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.

stdClass Object ( [id] => 2 [league_name] => United Rugby Championship [league_logo_id] => 0 [league_logo_url] => [parent_league_id] => 0 [wp_league_id] => 3836 )

Benetton Treviso

Bulls

Cardiff

Connacht

Dragons

Edinburgh

Glasgow

Leinster

Lions

Munster

Ospreys

Scarlets

Sharks

Stormers

Ulster

Zebre

Classy Ulster make the most of their good start

3 March 2024 0 comments

By KEVIN FALLON Ulster ……………. 49pts Tries: Addison 4, Lowry 18, 33, Sheridan 29, McCann 57, 75, Timoney 72 Conversions: Cooney 5, 19, 30, 33, […]

Carre leads fightback but Cardiff lack power

3 March 2024 0 comments

By ROGER PANTING Cardiff …………………………. 20pts Tries: Carre 35, 38; Summerhill 75 Conversions: de Beer 35 Penalties: de Beer 11 Leinster………………………… 33pts Tries: Russell 4, […]

Edinburgh are too good for Ospreys

3 March 2024 0 comments

By SIMON THOMAS Edinburgh……… 19pts Try: Watson 17 Conversion: Healy 18 Penalties: Healy 22, 25, 35, 73 Ospreys …………. 15pts Tries: Parry 47, Morris 67 […]

Haley quickly back to business

3 March 2024 0 comments

By JOHN FALLON Munster ……… 45 Zebre …………….29 MUNSTER full-back Mike Haley crowned his first match back from injury in eight months with a superb […]

Smith finishes a proud man

3 March 2024 0 comments

By SAM JACKSON Benetton ……….. 9 Glasgow ………. 19 GLASGOW head coach Franco Smith was proud of how his side stuck to the process despite […]

Bulls ……………..40 Stormers ………22

3 March 2024 0 comments

By JAMES RILEY THE Bulls kept themselves in URC title contention by defeating their fierce South African rivals at a sold-out Loftus Versfeld. Hooker Johan […]

Lions …………….40 Sharks ………….10

3 March 2024 0 comments

By TOM JEFFREYS THE Lions condemned the Sharks to their 10th loss of the season, defying torrential weather conditions to score six tries on their […]

De Beer happy to welcome Sheedy

3 March 2024 0 comments

By SIMON THOMAS Cardiff’s Tinus de Beer says he will welcome the arrival of fellow fly-half Callum Sheedy at the Arms Park to help share […]

McFarland quits Ulster

25 February 2024 0 comments

ULSTER head coach Dan McFarland has stepped down from his position after nearly six years in charge. Current Ireland U20 head coach Richie Murphy will […]

Munster have edge on Quins

25 February 2024 0 comments

By TOM EVANS Harlequins ……. 35pts Tries: Walker 23, Edwards 37, Hammond 42, Bradley 69, Zheng 76 Conversions: Edwards 24, 38, 43; Slevin 70, 77 […]

Double for McFarland as Saracens find feet

25 February 2024 0 comments

By PAUL CLEMENCE Saracens ……31pts Tries: Tizard 2, McFarland 8, 15; Lewington 28, Hallett 70 Conversions: Vunipola 3, 9, 70 Leinster…… 19pts Tries: Jenkins 45, […]

Lee-Lo red too much for Cardiff to live with

18 February 2024 0 comments

By ROGER PANTING Cardiff …………………………… 12pts Tries: Thomas 18, Timani 46 Conversions: de Beer 18 Connacht …………………….. 16pts Tries: Dooley 62 Conversions: Hanrahan 62 Penalties: […]

Assiratti goes from novice to mainstay

18 February 2024 0 comments

By ROB COLE A year ago Keiron Assiratti was wondering how he could prop up his family, never mind the Welsh scrum. Yet this weekend […]

Henshaw is full of praise for Nienaber

18 February 2024 0 comments

By ROB COLE Ireland centre Robbie Henshaw believes his game has improved since South Africa’s World Cup winning coach Jacques Nienaber has joined the Leinster […]

Everitt’s boys get it right in end

18 February 2024 0 comments

By SAM JACKSON Zebre …………… 19 Edinburgh…… 24 EDINBURGH fought back to beat Zebre with three second half tries having trailed 10-3 at the break. […]

McDowall on fine form to put Glasgow in the clear

18 February 2024 0 comments

By BRYN PALMER Glasgow………..40pts Tries: McKay 1, 37, McDowall 3, 75, Ashfar 44, Cordero 69 Conversions: Thompson 2, 4, 38, 45; Weir 76 Dragons………….. 7pts […]

Leinster back in the swing

18 February 2024 0 comments

By JOHN FALLON Leinster ……… 47 Benetton ……… 18 LEINSTER captain Scott Penny praised the way his men took charge after the break to run […]

Former Welsh stars back in action to boost Ospreys

18 February 2024 0 comments

By BEN JAYCOCK PREVIEW… Ospreys v Ulster Today. Kick-off 3pm, Liberty Stadium FORMER Wales stars Justin Tipuric, Nicky Smith and Alex Cuthbert return from injury […]

Coombes leads from the front to lift Munster

18 February 2024 0 comments

By ROGER PANTING Scarlets ………….. 7pts Tries: Roberts 50 Conversions: Titcombe 50 Munster ……….. 42pts Tries: Coombes 10, 23, O’Sullivan 62, Ahern 65, O’Brien 72 […]

Lions ……………. 10 Bulls ……………..25

18 February 2024 0 comments

THE Bulls consolidated their position among the URC’s frontrunners as they claimed a bonus point victory over their South African rivals by four tries to […]

Sharks ………… 21 Stormers ……..25

18 February 2024 0 comments

THE Stormers handed the Sharks a ninth consecutive defeat in the URC with a narrow victory in Durban. Sharks continue to prop up the table […]

Scarlets battle for pair

18 February 2024 0 comments

Scarlets are ‘fighting hard’ to keep star forwards Vaea Fifita and Sam Lousi. Fifita, 31, above, is in his second season with Scarlets and has […]

Baloucoune eyes Olympics

18 February 2024 0 comments

Ulster wing Robert Baloucoune is eager for the chance to compete at the Paris Olympics with Ireland. Baloucoune, 26, was previously in the sevens set-up, […]

Scotland launch restructuring plan

18 February 2024 0 comments

Scottish Rugby is to scrap its Super 6 club series and reinstate a national “A-team” as part of a comprehensive restructure of the professional game. […]

Lynagh leaves Quins for Benetton

12 February 2024 0 comments

ON THE BLINDSIDE – updated from Sunday’s (11/02/24) TRP Harlequins have confirmed wing Louis Lynagh will join URC side Benetton next season. The 23-year-old son […]

Norey’s treble helps Exeter run riot to leave Scarlets on the floor

11 February 2024 0 comments

Friendlies By MARK STEVENS Exeter …………. 57pts Tries: Norey 9, 48, 61; Rigg 14, 23; Hodge 21, Pearson 63, Yeandle 78, 80 Conversions: Hodge 15, […]

Bath keen to attract Grady

11 February 2024 0 comments

Bath have emerged as the leading contenders to sign Wales wing Mason Grady, below, when his Cardiff contract expires this summer. Saracens, Sale and Exeter […]

Exeter prop on way to Glasgow

11 February 2024 0 comments

Exeter tighthead Patrick Schickerling, 25, is set to join Glasgow Warriors on a multi-year contract. Schickerling’s commitment comes on the heels of contract extensions for […]

Scotland prop Rory signs with Warriors

4 February 2024 0 comments

ON THE BLINDSIDE BY NEIL FISSLER Scotland and Lions loosehead Rory Sutherland is returning to Scotland at the end of the season after signing a […]

Hamer-Webb has Wales in his sights

4 February 2024 0 comments

Former England U20s wing Gabriel Hamer-Webb is targeting Wales honours after signing a permanent deal to join Cardiff next season. The ex-Bath flyer, 23, who […]

Ackermann looks likely to join Lions

28 January 2024 0 comments

ON THE BLINDSIDE BY NEIL FISSLER The Lions have emerged as the South African side most likely to sign Gloucester back row Ruan Ackermann, who […]

It’s unbelievable! Mann delighted as he’s called into Wales squad

21 January 2024 0 comments

By SIMON THOMAS Alex Mann hadn’t started a single game of regional rugby before this season – now he’s in the Wales Six Nations squad. […]

Gallagher set for Munster return

21 January 2024 0 comments

ON THE BLINDSIDE BY NEIL FISSLER Bath full-back/winger Matt Gallagher is in advanced talks with Munster about a return to Thomond Park when when his […]

Sale swap Wiese for Roets

21 January 2024 0 comments

ON THE BLINDSIDE BY NEIL FISSLER Sale have recruited Le Roux Roets, a second row enforcer for Sharks in the URC, to replace Cobus Wiese […]

Halaholo’s relief as he leaves troubles behind

14 January 2024 0 comments

Simon Thomas talks to Cardiff and Wales centre Willis Halaholo about his rollercoaster 12 months Willis Halaholo has five daughters, aged 15, nine, six, four […]

Bordeaux deal for van Rensburg

14 January 2024 0 comments

Former Sale centre Rohan Janse van Rensburg will be on the move again at the end of the season after signing at Bordeaux for the […]

Chiefs enter Grady chase

14 January 2024 0 comments

Exeter Chiefs are among a clutch of Premiership clubs interested in signing Mason Grady, who could become the next Wales star to cross the Severn […]

Sharks confirm they are keen on Wales flyer

14 January 2024 0 comments

Sale have confirmed they have spoken with Wales wing Mason Grady, a target for up to four English clubs. The 21-year-old, below, is out of […]

Umaga to stay with Benetton

7 January 2024 0 comments

Former Wasps fly-half Jacob Umaga has signed a new deal with Benetton, keeping him in Italy until 2026. The 25-year-old has spent the last year […]

Ruddock puts his son in the frame

7 January 2024 0 comments

Former Wales Grand Slam coach Mike Ruddock hopes Warren Gatland will consider his son, Rhys Ruddock, for an international return this year. The 33-year-old Rhys […]

Bath win battle to keep Redpath

7 January 2024 0 comments

Bath have won their tug of war with the Scottish Rugby Union and will be keeping Scotland centre Cam Redpath at The Rec for the […]

Teenager Morse is too good for Cardiff

7 January 2024 0 comments

By BEN JAYCOCK TEENAGE sensation Morgan Morse was the star of the show on New Year’s Day as the 18-year-old scored one of the tries […]

Ex-Gloucester boss takes charge at Ospreys

7 January 2024 0 comments

Ospreys have appointed former Gloucester boss Lance Bradley as their new chief executive. Bradley, below, who spent four years in charge at Kingsholm, will start […]

Louw leads way for Lions

7 January 2024 0 comments

Sharks …………. 18 Lions……………..20 A LATE rolling maul try by Marius Louw led the Lions to their first ever win against the Sharks in the […]

Sutherland set to return

31 December 2023 0 comments

Glasgow are set to switch their attention to bringing Scotland Rory Sutherland back north of the border at the end of the season. Sutherland, 31, […]

Bristol and Bath chasing Welsh prop

31 December 2023 0 comments

BY NEIL FISSLER West Country rivals Bath and Bristol are battling over Wales loosehead Nicky Smith, who could activate a get-out clause written into his […]

Stunner from Duhan sends Edinburgh over the line

31 December 2023 0 comments

■ By BRYN PALMER Edinburgh……..19pts Tries: Currie 26, Van der Merwe 71 Penalties: Healy 52, 64, 77 Glasgow………..14pts Tries: Matthews 4, McDowall 58 Conversions: Horne […]