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.

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 […]