Another URC season is upon us, and that means eight games a week for punters to sink their teeth into. In this blog, we’ll keep an eye on all things betting-related, as well as suggesting a bet or two in each game.
A few important links & betting moves
Posted 24 Sep 20h34
Teams have been announced and are available this page on the URC website
The Handicap our rugby betting show is live at 21h00 - click here to watch on You Tube
My free weekly betting newsletter wiill be out tomorrow morning
Click here to join the Goodforthegame URC Superbru Pool
Below are the latest handicaps following team news:
Benetton Treviso -9.5 v Dragons, total points 49.5 – unchanged
Connacht -5.5 v Stormers – Connacht have moved out another point from -4.5
Ulster -11.5 v Edinburgh – Ulster have moved out one point from -10.5
Lions -3.5 v Leinster – the major market move, with the Lions shifting from 6.5-point underdogs to 3.5-point favourites
Sharks -12.5 v Ospreys – unchanged
Zebre +9.5 v Bulls – Zebre’s start has shortened by one point from +10.5
Munster +1.5 v Glasgow Warriors – unchanged
Scarlets -0.5 v Cardiff Rugby – unchanged
The standout move is unquestionably at Ellis Park. The Lions have moved through favouritism, with the handicap swinging ten points since the previous update.
Latest URC Week 1 handicaps
Posted 23 September 08h49
There has been very little movement since the opening handicaps were released, with six of the eight lines remaining unchanged.
Benetton Treviso -9.5 v Dragons – unchanged
Connacht -4.5 v Stormers – Connacht have moved out one point from -3.5
Ulster -10.5 v Edinburgh – unchanged
Lions +6.5 v Leinster – unchanged
Sharks -12.5 v Ospreys – unchanged
Zebre +10.5 v Bulls – unchanged
Munster +1.5 v Glasgow Warriors – Glasgow have moved from 0.5-point underdogs to 1.5-point favourites
Scarlets -0.5 v Cardiff Rugby – unchanged
Teams are due out later today.
Handicaps are up!
Posted 21 Sep 13h41
Here are the early lines @betxchange
Benetton Treviso -9.5 v Dragons
Connacht -3.5 v Stormers
Ulster -10.5 v Edinburgh
Lions +6.5 v Leinster
Sharks -12.5 v Ospreys
Zebre +10.5 v Bulls
Munster -0.5 v Glasgow Warriors
Scarlets -0.5 v Cardiff Rugby
Teams to be announced 2pm Thursdays
Posted 21 Sep 09h12
I’ve always been frustrated by URC team news often only being released on a Friday for the Saturday matches. This has made discussing the games on The Handicap quite tricky and has often delayed the weekly newsletter.
The good news is that, from this season, teams will be announced at 2 p.m. on Thursdays. This should give the markets time to settle before we discuss the weekend’s matches.
Last season
Glasgow Warriors topped the log last season, with Leinster finishing second. Leinster, however, went on to win the tournament, hammering the Bulls 36–7 in the final in Dublin.
2026/27 outright betting – Prices available at Sportingbet
- Leinster – 11/8
- Bulls – 7/2
- Glasgow Warriors – 4/1
- Stormers – 9/2
- Munster – 12/1
- Ulster – 16/1
- Sharks – 25/1
- Lions – 33/1
- Connacht – 50/1
The balance of the teams are available at 80/1 or better.
WEEK 1 FIXTURES
Friday 25 September
- Benetton v Dragons RFC – 20h45 – Stadio Monigo
- Connacht v DHL Stormers – 20h45 – Dexcom Stadium
- Ulster v Edinburgh – 20h45 – Affidea Stadium
Saturday 26 September
- Lions v Leinster – 13h30 – 10bet Ellis Park
- Hollywoodbets Sharks v Ospreys – 16h00 – Hollywoodbets Kings Park
- Munster v Glasgow Warriors – 18h30 – Thomond Park
- Zebre Parma v Vodacom Bulls – 18h30 – Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi
- Scarlets v Cardiff Rugby – 20h45 – Parc y Scarlets
All kick-off times are South African.
I will be having a go at handicapping the matches before the bookmakers release their lines, but for Week 1 I’m going to take more of a watching brief.
What is interesting is that Leinster are bringing their Irish internationals to South Africa. That very seldom happens and usually depends on what stage of the season they make their South African tour. Their opening game against the Lions should be a cracker.
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change. Please bet responsibly.
