With the 2025 Six Nations completed, attention returns to the club scene with a full round of URC fixtures in store this weekend.
Friday 21 March
Cardiff | Draw | Lions
After starting the season so positively, Cardiff (sixth) have endured a steep decline in 2025, losing five of their six matches in all competitions this year and drawing the remaining one. The recent departure of Matt Sherratt to the Wales coaching setup certainly wouldn’t have helped matters, with defeat on Friday possibly meaning they drop out of the top eight.
The eighth-placed Lions trail Cardiff by just two-points and can give themselves a massive boost with a win. With a daunting trip to the Scotstoun to tackle Glasgow in round 14, expect Cash van Rooyen’s charges to come out all guns blazing, with a number of players set to return from injury.
Verdict: Lions on the board
The Joburgers to add to Cardiff’s misery at the Arms Park.
Glasgow Warriors | Draw | Munster
Second-placed Warriors are just two points better off the Bulls (third) on the overall log, with the Hollywoodbets Sharks (fourth) five back. The race to seal second is still very much on and the defending champions must make the most of home ground advantage here, though they’ll need to put their recent one-point defeat to Ospreys behind them.
The Red Army have improved markedly over the last few rounds to sit fifth after their slow start saw the axing of championship-winning boss Graham Rowntree. Still coachless, the uncertainly surrounding the club could hamper their efforts in the den of the defending champions on Friday.
Verdict: Glasgow on the board
Warriors to win it at the Scotstoun.
Saturday 22 March
Hollywoodbets Sharks | Draw | Zebre
Nothing short of five-log point will do for John Plumtree’s men against Zebre in Durban. For all of the Parma side’s improvements this season – they’re 15th, just four points off the top eight – the hosts simply have to put them to the sword at Hollywoodbets Kings Park. Given the Sharks’ firepower across the board, it could get ugly for Zebre.
Verdict: Hollywoodbets Sharks on the minus
The Durbanites to put an end to Zebre’s impressive three-match winning run.
Benetton | Draw | Edinburgh
Such is the competitive nature of the URC, 13th-placed Benetton head into this clash with seventh-placed Edinburgh just two-log points off their opponents. With the tournament fast approaching its business end, Saturday’s result will be crucial for both sides in the context of the playoff dogfight.
Despite having the Stadio Comunale support behind them, Edinburgh’s superior strength in depth should see them home in the probable absence of the Six Nations internationals this weekend. The Scottish outfit will also be buoyed by their recent defeat of Munster at Thomond Park.
Verdict: Edinburgh on the board
The visitors to snatch an all-important win in Treviso.
Bulls | Draw | Leinster
The Bulls v Leinster has already become a classic URC fixture despite the competition arguably still bring in its infancy. With the sides having contested two semi-finals over the past few seasons (both of which, including last season’s edition, having been won by the Pretoria outfit), there is plenty of feeling between the clubs.
All that said, Jake White’s men will have the upper hand come Saturday given the Dublin boys will be without their Ireland stars. Although Leo Cullen’s charges remain unbeaten in all competitions this season, the Bulls should put an end to that record on the highveld.
Verdict: Bulls on the board
The Bulls to become the first team to knock over Leinster in 2024/25.
Scarlets | Draw | Stormers
Scarlets lie 10th, locked on 28-points with four other clubs including their opponents this week. Having lost their last two outings, they could struggle to recover their form against a Stormers outfit welcoming back several players from injury and which will be eager to put the hammer down heading into their final six matchups.
Verdict: Stormers on the minus
The Capetonians to capitalise on depleted Scarlets and rack up a BP win.
Dragons | Draw | Ulster
16th-placed Dragons are 17-points adrift of 15th-Zebre with just a solitary win and 11 losses to their name this season. Facing up against fellow strugglers Ulster, who’ve also endured a poor campaign by their standards, it’s difficult seeing what will be different this weekend. Despite their lowly position, Ulster are still just two points off the playoff spots and must take advantage at Rodney Parade.
Verdict: Ulster on the minus
Ulster to win comfortably in Newport.
Ospreys | Draw | Connacht
11th-placed Ospreys sit one-point and two places behind Connacht ahead of their clash in Swansea, with the Irish outfit having won three of the last four meetings between the teams in the competition. Still, Ospreys find themselves in a good vein of form considering they followed up their narrow three-point defeat to Leinster with a brilliant 32-31 win at Glasgow Warriors and will be riding a wave of momentum into this matchup.
Verdict: Ospreys on the board
Ospreys have been playing some great rugga of late and should have Connacht’s number here.
