After two eventful weekends of Champions Cup clashes, the highly anticipated BKT United Rugby Championship now takes centre stage, with the upcoming Interprovincial games promising to be nothing short of exhilarating. The action commences in Belfast this Friday evening as Ulster prepares to face Connacht in the traditional pre-Christmas derby at Kingspan Stadium, following their stellar performance against Racing 92, securing a convincing 31-15 victory. Furthermore, the showdown between Munster and Leinster, slated to take place at Thomond Park on Tuesday, St. Stephen’s Day, is also eagerly anticipated.
For those looking to follow the electrifying Interprovincial matches, comprehensive coverage will be available through live blogs from Kingspan Stadium and Thomond Park, as well as detailed reports and reactions. The live action can be watched on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player, as well as on TG4 for the Ulster v Connacht match on Friday 22 December. URC.tv will also be showing all the games live.
The weather forecast for the matches suggests a gusty night in Belfast during the Ulster v Connacht game, with a possibility of light showers and temperatures hovering around 10°C. Conversely, the forecast for St. Stephen’s Day suggests clearer skies for the Munster v Leinster bout, with a mild afternoon eventually giving way to a chilly evening by kick-off time at 7.35.
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The upcoming URC round features Ulster and Connacht coming off successive URC defeats, with Ulster holding a more optimistic position overall after their morale-boosting win against Racing 92 in the Champions Cup last week. Connacht, on the other hand, is currently grappling with a four-game losing streak across all competitions, but has proven to have the upper hand in recent encounters with Ulster.
As both squads hold identical records so far in the URC season, the Friday night clash between Ulster and Connacht carries significant weight. Ulster stands one point ahead of Connacht, and a victory for the latter would mark their first three-in-a-row triumph over Ulster since 2018.
The derby will feature both teams almost at full strength, and the intensity is palpable as all eyes are fixed on Kingspan Stadium. Ulster will be missing the injured duo of Rob Herring and Billy Burns, but their lineup remains formidable. Connacht, on the other hand, looks to be equally strong with the return of Mack Hansen from injury, alongside the stalwarts Bundee Aki and Finlay Bealham featured in their starting XV.
The rivalry between Munster and Leinster is currently experiencing a rejuvenation, marked by the intensely competitive nature of their recent matchups. The St. Stephen’s Day face-off at Thomond Park, a game that garnered a sold-out status weeks ago, promises to be another riveting spectacle. Munster’s triumph over Leinster in the URC semi-final last May was undoubtedly a defining moment for them. However, they are acutely aware of their less-than-ideal home record against Leinster.
In conclusion, the upcoming URC round is brimming with excitement, with the potential to unfold a series of tightly contested matches that will surely keep fans on the edge of their seats. Let’s prepare to witness the clash of titans and revel in the passion and skill that the game of rugby promises to deliver.