The opening round of the United Rugby Championship provided plenty of drama, as three fixtures were decided in the final minute of the match. Reigning URC champions Glasgow Warriors were stunned by an 85th minute Ulster try, and the Dragons snatched the bragging rights of the welsh derby from the Ospreys with their score in the last play of the game.
Also, a last-minute missed conversion from former Wasps fly half Jacob Umaga, denied Benetton the opportunity to steal an opening round win over the Scarlets. The two sides would have to settle for the draw in Treviso, with the 20-20 score-line splitting the pot in round one. The South African sides enter the fray this week, following the culmination of the Currie Cup this past weekend, which was won in dramatic fashion by the Sharks.
The Sharks, Bulls, Stormers and Lions all enter the fray this week, and join the top sides from Ireland, Wales, Scotland and Italy. Here is a full preview of the second round, of the 2024/25 United Rugby Championship.
FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 27TH
Leinster Rugby v Dragons RFC, 7.35pm KO, Aviva Stadium, Dublin
Dai Flanagan says his buoyant Dragons are relishing the prospect of running out at the Aviva Stadium. They have headed to Dublin in good spirits following last weekend’s dramatic 23-21 Welsh derby victory over the Ospreys at Rodney Parade.
It will be a big night for prop Cian Healy who will become Leinster’s most capped player as he makes his 281st appearance for the province. Fellow international forwards Josh van der Flier and Joe McCarthy have been named among the replacements and are due to take the field for the first time since sharing in Ireland’s victory over South Africa in Durban back in July
“What an opportunity, we can’t wait,” said Dragons head coach Flanagan. “It’s so exciting to play in the Aviva Stadium. If you can’t get yourselves up for that…
“We will be tested, so it’s about staying disciplined. It’s about us going out there, representing ourselves and our region in the best possible way we can. Leinster bring everything, but we’re excited for the challenge.
“The big message this week has been to look after ourselves and control what we can control.”
Glasgow Warriors v Benetton Rugby, 7.35pm KO, Scotstoun Stadium, Glasgow
Glasgow Warriors head coach Franco Smith goes up against a team he spent nine years with as a player and coach, as he looks to ignite Glasgow’s title defence after his side were stunned by Ulster last weekend.
The former Springboks fly-half saw out the final seasons of his playing career in Treviso, before cutting his coaching teeth with the Italian side. For this Scotstoun meeting with his former employers, he has made six changes to the side that lost 20-19 in Belfast, where the match was decided by an 85th minute Ulster try.
Fly half Adam Hastings makes his first start for Glasgow since returning from Gloucester. Flanker Rory Darge comes into the game having made 39 tackles against Ulster, the second-highest tally in the club’s history after Jonny Gray’s 43 against Leinster in 2019.
“Well done to Ulster for sticking at it, but I think we handed them a victory in the end, to be honest,” said head coach Smith. “We were obviously disappointed with not winning, but there were no excuses. There were a couple of lessons learned and the boys are back on the horse now.
“We will align what needs to be aligned and take it from there. We know Benetton will be a tough challenge and one we will need to meet head on.” Benetton boss Marco Bortolami is demanding an improvement from his team after labelling their second half display in the 20-20 draw with the Scarlets as “timid”.