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Andy Kyriacou (Munster) How do you rate your chances in the Vodacom URC this season? “We want to start well and it starts on Saturday against the Hollywoodbets Sharks at Thomond Park. We know what a challenge the season is, having gone through it last year. “We are just looking forward to getting going again, …

The Vodacom United Rugby Championship kicks off this weekend and in the lead up the new 2023/24 season, fans of the teams were asked to rate which opposition teams they love to beat, who they secretly like as a second favorite team, which away ground they are most jealous of and which players they love …

ENG 15-16 RSA: South Africa edge England to book final v New Zealand: South Africa will meet New Zealand in the Rugby World Cup 2023 final next Saturday after pipping England in the second semi-final at Stade de France. South Africa will have the chance to defend their Rugby World Cup crown in next Saturday’s …

John Dobson has warned that status will count for naught when the DHL Stormers blow into Johannesburg on Saturday to hunt down an Emirates Lions team primed to drag the reigning Vodacom URC SA Shield champions to “dark places”. “Going up to the Highveld in week one is about as tough as we can have, …

The Third edition of Vodacom URC will kick off this weekend! It may feel like the eyes of the rugby world are on France at the moment, but this weekend, the next generation of Springboks will start the new season when the third edition of the Vodacom United Rugby Championship kicks off across South Africa, …

Stephen Ferris says Munster deserve major credit for going from being written off as the worst Irish province a year ago to now being the side that everyone is chasing in the Vodacom United Rugby Championship. The Munstermen won just two of their first seven league matches at the start of last season to leave …

Leinster and Glasgow Warriors will both be fueled by their deep disappointment over the way last season ended when they lock horns on the opening weekend of the new Vodacom United Rugby Championship. After finishing the regular campaign top of the table, Leinster then suffered a 16-15 defeat to Munster in the play-off Semi-Finals ahead …

Scotland great Chris Paterson feels Glasgow Warriors will have unfinished business this season, while it’s a case of not quite knowing what to expect from Edinburgh. Glasgow Warriors went on a great run under new coach Franco Smith last term, reaching the knock-out stages in both the Vodacom United Rugby Championship and the European Challenge …

Wing wizard Shane Williams believes the Scarlets will be the strongest performing Welsh team in the Vodacom United Rugby Championship this season. He also feels there will be an opportunity for a number of talented youngsters to break through across the four regions. Wales’ all-time record try scorer – a pundit for Vodacom URC broadcasters …

As Ireland grieves a disappointing 2023 Rugby World Cup exit, Steven Kitshoff is the embodiment of hope and revival for an Ulster team determined to bounce back in the 2023-24 Vodacom United Rugby Championship. Like the national team, Ulster knows all too well the bitter tang of a play-off defeat. The Belfast club won 13 …

England head coach Steve Borthwick has named his match-day 23 to face South Africa at Stade de France on Saturday, 21 October with three changes to the starting XV that beat Fiji in the quarter-finals. Joe Marler and George Martin come in at loosehead prop and second-row respectively, replacing Ellis Genge and Ollie Chessum, who …

The Vodacom United Rugby Championship will work with Marker Diagnostics (Marker) to implement a new data collection initiative designed to improve elite player safety and build on previous research in concussion. Having already conducted small-scale trials with Marker during the 2022/23 season, all 16 teams in the Vodacom URC have enrolled in this research for …

New Zealand head coach Ian Foster and Argentina head coach Michael Cheika named their match-day 23 to face Argentina and England in their Rugby World Cup 2023 semi-final at Stade de France on Friday, 20 October. Head coach Ian Foster has named his New Zealand match-day 23 for Friday’s Rugby World Cup 2023 semi-final against …

Springbok coach Jacques Nienaber showed faith in his match-winning Rugby World Cup quarter-final squad by retaining the same starting XV and replacements’ bench for Saturday’s semi-final against England at the Stade de France in Paris. The selection is the most experienced in Springbok history – with a combined total of 895 caps – with 15 …

Head coach Ioan Cunningham has named the Wales Women’s senior side to make history and open the inaugural WXV1 campaign against Canada at Sky Stadium, Wellington, on Saturday, October 21st. (KO: 4pm local time). Hannah Jones will captain the side and will win her 50th cap for her country against Canada. She was called into …

With the iconic Wales No 10 jersey up for grabs post-World Cup, Ioan Lloyd is a young man on a mission as he heads into the new Vodacom URC season. He hasn’t featured on the international stage since he was fast-tracked in to make his Test bow as a teenager in the autumn of 2020. …

The Principality Stadium is delighted to confirm GWCCI as the half time entertainment for next month’s Wales v Barbarians showdown. This is alongside trailblazing Welsh DJs Kay Russant and former Wales international Josh Navidi who return to the decks following a rapturous reception when Wales hosted South Africa in Cardiff back in August. All three …

Benetton Rugby The team from Treviso have gone well in pre-season with three straight victories, including wins over Ulster and Perpignan, while new recruits Malakai Fekitoa and Paolo Odogwu will add potency behind the scrum. Home ground: Stadio Monigo Last season: 11th Coach: Marco Bortolami Star turn: Michele Lamaro – The Italian skipper leads by …

In partnership with the Federación Española de Rugby and World Rugby, the Spanish town of Villajoyosa is set to host home nation Spain, North American rugby giants USA and Canada and growing South American power Brazil in La Vila International Rugby Cup from 11-18 November, 2023. Backed and funded by World Rugby, the exciting new …

Angus Gardner will take charge of the Argentina v New Zealand RWC 2023 semi-final on Friday with Ben O’Keeffe in the middle for the England v South Africa encounter the next day. World Rugby has announced the Emirates Match Officials for the Rugby World Cup 2023 semi-finals at Stade de France this weekend. Angus Gardner …

An exciting new partnership between the BKT United Rugby Championship and LegendaryPlays will showcase the opportunity to collect video moments that unlock ‘money can’t buy’ real-life experiences and physical memorabilia. Through the use of blockchain technology rugby supporters and sports fans will be able to own marquee video highlights in this contemporary approach to sports …