The BKT United Rugby Championship season gets underway this weekend, with Munster welcoming the Stormers to Thomond Park as the reigning champions.

The League has been to the fore in terms of digital promotion and in advance of the big kick off has given a snapshot guide to each of the competing sixteen teams, including their new signings, opening fixtures, and targets for the forthcoming campaign.

We start off with the four Irish provinces but all 16 are here for you to get prepared.

 

Connacht

Head coach: Pete Wilkins

Home ground: The Sportsground, Galway

URC 2022-23: Final Four

URC 2021-22: 11th

Irish Shield 2022-23: 4th

Irish Shield 2021-22: 4th

New signings: Joe Joyce (Bristol Bears), Sean Jansen (Leicester Tigers), Andrew Smith (Leinster), Sean O’Brien (Leinster), Santiago Cordero (Bordeaux), Liam McNamara (Ireland Sevens), Declan Moore (Ulster, loan), Michael McDonald (Ulster, loan), JJ Hanrahan (Dragons), Tadgh McElroy (Leinster).

Opening matches: Ospreys (h), Glasgow Warriors (h), Ulster (h)

Connacht enjoyed a successful season in 2022-23 that saw them record a superb 15-10 win at Ulster in the Final Eight before their run was ended by a strong DHL Stormers side in Cape Town. They have strengthened over the summer so there is no reason why they cannot take another step forward.

 

Leinster

Head coach: Leo Cullen

Home ground: RDS Arena, Dublin

URC 2022-23: Final Four

URC 2021-22: Final Four

Irish Shield 2022-23: 1st

Irish Shield 2021-22: 1st

New signings: John McKee (Academy), Rob Russell (Academy), Alex Soroka (Academy), Lee Barron (Academy), Sam Prendergast (Academy).

Opening matches: Glasgow Warriors (a), Hollywoodbets Sharks (h), Edinburgh (h)

Leinster will have all the motivation they need after a second trophyless season that saw them go close in the Heineken Champions Cup and the URC. Leinster were dominant in the regular season, winning 16 and drawing one of their 18 games, but suffered a narrow defeat to Munster in the semi-finals. Johnny Sexton’s retirement will leave a big hole to fill but will provide the opportunity for Ross Byrne to step up. Academy graduate Prendergast also displayed elements of class at the back end of last season.

 

Munster

Head coach: Graham Rowntree

Home ground: Thomond Park, Limerick

URC 2022-23: Champions

URC 2021-22: Final Eight

Irish Shield 2022-23: 3rd

Irish Shield 2021-22: 3rd

New signings: John Ryan (Chiefs), Alex Nankivell (Chiefs), Patrick Campbell (Academy), Cian Hurley (Academy), Sean O’Brien (Exeter Chiefs).

Opening matches: Hollywoodbets Sharks (h), Benetton (a), Dragons (h)

Munster will have a tough task to defend their title with a series of clubs determined to steal their crown. New Zealander Nankivell highlights their summer recruitment as a replacement for Malakai Fekitoa, who has moved to Benetton following an indifferent season in Limerick. Ryan’s arrival boosts the options in the front row.

 

Ulster

Head coach: Dan McFarland

Home ground: Kingspan Stadium, Belfast

URC 2022-23: Final Eight

URC 2021-22: Final Four

Irish Shield 2022-23: 2nd

Irish Shield 2021-22: 2nd

New signings: Steven Kitshoff (DHL Stormers), Dave Ewers (Exeter Chiefs), Ben Carson (Academy), Reuben Crothers (Academy), James McCormick (Academy), Conor McKee (Academy), Harry Sheridan (Academy), James French (unattached), Ben Griffin (Clontarf), Greg McGrath (Jersey Reds).

Opening matches: Zebre Parma (a), Vodacom Bulls (h), Connacht (a)

Powerful prop Kitshoff headlines Ulster’s summer recruitment while Ewers’ arrival adds further strength up front to a team that finished second last season before suffering a Final Eight defeat to Connacht. McFarland has seen Ulster take a big step forward and will hope his side can take another one in 2023-24.

 

Benetton

Head coach: Marco Bortolami

Home ground: Stadio Monigo

URC 2022-23: 11th

URC 2021-22: 13th

Scottish-Italian Shield 2022-23: 2nd

Scottish-Italian Shield 2021-22: 3rd

New signings: Andy Uren (Bristol Bears), Malakai Fekitoa (Munster), Edoardo Iachizzi (Vannes), Giosue Zilocchi (London Irish), Eli Snyman (Leicester Tigers), Gideon Koegelenberg (Kurita Water Gush Akishima), Mirco Spagnolo (Petrarca), Nicolo Casilo (Colorno), Paolo Odogwu (Stade Francais), Santiago Ruiz (Pampas XV).

Opening matches: Cardiff (a), Munster (h), Emirates Lions (h)

Benetton made steady progress last season, improving their 13th-placed finish in 2021-22 to 11th, and the target for Bortolami’s squad will now be to force their way into the play-offs this term.

 

Cardiff

Head coach: Matt Sherratt

Home ground: Cardiff Arms Park

URC 2022-23: 10th

URC 2021-22: 14th

Welsh Shield 2022-23: 1st

Welsh Shield 2021-22: 3rd

New signings: Theo Cabango (Academy), Rhys Litterick (Harlequins), Tinus de Beer (Pumas), Rhys Barratt (Academy), Jacob Beetham (Academy), Gwilym Bradley (Academy), Evan Lloyd (Academy), Alex Mann (Academy), Mackenzie Martin (Academy), Cameron Winnett (Academy), Ciaran Parker (London Irish), Arwel Robson (Cornish Pirates), Matthew Aubrey (Ospreys), Max Clark (Dragons, loan).

Opening matches: Benetton (h), Dragons (a), Scarlets (a)

Cardiff missed out on the play-offs in the last campaign by just four points and the aim for 2023-24 will be to be involved in the post-season. Losing Wales international Liam Williams will be a blow but Sherratt will be confident he has the depth to cope with his departure.

 

DHL Stormers

Head coach: John Dobson

Home ground: DHL Stadium

URC 2022-23: Runners-up

URC 2021-22: Champions

SA Shield 2022-23: 1st

SA Shield 2021-22: 1st

New signings: Sti Sithole (Emirates Lions), Lizo Gqoboka (Vodacom Bulls), Ben Loader (London Irish), Hendre Stassen (unattached), Courtnall Skosan (Northampton Saints), Warrick Gelant (Racing 92).

Opening matches: Emirates Lions (a), Scarlets (h), Glasgow Warriors (a)

The DHL Stormers will be disappointed they could not make it back-to-back titles last season following a narrow defeat to Munster in the final. The departure of prop Steven Kitshoff to Ulster will be a blow but the return of Gelant from Racing 92 is a major boost in their bid to reclaim the crown.

 

Dragons

Head coach: Dai Flanagan

Home ground: Rodney Parade

URC 2022-23: 15th

URC 2021-22: 15th

Welsh Shield 2022-23: 4th

Welsh Shield 2021-22: 4th

New signings: Dane Blacker (Scarlets), Corey Baldwin (Scarlets), Dan Lydiate (Ospreys), Cai Evans (Ospreys), Rodrigo Martinez (Pampas XV).

Opening matches: Edinburgh (h), Cardiff (h), Munster (a)

The Dragons will be hopeful of taking a step forward this season following back-to-back 15th-placed finishes and reaching the Final Eight will be a target for Flanagan’s men. Lydiate’s arrival from Ospreys will add vital experience and a breakdown specialist to their back row. Blacker’s move from Scarlets also offers extra options at scrum-half.

 

Edinburgh

Senior coach: Sean Everitt

Home ground: Hive Stadium

URC 2022-23: 12th

URC 2021-22: Final Eight

Scottish-Italian Shield 2022-23: 3rd

Scottish-Italian Shield 2021-22: 1st

New signings: Ben Healy (Munster), Robin Hislop (Saracens), Javan Sebastian (Scarlets), Mikey Jones (Academy), Harry Paterson (Academy), Cameron Scott (Academy), Scott Steele (Harlequins), Ewan Ashman (Sale Sharks), Nathan Sweeney (Academy), Tom Dodd (Coventry), Mitch Eadie (Toronto Arrows), Tim Swiel (Toyota Industries Shuttles Aichi), D’Arcy Rae (Montpellier), Cameron Neild (Glasgow Warriors).

Opening matches: Dragons (a), Emirates Lions (h), Leinster (a)

It is all change at Edinburgh under new chief Everitt and they have had a busy summer of recruitment. Healy’s arrival from Munster is the most eye-catching and it will be hoped he can orchestrate a return to the Final Eight.

 

Emirates Lions

Head coach: Ivan van Rooyen

Home ground: Emirates Airline Park

URC 2022-23: 9th

URC 2021-22: 12th

SA Shield 2022-23: 4th

SA Shield 2021-22: 4th

New signings: Erich Cronje (Zebre Parma), Zander du Plessis (Griquas), Richard Kriel (Zebre Parma), Conraad van Vuuren (Cheetahs), Kade Wolhuter (DHL Stormers, loan).

Opening matches: DHL Stormers (h), Edinburgh (a), Benetton (a).

The Emirates Lions finished the 2022-23 strongly but fell just short of the Final Eight, missing out by three points. Full-back Kriel joins from Zebre Parma and will add depth to the Lions’ three-quarters. Van Rooyen will hope the Lions can make the progress that will see them reach the end-of-season play-offs for the first time.

 

Glasgow Warriors

Head coach: Franco Smith

Home ground: Scotstoun Stadium

URC 2022-23: Final Eight

URC 2021-22: Final Eight

Scottish-Italian Shield 2022-23: 1st

Scottish-Italian Shield 2021-22: 2nd

New signings: Henco Venter (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Kyle Rowe (London Irish), Logan Trotter (London Irish), Facundo Cordero (Exeter Chiefs), Gregor Hiddleston (Stirling Wolves), Richie Simpson (Ayrshire Bulls), Greg Peterson (Newcastle Falcons).

Opening matches: Leinster (h), Connacht (a), DHL Stormers (h)

Glasgow Warriors’ dominant home form was a major factor behind their success last season before they came unstuck in the play-offs against a well-drilled Munster. In Huw Jones, Sione Tuipulotu and captain Kyle Steyn, they have the backs that can hurt anyone on their day.

 

Hollywoodbets Sharks

Head coach: John Plumtree

Home ground: Hollywoodbets Kings Park

URC 2022-23: Final Eight

URC 2021-22: Final Eight

SA Shield 2022-23: 3rd

SA Shield 2021-22: 3rd

New signings: Vincent Koch (Stade Français), Siya Masuku (Cheetahs), Diego Appollis (Pumas), George Cronje (Cheetahs), Ig Prinsloo (Pumas), Coenie Oosthuizen, Aphiwe Dyantyi (unattached), Francois Hougaard (Saracens).

Opening matches: Munster (a), Leinster (a), Ospreys (a)

The Hollywoodbets Sharks just made it into the play-offs last season and will hope the arrival of South Africa international prop Koch gives them more of a platform up front, although the departure of Springboks captain Siya Kolisi to Racing will be a blow to their set-piece. Experienced scrum-half Hougaard will offer cover with Jaden Hendrikse and Grant Williams at the World Cup.

 

Ospreys

Head coach: Toby Booth

Home ground: Swansea.com Stadium

URC 2022-23: 13th

URC 2021-22: 9th

Welsh Shield 2022-23: 2nd

Welsh Shield 2021-22: 1st

New signings: James Ratti (Cardiff), Luke Davies (Jersey Reds), Dom Morris (Saracens, loan), Cameron Jones (unattached), Ethan Lewis (Saracens), Toby Fricker (Bristol Bears).

Opening matches: Connacht (a), Zebre Parma (h), Hollywoodbets Sharks (h)

It is a new era in Swansea with Tomas Francis, Rhys Webb and Alun Wyn Jones all departing to France and Stephen Myler and Bradley Davies calling time on their careers. Wales co-captains Dewi Lake and Jac Morgan will lead a young side hopeful of making a return to the post-season.

 

Scarlets

Head coach: Dwayne Peel

Home ground: Parc y Scarlets

URC 2022-23: 14th

URC 2021-22: 10th

Welsh Shield 2022-23: 3rd

Welsh Shield 2021-22: 2nd

New signings: Ioan Lloyd (Bristol Bears), Tomi Lewis (Jersey Reds), Eddie James (Academy), Teddy Leatherbarrow (Loughborough University), Charlie Titcombe (Loughborough University), Alex Craig (Gloucester), Efan Jones (RGC 1404), Taine Plumtree (Blues), Ed Scragg (London Irish), Archie Hughes (academy).

Opening matches: Vodacom Bulls (a), DHL Stormers (a), Cardiff (h)

The Scarlets face a difficult start to the season with a South African double-header against the Vodacom Bulls and DHL Stormers but it will give them an early indication of where they stand. The versatile Plumtree is an exciting signing and offers flexibility with the ability to play right across the back five of the scrum. He will be looking to hit the ground running in an attempt to catch the eye of Wales coach Warren Gatland.

 

Vodacom Bulls

Director of Rugby: Jake White

Home ground: Loftus Versfeld

URC 2022-23: Final Eight

URC 2021-22: Runners-up

SA Shield 2022-23: 2nd

SA Shield 2021-22: 2nd

New signings: Wilco Louw (Harlequins), Jannes Kirsten (Exeter Chiefs), Henry Immelman (Edinburgh), Sebastian de Klerk (Pumas), Sergeal Petersen (Shimizu Koto Blue Sharks), Jaco van der Walt (Edinburgh), Mpilo Gumede (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Khutha Mchunu (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Akker van der Merwe (Sale Sharks), Willie le Roux (Toyota Verblitz), Devon Williams (Pumas), Deon Slabbert (Pumas).

Opening matches: Scarlets (h), Ulster (a), Zebre Parma (a)

The Vodacom Bulls have had a busy summer reshaping their squad, highlighted by South Africa international Le Roux returning home from Japan. White will look for Le Roux’s flair to see the Blues make strides after their sixth-placed finish last season following their runners-up performance in the inaugural URC campaign.

 

Zebre Parma

Head coach: Fabio Roselli

Home ground: Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi

URC 2022-23: 16th

URC 2021-22: 16th

Scottish-Italian Shield 2022-23: 4th

Scottish-Italian Shield 2021-22: 4th

New signings: Jake Polledri (Gloucester), Ben Cambriani (Ampthill), Fetuli Paea (Highlanders), Nicola Piantella (Benetton), Filippo Bozzoni (Calvisano), Scott Gregory (Highlanders), Giovanni Montemauri (Rovigo Delta), Bautista Stavile (Rovigo Delta), Tommaso Di Bartolomeo (Petrarca), Liam Zocchi-Dommann (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Danilo Fischetti (London Irish), Matteo Canali (Petrarca), Dylan de Leeuw (Western Province), Thomas Dominguez (Valorugby Emilia), Luca Morisi (London Irish), Steven Longwell (Jersey Reds).

Opening matches: Ulster (h), Ospreys (a), Vodacom Bulls (h)

Zebre Parma may have lost 18 out of 18 games in the URC last season but their total of 11 bonus points goes to show they were in contention more often than not. Fischetti, Polledri and Morisi will add some much-needed experience to their line-up. Former New Zealand Under-20 back Gregory brings some creativity to the backline.

 

All the games will be televised on RTÉ, TG4, Premier Sports, and the award-winning URC TV which is a joint venture between RTÉ and the League and which is built on the technology developed by GAAGo.