logo
United Rugby Championship Round 17: All You Need To Know

United Rugby Championship Round 17: All You Need To Know

RTÉ News​09-05-2025

The penultimate round of the regular season in the BKT United Rugby Championship, and there's one big Interpro that has the potential to be season-defining at Thomond Park.
Munster v Ulster is the pick of the games on Friday night, where both sides know a defeat could be fatal for their hopes of reaching the play-offs, but more importantly for their chances of qualifying for next season's Investec Champions Cup.
On Saturday, Leinster return to action following last week's devastating Champions Cup semi-final defeat to Northampton Saints. Leo Cullen's side host Zebre, knowing a win will guarantee themselves top seed for the play-offs, which will give them home advantage for as long as they stay in the competition.
Later on Saturday, Connacht host Edinburgh at the Sportsground, looking for their first URC win since early March. Even a bonus-point win against the Scottish side is unlikely to give them a realistic chance at making the top-eight, although quite a few teams around them will be hoping the province can dent Edinburgh's play-off hopes along the way.
TV
Watch Munster v Ulster (Friday, 7.35pm) on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player, with coverage getting under way at 7pm.
Watch Leinster v Zebre on Saturday from 5.10pm on the RTÉ News Channel and RTÉ Player.
Connacht v Edinburgh (Saturday, 7.35pm) will be live on TG4 and Premier Sports.
All games are shown live on URC.tv.
RADIO
Listen to live commentary of Munster v Ulster on RTE Radio 1 Extra from 7.35pm on Friday. Saturday Sport on RTÉ Radio 1 will have updates of Leinster v Zebre.
ONLINE
We'll have live score updates, reports and reaction from all games.
WEATHER
The weather forecast is a delight this weekend.
Limerick city will have temperatures of around 14C by kick-off on Friday night, with barely a puff of wind.
On Saturday, it will be around 16C and blue skies for Leinster v Zebre, although there could be a bit more wind for the kickers to deal with.
It will also be a beautiful night in Galway for Connacht v Edinburgh, with a clear, dry evening and temperatures in the mid-teens.
Listen to the RTÉ Rugby podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.
This one doesn't need a hard sell.
With two games to play, both Munster and Ulster sit outside the play-offs, although the packed nature of this middle third of the table means that whoever wins on Friday night will be right back in the mix. It could be curtains for whoever loses.
If this is anything like their pre-Christmas meeting, it will be a dramatic night at Thomond Park. On that occasion it took a late Tom Farrell try for Munster to pinch a bonus-point 22-19 win in Belfast.
The form book leans towards neither side. Both teams have lost three in a row in all competitions coming into this week.
Even recent meetings between these sides make it a difficult one to split. Their last six clashes have been evenly split, both teams winning twice at home and once away.
For Munster, it will be a final Thomond Park outing for Peter O'Mahony and Stephen Archer who are in the starting team, as well as Conor Murray on the bench.
This is one of two away games Ulster have to finish the season, but they have been able to welcome Iain Henderson, Rob Baloucoune and Mike Lowry back from injury.
Munster: Thaakir Abrahams; Calvin Nash, Tom Farrell, Alex Nankivell, Diarmuid Kilgallen; Jack Crowley, Craig Casey; Michael Milne, Niall Scannell, Stephen Archer; Jean Kleyn, Tadhg Beirne (capt); Peter O'Mahony, John Hodnett, Gavin Coombes.
Replacements: Lee Barron, Josh Wycherley, John Ryan, Fineen Wycherley, Tom Ahern, Conor Murray, Seán O'Brien, Alex Kendellen.
Ulster: Michael Lowry; Rob Baloucoune, Jude Postlethwaite, Stuart McCloskey, Jacob Stockdale; Jack Murphy, Nathan Doak; Andrew Warwick, Rob Herring, Scott Wilson; Iain Henderson (capt), Cormac Izuchukwu; Matty Rea, Nick Timoney, James McNabney
It will have been a tough week at Leinster Rugby HQ as they picked apart the remains of their Champions Cup elimination, and the province will be grateful that the stakes aren't as high this week for the visit of Zebre to Dublin.
With an eight-point led over Glasgow Warriors coming into this week, Leo Cullen's side know they only need one win across the next two games to guarantee the top seed for the play-offs.
While Zebre have pulled off a few shocks this season, beating both Munster and Ulster, the Italian side are one of just two teams mathematically ruled out of the play-offs.
Leinster have never lost to Zebre, winning all 18 meetings between the sides, and they haven't lost a URC game on home soil since January 2024.
While Connacht can still mathematically qualify for the play-offs, their chances of doing so are extremely slim.
Even if they pick up bonus-point wins in their final two games, Cullie Tucker's side would still need some surprise results elsewhere to go their way if they're to sneak into the top half of the table.
While they're probably not going to get to the play-offs, they will have a big say on who does get there, with Saturday's opponents Edinburgh right in the mix in tenth place, with a home game against Ulster to follow next week.
Connacht have been in free-fall in recent months, not helped by the off-field issues which saw head coach Pete Wilkins resign following a period of sick leave.
Since their last win in early March, Connacht have lost five of their last six games in all competitions, with their only victory in that time being a Challenge Cup Round of 16 tie against Cardiff.
Edinburgh have won their last two games in Ireland, against Munster this season, and Ulster last season, and have never won three consecutive games on Irish soil.
The Scottish side have also won three of their last four Championship matches against Connacht.
Team news: Friday 12pm
With so many teams still in play-off contention, quite a few of this week's games are worth noting from an Irish point of view.
On Friday, the Sharks host the Ospreys at 6pm, with the Welsh side still very much in the play-off race back in 11th place.
Munster and Ulster fans will be hoping the Bulls can beat Cardiff at home on Saturday at 3pm, while they will be looking for Glasgow to pick up an away victory at eighth-place Benetton.
The Lions could also do the Irish provinces a favour if they beat Scarlets in Johannesburg on Sunday afternoon at 2pm.

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Update on Tadhg Furlong's Lions tour hopes - Andy Farrell on Finlay Bealham call
Update on Tadhg Furlong's Lions tour hopes - Andy Farrell on Finlay Bealham call

Irish Daily Mirror

time2 hours ago

  • Irish Daily Mirror

Update on Tadhg Furlong's Lions tour hopes - Andy Farrell on Finlay Bealham call

Tadhg Furlong is on course for Lions action after fears that his tour might be over before it began were dismissed by forwards coach John Dalziel. The Leinster and Ireland tighthead has started the last nine Lions Tests over three tours but hasn't played for his province since early May, when he suffered another calf injury set-back. Furlong has only started five games in nine appearances in total this season and is not expected to be named in Leinster's matchday squad for Saturday's URC Grand Final clash with the Bulls at Croke Park. 'Tadhg has the availability to be able to train and play this week with Leinster,' said Dalziel said from the Lions' Portuguese training base. 'There are no real concerns in terms of his ability to come back to full training. "Tadhg had returned to play and was playing. He's now being modified in terms of [being] off-feet in the last few weeks. We've got no real concerns (around) when comes back to full training and playing. 'We will put our best team and our best foot forward for Argentina, with everybody available the squad will be together on Sunday, everybody in after the finals, then we will select and prepare that team that week. "We will get some structures in place here, some language and some learning with the wider group, then we will arrive back in Dublin on Sunday with everyone and prepare for Argentina.' Dalziel also provided a positive update on Connacht and Ireland winger Mack Hansen, who has been sidelined with an ankle injury, but who could come into contention for Friday week's opening Lions warm-up against the Pumas. Meanwhile, Lions head coach Andy Farrell admits it was an emotional phone call to Finlay Bealham to inform the Connacht tighthead that he was being called into the squad for the Australia tour following Zander Ferguson's withdrawal through injury. 'He was certainly right up there in the conversation from the very start as well, and he would have been disappointed not to make the group," said Farrell. 'So we just know he will be a great fit for the group going forward. He is the only conversation that I was able to have because of the way we did the squad announcement. 'By giving him a phone call and telling him he was selected within the squad, unfortunately for Zander, but it was one of the best phone conversations I have ever had. The emotion that went through the phone actually welled me up. It was great to be able to do that.'

Louth have already secured a glorious feat in 2025, now they're out to avoid unwanted piece of history
Louth have already secured a glorious feat in 2025, now they're out to avoid unwanted piece of history

Irish Times

time3 hours ago

  • Irish Times

Louth have already secured a glorious feat in 2025, now they're out to avoid unwanted piece of history

Eight games across four groups this weekend and no such thing as a dead rubber. The conclusion to the All-Ireland senior football championship round-robin series also has two teams facing the prospect of leaving an unwanted mark on football history. Leinster champions Louth and Connacht champions Galway are both playing for their survival. If one or both fail to progress, they would be the only provincial champions not to do so in the three years of the format. That very format may be consigned to the dustbin of history after this year, but neither Louth nor Galway had ever envisaged leaving behind such a legacy. Louth at least know exactly what is required for them to progress from Group 3 when they play Clare on Sunday (O'Moore Park, 2pm). Both teams lost to Monaghan and Down, but Louth's superior scoring difference means a draw would still see them through to the preliminary quarter-finals. READ MORE Galway's fate in Group 4 is partly out of their hands when they play Armagh on Saturday evening (Breffni Park, 6.30pm). Even if the Tribesmen win, they'll need Dublin to lose to Derry. Louth can point to the excuse of the hangover that accompanied the end of their provincial title famine . They were out against Monaghan in the first round of the All-Ireland series 13 days after winning their first Leinster football title in 68 years. [ All-Ireland group stage permutations Opens in new window ] When it came to playing Monaghan, Louth were clearly a little off the pace. They were always chasing the game and never got their noses in front. In the end, they were soundly beaten by six points. Ger Brennan didn't deny that lingering hangover afterwards. The Louth manager rated his team's performance against Monaghan at four out of ten, adding 'that is maybe down to the effects of winning the Leinster final and also to Monaghan, too'. Whether they win or lose at the weekend, they're always going to be legends — Ger Brennan A week later against Down, Louth were 10 points down early in the second half, before Sam Mulroy inspired what might have been a spectacular comeback. Mulroy finished with a dozen points, including four two-pointers. Tommy Durnin looked to be lining up a last-gasp equaliser just after the hooter when Adam Crimmins made a brilliant block for Down. Now it's win, draw or bust in Portlaoise. Clare are coming in off heavy defeats against Kerry in the Munster final and Down in the first round. However, they surprised many with their spirited performance against Monaghan when they led at half-time, 0-14 to 0-7. The Banner men eventually surrendered to Monaghan's wind-aided second-half display, losing 1-25 to 1-16. Tommy Durnin of Louth came close to rescuing a draw against Down. Photograph: Ryan Byrne/Inpho 'Looking at their performance against Down, they would have been disappointed with how they started,' said Louth manager Brennan, who spoke to local media earlier this week. 'Particularly in their own patch, they seemed to perform a lot better the last day against Monaghan, albeit Monaghan pulled away in the second half. 'And they will certainly fancy themselves against Louth this weekend. Three seasons ago, they beat a Louth team in the early rounds of Division 3, although Louth mobilised quite well and finished on eight points and won promotion themselves. So, they're an excellent team . . . but I suppose we're trying to think of our own group and trying to look at a bigger picture.' With Mulroy still shooting the lights out, Louth should have enough firepower to get past Clare on Sunday, or certainly draw. For Brennan, however, it won't define their 2025 season, which will go down in history. 'What this group of players have done for Louth GAA has been phenomenal,' says Brennan. 'Whether we win or lose at the weekend, that will never change. 'The joy and the happiness that they've brought to people's lives; that ending of a 68-year famine . . . these fellas, whether they win or lose at the weekend, they're always going to be legends. For me, there's no pressure on them. 'For me, they're just a wonderful group of lads and they should have no fear of the outcome at the weekend. [They can] go out and have fun and express themselves because they have brought so much pride and given so much joy to the people of Louth.'

'We got here, we're playing for our brothers, and we're playing for our friend that we have lost'
'We got here, we're playing for our brothers, and we're playing for our friend that we have lost'

The 42

time4 hours ago

  • The 42

'We got here, we're playing for our brothers, and we're playing for our friend that we have lost'

THE BULLS' URC semi-final victory over Leinster at Loftus Versfeld last season is a game best remembered for Willie le Roux's expert exploitation of Leinster's backfield, his umpteen crossfield kicks exposing one of the only chinks in the visitors' blitz defence. Springbok World Cup winner Le Roux, who turns 36 in August, is well attuned to Jacques Nienaber's ways, of course. But for all that he may rightly be described as a veteran, Saturday's potentially seismic encounter at Croke Park will be his first URC final, whereas it will make for a third bite of the cherry for many of his Bulls teammates. Consequently, when he's asked by a South African journalist about the Bulls' mental capacity to finally get over the line in their toughest-looking championship decider to date, Le Roux can afford a shrug of the shoulders — his are unburdened by recent history. 'I think it's about the moment now', says the fullback, 'and going out there with a smile on your face, enjoying it, and playing for one and other, even though all the odds are against you and everyone has written us off. 'We have been enjoying ourselves this season, playing for one and other. It has got us to the final. It's about doing the same thing that we have been doing the whole year. 'I don't think there is any need to put added pressure onto us. We got here, we are playing for our brothers, and we are playing for our friend that we have lost. Former Bull Cornal Hendricks, who died of a suspected heart attack last month, aged 37, was a dear friend of Le Roux's in particular. The duo began their professional careers together with the Boland Cavaliers, subsequently playing alongside each other Cheetahs, as Springboks, and, last season, as Bulls. Just over three weeks have passed since the charismatic former winger passed away, leaving little time for Le Roux or his teammates to fully process the loss amid their URC knockout run. There will be further scope to do just that when the curtain falls on the season at Croke Park on Saturday, a day on which the Pretorians hope to honour their former player in the most joyous way possible. Advertisement But the memory of Hendricks, who earned 12 caps for South Africa between 2014 and 2015, has played a significant role in pushing the Bulls even this far. 'That wasn't something that you woke up one morning and expected to happen,' Le Roux says of his friend's untimely passing. 'I think that what the Bulls have done when we retired his jersey this season — and [Canan] Moodie has been playing with the number 24 jersey — and the photos and stuff at the back of our numbers, it is just a reminder; reminding us that every time, before we put on the jersey, what an influence he had at the club, his positive attitude… 'He would light up a room when he walked in,' Le Roux adds. The Bulls, then, will be emotionally charged when they take to the field at GAA Headquarters, hellbent on doing right by a club icon and amending the wrongs of 2022 and 2024. And while it will be Le Roux's first URC final, his experience of even greater showpieces with the Springboks will prove an invaluable tool as Jake White and co. navigate the week in Dublin. For a youngster like the aforementioned Canan Moodie, for example, who didn't feature in the Boks' matchday 23 for the last World Cup final, Saturday's meeting with Leinster will be the most significant of his career to date. But Le Roux's advice for the Bulls' less experienced charges will be simple: 'It's the same as playing the first game of the season'. 'It's not to put this [final] on a pedestal and make this that much bigger', Le Roux adds, 'and you go into your shell where you don't want to try stuff and you don't want to run from your own half. That is not what got us here in the first place. 'You shouldn't wait. If you're a winger, you don't wait outside on the wing to get the ball: you come in and you work off your wing and you get your hands on the ball as much as you can. We got here through taking chances. We see an opportunity, we take it. That is what you must do in those big games as well: whether you make a mistake or not, it's about putting yourself out there, putting yourself in battle. You might lose a few battles but you might also win. 'That's just the little things that I tell the guys. You might lose a few battles but it's about getting back up and putting yourself into as many as you can.' When those battle lines are finally drawn at 5pm on Saturday, hosts Leinster will be heavily favoured to end their own trophy drought and lift their first title of the URC era. Le Roux is distinctly unperturbed by the Bulls' underdog status but he is equally uninspired by the Bulls' healthy record over Leinster, against whom the South Africans have played six and won four — including two semi-finals and a semi-recent, regular-season squeaker. Recent records can be torn up, says the fullback. Each side, equally desperate for silverware, will have 80 minutes to set straight the only record that actually matters. 'It's a final, it's one game away now,' Le Roux says. 'You could have had the worst season of your life or [been] the the best attacking team of this season, but that doesn't matter. This is the game. This is the only one you need to win to lift the trophy. 'Finals are fine margins whether it's at home or away. These games come down to maybe one moment, one mistake you might make, one piece of brilliance someone else does. 'They all say it's 'mission impossible', but we'll have to wait and see on Saturday. 'It's all about playing for each other, playing for your brother next to you, and and playing for Cornall.'

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store