URC Season 5. 2025/26

phog · 26-04-2026 12:05PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124422824#Comment_124422824

Thats true but it won't material affect where the final is played

StevenToast · 26-04-2026 12:23PM

I think the arse has completely fallen out of Ulsters season....Connacht are on the up and up.....

I think Ulster or Cardiff will be the ones to miss out on top 8...

Paddy_Mag · 26-04-2026 01:04PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124422899#Comment_124422899

In theory it could if the bulls finish 3rd and beat the 2nd placed team in an SF and the table toppers lose QF/SF. Its possible that one of Cape Town, Pretoria or Joburg will host the final.

The Lions Will also have a big say on this. I can see them picking up a win and/or some TBP/LBP as they are playing with the same core group all the time and are on a fairly decent run atm.

Leinster will be a week after the Euro SF so hard to know what team they put out and they are playing pretty inconsistently.

Munster seemingly have lost Kleyn (elbow), Farrell (wrist) and possibly Nash (ankle) for the season. The 2nd half yesterday flattered them somewhat given the team Ulster put out.

With Jager I think consideration needs to be given to him standing down for the remainder of the season given its another concussion.

Ulster could win both home games, but equally they could lose both.

Jump_In_Jack · 26-04-2026 01:16PM

In my opinion, looking at the games to come, I think it’s between Ulster and Connacht to finish 9th, and Connacht could be the ones to lose out.

As Ulster have a home match against an equally injury-ravaged Glasgow team, Connacht may need two wins to make up the difference.

Connacht have Munster and Munster have a good few injuries now, so that is a complete 50/50,

And Connacht then have to go to Edinburgh and win, and Edinburgh have nothing to play for now but pride, but have proven in the past to be a bit of a bogey team for Connacht, denied Connacht a win in round 17 last season for example. Edinburgh aren’t as good this season so Connacht could do it.

I’d expect Cardiff to pick up a win against Glasgow in the next round to keep them safe in the top 8.

I think Munster will win at home to the Lions in the final round to make the top 8.

Paddy_Mag · 26-04-2026 01:26PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124423022#Comment_124423022

Stormers are chasing top spot and a home run including the final so they could beat Cardiff and Ulster. It's so hard to tell

Jump_In_Jack · 26-04-2026 01:28PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124423039#Comment_124423039

I would expect Stormers to win those two matches.

That doesn’t change anything about what I stated in my post though.

The matches between Ulster and Glasgow, and Cardiff and Glasgow, and Connacht’s remaining matches are the critical ones.

StevenToast · 26-04-2026 04:07PM

Connacht have 5pts in the bag vs Edinburgh....i also think they will pick up 5 vs Munster.…so I think they will get into top 8...

leakyboots · 27-04-2026 11:21PM

Points conceded in the URC

FtD v2 · 28-04-2026 08:18AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124427088#Comment_124427088

For Leinster, through 16 URC games at the same point last year we had only conceded 246 points. That's a fairly incredible 103 points in the difference.

Leinster's attack in the URC is statistically worse too - but there the difference is only 37 points worse (453 points scored at this point last year in the URC versus 416 this year).

Overall, for Leinster, YoY, the evidence is stark of a more poorly performing team.

Across all 22 games played Leinster have scored 57 fewer points (680 points last season through 22 games versus 623 this year) and have conceded an incredible 173 points more (300 last year versus 473 this season).

Leinster had 14 games (out of 22) at this point last year where we held the opposition to 14 or fewer points (8 games with 9 or fewer points).

This year, we've held the opposition to 14 or fewer points on just 6 occasions (and to 9 or fewer on just 3 occasions).

Red Silurian · 29-04-2026 04:00PM

An interesting image from the official URC Facebook page

Still too close to call as we head into the last 2 rounds

On paper Ulster probably with the toughest run of fixtures followed by Connacht, Munster and Leinster then with the handiest

On paper means very little though as we know

phog · 01-05-2026 04:46PM

Stormers had 235,380 fans attending their 9 home URC games.

Paddy_Mag · 18-05-2026 08:41PM

Next seasons fixtures released tomorrow at midday

dastardly00 · 18-05-2026 09:16PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124423356#Comment_124423356

Well that turned out to be a good shout 👏

phog · 21-05-2026 01:33PM

This was asked across a number of threads since last weekend. The URC have clarified the qualification for the Champions Cup

The Top 8 but...

Jump_In_Jack · 21-05-2026 05:20PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124487421#Comment_124487421

https://www.unitedrugby.com/latest/news/urc-qualification-for-investec-champions-cup-clarified/

Link to URC announcement.

Dillonb3 · 24-05-2026 06:28PM

Reports coming out saying Kolbe is joining Stormers next year

Jacovs · 25-05-2026 08:39AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124496302#Comment_124496302

https://www.news24.com/sport/rugby/urc/stormers-bound-kolbe-pens-emotional-farewell-message-to-japanese-club-20260525-0379

Its a done deal.

Makes sense. He is from here, started his career here, all his family is here, all his business interests.

CatFromHue · 25-05-2026 11:47AM

Of the 16 QFs in the URC so far only 2 have been won by the away teams. Connacht and Munster both in 22/23.

Munster played away to the Bulls in the regular season and only lost 34-31 and Connacht beat a weakened Glasgow in Galway on the weekend break of the 6N. They're the games on the weekend imo.

phog · 25-05-2026 11:57AM

I wouldn't be surprised to see all 3 provinces win their respective QF but neither would I be surprised to only seeing one get through to a SF

CatFromHue · 25-05-2026 12:19PM

Yeah I agree.

Interesting if Munster and Connacht do win then Munster get the home SF, which would be a very welcome financially.

Paddy_Mag · 25-05-2026 10:11PM

Thoughts on the Qfs?

Think Glasgow will edge connacht.

Bulls and Stormers will be comfortable against Munster and Cardiff. Munster without Crowley and Beirne are going to struggle IMO

NO idea what to make of Leinster v Lions. Think Leinster will win but expect it to be nervy.

Jacovs · 26-05-2026 09:16AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124499507#Comment_124499507

I think Glasgow vs Connacht might be closer than expected. Since losing to Leinster in January they have been on a very good run.

Beat Zebre away, Glasgow at home, Scarlets at home, Ulster away, Ospreys home, Stormers away, then lost 1 match to Lions away, beat Munster at home and Edinburgh away.

Munster only lost to Bulls by 3 points 2 months ago, in Pretoria. They beat the Lions in the last round. Did they travel back to Ireland then or stay in SA? Staying in SA at altitude for 2 weeks to train may have been a better option.

Stormers vs Cardiff also not a forgone conclusion. They played each other in the last round less than 2 weeks ago and Cardiff won that match, even if they had home advantage. Stormers also lost to Connacht at home not long ago. Too much behind the scenes bickering going on at the Stormers at the moment, players focusing more on that than what they are getting paid for.

Leinster vs Lions. Depends which Lions show up. Lost to Munster last round, and to Leinster the round before that., but beat Connacht and Glasgow the weeks before. Suppose it also depends which Leinster shows up. Leinster who just lost a European final and have their tail between their legs? Or Leinster who are the defending URC champions and just finished as the second best club in all of Europe, with the URC silverware still up for grabs to "salvage" their season?

bingobango12 · 26-05-2026 10:19AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124497997#Comment_124497997

I wouldn't be surprised to see none get through either. Connacht are in great form but away to the 1st team of the regular season. Munster have a tough ask away in South Africa without Beirne and Crowley. Leinster I don't know. It's pretty grim at the moment from the supporter base that I have chatted to. I can't imagine the players are feeling too much better.

I think Stormers beating Cardiff are probably the only safe bet this weekend.

sydthebeat · 26-05-2026 10:25AM

I can see every game having at least 10 points between the sides at the final whistle.

Glasgow might possibly have dobie, cummings and Matt fagerson back which would be quite significant.

Also, Glasgow haven't given up hope of having the final in Murrayfield should they reach it. There hoping the six day turnaround after the concert would be enough to get the pitch back playable

StevenToast · 26-05-2026 10:27AM

Connacht could do a Munster on it from a few years ago....beat Glasgow away, beat Bulls away and maybe Stormers/Leinster away!

phog · 26-05-2026 11:49AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124500187#Comment_124500187

They could and they might also be finished after the QFs

Jacovs · 26-05-2026 05:47PM

Stormers game must not be even close to sold out, they never send emails actively looking for people to buy tickets. But i got an email today about buying tickets.

Starts at R145 (7,61 euro), R205 (10,77 euro), R305 (16 euro) and then R425 (22,32 euro) on the halfway line.

Unlucky, im leaving for Namibia tomorrow for a week.