URC Round 8

The european window is over for now and the Round 8 URC games are coming our way with it being christmas and derby season in the URC.

Some great games upcoming and I am looking forward to seeing Ulster get some revenge on Connacht (hopefully) this weekend.

Happy holidays to you all.

All games on Premier Sports, URC TV and Supersport.  Kick off times below in UK and Irish Time.

Christmas Eve Friday 24th December

Zebre v Bennetton- Stadio Lanfranchi, Parma – KO 13.00- Mediaset


Boxing/ Saint Stephen's Day Sunday 26th December

Cardiff v Scarlets- Cardiff Arms Park, Cardiff – KO 15.00- BBC Wales  GAME POSTPONED

Ulster v Connacht- Kingspan Stadium, Belfast – KO 17.15- BBC NI, TG4  GAME POSTPONED

Ospreys v Dragons , Swansea.com Stadium, Swansea – KO 17.15  GAME POSTPONED

Munster v Leinster- Thomond Park Stadium, Limerick – KO 19.35  GAME POSTPONED


Monday 27th December

Glasgow Warriors v Edinburgh Rugby- Scotstoun Stadium, Glasgow – KO 19.00 GAME POSTPONED

Zeb, blues, Ulster, Bra.

Ulster v Connacht the latest game to get called off due to covid. Trevisio comfortably dispatched Zebre earlier 39-14

Cardiff and Scarlets nearly at full strength. Robbed of a crowd though. That’s a real shame.

Cardiff v Scarlets match postponed

Well this gameweek is going well lol

Blueschief wrote:Cardiff v Scarlets match postponed

The cynic in me wonders if they really do have a big covid problem or, when they realised they couldn’t postpone the game due to the ban on fans in Wales (which will see them lose out on lots of income), they realised that covid could get it postponed and they can perhaps play it at a later date in front of a bumper crowd

They wouldn’t do that, would they?!

The Oracle wrote:

Blueschief wrote:Cardiff v Scarlets match postponed

The cynic in me wonders if they really do have a big covid problem or, when they realised they couldn’t postpone the game due to the ban on fans in Wales (which will see them lose out on lots of income), they realised that covid could get it postponed and they can perhaps play it at a later date in front of a bumper crowd

They wouldn’t do that, would they?!

I wondered this myself. I don't blame them in the slightest either. Have the Welsh assembly giving any financial support to the regions now that they are playing behind closed doors? Or is it just tough luck?

Maine man wrote:

The Oracle wrote:

Blueschief wrote:Cardiff v Scarlets match postponed

The cynic in me wonders if they really do have a big covid problem or, when they realised they couldn’t postpone the game due to the ban on fans in Wales (which will see them lose out on lots of income), they realised that covid could get it postponed and they can perhaps play it at a later date in front of a bumper crowd

They wouldn’t do that, would they?!

I wondered this myself. I don't blame them in the slightest either. Have the Welsh assembly giving any financial support to the regions now that they are playing behind closed doors? Or is it just tough luck?

No, no support. They didn’t during the ‘big lockdown’ previously either. While England and Ireland managed to secure free funding support from their governments (and I think I read that Ireland have some more money coming this time), the WRU instead took out a loan of circa £20m on behalf of the regions to cover the shortfall in funding that they usually provide the regions, which the regions themselves now need to pay off each year! Cheers WRU/WAG! I  think the WRU is trying to ‘negotiate the terms’ of that loan, but that’s about it

Every other nation in GB and Ireland gave their pro teams a chance, bar Welsh ones. So, there’s no support. WRU gave the teams a loan only and a possible renegotiation of terms mentioned as a promise, but not delivered.

This is why I get annoyed when I see people questioning Welsh finances and performances. The pro teams have always had an arm tied behind their back and then they still carry on. Even if teams are now on lesser budgets, they’re still on parity with the Welsh teams. But when the Welsh teams were playing catch up anyway, what do people expect?

If we had a national media that could justify its output, this would be highlighted more. Sadly, we are stuck with Jiffy is stuck in Dubai or wherever type of reporting. Ben James hints at restraints sometimes, but that’s it.

Leinster new million pound academy. Cardiff and Dragons training on council facilities. That’s covid for you, I guess.

That's Glasgow v Edinburgh off too, 1 game played from this game week, forget cross border competition we can't even get games played in the same borders anymore

Interesting that so many games (all, actually) in Wales, Scotland and Ireland were called off due to COVID outbreaks yet pretty much all the games in the English prem managed to play. How come they didn’t have outbreaks to the same extent?!

The Oracle wrote:Interesting that so many games (all, actually) in Wales, Scotland and Ireland were called off due to COVID outbreaks yet pretty much all the games in the English prem managed to play.  How come they didn’t have outbreaks to the same extent?!

Bath-Exeter and Newcastle-Sale, so 1/3.

I don't think there is a pattern, more just bad luck

lostinwales wrote:

The Oracle wrote:Interesting that so many games (all, actually) in Wales, Scotland and Ireland were called off due to COVID outbreaks yet pretty much all the games in the English prem managed to play.  How come they didn’t have outbreaks to the same extent?!

Bath-Exeter and Newcastle-Sale, so 1/3.

I don't think there is a pattern, more just bad luck

I was just looking at the fixtures on Boxing Day and yesterday (when the URC was meant to be playing, as a comparison). Bath played Gloucester on Boxing Day with no issues. Surprised they’re scheduled to play again on the 29th! Tight turnaround to play again in 3 days! They’ll be glad the first game was cancelled!