Buckle up, rugby fans—the United Rugby Championship's fourth round is heating up with clashes that could ignite long-standing rivalries and test the limits of team spirit! Imagine the electric atmosphere of an Irish derby where every tackle echoes history, or underdogs rising against giants. But here's where it gets really intriguing: these matches aren't just about points; they're about pride, comebacks, and maybe even rewriting the script of dominance. And this is the part most people miss—the subtle tensions between provinces that fuel debates on who truly reigns supreme. If you're diving into rugby for the first time, think of it like a high-stakes family reunion where old grudges come to the fore. Let's break it all down in a friendly, straightforward way, covering every detail you need to stay in the loop.
First off, the spotlight steals the show with the epic Irish derby pitting Leinster against Munster at Croke Park on Saturday afternoon. Tickets? Over 50,000 snapped up by Friday, proving just how much buzz this fixture generates. It's a timely showdown too, happening right before the internationals head to Ireland's training camp for the upcoming November internationals. Meanwhile, Connacht, recovering from a tough trip to Cardiff, play host to the Bulls in Galway on Friday evening. And Ulster? They're kicking off a back-to-back adventure in South Africa, facing the Sharks first, then the Lions.
For those tuning in from home, here's your viewing guide to ensure you don't miss a minute. The Connacht versus Bulls match kicks off at 7:45pm on Friday, broadcast live on TG4 and Premier Sports. Saturday's Leinster-Munster blockbuster starts at 5:15pm, also on TG4 and Premier Sports. Ulster's opener against the Sharks is exclusively on Premier Sports, and remember, every single game streams live on URC.tv for global access.
If visuals aren't your thing, radio's got you covered with expert commentary. Catch the Leinster-Munster clash through RTÉ Radio 1's Saturday Sport show for that immersive, play-by-play experience.
Online fans, we're not leaving you out. Expect a dedicated live blog for the Leinster-Munster game, complete with real-time score updates, match reports, and post-game reactions from across the entire league. It's like having a front-row seat without leaving your couch.
Weather-wise, stay prepared—it's all about comfort for the best viewing. Galway on Friday will see partly cloudy skies with a light breeze and temperatures hovering around 13°C, perfect for an outdoor rugby evening. Dublin shifts to light rain and a moderate breeze on Saturday afternoon, with readings about 14°C, so pack that raincoat if you're heading out. Over in Durban for Ulster's games, anticipate sunnier vibes with temperatures around 24°C, gentle breezes, and plenty of sunny spells to keep things lively.
Before we dive deeper, why not tune into some expert insights? Check out the RTÉ Rugby podcast on Apple Podcasts at https://podcasts.apple.com/ie/podcast/rt%C3%A9-rugby/id778518589, Spotify via https://open.spotify.com/show/4W9mkdG9LnOJ0iafKEq6rk, or wherever your preferred podcast platform is—links include https://www.rte.ie/radio1/podcast/podcast_therugbyshow.xml. It's a great way to unpack the week's action with seasoned voices.
Now, onto the teams and the drama. Stuart Lancaster's Connacht squad has a mixed start: one win and one loss, with their round-two encounter against the Scarlets postponed due to unforeseen circumstances. Last time out, they struggled in Cardiff but managed to snatch a bonus point—a precious extra point in rugby scoring that rewards teams for scoring four tries or more, even in defeat—with a last-gasp effort, losing 14-8. For beginners, bonus points can be game-changers in league standings, like a silver lining in a tough match. Historically, Connacht haven't had much luck against South African sides recently, winning just one of their last seven outings, though that solitary victory was a thrilling 36-30 triumph over the Sharks back in Galway in September 2024. Good news for fans? Key Irish internationals and Lions stars like Bundee Aki, Mack Hansen, and Finlay Bealham are back in the fold, adding firepower to their attack.
The Bulls, on the other hand, roared out of the gates with two straight wins, including a convincing 39-31 drubbing of Leinster, but stumbled last weekend with a 28-7 thumping from Ulster. Their head-to-head record against Connacht stands at four meetings, with only one loss—a 34-7 setback in Galway back in October 2021. This could be a clash where form meets tradition.
Here's the starting lineup for Connacht: Mack Hansen at fullback; Chay Mullins, Byron Ralston, Bundee Aki, and Shayne Bolton in the backs; Josh Ioane at fly-half, Caolin Blade at scrum-half; Peter Dooley, Dave Heffernan, and Finlay Bealham in the front row; Darragh Murray and David O'Connor in the second row; and Josh Murphy, Cian Prendergast (captain), and Sean Jansen in the back row. On the bench: Dylan Tierney-Martin, Jordan Duggan, Jack Aungier, Joe Joyce, Seán O’Brien, Matthew Devine, Sean Naughton, and Cathal Forde.
For the Bulls: Willie le Roux at fullback; Canan Moodie, David Kriel, Jan Serfontein, and Sebastian de Klerk in the backs; Keagan Johannes at fly-half, Paul de Wet at scrum-half; Alu Tshakweni, Jan-Hendrik Wessels, and Wilco Louw in the front row; Cobus Wiese and Reinhardt Ludwig (captain) in the second row; and Nama Xaba, JJ Theron, and Jeandre Rudolph in the back row. Bench: Johan Grobbelaar, Gerhard Steenekamp, Francois Klopper, Nicolaas Janse van Rensburg, Mpilo Gumede, Embrose Papier, Harold Vorster, and Stravino Jacobs.
Refereeing this one will be Mike Adamson from the Scottish Rugby Union.
Shifting gears to South Africa, Ulster skipped round two but bounced back with a stellar performance, smashing the Bulls 28-7 in Belfast last weekend. They've brought a 30-strong squad for this double-header, with stars like Iain Henderson, Nick Timoney, Stuart McCloskey, and Jacob Stockdale slated to join Ireland's international setup after the first match. Unfortunately, Cormac Izuchukwu is sidelined with a foot injury from that recent game.
The Sharks are still seeking their first win, though they did salvage a 17-17 draw at the Dragons in round two—all their matches so far have been away from home. Under coach John Plumtree, they've been solid at Kings Park, with their only defeat in the last ten URC games there being a narrow 10-7 loss to Leinster in March. In their four previous encounters with Ulster, it's even: two wins apiece. Ulster's lone victory in Durban came in February 2023, a 31-24 nail-biter.
Sharks team: Edwill van der Merwe at fullback; Ethan Hooker, Jurenzo Julius, Andre Esterhuizen, and Makazole Mapimpi in the backs; Siya Masuku at fly-half, Grant Williams at scrum-half; Ox Nche, Bongi Mbonambi, and Vincent Koch in the front row; Eben Etzebeth and Marvin Orie in the second row; and Siya Kolisi, Vincent Tshituka (captain), and Phepsi Buthelezi in the back row. Bench: Fez Mbatha, Simphiwe Matanzima, Ruan Dreyer, Bathobele Hlekani, Emmanuel Tshituka, Jaden Hendrikse, Jordan Hendrikse, and Lukhanyo Am.
Ulster: Michael Lowry at fullback; Werner Kok, James Hume, Stuart McCloskey, and Jacob Stockdale in the backs; Jack Murphy at fly-half, Nathan Doak at scrum-half; Sam Crean, Tom Stewart, and Scott Wilson in the front row; Iain Henderson (captain) and Harry Sheridan in the second row; and David McCann, Nick Timoney, and Juarno Augustus in the back row. Bench: Rob Herring, Callum Reid, Tom O'Toole, Joe Hopes, Sean Reffell, Conor McKee, Jake Flannery, and Jude Postlethwaite.
This match will be officiated by Ben Whitehouse from the Welsh Rugby Union.
And now, the main event: Leinster versus Munster at Croke Park, the undisputed highlight of the round. Munster remain undefeated, while Leo Cullen's Leinster squad endured two losses in South Africa before staging a comeback win over the Sharks last weekend. Leinster have dominated at Croke Park, winning all five matches across all competitions there, and they haven't tasted defeat against an Irish province since Ulster bested them in Belfast in May 2024. Munster, however, have dropped the last four encounters with their rivals. Across their 172 meetings, Leinster lead with 111 wins, Munster with 50, and 11 draws. This statistic alone sparks debate—is Leinster's edge insurmountable, or is Munster poised for a historic upset?
The intrigue ramps up with team selections: Ireland's fly-halves, Jack Crowley and Sam Prendergast, are set for their first head-to-head duel, pitting experience against rising talent in a battle that could define the game's outcome.
Leinster lineup: Jamie Osborne at fullback; Tommy O'Brien, Garry Ringrose, Robbie Henshaw, and James Lowe in the backs; Sam Prendergast at fly-half, Jamison Gibson-Park at scrum-half; Paddy McCarthy, Rónan Kelleher, and Tadhg Furlong in the front row; RG Snyman and James Ryan in the second row; and Alex Soroka, Josh van der Flier, and Jack Conan (captain) in the back row. Bench: Dan Sheehan, Andrew Porter, Thomas Clarkson, Brian Deeny, Max Deegan, Scott Penny, Fintan Gunne, and Ciarán Frawley.
Munster: Shane Daly at fullback; Andrew Smith, Tom Farrell, Dan Kelly, and Thaakir Abrahams in the backs; Jack Crowley at fly-half, Ethan Coughlan at scrum-half; Michael Milne, Diarmuid Barron, and John Ryan in the front row; Edwin Edogbo and Fineen Wycherley in the second row; and Tadhg Beirne (captain), Jack O'Donoghue, and Brian Gleeson in the back row. Bench: Lee Barron, Jeremy Loughman, Ronan Foxe, Jean Kleyn, Gavin Coombes, Paddy Patterson, JJ Hanrahan, and Alex Nankivell.
Gianluca Gnecchi from the Italian Rugby Federation will take charge as referee.
For the complete rundown, including all fixtures, results, and standings, head over to this link: https://www.rte.ie/sport/results/rugby/united-rugby-championship/26622/fixtures/. It's your go-to hub for tracking the league's progress.
There you have it—the full scoop on a round packed with passion and potential surprises. But here's the controversial twist: With Munster's unbeaten streak and Leinster's home dominance, is this derby destined for another blue win, or could Munster shatter the mold and prove the underdog narrative wrong? Some argue that historical stats favor Leinster, but others say fresh talent like this fly-half showdown could flip the script. What do you think? Will Munster finally turn the tide, or is Leinster's reign unshakeable? Do these South African trips give Ulster an edge, or should we expect more Connacht heroics? Share your predictions, agreements, or disagreements in the comments below—let's keep the rugby conversation going!
