URC 2024/25

Heard on the radio this morning the first round of games, the SA derbies on 21 September, will be moved to 2025 sometime to allow Currie Cup finish first without interruption.

Bit stupid it wasnt taken into account before fixtures were released.

Far as I can tell, weekend of 4 January the SA teams dont play, so these will have to slot in there, or wait till February or March when the 6 nations are on and play then on 1 of those weekends.

If it is the weekend of 4 January it will mean 3 weekends of SA derbies in a row (21 December has Stormers vs Lions and Sharks vs Bulls, then 28 December has Stormers vs Sharks and Bulls vs Lions) with 4 January then having Stormers vs Bulls and Sharks vs Lions. Least its all different games and not repeats of each other. Then its 2 weekends of EPRC games, and then a round of URC where Bulls vs Lions again, then 6 Nations and 2 rounds of local SA derbies again. So it would seem all the SA derbies will be played between 21 December and 1 March. (Except Sharks vs Stormers on 30 November)

Should never have left. Wonder how much he was influenced by his wife. Different situation visiting Paris for a couple weeks holiday, then going to live there with kids and all. Same as Kitshoff, twice have left to play abroad and twice returned to Stormers. Its just not suited to some people. Suppose the lure of a big payday is just too strong.

I've just subscribed to Now TV sports extra for the URC. 10 euro a month with this code NOWSPXBN12CA

TNT and Premier sports cover the European competition and French and English leagues.

The Welsh teams don't add much, but if they went it would be a headache coming up with a URC format that didn't involve too much travel to Europe for SA teams and vice versa.

Best option would be for for some English teams to join, go to a proper single league format with home or away matches alternating each season.

I could see a situation where the RFU form some franchises with centrally contracted players and looking to enter those into a league. Basically let the Premiership go **** itself and look to regain control of the game in England.

The Premiership needs the URC more than the URC needs the Premiership.

Would be curious to see how they tackle the union-owned model vs private owned model as it could be a complete mess if both exist in the same league.

I notice that PS had advertised showing top 14 last night but changed their minds and ended up showing something else. This happened once or twice last season as well. Hopefully not a sign of things to come

Stats, stats and more stats

Munster v Connacht has completely empty stands behind both goals. Limerick people not getting behind Munster in big numbers. Would be interesting to see what crowd would support this fixture in Cork.