Champions Leinster launch title defence in Johannesburg as new URC season kicks off
The 2026/27 United Rugby Championship gets underway with defending champions Leinster Rugby travelling to Johannesburg to face 10bet Lions in a rematch of last season’s Quarter-Final. Lions reached the URC Play-Offs for the first time in 2025/26 before losing to Leinster, while the champions went on to retain their title with a record 36-7 Grand Final victory over Vodacom Bulls. Lions lost just once at Ellis Park during last season’s URC campaign, while Leinster have won only once on their last eight visits to South Africa.
There is plenty of interest elsewhere among last season’s leading sides. Munster Rugby host 2025/26 table-toppers Glasgow Warriors at Thomond Park, with Glasgow having won the last three meetings between the teams. Connacht Rugby, who secured the final Play-Off place last season, welcome Semi-Finalists DHL Stormers to Galway, while Vodacom Bulls begin their campaign away to Zebre Parma having won their opening URC fixture in each of the previous four seasons.
The opening round also delivers an immediate Welsh derby as Scarlets host Cardiff Rugby at Parc y Scarlets. Cardiff reached the Play-Offs last season for the first time since the 2002/03 Celtic League, while Scarlets enter the new campaign without a win in their last five Welsh Shield matches.
Click Below For Match Previews
Fixtures
FRIDAY
Benetton v Dragons RFC @ Stadio Monigo, Treviso – KO 7.45pm IRE & UK/8.45pm ITA & SA
Referee: Christopher Allison (SARU, 11th league game)
AR 1: Alex Frasson (FIR) AR 2: Dario Merli (FIR)
TMO: Marius Jonker (SARU)
Live on: Sky Italia, Premier Sports, SuperSport, Flo Rugby & URC.tv
Connacht Rugby v DHL Stormers @ Dexcom Stadium, Galway – KO 7.45pm IRE & UK/8.45pm ITA & SA
Referee: Sam Grove-White (SRU, 63rd league game)
AR 1: Eoghan Cross (IRFU) AR 2: Tomas O’Sullivan (IRFU)
TMO: David Sutherland (SRU)
Live on: TG4, Premier Sports, SuperSport, Flo Rugby & URC.tv
Ulster Rugby v Edinburgh Rugby @ Affidea Stadium, Belfast – KO 7.45pm IRE & UK/8.45pm ITA & SA
Referee: Federico Vedovelli (FIR, 22nd league game)
AR 1: Max Weston (IRFU) AR 2: Sam Holt (IRFU)
TMO: Vincenzo Schipani (FIR)
Live on: Premier Sports, SuperSport, Flo Rugby & URC.tv
SATURDAY
10bet Lions v Leinster Rugby @ 10bet Ellis Park, Johannesburg – KO 12.30pm IRE & UK/1.30pm ITA & SA
Referee: Ben Breakspear (WRU, 21st league game)
AR 1: Hanru van Rooyen (SARU) AR 2: Jonathan Lottering (SARU)
TMO: Craig Evans (WRU)
Live on: SuperSport, TG4, Premier Sports, Flo Rugby & URC.tv
Hollywoodbets Sharks v Ospreys @ Hollywoodbets Kings Park, Durban – KO 3pm IRE & UK/4pm ITA & SA
Referee: Gianluca Gnecchi (FIR, 49th league game)
AR 1: Griffin Colby (SARU) AR 2: Dylen November (SARU)
TMO: Fillipo Russo (FIR)
Live on: SuperSport, Premier Sports, Flo Rugby & URC.tv
Munster Rugby v Glasgow Warriors @ Thomond Park, Limerick – KO 5.30pm IRE & UK/6.30pm ITA & SA
Referee: Morné Ferreira (SARU, 24th league game)
AR 1: Robbie Jenkinson (IRFU) AR 2: Padraic Reidy (IRFU)
TMO: Marius Jonker (SARU)
Live on: Premier Sports, SuperSport, Flo Rugby & URC.tv
Zebre Parma v Vodacom Bulls @ Stadio Lanfranchi, Parma – KO 5.30pm IRE & UK/6.30pm ITA & SA
Referee: Andrew Brace (IRFU, 115th league game)
AR 1: Franco Rosella (FIR) AR 2: Alberto Favaro (FIR)
TMO: Olly Hodges (IRFU)
Live on: Sky Italia, Premier Sports, SuperSport, Flo Rugby & URC.tv
Scarlets v Cardiff Rugby @ Parc y Scarlets, Llanelli – KO 7.45pm IRE & UK/8.45pm ITA & SA
Referee: Adam Jones (WRU, 51st league game)
AR 1: Carwyn Sion (WRU) AR 2: Lloyd Edwards (WRU)
TMO: Keith David (WRU)
Live on: S4C, Premier Sports, SuperSport, Flo Rugby & URC.tv
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