URC Round 11 Preview: top flight rugby returns during Six Nations fallow week

02/14/2025 10:37 AM

The United Rugby Championship returns to our screens this weekend, as the 2025 Guinness Men’s Six Nations enters it’s first of two fallow weeks away from the pitch. The top clubs, provinces and franchises from Wales, Scotland, Ireland, Italy and South Africa are back in action, for the Origin Round as the URC honors the roots of their international stars.

Quotes provided by URC Media

Find your local Greene King and settle in for the 2025 Six Nations!

BKT URC Round 11 Preview

Edinburgh Rugby v Zebre Parma (Friday, 7.35pm)

Local clubs from Argentina, New Zealand, Australia, South Africa, Ireland, Wales, England, and Scotland are name-checked in the Edinburgh team announcement for this BKT URC Origin Round, which recognizes players' first clubs.

Pumas star Emiliano Boffelli, returning from injury, started out at Duendes in Rosario, while other players' origins span from Old Boys University in Wellington (Wes Goosen) to Doncaster Knights (Paul Hill).

This will mark Boffelli's first BKT URC appearance of the season after recovering from back surgery.

Coach Sean Everitt said: "We're delighted to welcome Emiliano back to the team. He has worked incredibly hard to return to full fitness and I know how proud he is to be pulling on the Edinburgh jersey once again."

Zebre arrives full of confidence after beating Ulster in Belfast in the last round, their first away win in the league since January 2001.

Ospreys v Leinster Rugby (Friday, 7.35pm)

Jack Walsh is confident his 50th appearance for Ospreys can coincide with them becoming the first team to beat Leinster this season.

"They haven't lost this season in any competition, so you pay them respect. They are a well-oiled machine," said Walsh.

"But I don't see why we can't be the first team to beat them this year. We are not going into the game hoping to get a bonus point loss or anything like that. We are going in to win. There's no doubt about that in our mind."

Leinster coach Leo Cullen acknowledged the challenge ahead, saying: "It's going to be a tough challenge for us. It's never an easy place to go."

Emirates Lions v DHL Stormers (Saturday, 12.30pm)

Captain Francke Horn is set to lead the Emirates Lions after signing a new contract.

"As a squad we've set goals that we want to achieve over the next couple of years," he said. "We want to stay and succeed, to take the union forward. We have a lekker group of guys, and we are enjoying the style of play."

For the Stormers, Springbok prop Frans Malherbe will earn his 150th cap.

Director of Rugby John Dobson said: "Frans made his debut 14 years ago and has achieved so much in that time. It is very rare these days to see someone play that long for one team, especially a player of his stature."

Vodacom Bulls v Hollywoodbets Sharks (Saturday, 3pm)

Bulls coach Jake White sees this as a must-win clash after their 20-17 loss to the Sharks in December.

"We had a chance to win that game. We think we missed an opportunity," White said. "Everyone in the team realizes we could have won, should have won."

The Sharks will be missing Eben Etzebeth and Siya Kolisi but still field several Springboks, including Bongi Mbonambi, Lukhanyo Am, and Trevor Nyakane.

Munster Rugby v Scarlets (Saturday, 5.15pm)

The BKT URC Origin round highlights players' first clubs, and Scarlets prop Archer Holz stands out, having started with Lightning Ridge Tigers in rural New South Wales.

Holz reflected on playing in the URC: "I've found the URC kind of sits somewhere in the middle, especially the way the Scarlets play. We like to move the ball, but at the same time there's also a focus on set-piece."

With Munster just a point behind the Scarlets in seventh place, this game is crucial for both teams' play-off aspirations.

Benetton Rugby v Ulster Rugby (Saturday, 5.15pm)

Both Benetton and Ulster are eager to bounce back from bruising defeats in the last round.

Benetton suffered a heavy 43-0 loss to the Ospreys, while Ulster became the first team to lose at home to Zebre in four years.

With both sides now outside the top eight, this fixture is crucial for their play-off hopes.

Connacht Rugby v Cardiff Rugby (Saturday, 7.35pm)

Cardiff will aim to give outgoing coach Matt Sherratt a winning send-off before he joins Wales' Six Nations squad.

Captain Liam Belcher praised Sherratt's appointment, saying: "I think it's great for the club and great for him personally. He can install confidence in the group straight away, and confidence goes a long way in any sport."

Connacht, currently 14th, sees this as a critical game. Coach Pete Wilkins stated: "If we are not already in knock-out stage in the URC, then we are certainly not far away from that."

Dragons RFC v Glasgow Warriors (Sunday, 2pm)

Filo Tiatia will take charge of the Dragons as permanent head coach, following his interim role.

"I am absolutely delighted and excited about the challenge ahead," he said. "It's been a real privilege to work in Gwent rugby this season and to now lead the programme here."

Meanwhile, Glasgow boss Franco Smith continues to be linked to the vacant Wales head coach role but remains focused on keeping Glasgow's title defense on track.

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