The Return of the URC- Round 1 2024/2025 Season

It's back, after many long months it's time pull up a seat and get settled in for another URC season with round 1

Friday 20th September 2024

Cardiff Rugby v Zebre Parma
Cardiff Arms Park, Cardiff – KO 19.35 IRE & UK / 20.35 ITA & SA
Live on: BBC Wales, Premier Sports, SuperSport, Flo Rugby & URC.tv

Edinburgh Rugby v Leinster
Hive Stadium, Edinburgh – KO 19.35 IRE & UK / 20.35 ITA & SA
Live on: Premier Sports, TG4, SuperSport, Flo Rugby & URC.tv

Saturday 21st September 2024

Dragons RFC v Ospreys
Rodney Parade, Newport – KO 15.00 IRE & UK / 16.00 ITA & SA
Live on: Premier Sports, SuperSport, Flo Rugby & URC.tv

Munster v Connacht
Thomond Park, Limerick – KO 17.30 IRE & UK / 18.30 ITA & SA
Live on: RTÉ, Premier Sports, SuperSport, Flo Rugby & URC.tv

Benetton v Scarlets
Stadio Monigo, Treviso – KO 19.35 IRE & UK / 20.35 ITA & SA
Live on: Sky Italia, S4C, Premier Sports, SuperSport, Flo Rugby & URC.tv

Ulster v Glasgow Warriors
Kingspan Stadium, Belfast – KO 19.45 IRE & UK / 20.45 ITA & SA
Live on: Premier Sports, SuperSport, Flo Rugby & URC.tv

Ah its almost here. Ok right on with my predictions then for this weekend.

Cardiff vs Zebre - With home advantage and given how they created last year I think this should be Cardiff by 10+

Edinburgh vs Leinster - Strong Edinburgh lineup and Leinster have named some guys who haven't played URC rugby at all. Leinster backline is still good but forwards probably lack the power. For me it's Edinburgh by 3

Don't know what the lineups are for the other matches so will hold off on those till later today.

Ok so all squads are out now so will finish the rest of the predictions

Dragons vs Ospreys - Powerful pack from the Ospreys. I'm less convinced by the lineup for the Dragons than in the pre season. Ospreys don't usually do well down the parade. But their front 5 will likely teach us another lesson on why tight forwards win games. Ospreys by 7

Munster vs Connacht - Tight one to call this one. Thought it would be a easy Munster win but the Connacht line up isn't dire. Home advantage still to swing it though. Munster by 5.

Benetton vs Scarlets - Solid pack out by Benetton. Backline looks good too and a fairly strong bench to boot. Scarlets have 13 injuries. Pack might hold up but to me the backline will get pasted. Benetton by 20.

Ulster vs Glasgow - Big pack out by Glasgow with an all star backline. Bench is medium strength as well. Ulster largely have a good 15 out but there are some questions marks over Barrett & McNabney. Big game for both of them. I actually think Glasgow will edge this one. Glasgow by 3.

I didn’t know Zebre had so much upheaval over the summer. Looking pretty new v Cardiff, who are doing okay. Could probably have a BP at HT tbh.

17-3.

Lot of senior Zebre players not in this lineup. Probably rested or injured. Lot of youth in there so not totally unexpected.

Cardiff have a BP (took a while), after initially lifting Mason Grady in the lineout. They’ve done some nice switch drives tonight, to be fair.

Zebre also have a try, that I missed as I’m not overly engaged in the game.

22-10.

Lots of missed conversions there from Sheedy. Something Cardiff will need to remedy going forward. Will be costly against better opposition.

Yeah. Gave Zebre a pretty undeserved LBP too.

22-17 FT

I thought going into the season that Cardiff fans were a bit delusional about their team’s chances. I guess that proves it. They also think last season was a good one…

Dragons 13-10 up on 30 mins.

Everybody saying Keddie scored our try, but it doesn't half look like Ollie Griffiths on Premier sports, with his hat on

I was thinking it looked like Ollie too.

I wish Leon Brown was more available for us, he’s quality.

He is.

Wouldn't have gone for that shot, or probably have let AOB take it otherwise. Annoying.

13-21 to the bad guys. Think Wilson will be on for Westwood soon.

Dragons have been very dull, for giving away a few side entry offences. Referoo has decided to yellow Benjamin for the latest.

I am sure the FB groups will be trying to point out how he cost us this win. I think Dragons have been very poor though.

21-13 Ospreys on 70 mins.

I feel like we have mugged them.

23-21 to the good guys (Dragons).

Does that make us ‘Best Welsh Region’ (TM)?!

I assumed their pack dominance (on paper) would kill us off easily. But what do I know!

It's a brilliant result and I am definitely claiming that tag.

Good for Yendle to score. Hopefully we don't see Coleman used very often now.

RiscaGame wrote:I feel like we have mugged them.

We defo did. I didn't see that result coming. Areas of our game need some work and I thought O'Brien was our best player today.

But it's a win and hopefully see's us turn the Parade into a fortress this season.

Meanwhile Connacht are beating Munster 12-0. WTF is going on today

Munster pull one back to 12-7. Still 10 mins left to this first half.

Up front I thought Brodie Coghlan, Leon Brown, Carter, Screech and Keddie were very good. We need that from them consistently to get a few more wins. Was going to say that should be enough to finally give Yendle the nod over Coleman, glad I’m not the only one to think it.

It’s very useful for us to have two fly-halves on the pitch who are comfortable at both 10 and 15, however there’s quite a step down in quality with Reed and Evans. Great win at the end, considering it was often the case we got demolished in the final 10 mins last season.

Exciting game in Ireland just now, but Munster just pip Connacht who were very good.

Welshmushroom don't give up the day - 1 right  out of 6  

I told you Ulster would win.
Its often last gasp, it sometimes lucky but it always happens - that is 7 in a row (at least) at Ravenhill

Dragons x wrote: What a way to finish a game…

4 minutes �
25 phases �
14 different carriers �
Match winning score �
Derby day win �

I wondered who the non carrier was. Assumed it was Rhodri first for passing, but then remembered he did carry.

Chris Kirwan wrote: Just been pointed out that Angus O’Brien is in fact a shirker. Involved a few times but not a carrier.

Fine him a week of wages…

Funny

geoff999rugby wrote:Welshmushroom don't give up the day - 1 right  out of 6  

I told you Ulster would win.
Its often last gasp, it sometimes lucky but it always happens - that is 7 in a row (at least) at Ravenhill

1/6 is shocking tbh

Ulster are usually always good at home, beating the champions is a perfect start.

If Woodman was on the pitch it must have been him as the non-carrier…

geoff999rugby wrote:Welshmushroom don't give up the day - 1 right  out of 6  

I told you Ulster would win.
Its often last gasp, it sometimes lucky but it always happens - that is 7 in a row (at least) at Ravenhill

2 out of 6 - still a bad weekend for me (Cardiff & Munster)

To be fair Edinburgh probably should be kicking themselves.  Price was so poor.  2 really soft tries.  Watching them I actually thought Leinster were poor in quite a few areas which in all honesty does not bode well for Edinburgh this season.

Dragons I spent last season predicting wins for them so I'm trying a different tactic this year and betting against them instead.  I'm thrilled they won even though we did rob the Ospreys at the end.  But I'm happy and I'm going to keep predicting losses in their fixtures to see if that results in us winning

Ulster did do well to win.  I thought Glasgow didn't do themselves favors and in my eyes probably were the better side but some very poor moments cost them.  Ulster did show a lot of grit and Timoney had a great game.  

Scarlets probably did much better than I gave them credit for.  Clearly the forward signings really have made a difference.  I'll probably have to adjust my views on them going into R2.  I thought with them having 13 players injured (quite a few key players as well) that would probably affect this result.  Very wrong on this one.


What I will say it was a very competitive round - no cricket scores and I really thought a couple of those would be blow outs.  Bodes well for the season ahead.   I think next week might be a bit easier to predict now that I've seen all the teams play, hopefully

My error missed Cardiff still 2 from 6

Having watched the Ulster v Glasgow match in full on the tele my assessment is that

Leinster and Glasgow are significantly better, by some margin, than the other 10 URC sides from the Northern Hemisphere.

They are shoo-ins for the play offs and probably the top 4.

Which makes the Ulster result a real feather in their cap.

Defo was a great result for Ulster. Any side beating either Leinster or Glasgow should take a lot from it.

Only issue with the top 4 is that we haven't seen the SA sides play yet. Top 4 could have 3 SA sides in it. This weekend should be interesting as it gives us a first glimpse at them as well.

Welshmushroom wrote:

 Top 4 could have 3 SA sides in it.

Bet it doesn't.

Lions wont be there and I cant see all the other three finishing above both Leinster and Glasgow.
Also Munster may well have something to stay, they are smart a scrappers

It's easy to look at three of the SA sides and assume they'll be in the Top 4. That is yet to happen, and since they have been part of the European cup they haven't been as dominant as their first URC season. The squads for Bulls, Sharks and Stormers all look pretty hot on paper, the Lions squad doesn't but they are still a strong team.