an undefeated northern tour are both very impressive feats. Their set piece is formidable and whilst their general play isn't stunning, it is consistent - which is what they weren't last year.
The Dragons yet again managed to snatch a draw from the jaws of victory. This one was at least a thriller as the game reached the 84th minute with any mistake looking likely to lead to 1 team getting that crucial final score.
Tinus de Beer, who copped some flack for not taking a drop goal against Sharks in their last draw, missed two difficult shots at goal to beat the Ospreys and pile yet more frustration on a team that is looking at least slightly better than last year.
The truth is that the Dragons never looked like breaking down the Ospreys defense without either Aaron Wainwright creating some individual magic or the Ospreys conceding a penalty and allowing the dragons to set up a 5m maul - which looks to be their only reliable method of scoring these days.
The Ospreys themselves meanwhile will be happy for the focus to be on the Dragons as they once again let a 2-score lead slip away in Rodney Parade. This was another tepid performance to follow up their thrashing at the hands of Glasgow.
The league now goes on hold for 5 weeks as rugby turns its attention to the November tests. When it comes back we will get just 1 round before another break for Champions/Challenge cup action. This isn't the URC's fault but the disjointed, messy nature of the northern hemisphere calendar absolutely robs club rugby of any momentum and cements its position as bottom of the agenda in the minds of casual fans.
The southern hemisphere model of playing Super Rugby in 1 hit is far better for players, fans and clubs alike. As each year goes on the Champions and Challenge cups feel more and more like distractions rather than the pinnacle of the club game. No one is happy with the current arrangement but nothing looks likely to change any time soon.
| # | Team | PL | W | L | D | PD | BP | PTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  DHL Stormers | 5 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 118 | 3 | 23 |
| 2 |  Munster Rugby | 5 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 36 | 3 | 23 |
| 3 |  Glasgow Warriors | 5 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 97 | 4 | 20 |
| 4 |  Cardiff Rugby | 5 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 24 | 4 | 20 |
| 5 |  Ulster Rugby | 4 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 32 | 4 | 16 |
| 6 |  Vodacom Bulls | 5 | 3 | 2 | 0 | -8 | 2 | 14 |
| 7 |  Leinster Rugby | 5 | 2 | 3 | 0 | -10 | 3 | 11 |
| 8 |  Emirates Lions | 5 | 2 | 3 | 0 | -12 | 3 | 11 |
| 9 |  Zebre Rugby | 5 | 2 | 3 | 0 | -61 | 2 | 10 |
| 10 |  Benetton Treviso | 5 | 2 | 3 | 0 | -41 | 1 | 09 |
| 11 |  Edinburgh Rugby | 4 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 38 | 5 | 09 |
| 12 |  Connacht Rugby | 4 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 5 | 09 |
| 13 |  Hollywoodbets Sharks | 5 | 1 | 3 | 1 | -40 | 2 | 08 |
| 14 |  Ospreys | 5 | 1 | 3 | 1 | -30 | 1 | 07 |
| 15 |  Dragons | 5 | 0 | 3 | 2 | -77 | 1 | 05 |
| 16 |  Scarlets | 4 | 0 | 4 | 0 | -68 | 0 | 00 |
