URC: The 8 fixtures that will define the season, including final rematch: Planet Rugby

The United Rugby Championship season is right around the corner, and there are once again 18 fantastic rounds of rugby for fans to get their teeth into.

Glasgow Warriors come into the campaign with a target on their back following a surprise title triumph last time out, and elsewhere the likes of Leinster, Munster and the South African sides will all feel they are within a shot of silverware too.

But with so many teams gunning for the title, which games will we need to be watching out for? Well, with that in mind here is our take on the eight key fixtures that could define the URC season.

Leinster v Munster – Saturday, 12 October/Round 4

The Irish derby is always a game to look forward to, but you feel this one has some extra spice to it this season. Leinster are in the midst of a silverware drought, and you feel the three Champions Cup final defeats in a row could potentially make them focus back on the URC as a means to finally secure a trophy.

Munster are no pushover though, as they come into the URC season seeking to recapture their lost title. With this game being so early in the year too, it’s a chance for both teams to put down a true marker of their title credentials and send a message out to the rest of the league. Add in the historic rivalry between the sides too, and you have an absolute belt in round four.

Stormers v Munster – Saturday, 19 October/Round 5

A repeat of the 2023 final now, as Munster head to Cape Town to face the Stormers. Munster have held the edge over the Stormers in their previous two meetings, including that shock victory in the 2023 final, so the South Africans will be keen to get a measure of revenge this time around.

In a similar vein to Leinster v Munster, this is also a chance for both sides to lay down a marker of their title credentials, as both teams will be in the mix for silverware again this season. For Munster especially, if they secure two wins on the spin over Leinster and the Stormers that will give them so much momentum for the season.

Sharks v Stormers – Saturday, 30 November/Round 7

A mouthwatering South African derby now, as the Sharks take on the Stormers. The Sharks had a tough URC campaign last year but turned it on in Europe to claim a historic Challenge Cup title, and this could help turn their fortunes around domestically too.

They also welcome back inspirational figure Siya Kolisi this season following his exit from Racing 92, and this again could be a huge driver for success. South African derbies are always one to keep an eye on, but with the Sharks now looking like a real force in the competition this could hold even more significance. It will also be a good way to judge where they stand too, and see the effect that European title has had on them as a group.

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Edinburgh v Glasgow – Friday 27th December/Round 9

The Edinburgh-Glasgow rivalry is one of the fiercest in the URC, and this season’s meeting between the teams will be no different. Glasgow have held the 1872 Cup for the past two seasons, but Edinburgh snatched a 19-14 win the last time the sides met, so will be out to make it two on the spin against their old enemy.

Edinburgh also comes into the new campaign looking for an improved showing following their 10th-placed finish last season, so a meeting with the defending champions will also be a good measuring stick for them.

Bulls v Leinster – Saturday, 22 March/Round 13

It’s never a disappointing game when the Bulls face Leinster, and this season’s match-up will be no different. The Bulls stunned Leinster 25-20 in last season’s semi-final at Loftus Versfeld, so will feel fairly confident against the same opposition this time around.

With the meeting coming so late into the season too, getting a win could be crucial for their play-off hopes whilst simultaneously damaging their opponent’s hopes too, and last season’s semi showed just how important securing a home tie is. The question remains, will Leinster send the A or B team?

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Ospreys v Cardiff – Saturday, 19 April/Round 15

This might seem a surprising choice, but hear us out. Cardiff were well off the pace last season, but have made some shrewd signings this time around – namely Callum Sheedy – and will be hoping to make a push for the play-offs. Not to forget Taulupe Faletau who will basically be a new signing for them too if he can stay fit.

Their Welsh rivals, Ospreys, will also be looking to make another play-off push this year after sneaking into the eighth spot last season. This game coming so late into the season is a huge chance for both sides to not only give their hopes a huge boost, but it could rule their rivals out of the race altogether. This could be a huge game in the overall context of the season.

Glasgow v Bulls – Friday, 25 April/Round 16

It’s the big one. Last season’s finalists meet for the first time in round 16, and they will be looking at this as a great way to build into the play-offs. A win over their fellow title chasers this late into the season will generate so much momentum for them heading into the play-offs, and could prove crucial in getting them into the mentality of knockout rugby.

The Bulls will also be keen to exact some measure of revenge following the shock defeat to Glasgow in the final last year too, but on the other side, Glasgow will be keen to prove it wasn’t a flash-in-the-pan win at Loftus Versfeld.

Lions v Ospreys – Saturday, 17 May/Round 18

Similarly to Cardiff v Ospreys, this one could hold significant value to the play-off structure. Ospreys just pipped the Lions to that final play-off spot last year, with the Welsh side edging out their South African rivals in amount of wins, and you would imagine they will be fairly close this time around too. With the teams then facing each other on the last day, it will make this basically a play-off to make the play-offs, and therefore have a huge effect not just on themselves but on the narrative of the season as a whole.

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