United Rugby Championship

Fixture dates

R1: Weekend 24/25/26 September

R2: 1/2/3 October

R3: 8/9/10 October

R4: 15/16/17 October

R5: 22/23/24 October

R6: 29/30/31 October

R7: 3/4/5 December

R8: 24/25/26 December

R9: 31 December 1/2 January

R10: 7/8/9 January

R11: 28/29/30 January

R12: 18/19/20 February

R13: 4/5/6 March

R14: 25/26/27 March

R15: 1/2/3 April

R16: 22/23/24 April

R17: 29/20/21 April

Thanks for the update….it will be good to see our teams back in international competition.

Yes, the local derbies have become stale. Like 3 back-to-back Currie Cups. 

I like this a lot.

Was getting very bored of the kak game times for NZ and Oz teams.

Also makes playing them more interesting again.

Would like to know what the numbers look like.

And...I have a feeling that the quota system will be in the spotlight soon enough. Which nobody in NZ or Oz had the balls to bring up.

A few other tidbits.

The qualification system for the Champions came down to votes from the Welsh, Scottish and presumably the Italians. The Irish wanted to keep it that the top 8 finishers in the league would take the 8 qualification spots but where outvoted by the Welsh and Scots who feared the most of the top 8 spots could end up being taken by the Irish and SA teams and they could potentially end up with no Champions Cup qualifiers.

There is also talk of Club Rugby World Cup every 4 years where the top teams in Europe (including SA) take on the top Southern Hemisphere teams. This would likely mean no Champions Cup tournament the year that tournament was on.

Thanks  Stav - much appreciated,,   

Stav its so very nice to see you making a positive contribution for once rather than the usual climate change nonsense an you absurd political views.

Keep up the good work an you could graduate from S tavass to Stav! Hahahahahahhaha

Looks like it will be an interesting competition. I hope out teams earn big bucks and we can keep our best  players in South Africa.

Interesting and thanks Stav.

Well the fixtures have finally been announced.

Here is who the SA team's are up against in round one.

Zebre Vs Lions in the very first game of championship. The gods where kind to the Lions with this one. Even though this is away the Lions should win this handy enough. Zebre are basically a development team and are usually the weakest team in the league. Lose to Zebre and South African rugby might as well pack it in.

Benetton Vs Stormers. This should actually be a good game. Hard to call. Benetton where always a much better team than last seasons resulted suggested and may still be on a high after winning the Rainbow Cup and their at home. Hard one to call but I think Benetton will edge it.

Leinster Vs The Bulls. Well if the gods where kind to the Lions they where not so kind to the Bulls, away to Leinster and its in the Aviva where they have a rather stellar record while the Bulls will probably be down quite a few players with the Rugby Championship still on. Bulls to get shanked.

Munster Vs Sharks. Almost as bad for the Sharks, Munster to win handsomely.

Full fixture list can be found over here.

https://www.unitedrugby.com/