All you need to know

The BKT United Rugby Championship returns as the Six Nations takes a break with all four Irish provinces in action.

Leinster are first out of the blocks with a Friday night trip to Cardiff, while Connacht, against Glasgow, Munster, against Zebre, and Ulster, against Ospreys have Saturday assignments.

As the league celebrates 'Origin Round', find out all you need to know about the games here.

Online

We'll have live scoring, reports and reaction on RTÉ.ie/sport

TV

Cardiff v Leinster (Friday, 7pm) and Connacht v Glasgow Warriors (Saturday 3pm) are live on TG4 and Premier Sports

Munster v Zebre (Saturday 5.30pm) and Ospreys v Ulster (Saturday, 7.45pm) are live on Premier Sports, while all games are on URC.tv

RADIO

Commentary from Connacht v Glasgow on Saturday Sport on RTÉ Radio 1

WEATHER

There's a high chance of rain in Cardiff on Friday night, with light winds in temperatures of around 8C.

It's a similar forecast for the west of Ireland on Saturday afternoon for Connacht and Munster's games.

Galway is likely to see rain, while Limerick is set for a drizzle for the late afternoon kick-off.

Bridgend also expects drizzle and light winds on Saturday evening in temperatures of around 7C for Ulster's game.

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Leo Cullen's Leinster sit second in the table, four points behind Glasgow ahead of round 12.

The defending champions have won their last 11 matches in all competitions since their 14-31 reversal at the hands of Munster in round four.

Leinster's only loss on their last six visits to Wales was 22-16 to the Scarlets in April last year, while Cardiff’s only victory over the visitors at the Arms Park since 2007 was 29-27 January 2022.

Harry Byrne has been released from Ireland camp to take his place at out-half, while Robbie Henshaw is back after missing the opening three rounds of the Six Nations with a knee injury.

Corniel van Zyl's side's last six matches in all competitions have all been won by the home team on the day.

Cardiff: Cam Winnett (Treorchy/Ysgol Cwm Rhondda); Jacob Beetham (Brecon RFC/Ysgol Uwchradd Llanfair-ym-Muallt), Harri Millard (Mountain Ash / Ysgol Gyfun Rhydywaun), Ben Thomas (St Peters/Corpus Christi), Mason Grady (Barry & Penarth RFC / Ysgol Bro Morgannwg); Callum Sheedy (St Peters/Corpus Christi), Aled Davies (Whitland RFC/ Ysgol Bro Myrddin); Rhys Barratt (Llantwit Fardre/Coleg y Cymoedd), Liam Belcher (Porth Harlequins/Porth Community School), Javan Sebastian (Carmarthen Athletic/Queen Elizabeth High School); Josh McNally (RAF/ Aylestone High School), George Nott (Chester RUFC/Kings School, Chester); Alun Lawrence (Llantrisant RFC/ Ysgol Llanhari & Coleg y Cymoedd), Dan Thomas (Kidwelly/ Bro Myrddin), Taine Basham (Talywain/ Abersychan School).

Replacements: Daf Hughes (Llandovery/Llandovery College), Danny Southworth (Barnstaple/ Pilton School), Keiron Assiratti (Wattstown/Porth County School), Rory Thornton (Bonymaen/Cefn Hengoed), Evan Rees (Cambrian Welfare/ Ysgol Nantgwyn), Johan Mulder (University of Pretoria/ Afrikaanse Hoër Seuns Skool), Ioan Lloyd (CRICC/Glantaf), Tom Bowen (Aberdare & Abercynon/St Johns).

Leinster: Jimmy O'Brien (Newbridge College / Naas RFC); Joshua Kenny (Presentation College Bray / Greystones RFC), Rieko Ioane (Auckland Grammar School / Ponsonby Rugby Club), Robbie Henshaw (Marist College / Buccaneers RFC), Ruben Moloney (Blackrock College / Blackrock College RFC); Harry Byrne (St Michael's College / Old Belvedere RFC), Fintan Gunne (St Michael's College / Old Belvedere RFC); Jerry Cahir (Cistercian College Roscrea / Lansdowne FC), John McKee (Campbell College / Ards RFC & Terenure College RFC), Andrew Sparrow (St Mary's College / St Mary's College RFC); Alan Spicer (Belvedere College / Malahide RFC), Brian Deeny (St Peter's College / Wexford Wanderers RFC); Max Deegan (capt) (St Michael's College / Wanderers FC), Scott Penny (St Michael's College / UCD RFC), James Culhane (Blackrock College / De La Salle Palmerston FC).

Replacements: Gus McCarthy (Blackrock College / Old Belvedere RFC), Alex Usanov (Belvedere College / Malahide RFC), Rabah Slimani (AAS Sarcelles), RG Snyman (Afrikaanse Hoër Seunskool), Josh Ericson (Skerries Community College / Skerries RFC), Luke McGrath (St Michael's College / Old Belvedere RFC), Charlie Tector (Kilkenny College / Enniscorthy RFC), Andrew Osborne (Naas CBS / Naas RFC).

Referee: Sam Grove-White (SRU)

Connacht sit 12th in the table after a run of seven losses in 10 games, however, they come into this tie against the Warriors off the back of a 31-15 win over Zebre in the last round.

The hosts have lost their last two URC matches at Dexcom Stadium and have not lost three in a row there in the URC since January 2021.

Stuart Lancaster's side's only victory in their last four clashes with Glasgow was 34-26 on the Scotsmen's last visit to Galway in October 2023.

League leaders Glasgow have won their last two away games in the championship but have not won three in a row on their travels in the URC since April 2024.

The Warriors' only defeat in their nine league matches was 23-0 at the Scarlets in round six.

Connacht: Sam Gilbert (Lincoln University / St. Andrew's College); Shane Jennings (Ballinasloe RFC / Garbally College), Harry West (Ballina RFC / St. Muredach's College), Cathal Forde (Corinthians RFC / Coláiste Iognáid), Finn Treacy (Greystones RFC / Presentation College Bray); Josh Ioane (Southern Magpies / King’s College), Caolin Blade (Monivea RFC / Clarin College); Denis Buckley (Creggs RFC / Blackrock College), Dylan Tierney-Martin (Corinthians RFC / The Bish), Sam Illo (Old Wesley RFC / Wesley College); David O’Connor (St. Mary’s College RFC / Blackrock College), Joe Joyce (Southmead RFC / Filton College); Paul Boyle (capt) (Gorey RFC / Gorey Community College), Sean O’Brien (Greystones RFC / Blackrock College), Sean Jansen (Green Island / Otago High School).

Replacements: Matthew Victory (Bective Rangers RFC / St. Michael’s College), Billy Bohan (Newbridge RFC / Newbridge College), Jack Aungier (Suttonians RFC / St. Fintan’s High School), Josh Murphy (Clontarf RFC / St. Michael’s College), Cian Prendergast (Newbridge RFC / Newbridge College), Colm Reilly (Ballinasloe RFC / Garbally College), Jack Carty (Buccaneers RFC / Marist College), Bundee Aki (Borneo Eagles / Manurewa High School).

Glasgow Warriors: Josh McKay (Kaiapoi); Kyle Rowe (Queen Victoria School), Stafford McDowall (capt) (Stewartry), Kerr Yule (West of Scotland), Ollie Smith (Marr); Dan Lancaster (West Park Leeds), Ben Afshar (Edinburgh Academical); Jamie Bhatti (Hillfoots), Seb Stephen (Garioch/Glenalmond College), Murphy Walker (Dundee Eagles); Jare Oguntibeju (Meridian Pinehurst), Alex Samuel (Madras); Euan Ferrie (East Kilbride), Angus Fraser (Dundee Eagles), Ally Miller (Preston Lodge/Musselburgh).

Replacements: Gregor Hiddleston (Dumfries Saints), Patrick Schickerling (Walvis Bay High School), Sam Talakai (Waverley College), Alex Craig (Stewartry), Macenzzie Duncan (Clevedon), Sione Vailanu (Hihifo), Jack Oliver (Garryowen), Adam Hastings (George Watson's College).

Referee: Ben Breakspear (WRU)

Munster have won just one of their last four URC matches, the 22-20 victory over the Dragons at Virgin Media Park in January.

Clayton McMillan's men have lost their last three matches at Thomond Park in all competitions and have not lost four in a row at the venue in the professional era.

They welcome back Ireland players Tom Farrell, Michael Milne and Edwin Edogbo from international camp and have made 10 changes to the team that lost to Glasgow last time out.

Zebre have lost their last nine league matches after opening the season with a pair of victories and they have won just once on a trip to Ireland since 2018, and that by a single point, 15-14 against Ulster in January 2025.

The Italian's 42-33 triumph over Munster in September 2024 ended a run of 21 Munster victories since the team's formation.

Munster: Mike Haley (Preston Grasshoppers/Hartpury College); Calvin Nash (Young Munster RFC/Crescent College Comp), Tom Farrell (Coolmine RFC/Castleknock College), Dan Kelly (Rochdale Rugby Union/Kirkham Grammar), Shane Daly (Highfield RFC/PBC); JJ Hanrahan (Castleisland RFC/Rockwell College), Paddy Patterson (Blackrock College); Michael Milne (Birr RFC/Cistercian College Roscrea), Niall Scannell (PBC/Dolphin RFC), Michael Ala'alatoa (West Harbour RFC); Jean Kleyn (Hoërskool Linden), Fineen Wycherley (Bantry Bay RFC/Cistercian College Roscrea); Gavin Coombes (Skibbereen RFC/Bandon Grammar), Jack O'Donoghue (capt) (Waterpark RFC), Brian Gleeson (Thurles RFC/Rockwell College).

Replacements: Lee Barron (Lansdowne RFC/St Michael’s College), Josh Wycherley (Bantry Bay RFC/Cistercian College Roscrea), John Ryan (Muskerry RFC/CBC), Edwin Edogbo (Cobh Pirates RFC), Alex Kendellen (PBC), Ethan Coughlan (Ennis RFC), Tom Wood (Ballina Killaloe RFC/St Munchin’s College), Seán O’Brien (Mullingar RFC).

Zebre Parma: Giovanni Montemauri (US Primavera Rugby); Albert Einstein Batista (Rugby Rufus San Vincenzo), Giulio Bertaccini (Amatori Rugby Parma), Damiano Mazza (Rugby Parma 1931), Simone Gesi (Livorno Rugby); Giacomo Da Re (Benetton), Gonzalo Garcia (Natación y Gimnasia); Juan Pitinari (Logaritmo Rugby), Giampietro Ribaldi (Caimani Rugby), Enrique Pieretto (Cordoba Atletic Club); Matteo Canali (Rugby Ariccia), Alessandro Ortombina (Rugby Club Valpolicella); Bautista Stavile (Mendoza Rugby Club), Samuele Locatelli (Rugby Lecco), Giacomo Ferrari (capt) (Unione Rugby Capitolina).

Replacements: Giovanni Quattrini (Gattico Rugby), Paolo Buonfiglio (ASD Sesto Rugby), Luca Franceschetto (Amatori Rugby Vicenza), Guido Volpi (Circolo Universitario De Quilmes), Iacopo Bianchi (Vasari Rugby Arezzo), Thomas Dominguez (Club Atletico San Isidro), Martin Roger Farias (Santiago Lawn Tennis), Maro Zanon (Rugby Bassano)

Referee: Mike Adamson (SRU)

Ulster are in fourth heading into round 12 with seven wins and three defeats from their 10 games so far.

Richie Murphy's side, who provided four of the 23 for Ireland's Six Nations win over England last weekend, beat Cardiff 21-14 last time out.

Their only win in their last four visits to Wales was against the Dragons in March 2025.

Ulster have visited Electric Brewery Field twice before, winning on both occasions, against the Celtic Warriors in 2004 and against the Ospreys in 2019.

Ospreys, with Leinster loanee Cormac Foley starting at scrum-half, are unbeaten in their last four matches in the URC and have not gone five matches unbeaten in the competition since May 2019.

Their only win in their last eight championship clashes with Irish opposition was 43-40 over Connacht at Swansea.com Stadium in March 2025.

Ospreys: Iestyn Hopkins (Ystradgynlais RFC); Dan Kasende (Queens High School), Owen Watkin (Bryncethin RFC), Keiran Williams (Glynneath RFC), Keelan Giles (Waunarlwydd RFC); Jack Walsh (co-capt) (Manly Marlins), Cormac Foley (Lansdowne Football Club); Gareth Thomas (Newcastle Emlyn RFC),Sam Parry (co-capt) (Haverfordwest RFC), Rhys Henry (Cwmafan RFC); James Fender (South Gower RFC), Ryan Smith (Brothers Rugby Club); James Ratti (Dunvant RFC), Ross Moriarty (Gorseinon RFC/Morriston RFC), Morgan Morse (Cwmtwrch RFC).

Replacements: Lewis Lloyd (Treorchy RFC), Steffan Thomas (Newcastle Emlyn RFC), Tom Botha (Paul Roos Gymnasium), Huw Sutton (Old Ethamians RFC), Harri Deaves (Pontyclun RFC), Reuben Morgan-Williams (Neath Athletic RFC), Luke Scully (Banwen RFC), Evardi Boshoff (Hoerskool Lichtenburg).

Ulster: Michael Lowry (Dromore RFC); Werner Kok (Hoërskool Nelspruit), James Hume (Malone RFC), Jude Postlethwaite (Lisburn RFC), Zac Ward (Ballynahinch RFC); Jack Murphy (Clontarf RFC), Nathan Doak (Lisburn RFC); Eric O'Sullivan (St Mary's College RFC), Tom Stewart (Belfast Royal Academy), Scott Wilson (Dromore RFC); Iain Henderson (capt) (Belfast Royal Academy), Charlie Irvine (Lisburn RFC); Matthew Dalton (Belfast Royal Academy), David McCann (Cooke RFC), Bryn Ward (Ballynahinch RFC).

Replacements: Rob Herring (SACS), Angus Bell (Hunter’s Hill RUFC), Bryan O’Connor (Crosshaven RFC), Harry Sheridan (Civil Service NI RFC), Marcus Rea (Ballymena RFC), Conor McKee (CIYMS RFC), Jake Flannery (Kilfeacle & District RFC), Ben Carson (Lisburn RFC).

Referee: Filippo Russo (FIR)

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