URC 2024/25

Dillonb3

Munster well capable of getting a win against the Sharks

bingobango12

Bar the travel, Sharks probably best team Munster could face with how poor they have been last few weeks.

StevenToast

I disagree...Munster would much prefer to face Glasgow over there...they owe them one....

The Sharks are very dangerous when on their game.... i fancy 3 SA sides and Leinster to be in the semi finals..…

Leinster will then bottle it somewhere again...

bingobango12

Leinster, Bulls, Stormers, Munster to reach semis my prediction. Leinster Bulls final.

sydthebeat

Good image conveying just how good sharks have been this year and how crap Munster and Ulster have been.

phog

The route to the final

Paddy_Mag

Wales are cutting a region their union have agreed 3 teams is the way forward.

StevenToast

Wales should do what Scotland did and just go to 2 regions..…

icdg

There’s the story:

https://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-news/welsh-region-cut-bombshell-development-31662173

But who do you cut?

Cardiff is the insolvent one but do you really cut the team in the capital?

Scarlets have a dedicated ground (albeit one they don’t own), are the best of the teams at the moment and playoff bound.

Ospreys are building a new stadium (or rebuilding an existing one to be more accurate) and do you just write off that investment and although they aren’t the team they were, are probably the most successful Welsh club throughout the Celtic Rugby era.

That leaves Dragons, easily the worst performance wise and renting from a football club. And just down the road from Cardiff.

Akrasia

Its obviously gonna be the dragons

Strand1970

If a Welsh team is cut that leaves an odd number of teams. Is there a possible replacement team in another country? Another SA team?

Paddy_Mag

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123461172#Comment_123461172

Talk of a team from Georgia who play in the Challenge Cup are interested. 5 SA teams makes it very awkward from a touring POV as there is not many 3 week blocks on the season calendar to make it viable. There would have to be a big shift in how the season is structured to make it work

sydthebeat

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123460727#Comment_123460727

Cardiff and the dragons are both under wru direct control. It unlikely to be one of those in my option.

It with either be one of ospreys or scarlet, or, more realistically imo, an amalgamation of Neath, Swansea and Llanelli in the formation of a new franchise.

There will be blood.

Cookiemunster

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123460717#Comment_123460717

Dragons own Rodney Parade. Newport County rent from them.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123461185#Comment_123461185

Dragons have been privately owned since 2023.

sydthebeat

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123461289#Comment_123461289

Didnt know that, thanks.

budhabob

Arent the WRU actively looking for a buyer of Cardiff?

AbusesToilets

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123460727#Comment_123460727

It should be the Dragons, the worst Region by a mile, but the WRU has had it out for the Ospreys for a long time. The fact the historically best Region is facing the axe shows what an omni-shambles the WRU are.

Jacovs

Cant call Stormers vs Glasgow, or Sharks vs Munster. Thinking home advantage will pull it through for Sharks and Glasgow. Hope im wrong and Stormers can pull out a good performance. They have been playing well, but it was all home games.

Leinster and Bulls I cant see going any other way.

Homesick Alien

Leinster definitely getting rewarded for top seeding - even though Scarlets are one of only two teams to beat them in the league this year and I can't see it happening.

And while I'd love to see Munster cause an upset in the Sharktank I just think they won't have enough to take on all those Boks and a crowd who will be well up for it now that it's knockout rugby.

Cookiemunster

25/26 fixtures are being released tomorrow.

Cookiemunster

Next seasons fixtures are now available.

https://www.unitedrugby.com/latest/league-announcements/urc-202526-fixtures-record-time

Round 1: September 26/27

Round 2: October 3/4

Round 3: October 10/11

Round 4: October 17/18

Round 5: October 24/25

Round 6: November 28/29

Round 7 (Festive Derbies): December 19/20

Round 8 (Festive Derbies): December 26/27

Round 9 (Festive Derbies): January 2/3

Round 10: January 23/24

Round 11: January 30/31

Round 12: February 27/28

Round 13: March 20/21

Round 14: March 27/28

Round 15: April 17/18

Round 16: April 24/25

Round 17: May 8/9

Round 18: May 15/16

Play-Off Schedule

Quarter-Finals: May 29/30

Semi-Finals: June 6/7

Grand Final: June 20

Jacovs

Least they and/or the Currie Cup have learned from last year. The Currie Cup final is 20 September, so doesnt clash with round 1 of URC anymore.

Whitters22

Wonder what the thoughts are behind the 2 weeks between Semifinal and Final?

sydthebeat

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123470649#Comment_123470649

opening weekend of the world cup??

Jacovs

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123470701#Comment_123470701

World cup not until 2027. Also wouldnt explain moving the final to within the world cup, all the best players not available then for the final.

Maybe its just some more rest time for the finalists and the travel involved.

Brief_Lives

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123470649#Comment_123470649

maybe it takes longer than a week to sort out flights and accommodation from 1 continent to another.

Podge_irl

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123470870#Comment_123470870

The football world cup :)

Though whether the opening weekend or not it will dominate, not sure delaying the URC final for that makes much sense.

Brief_Lives

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123470485#Comment_123470485

unreal… year round fixtures for some of these players…

i presume the internationals don't play between the rugby championship and the november internationals?

Cookiemunster

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123470881#Comment_123470881

They're stood down during the 6N.

Jacovs

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123470879#Comment_123470879

Ah right. Not very high on my list of priorities, especially the opening weekend, just a load of shite. But makes sense, dont want to share the spotlight with the biggest sporting event, minimize revenue loss.