URC: Round 1 - 2025/26 season commences as Leinster humbled by Stormers in Cape Town

The URC roared into life across the Northern and Southern Hemispheres, as we witnessed the start of a fresh campaign in Ireland, Wales, Scotland, Italy and South Africa. Here's a full re-cap of the opening weekend of action, as the Stormers top the table following their dominance of the Dubliners.

The DHL Stormers made a statement in their Vodacom United Rugby Championship opener, running out 35-0 victors over defending champions Leinster at DHL Stadium on Friday night. Despite a tight first half, it was the second period where the home side turned up the heat. Flyhalf Jurie Matthee had the early touches of class, slotting two penalties to give the Stormers a 6-0 lead at the break. Leinster had chances, but the defending champions were unable to breach a disciplined Stormers defence.

The second half saw the scoreboard come alive. Seabelo Senatla seized on a loose ball and set up scrumhalf Stefan Ungerer for the opening try under the posts. From there, the forwards dominated, with Evan Roos crossing twice from maul drives to put the result beyond doubt. Matthee rounded off the scoring with a brilliant individual try, racing through a gap to secure the bonus point for the hosts.

Tries: Ungerer, Roos 2, Matthee

Cons: Matthee 3

Pens: Matthee 3

Leinster: 0

Glasgow Warriors opened their 2025/26 Vodacom United Rugby Championship campaign in style, running in five tries to secure a 35-19 victory over the Hollywoodbets Sharks at Scotstoun on Friday night.

The Sharks drew first blood through Edwill van der Merwe, but the Warriors hit back almost immediately. Kyle Rowe’s try, set up by a brilliant series of phases, gave Glasgow a narrow lead, and captain Stafford McDowall extended it with a follow-up charge. Despite late first-half scores from the Sharks keeping the game tight at 14-12, the Warriors gradually asserted control after the interval.

Rory Darge’s opportunistic score early in the second half gave Glasgow a crucial edge, and while the Sharks responded through van der Merwe and Lukhanyo Am, the hosts’ attacking flair proved decisive. Jamie Dobie and a penalty try sealed the win, ensuring Glasgow claimed a maximum five points from their opening fixture.

Glasgow Warriors: 35

Tries: Rowe, McDowall, Darge, Dobie, Penalty

Cons: Horne 3

Hollywoodbets Sharks: 19

Tries: van der Merwe, Am

Cons: Hendrikse 2

Ulster kicked off their 2025/26 United Rugby Championship campaign in emphatic fashion, running in six tries to secure a 42-21 bonus-point win over Dragons RFC at Affidea Stadium.

Despite a shocking start with Aaron Wainwright dotting down for the visitors inside the first 12 seconds, the home side quickly composed themselves. Cormac Izuchukwu powered over from close range to level, and Nick Timoney’s follow-up try put Ulster back in control.

Michael Lowry’s electric run set up David McCann, before Lowry himself assisted Zac Ward to extend the lead, giving Ulster a 28-14 advantage at the break. After the restart, Nathan Doak scored from close range, with Shane Lewis-Hughes replying for the Dragons. Ulster wrapped up the scoring deep in stoppage time through replacement hooker Tom Stewart, sealing a dominant opening-day victory.

Ulster: 42

Tries: Izuchukwu, Timoney, McCann, Ward, Doak, Stewart

Cons: Doak 5, Flannery

Dragons RFC: 21

Tries: Wainwright, Rosser, Lewis-Hughes

Cons: De Beer

The Ospreys kicked off their 2025/26 URC campaign with a thrilling, high-scoring clash at Loftus Versfeld, but it was the Vodacom Bulls who emerged victorious 53-40 in a 15-try spectacle.

Ospreys raced into an early lead with tries from Keelan Giles and Keiran Williams inside the first six minutes, but the Bulls responded through Coetzee and Grobbelaar, keeping the contest tight. After a frenetic first half, the visitors led 26-19 at the break.

The second half saw the Bulls dominate, scoring five unanswered tries at one stage, including two from Grobbelaar and a crucial Jan Serfontein score, taking advantage of an Ospreys yellow card. Despite late tries from Morgan Morse and Keelan Giles, the Bulls held on for a thrilling 53-40 win.

Vodacom Bulls: 53

Tries: Coetzee, Grobbelaar (2), Jooste (2), Jan Serfontein, Juann Else, Cheswill Jooste

Cons: Johannes (4)

Ospreys: 40

Tries: Keelan Giles (2), Keiran Williams (2), Jack Walsh, Morgan Morse

Cons: Dan Edwards

Edinburgh were narrowly beaten at Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi in a dramatic opener against Zebre Parma. The hosts raced to a 14-0 lead before a red card for Zebre captain Licata allowed Edinburgh back into the game. Tries from Liam McConnell (2) and Magnus Bradbury helped Edinburgh level at 14-14.

Zebre regained control with further scores from Gesi and Fusco, leading 28-14. Edinburgh fought back in the second half through Ben Vellacott and replacement Paddy Harrison to tie the game 28-28, but a late penalty from Zebre replacement Martin Roger Farias secured a 31-28 win.

Despite the loss, Edinburgh earned two bonus points (try bonus point and losing bonus point) as they prepare for their first home fixture against Ulster next week.

Zebre: 31

Tries: Bartolomeo, Pitinari, Gesi, Fusco;

Cons: Da Re (4)

Pen: Farias

Edinburgh: 21

Tries: Liam McConnell (2), Magnus Bradbury, Ben Vellacott, Paddy Harrison

Cons: Healy (4)

Munster kicked off their 2025/26 URC campaign with a commanding 34-21 bonus-point victory over the Scarlets in Wales. The visitors dominated possession and territory throughout, building a 0-13 half-time lead through a try from Craig Casey and two penalties from JJ Hanrahan.

Munster extended their advantage in the second half with tries from Mike Haley, Dan Kelly, and Tom Ahern, securing the bonus point despite late Scarlets scores from Blair Williams and Taine Plumtree. Jack Crowley’s accurate conversions ensured Munster controlled the scoreboard and started their season on a high.

Munster: 34

Tries: Craig Casey, Mike Haley, Dan Kelly, Tom Ahern

Cons: JJ Hanrahan, Jack Crowley 3

Pens: Hanrahan 2

Scarlets: 21

Tries: Blair Williams, Ellis Mee, Taine Plumtree

Cons: Sam Costelow 2, Joe Hawkins

Stuart Lancaster’s tenure as Connacht head coach began with a bonus-point 26-15 win over Benetton at the Dexcom Stadium. The Irish province dominated much of the first half, taking a 12-3 lead thanks to tries from Josh Ioane and Sean Naughton, with Cathal Forde converting both.

In a competitive second half, Dylan Tierney-Martin and Sean Jansen crossed for Connacht, while Benetton responded through Louis Lynagh and Alessandro Garbisi. Discipline played a role, with yellow cards for Malakai Fekitoa, Chay Mullins, and Michele Lamaro influencing the flow of the game.

Connacht’s clinical finishing and strong use of their numerical advantage ensured they secured the bonus point in a game that sets a positive tone for the season. They host the Scarlets next week, while Benetton return home to face Glasgow.

Connacht: 26

Tries: Josh Ioane, Sean Naughton, Dylan Tierney-Martin, Sean Jansen

Cons: Cathal Forde 3

Benetton: 15

Tries: Louis Lynagh, Alessandro Garbisi

Cons: Jacob Umaga

Pens: Jacob Umaga

Cardiff kicked off their United Rugby Championship campaign with a 33-20 bonus-point victory over the Emirates Lions at Cardiff Arms Park, despite a red card for Wales centre Ben Thomas.

The Blue and Blacks led 14-13 at halftime thanks to tries from Thomas and full-back Cam Winnett, both converted by Callum Sheedy. The match saw a controversial moment when Thomas was sent off for a dangerous clearout, also denying flanker Taine Basham a try on his lively debut.

Despite playing a period with 14 men, Cardiff hit back strongly in the second half. Tries from flanker Alex Mann and hooker Evan Lloyd (2), combined with Sheedy’s reliable boot, secured the bonus-point win. Lions responded with tries from Ruan Venter and WJ Steenkamp, with Dobela adding conversions and penalties, but could not overturn the deficit.

The victory sets Cardiff up to build momentum, following a disrupted week that saw head coach Matt Sherratt temporarily away with the national coaching team.

Cardiff: 33

Tries: Ben Thomas, Cam Winnett, Alex Mann, Evan Lloyd 2

Cons: Callum Sheedy 4

Lions: 20

Tries: Ruan Venter, WJ Steenkamp

Cons: Lubabalo Dobela 2

Pens: Dobela 2