Key Talking Points For Round One Of The United Rugby Championship 2023/24

As the autumn leaves continue their freefall in Europe and the summer sun peeps around the corner in South Africa. The sixteen provincial teams that make up the United Rugby Championship are ready themselves for season three of Rugby’s fastest-growing league. 

Across the first two seasons, the league has seen two different champions from two different countries. 

The DHL Stormers from Cape Town, South Africa, claiming the inaugural crown, stunned perhaps even their own fans as they saw off archrivals the Vodacom Bulls in a tightly contest final at the DHL Stadium. 

Twelve months later, Irish powerhouse Munster would go on the road for the final five weeks of their campaign. Four wins and one draw in this period would lock up a first title for the province in twelve years. Defeating the Stormers in Cape Town 19 – 14 a week after going to Dublin a seeing off their fiercest rivals, Leinster, 16 – 15, was undoubtedly their best set of results since winning the Heineken Cup in 2008. 

Thus, the question that will be on the minds of all URC fans from now until June 22, 2024, is who will claim the third edition of this exhilarating competition? 

Gauging the early season temperature for any tournament is a challenging prospect. However, with kick-off now less than twenty-four hours away, here are some of the biggest talking points heading into round one. 

Contenders Clash

There is no doubt that every round-one clash carries with it an interesting subplot for rugby fans to sink their teeth into. Yet two, in particular, see four pre-season title favourites meet in an early opportunity for supremacy. First up, reigning champions Munster welcome the Hollywoodbets Sharks to Thomond Park. Having met in two crucial fixtures late in the season, firstly in a Champions Cup last-sixteen match and later in a crucial URC match-up. Both matches were in Durban, and the Sharks ran ruck shot 50 – 35. Two weeks later, Munster would return to claim a crucial 22 – 22 draw, which sent the Sharks on the road to Leinster in the quarterfinals and Munster to Glasgow. Crucially, however, it ensured Munster remained in the Champions Cup whilst the Sharks dropped down to the Challenge Cup. Thus, round one can be pitched as a revenge game for both teams. For Munster, they will look to avenge their humbling defeat in the Champions Cup, whilst the Sharks will look to get one over a play-off rival away from home. The second of these crunch fixtures sees the Irish and Scottish shield winners square off as Leinster and Glasgow meet at Scotstoun Stadium. Losing just three matches in all competitions last season, Leinster go to the well once again. Unfortunately for Leo Cullen’s team, two of those losses were in knockout matches as they lost the Champions Cup to La Rochelle for a second successive year and the semi-final loss to Munster. Looking to remind their rivals of their factory line of talent, Leinster has named a team stacked with international quality. Crucially, however, not one of their World Cup squad members have returned as of yet. Let that sink in for a second: Leinster are fielding what is, at best, a third-string side, which still consists of ten internationals. Yet for all of the talent, none is more exciting than dynamic former U20 star Sam Prendergast, who will stake his claim for being the successor to the now-retired Johnny Sexton. Starting from the bench, Prendergast will enter the fray when Leinster’s other exciting young flyhalf, Harry Byrne, leaves the pitch. Whilst Leinster are a mouth-watering prospect, Glasgow are packed with quality operators. Naming eleven internationals, including several of Scotland’s Rugby World Cup squad players, the Warriors will look to set out their stall with an early victory against the betting favourites for the league title. 

Sam Prendergast Factor

As touched upon above, rarely has there been such hype surrounding a U20 player as there has been for Sam Prendergast. The 6’4” flyhalf was a man amongst boys at the underage level and has long been earmarked as the next big thing in Irish Rugby. Having watched his brother Cian go on to achieve senior international honours, there is no doubt that Sam will be looking to push Munster’s Jack Crowley for the now-vacant Irish number ten shirt. Standing in his way is the dynamic duo of brothers Ross and Harry Byrne, as well as utility back Ciaran Frawley. Whilst Leinster coach Leo Cullen will be wary of feeding the youngster to the wolves, early indications are that he is more than ready for the big time. 

World Cup Factor

With the 2023 Rugby World Cup remaining at the forefront of the Rugby world, the opening two rounds of this season will see a number of the top teams without several international stars. The South African, Welsh and Irish teams will be shorn of their front-line talent. Therefore, the opportunity for an upset or two is ripe, adding an extra layer of jeopardy to this weekend’s matchups. One fixture that appears primed for an unexpected result is Zebre vs Ulster. The Italian side will face the Northern Irish province, who are absent several key front-line players and will be at their most vulnerable in round one. By no means will they be walkovers, but should Zebre be looking to upset one of the bigger teams in the league, this would be the perfect opportunity. 

First Derby Of The Season

A north vs south match always makes for exciting viewing, and this weekend’s matchup between the Stormers and Lions is no exception. The South African duo are renowned for their exhilarating, expansive styles of play. The Stormers, who have contested both of the first two finals in the tournament’s history, will be without a number of Springbok players but remain the pick of the South African teams this season. Over the past two seasons, head coach John Dobson has proven that he knows how to get his team to the right emotional and tactical pitch. On the flip side, the Lions will be kicking themselves for allowing their early season form to slip as they fell out of playoff contention. It is worth remembering, however, that we are just a few years removed from the Johannesburg-based team, being the top South African side in Super Rugby. Round one presents an opportunity for them to take the first step in returning to the top of the South African pile.