An annual professional rugby union league across Ireland, Italy, Scotland, South Africa and Wales.
South Africa has extended its Nations Championship lead with a 42-28 win over Wales, featuring debuts for Vusi Moyo and Jaco Williams. Erasmus rotates the squad, aiming to build depth while maintaining dominance. Wales, despite changes, cannot break the bite of the Springbok pack.
Edinburgh Rugby has appointed former Ireland youth coach and ex-Dallas Jackals coach Tim Hodge to join Sean Everitt’s backroom team on a two-year deal, with the URC season set to begin on September 25. The club has also retained Stevie Lawrie and added Tim Sampson and Brad Davis to reshape the attack and defence units.
Munster's Jack Crowley is not expected to return from injury until the new year, affecting their URC opener against Glasgow Warriors. Will Harrison’s knee issue compounds fly-half concerns, leaving JJ Hanrahan, Tom Wood and Charlie O’Shea to share out-half duties while Ireland and club medical staff manage the squad around fresh returns.
The Scottish FA has appointed Tony Docherty as Under-21 head coach with Steven Naismith as his assistant. The move aligns the youth pathway with the senior team as Sebastien Pocognoli takes charge of the senior squad. The pair will lead the Under-21s initially, with plans to rotate coaches across age groups and support club growth and Talent ID initiatives.
The WRU plans to cut from four professional men’s teams to three by 2028 are facing backlash and political pressure. Scarlets and Ospreys are vying to be the sole west Wales representative, Cardiff and Dragons are safe, while former first ministers and board members weigh in on the future. The timeline and governance remain unsettled as clubs prepare for the new URC season.
Cardiff has secured a bonus-point win after a dominant first half, then fended off a Zebre rally to seal victory in a 40-? lead. Scarlets battled back with tries from Roberts and Murray, while Cardiff’s Basham, Bowen and Lloyd added to the scoreline amid a late Zebre revival.