One Big Thing To Know About Every Round 2 Match In The URC
One Big Thing To Know About Every Round 2 Match In The URC
Round 2 of the URC promises exciting clashes as South African teams join the fray, with matchups loaded with potential for last-minute drama and surprises.
Of the six matches that took place during the opening weekend of the 2024-2025 United Rugby Championship season, none were decided by more than five points.
Just another round in one of the strongest club rugby competitions in the world.
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Full of late comebacks, last-gasp points and dramatic finishes, the URC did not disappoint in its return.
The defending champions were defeated, two game-winning tries were scored in added time in separate matches and, overall, the quality of rugby was impressive for the season's opening weekend.
Round 2 looks poised to deliver even more excitement, especially as the four South African teams in the competition make their season debuts.
Stick around, because things are about to heat up in the URC this season.
Here’s a look at what you need to know for each match of Round 2 of the United Rugby Championship, streamed live, and exclusively, on FloRugby in the United States:
Friday, Sept. 27
All Times Eastern
Dragons vs. Leinster - 2:35 p.m. ET
- The Dragons Dig Deep
The Dragons are clear underdogs against Leinster, the Champions Cup runners-up for three consecutive seasons, at the massive Aviva Stadium.
However, based on their opening-round performance against the Ospreys, they've yet to let the underdog theme define them.
The Dragons demonstrated a never-say-die attitude, coming back after being down a player and trailing 21-13 with just three minutes remaining.
A penalty from Lloyd Evans and a try from Luke Yendle in the 84th minute, following a 25-phase attack, led to an incredible derby day comeback.
While toppling Leinster at the Aviva is a formidable challenge, the Dragons should enter Dublin with plenty of confidence.
Benetton vs. Glasgow Warriors - 2:35 p.m. ET
- Benetton Must Be More Clinical
Benetton, the team that boasts numerous players from Italy's up-and-coming national squad, still is in the process of mastering the art of consistent quality.
A 20-20 draw with the Scarlets in Round 1 was disappointing; they led 12-0 in the first half but allowed the Welsh side to level the score.
When Onisi Ratave scored a try in the 78th minute, putting Benetton a conversion away from victory, Jacob Umaga hooked the kick, leaving the teams to share the points.
There is no room for mistakes this weekend, as the Warriors, the reigning URC champions, are determined to recover from their previous loss to Ulster in Round 1.
Your champions return home 🤩
— Glasgow Warriors (@GlasgowWarriors) September 13, 2024
Be there as your Warriors run out for the first time at Scotstoun as defending #BKTURC champions when we take on Benetton on Friday 27 September!
🎟️ https://t.co/2QkIzRRnKh#WhateverItTakes pic.twitter.com/mHOPmtkoCK
Saturday, Sept. 28
Ulster vs. Lions - 6:55 a.m. ET
- Ulster Has Flair for Dramatics
The atmosphere at Kingspan Stadium was electric after Ulster's incredible last-minute win against Glasgow last weekend.
They scored a try five minutes into stoppage time, which was confirmed after a TMO review.
Ulster will need to take the confidence to South Africa but avoid any hangover effect from the win, as they go against a determined Lions team looking to make a statement.
The Lions will be making their 2024-2025 URC debut after missing Round 1, and Ellis Park will provide a stiff test for Ulster to prove its opening-round win wasn’t just a fluke.
Edinburgh vs. Bulls - 9 a.m. ET
- South African Teams Are Starting Late
The Lions, Bulls, Stormers and Sharks did not play in Round 1 due to a conflict with the Currie Cup final, postponing those matches to early 2025.
These teams will head into their first matchups well-conditioned, with less URC competition compared to their non-South African counterparts, which may put them at a disadvantage as they adapt to new personnel and tactics.
Fortunately for the Bulls, they will not have to leave South Africa for their first match and will face Edinburgh, who lost to Leinster in Round 1.
Munster vs. Zebre Parma - 10 a.m. ET
- Munster Can Light Up the Scoreboard
Munster kicked off its championship campaign with a triumphant 35-33 win against Connacht.
Munster topped the regular-season table last year but was eliminated in the playoff semifinals by the eventual champions, the Glasgow Warriors.
Munster's offensive prowess was evident with five players each scoring a try against Connacht.
If things go well, they could have a field day against Zebre, which they defeated by 45 points last season in Round 11.
Cardiff vs. Scarlets - 12:15 p.m. ET
- Callum Sheedy Is a Star
Cardiff struggled in Round 1, leading 22-3 at home against perennial basement-dwellers Zebre Parma, before the Italians closed the gap to a respectable 22-17 at full-time.
Callum Sheedy - making his debut for his hometown club after a decade with Bristol Bears - performed exceptionally well.
He set up the first two tries with brilliant kicks. As Cardiff faces another Welsh side, Sheedy will aim to maintain his strong form.
The Scarlets, coming off a well-deserved draw against Benetton, will look to make it a tantalizing derby day at Parc y Scarlets.
ROUND 2: 🆚 @scarlets_rugby (A)
— Cardiff Rugby (@Cardiff_Rugby) September 25, 2024
Our opening Welsh derby match of the season. 🏴
🔗 https://t.co/YMvcmCxkWA#AlwaysCardiff pic.twitter.com/KbK7VuNNQb
Sharks vs. Connacht - 2:35 p.m. ET
- Siya Kolisi Is Back
The return of two-time Rugby World Cup-winning captain Siya Kolisi to the Sharks was delayed by the Round 1 situation with South African clubs, but he finally is set to make his mark in the URC after a tumultuous season in France.
Kolisi won’t be playing in front of home support in his first match back, but he and the Sharks will face a much-improved Connacht side at Dexcom Stadium.
Connacht earned two bonus points in a 10-try thriller against Munster, showing that it could exceed its 11th-place finish in the URC table last season.
Stormers vs. Ospreys - 2:35 p.m. ET
- Will Stormers Avoid Disappointment?
The Ospreys must turn their early-season disappointment into motivation as they welcome the Stormers to Swansea.
The Stormers, who won the inaugural URC title in 2021-2022 and were runners-up the following year, were eliminated in the first round of the playoffs last season.
Springboks prop Steven Kitshoff has joined from Ulster to bolster their front row.
As the Ospreys aim to avoid an 0-2 start, they will face a well-rested Stormers side featuring standout players, such as fly-half Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu and speedster Damian Willemse.
How To Watch The United Rugby Championship In The United States?
Every match of the URC is streaming live on FloRugby and the FloSports app this season.
Replays, highlights and breaking news will be on both platforms.
2024-2025 URC Rugby Schedule
Check out the full United Rugby Championship schedule on FloRugby.
When Does The URC Season Begin And When Is The URC Grand Final?
Week 1 of the United Rugby Championship season begins Sept. 20.
The URC quarterfinals will start May 30, 2025, and the URC Grand Final is scheduled for June 14, 2025.
URC Rugby Schedule For Week 2 Fixtures
Tune in live and on-demand to catch the greatest rugby in the world streaming on FloRugby to the United States, U.S. territories and Canada.
URC Rugby Fixtures Friday, Sept. 27
URC Rugby Fixtures Saturday, Sept. 28
- 6:55 a.m. ET - Lions vs Ulster
- 9 a.m. ET - Vodacom Bulls vs Edinburgh
- 10 a.m. ET - Zebre Parma vs Munster
- 12:15 p.m. ET - Scarlets vs Cardiff
- 2:35 p.m. ET - Ospreys vs DHL Stormers
- 2:35 p.m. ET - Connacht vs Sharks
URC Standings Table After Round 1
Rank | Team | Played | Won | Lost | Drawn | For | Against | Pts Diff | Bonus | Points |
1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 22 | 17 | 5 | 1 | 5 | |
2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 35 | 33 | 2 | 1 | 5 | |
3 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 33 | 31 | 2 | 1 | 5 | |
4 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 23 | 21 | 2 | 0 | 4 | |
5 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 20 | 19 | 1 | 0 | 4 | |
6 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 20 | 20 | 0 | 0 | 2 | |
7 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 20 | 20 | -2 | 0 | 2 | |
8 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 33 | 35 | -2 | 2 | 2 | |
9 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 31 | 33 | -1 | 2 | 2 | |
10 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 19 | 20 | -2 | 1 | 1 | |
11 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 21 | 23 | -5 | 1 | 1 | |
12 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 17 | 22 | 0 | 1 | 1 | |
13 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
14 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
15 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
16 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
How To Watch Rugby Matches In the United States On FloRugby
FloRugby and FloSports also are the U.S. home to:
FloRugby also is home to match archives and match replays.