United Rugby Championship

This is where you will find all of The Rugby Paper’s United Rugby Championship news, interviews, reports, opinion and other content.

Hard work paying off for Connacht

4 December 2022 2 comments

By JOHN FALLON Connacht ……..38 Benetton………. 19 Connacht’s superb No.8 Paul Boyle was delighted that they finally made chances count as they chalked up a […]

Quickfire 21 puts Munster in control

4 December 2022 1 comment

By BRYN PALMER Edinburgh…….. 17 Munster………..38 Munster’s five-try win, featuring 21 unanswered points from 17-7 down just before half-time, provided more evidence of a corner […]

Ospreys change three as South Africa trip concludes

1 December 2022 0 comments

Ospreys have made three changes as they look to end their five-match winless run, and two-match trip to South Africa, with victory against the Sharks. […]

Smith gives a lesson in class

27 November 2022 1 comment

By BEN JAYCOCK Benetton …….. 24 Edinburgh…….. 17 Edinburgh crashed to defeat despite the Italians playing with 14 men for 70 minutes after Matteo Minozzi […]

Small wins for Ospreys but Bulls march on

27 November 2022 1 comment

By MATT LLOYD Bulls………………… 43pts Tries: Kriel 7, 32; Carr 12, Steenkamp 21, Louw 40+2, Nortje 68, Burger 75 Conversions: Smith 7, 32, 40+3; Steyn […]

No stopping Leinster but Smith sees hope

27 November 2022 0 comments

By TOM SHEEDY Leinster…………..40pts Glasgow…………… 5pts Glasgow Warriors head coach Franco Smith believes his players are improving despite another difficult defeat on the road, this […]

Stewart keeps Ulster going

27 November 2022 2 comments

By RONAN O’NEILL Ulster ……………36 Zebre…………….. 15 Ulster head coach Dan McFarland says a big improvement is needed if they are to topple Leinster next […]

Munster end run of derby defeats

27 November 2022 0 comments

By DARAGH SMALL Munster ……… 34 Connacht……… 17 Another encouraging URC win continued Munster’s turnaround in fortunes. Connacht left Thomond Park with a losing bonus […]

We lacked a cutting edge in final third, admits Peel

27 November 2022 2 comments

By STEFFAN THOMAS Stormers………..36pts Tries: Jantjies 14, Zas 18, van Rhyn 22, Dayimani 35, du Plessis 41 Conversions: Wolhuter 15, 19, 36, 43 Penalties: Wolhuter […]

Wainwright and Screech cause stir

20 November 2022 0 comments

ON THE BLINDSIDE BY NEIL FISSLER Sam Wainwright and Matthew Screech have caused a massive stir with their respective moves to the Scarlets and Dragons. […]

Kvesic signs for Zebre

20 November 2022 1 comment

Matt Kvesic has signed for Italian side Zebre until the end of the season following the cancellation of his contract with Worcester Warriors. The 30-year-old […]

Davies on fire as Dragons leave Zebre at the gate

30 October 2022 1 comment

By DELME PARFITT Dragons………… 47pts Tries: Williams 9, Richards 28, 66; Hughes 47, O’Brien 57 Conversions: S Davies 9, 28, 66, 47, 57 Penalties: Davies […]

Connacht have the drop on Ospreys

30 October 2022 0 comments

By ROGER PANTING Ospreys…………. 19pts Tries: Sutton 3, Morgan-Williams 8, Parry 68 Conversions: Walsh 3, 68 Connacht……….22pts Tries: Wootton 34, Blade 38, Porch 42 Conversions: […]

Daunting trip to SA next for sorry Scarlets

30 October 2022 0 comments

By ROGER PANTING Scarlets…………… 5pts Tries: S Evans 20 Leinster…………..35pts Tries: Cosgrave 1, Russell 25, Clarkson 47, Penalty 56, 70 Conversions: R Byrne 1, […]

Six-try Warriors get revenge

30 October 2022 0 comments

By BRYN PALMER Glasgow ………….. 37 Tries: Vailanu 10, 57; Cancelliere 36, McDowall 39, F Brown 48, McLean 72 Conversions: Miotti 37, 40 Penalties: Miotti […]

Cardiff act on pub rumpus

23 October 2022 0 comments

Cardiff have issued sanctions against a “small number” of players following an investigation into a disturbance at a pub on October 1. Cardiff insist “much […]

Priestland cuts down champions

23 October 2022 0 comments

By ROGER PANTING Cardiff…………….. 30pts Tries: Cabango 16, Harries 43 Conversions: Priestland 43 Penalties: Priestland 9, 15, 33, 52, 69, 80 Stormers………… 24pts Tries: Xaba […]

Sexton: There’s more to come

23 October 2022 1 comment

By JOHN FALLON Leinster …………… 27 Tries: Penny 27, Sheehan 49, McGrath 62, Russell 77. Conversions: Sexton 28, 50 Munster…………… 13 Tries: L Coombes 45 […]

Myler keeps his nerve as Ospreys find late leveller

16 October 2022 1 comment

By ROGER PANTING Ospreys …………16pts Tries: Baldwin 75 Conversions: Myler 75 Penalties: Myler 35, 50, 68 Stormers ……….16pts Tries: De Wet 54 Conversions: Libbok 54 […]

Two-try Costelow puts his hand up for Wales

16 October 2022 0 comments

By STEFFAN THOMAS Scarlets …………36pts Tries: Costelow 7, 43; Lousi 29, Davies 40, Conbeer 79 Conversions: Halfpenny 8, 30, 40, 44, Penalties: Halfpenny 73 Zebre […]

Cardiff hit 15 wins in a row over Dragons

16 October 2022 2 comments

By ROGER PANTING Cardiff …………….31pts Tries: Adams 12, Carre 15, Botham 28, Young 73 Conversions: Evans 12, 15, 28, 73 Penalties: Evans 71 Dragons …………14pts […]

Young focuses on leadership after claims players threw eggs in pub

9 October 2022 0 comments

By STEFFAN THOMAS Dai Young has urged his Cardiff players to take more responsibility on and off the field and admits the club lacks leaders. […]

Fast-starting Ulster smash seven tries past Ospreys

9 October 2022 2 comments

By KEVIN FALLON Ulster …………….47pts Tries: Marshall 2, 33; Andrew 8, Carter 24, 66; McCloskey 42, Rea 76 Conversions: Cooney 3, 8, 24, 34, 66, […]

Foolhardy Fifita’s red hands it to Cardiff

9 October 2022 0 comments

By ROGER PANTING Scarlets…………..10pts Tries: McNicholl 71 Conversions: Halfpenny 71 Penalties: Halfpenny 22 Cardiff …………….16pts Tries: T Williams 25 Conversions: Evans 25 Penalties: Evans 6, […]

Tyro Carter takes charge for big Italian job

9 October 2022 1 comment

By BEN JAYCOCK PREVIEW… Benetton v Dragons Today. Kick-off 2.45pm, Stadio Monigo WALES international Ben Carter will captain the Dragons for the first time today […]

Leinster find an extra gear

9 October 2022 0 comments

By JOHN FALLON Leinster …………….54 Sharks ………………34 Johnny Sexton marked his first start of the season by crossing for one of Leinster’s eight tries as […]

Warriors tame the Bulls

9 October 2022 1 comment

By BRYN PALMER Glasgow…………….35 Bulls ………………….21 Glasgow out-muscled the previously unbeaten Bulls to score five tries in a handsome bonus-point victory at Scotstoun. The Warriors […]

Williams injury doubt for Wales

9 October 2022 1 comment

Scarlets centre Johnny Williams is a doubt for Wales’ autumn internationals after suffering another calf injury against Benetton. The 25-year-old suffered the problem in the late stages […]

Bradbury has Lam scouring URC market

2 October 2022 1 comment

By TOM BRADSHAW Bristol boss Pat Lam is keeping a close eye on the United Rugby Championship for future signings following the immediate impact of […]

Heartache for Dragons as Sharks fight back

2 October 2022 0 comments

By TIM LEWIS Dragons …………19pts Tries: Dee 46 Conversions: Reed 47 Penalties: Reed 11, 14, 27, 40 Sharks …………..20pts Tries: Williams 61, Abrahams 75 Conversions: […]

Ospreys take it as Giles puts on a show

2 October 2022 0 comments

By ROB COLE Ospreys …………32pts Tries: Giles 29, 49, North 72, Morgan-Williams 78 Conversions: Anscombe 30, Walsh 50, 78 Penalties: Anscombe 38, Walsh 59 Glasgow […]

Halfpenny and Owens can’t stop Benetton

2 October 2022 0 comments

By STEFFAN THOMAS Benetton ……….34pts Tries: Albornoz 29, Padovani 57, Menoncello 76 Conversions: Albornoz 31, Smyth 58, 80 Penalties: Albornoz 5, 36, 55, Smyth 75 […]

Champs leave it late for flurry

2 October 2022 0 comments

By BEN JAYCOCK Stormers ……..34 Edinburgh ……18 The Stormers were forced to call on their champion qualities before they beat down the challenge of Edinburgh. […]

First win in Rowntree’s rule

2 October 2022 0 comments

By PHILLIP SMITH Munster …………….21 Zebre ……………………5 Munster captain Peter O’Mahony said the win was all that mattered as they finally got their season up […]

Connacht stay pointless

2 October 2022 1 comment

By JOHN FALLON Bulls ………………….28 Connacht …………..14 Connacht captain Jarrad Butler lamented another error-strewn performance as they fell to their third loss and remain rooted […]

Ulster’s reign ends in the rain

2 October 2022 2 comments

By KEVIN FALLON Ulster ………………..13 Leinster …………….20 Leinster may face some upheaval next summer following the confirmation earlier in the week that senior coach Stuart […]

Determined Lions pounce on foolish Cardiff errors

2 October 2022 2 comments

By ROGER PANTING Cardiff …………….18pts Tries: Botham 37, Lewis-Hughes 67 Conversions: Evans 37 Penalties: Evans 9, 25 Lions ………………31pts Tries: Penalty 39, Botha 50, van […]

Dragon Roberts has set his sights on Welsh call

2 October 2022 2 comments

By STEFFAN THOMAS Bradley Roberts has targeted a place in Wales’ autumn squad and is adamant his Dragons side can go from strength to strength […]

Faletau back as Cardiff change seven for Lions

29 September 2022 0 comments

Taulupe Faletau is one of seven Cardiff players to come in as they face the Emirates Lions at the Arms Park. Cardiff will be hopeful […]

Lancaster’s Racing switch confirmed

26 September 2022 1 comment

Stuart Lancaster‘s move to Racing 92 at the end of the season has been confirmed today by current club Leinster. The move has been much […]

Dyer ends long wait with superb winner

25 September 2022 0 comments

Dragons…………….23pts Tries: Dyer 72 Penalties: Hanrahan 10, 16, 23, 27, 35, 80+1 Munster ………..17pts Tries: Archer 37, Healy 40 Conversions: Healy 38, 40+1 Penalties: Healy 3 Rio Dyer scored a […]

Dai expects big things now Lewis is free from injury

25 September 2022 1 comment

By STEFFAN THOMAS DAI Young has told Dillon Lewis to continue silencing his critics by dominating the scrum for Cardiff in the early part of […]

Cook on a mission to get Zebre back into contention

25 September 2022 1 comment

Chris Cook spent 13 years in the Premiership but now he has turned his attention to transforming Zebre from also-rans into contenders. The former England […]

Glasgow find feet as Horne blows Cardiff off the park

25 September 2022 1 comment

By BRYN PALMER Glasgow…………52pts Tries: Brown 23, 52; Forbes 25, M Fagerson 30, Horne 40, Z Fagerson 47, Gordon 64, McDowall 74 Conversions: Horne 24, […]

Cooney at his best as Ulster capitalise

25 September 2022 1 comment

By ROGER PANTING Scarlets …………39pts Tries: J Davies 18, Conbeer 21, Fifita 41, Hughes 54, 62 Conversions: Costelow 21, 41, 54, Patchell 62 Penalties: Costelow […]

Giles’ double in vain as Walsh fires wide

25 September 2022 0 comments

By STEFFAN THOMAS Ospreys …………27pts Tries: Giles 12, 16; Webb 33, Lake 53 Conversions: Walsh 13, 17 Penalties: Walsh 61 Lions ………………28pts Tries: Horn 19, […]

Butler: Discipline let us down

25 September 2022 3 comments

By JOHN FALLON Stormers …………..38 Connacht …………..15 Connacht skipper Jarrad Butler said discipline let them down for the second week in a row when a […]

Steyn steals it for Bulls

25 September 2022 1 comment

By BRYN PALMER Bulls ………………….33 Edinburgh …………31 Morne Steyn’s late penalty broke Edinburgh’s hearts as the Scottish side fell agonisingly short of becoming the first […]

Lancaster legacy will live on

25 September 2022 0 comments

By JOHN FALLON Leinster …………….42 Benetton …………..10 Stuart Lancaster may be heading to Racing 92 next season but the legacy he is going to leave […]

Darcy at the double as Dragons get blown away

18 September 2022 0 comments

By BRYN PALMER Edinburgh ……..44pts Tries: Vellacott 27, Young 35, Graham 42, 49; Hoyland 53, Kinghorn 61, Dean 63 Conversions: Bennett 28, 50, 64 Penalties: […]

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