And the URC battle begins ...

This weekend the United Rugby Championship returns with an exciting round of games to kick off the 2025/26 season.

Friday night lights will kick off the opening fixtures of the URC as DHL Stormers host defending champions Leinster, Ulster face Dragons RFC and the Hollywoodbets Sharks make the trip to Glasgow.

On Saturday, Vodacom Bulls welcome Ospreys, Edinburgh face Zebre Parma and Scarlets will play at home to Munster. While Lions travel to Cardiff and Connacht host Benetton.

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Fixtures

FRIDAY

DHL Stormers v Leinster

DHL Stadium, Cape Town – KO 6pm IRE & UK/7pm ITA & SA

Referee: Gianluca Gnecchi (FIR, 42nd league game)

AR 1: Sean Muller (SARU) AR 2: Stephan Geldenhuys (SARU)

TMO: Adam Jones (WRU)

Live on: SuperSport, TG4, Premier Sports, Flo Rugby & URC.tv

Ulster v Dragons RFC

Affidea Stadium, Belfast – KO 8.05pm IRE & UK/9.05pm ITA & SA

Referee: Griffin Colby (SARU, 7th league game)

AR 1: Andrew Cole (IRFU) AR 2: Sam Holt (IRFU)

TMO: Chris Allison (SARU)

Live on: Premier Sports, SuperSport, Flo Rugby & URC.tv

Glasgow Warriors v Hollywoodbets Sharks

Scotstoun Stadium, Glasgow – KO 8.05pm IRE & UK/9.05pm ITA & SA

Referee: Craig Evans (WRU, 68th league game)

AR 1: Ru Campbell (SRU) AR 2: Rob McDowell (SRU)

TMO: Keith David (WRU)

Live on: Premier Sports, SuperSport, Flo Rugby & URC.tv

SATURDAY

Vodacom Bulls v Ospreys

Loftus Versfeld Stadium, Pretoria – KO 1pm IRE & UK/2pm ITA & SA

Referee: Federico Vedovelli (FIR, 15th league game)

AR 1: JD Jadezweni (SARU) AR 2: Dylen November (SARU)

TMO: Peter Martin (IRFU)

Live on: SuperSport, Premier Sports, Flo Rugby & URC.tv

Zebre Parma v Edinburgh Rugby

Stadio Lanfranchi, Parma – KO 3.05pm IRE & UK/4.05pm ITA & SA

Referee: Ben Whitehouse (WRU, 109th league game)

AR 1: Alberto Favero (FIR) AR 2: Lorenzo Pedezzi (FIR)

TMO: Aled Griffths (WRU)

Live on: Sky Italia, Premier Sports, SuperSport, Flo Rugby & URC.tv

Scarlets v Munster

Parc Y Scarlets, Llanelli – KO 5.30pm IRE & UK/6.30pm ITA & SA

Referee: Sam Grove-White (SRU, 54th league game)

AR 1: Craig Evans (WRU) AR 2: Marcus Caudle (WRU)

TMO: Colin Brett (SRU)

Live on: Premier Sports, SuperSport, Flo Rugby & URC.tv

Cardiff Rugby v Lions

Cardiff Arms Park, Cardiff – KO 7.45pm IRE & UK/8.45pm ITA & SA

Referee: Fillipo Russo (FIR, 5th league game)

AR 1: Ben Breakspear (WRU) AR 2: Lucas Yendle (WRU)

TMO: Stefano Roscini (FIR)

Live on: S4C, Premier Sports, SuperSport, Flo Rugby & URC.tv

Connacht v Benetton

Dexcom Stadium, Galway – KO 7.45pm IRE & UK/8.45pm ITA & SA

Referee: Chris Allison (SARU, 4th league game)

AR 1: Robbie Jenkinson (IRFU) AR 2: Tómas O’Sullivan (IRFU)

TMO: Griffin Colby (SARU)

Live on: TG4, Premier Sports, SuperSport, Flo Rugby & URC.tv