The United Rugby Championship is back this weekend with a full slate of Round 6 action kicking off on Friday night. We look at the weekends fixtures as well as the current log and outright betting and keep an eye on all things betting related with this blog being updated throughout the week. 

URC Round 6 – Results Review 

Posted Nov 30 19h01

Given we go to Champions Cup next week I will do my URC wrap here. The Lions the big highlight for me on a weekend where I battled. Some amazing results with big betting moves getting undone in Edinburgh and Zebre and there were some big upsets with the Lions, Stormers and Scarlets winning. 

Friday 28 November

Ulster 47–13 Benetton

Bet: Under 50.5 points – ❌ LOSS
Final total: 60 points
The bad weather never came and well backed Ulster pile on the points.

Dragons 10–24 Leinster

Bet: Dragons +21.5 – ✅ WIN
Dragons hung in well and Leinster got away with what looked a certain red card with the Dragons threatening to level matters late on. 

Saturday 29 November

Bulls 33–43 Lions

Bets:

• Lions +13.5 – ✅ WIN

• Lions win – ✅ WIN
  Lions produced their best display of the season, winning outright in a high-scoring Loftus derby.

Zebre 14–29 Cardiff

Bet: Over 48.5 – ❌ LOSS
Final total: 43 points
Cardiff did their part, but well backed Zebre who started -5.5 were well contained and never contributed enough to push it over.

Munster 21–27 Stormers

Bet: Stormers Under 18.5 points – ❌ LOSS
I fell asleep at 21-6 Munster and woke at 2am with the TV going having slept through 2 games. I could not believe this Stormers comeback especially given they were missing their Boks. 

Edinburgh 19–17 Ospreys

Bet: Over 46.5 – ❌ LOSS
Final total: 36 points
Edinburgh were backed from -18.5 to -25.5 but this turned into a scrap consigning the points play to the bin. 

Connacht 44–17 Sharks

Bet: Over 44.5 – ✅ WIN
Final total: 61 points
Connacht ran away with it and points trotted up.

Scarlets 23–0 Glasgow

Bet: Scarlets +14.5 – ✅ WIN
Scarlets didn’t just stay within the cap but won comfortably in a shock shutout.

BET: Scarlets v Glasgow

Posted 29 Nov 16h36

3 units Scarlets +15.5 at 0.89/1 at BetXchange

This handicap has been quite stable, the first number I saw was Scarlets +13.5 and it now seems to have settled at +14.5 although as I post this I see +12.5 and +15.5 so no idea what punters are thinking. The total points line is 44.5 with wind and rain expected, which should slow things down and keep the Scarlets competitive.

Looking at the lineups, Glasgow should still have the edge, but I think the Scarlets can keep them honest and stay within this handicap.

BET: Connacht v Sharks

Posted 29 Nov 16h30

3 units Over 44.5 points at 9/10 at Hollywoodbets

This handicap has been fairly stable around Connacht -8.5. It did touch -10.5 at one point, but has since settled again. The points line is 44.5, which is low enough to get me interested.

It will be cold, but rain shouldn’t be a factor, and this is the type of matchup that could open up, especially if Connacht pull clear and the game becomes more unstructured.

BET: Munster v Stormers

Posted 29 Nov 12h23

3 units Stormers Under 18.5 points at 9/10 at Hollywoodbets

This handicap opened Munster -8.5 and there has been steady support for the home side, with -9.5 now available. The total points line is 46.5, with conditions expected to be close to freezing but dry (humidity late 80's).

Both teams come into this unbeaten and have shown strong defensive systems, so this should be a proper arm-wrestle. The Stormers are missing a number of key players, and while I do lean Munster on the handicap, I prefer the Stormers team-total unders.

BET: Edinburgh v Ospreys

Posted 29 Nov 09h50

3 units Over 46.5 points at 9/10 at Hollywoodbets

There was -18.5 Edinburgh available earlier in the week, and forum followers were alerted to the value in Pablo’s post. The line moved quickly, touching -24.5, and is now sitting around -22.5 / -23.5.

It’s going to be a freezing night in Edinburgh, but with no rain expected I find the points tempting at 46.5. Edinburgh are a free-scoring side and the Ospreys are capable of contributing to the scoreboard themselves.

BET: Zebre v Cardiff

Posted 29 Nov 08h19

3 units Over 48.5 points at 9/10 at  Hollywoodbets

There was early support for Zebre when this was a virtual choice game, and the handicap has since shifted to Zebre -5.5 after touching -7.5 at one point. Conditions look decent with no rain expected, and I’m taking a small play on the overs at 48.5 but this game overlaps the Bulls v Lions so I will only be keeping half an eye on it. 

BET: Bulls v Lions

Posted 29 Nov 08h00

4 units Lions +13.5 at 0.93/1 at WSB
1 unit Lions win at 11/2 at WSB

A mixed bag for me last night, with the Ulster unders getting beaten but the Dragons comfortably covering the handicap against Leinster. On to today’s action, and first up is the local derby at Loftus.

The points line of 50.5 is slightly lower than I had hoped for as I was lining up an unders play given the possibly soft underfoot conditions and referee Aimee Barrett-Theron, who tends to slow games down. The handicap sat at Bulls -11.5 all week and has now moved to -13.5.

Looking at the team sheets, I believe the Lions are the value here, and I also give them an outside chance of winning the match.

BET: Dragons v Leinster

Posted 27 Nov 23h24

3 units Dragons +21.5 at 9/10 at Pokerbet

This isn’t a game I’m hugely excited about, and the handicap has been fairly steady all week. Leinster are without their Irish internationals and, although their depth is strong, I think the Dragons can stay competitive enough to land this number. There’s some rain expected earlier in the day, but it may clear by kick-off.

The total points line is 47.5.

BET: Ulster v Benetton

Posted 27 Nov 23h03

3 units Under 50.5 points at 0.98/1 at BetXchange

This line opened Ulster -7.5 overseas, and the first local number I saw was -12.5 before moving to -14.5. It now sits at -21.5, which is starting to look high, especially given the forecast rain. I don’t have firm views on the handicap, but the expected conditions have me leaning towards an unders play.

The total points line is 50.5.

Match Officials, Lineups, Weather 

Posted 27 Nov and to be updated

Ulster v Benetton

Venue: Affidea Stadium, Belfast
Kick-off: 19:45 (20:45 Italy time; 19:45 GMT)
Weather: 7 degrees, possible heavy rain - click here for updates

Referee: Sam Grove-White (Scotland)
Assistant referees: Robbie Jenkinson (Ireland), Max Weston (Ireland)
TMO: David Sutherland (Scotland)

Ulster: 15 Jacob Stockdale, 14 Rob Baloucoune, 13 James Hume, 12 Jude Postlethwaite, 11 Werner Kok, 10 Jack Murphy, 9 Nathan Doak, 8 Juarno Augustus, 7 Nick Timoney, 6 David McCann, 5 Iain Henderson, 4 Harry Sheridan, 3 Scott Wilson, 2 Tom Stewart, 1 Sam Crean.
Replacements: 16 Rob Herring, 17 Callum Reid, 18 Tom O’Toole, 19 Matthew Dalton, 20 Bryn Ward, 21 David Shanahan, 22 Jake Flannery, 23 Stewart Moore.

Benetton: 15 Rhyno Smith, 14 Onisi Ratave, 13 Paolo Odogwu, 12 Filippo Drago, 11 Ignacio Mendy, 10 Jacob Umaga, 9 Andy Uren, 8 So’otala Fa’aso’o, 7 Michele Lamaro (captain), 6 Jadin Kingi, 5 Eli Snyman, 4 Federico Ruzza, 3 Giosué Zilocchi, 2 Bautista Bernasconi, 1 Destiny Aminu.
Replacements: 16 Nicholas Gasperini, 17 Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro, 18 Marcos Gallorini, 19 Giulio Marini, 20 Alessandro Izekor, 21 John Bryant, 22 Louis Werchon, 23 Leonardo Marin.

Dragons v Leinster

Venue: Rodney Parade, Newport
Kick-off: 19:45 (19:45 GMT)
Weather: 8 degrees, windy, humidity early 80's, rain in lead up but may stop before k/o - click here for updates 

Referee: Morne Ferreira (South Africa)
Assistant referees: Craig Evans (Wales), Lucas Yendle (Wales)
TMO: Chris Allison (South Africa)

Ulster: 15 Jacob Stockdale, 14 Rob Baloucoune, 13 James Hume, 12 Jude Postlethwaite, 11 Werner Kok, 10 Jack Murphy, 9 Nathan Doak, 8 Juarno Augustus, 7 Nick Timoney, 6 David McCann, 5 Iain Henderson, 4 Harry Sheridan, 3 Scott Wilson, 2 Tom Stewart, 1 Sam Crean.
Replacements: 16 Rob Herring, 17 Callum Reid, 18 Tom O’Toole, 19 Matthew Dalton, 20 Bryn Ward, 21 David Shanahan, 22 Jake Flannery, 23 Stewart Moore.

Benetton: 15 Rhyno Smith, 14 Onisi Ratave, 13 Paolo Odogwu, 12 Filippo Drago, 11 Ignacio Mendy, 10 Jacob Umaga, 9 Andy Uren, 8 So’otala Fa’aso’o, 7 Michele Lamaro (captain), 6 Jadin Kingi, 5 Eli Snyman, 4 Federico Ruzza, 3 Giosué Zilocchi, 2 Bautista Bernasconi, 1 Destiny Aminu.
Replacements: 16 Nicholas Gasperini, 17 Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro, 18 Marcos Gallorini, 19 Giulio Marini, 20 Alessandro Izekor, 21 John Bryant, 22 Louis Werchon, 23 Leonardo Marin.

Bulls v Lions

Venue: Loftus Versfeld Stadium, Pretoria
Kick-off: 14:00 (12:00 GMT)
Weather: 25 degrees, possible showers, humidity late 40's, heavy rains during the week - click here for updates 

Referee: Aimee Barrett-Theron (South Africa)
Assistant referees: Griffin Colby (South Africa), Sean Muller (South Africa)
TMO: Quinton Immelman (South Africa)

Bulls: 15 Willie le Roux, 14 Sebastian de Klerk, 13 David Kriel, 12 Jan Serfontein, 11 Stavino Jacobs, 10 Keagan Johannes, 9 Embrose Papier, 8 Jj Theron, 7 Reinhardt Ludwig (captain), 6 Jeandre Rudolph, 5 JF van Heerden, 4 Jaco Grobberlaar , 3 Francois Klopper, 2 Akker van der Merwe, 1 Alu Tshakweni
Replacements: 16 Jean Else; 17 Sti Sithole; 18 Mornay Smith; 19 Cobus Wiese; 20 Elrigh Louw; 21 Paul de Wet; 22 Stedman Gans; 23 Cheswill Jooste.

Lions: 15 Quan Horn, 14 Kelly Mpeku, 13 Henco van Wyk, 12 Bronson Mills, 11 Eduan Keyter, 10 Chris Smith, 9 Nico Steyn, 8 Francke Horn (captain), 7 Ruan Venter, 6 Jarod Cairns, 5 Reinhard Nothnagel, 4 Etienne Oosthuizen, 3 RF Schoeman, 2 Franco Marai, 1 SJ Kotze.
Replacements: 16 Morne Brandon, 17 Edward Davids, 18 Conrad van Vuuren, 19 Darrien Landsberg, 20 Renzo du Plessis, 21 Sibabalo Qoma, 22 Haashim Pead, 23 Gianni Lombard

Zebre v Cardiff

Venue: Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi, Parma
Kick-off: 14:00 (13:00 IRE & UK; 13:00 GMT)
Weather: cold 6 degrees but dry and humidity in 60's - click here for updates 

Referee: Marius van der Westhuizen (South Africa)
Assistant referees: Russo Filippo (Italy), Riccardo Angelucci (Italy)
TMO: Colin Brett (South Africa)

Zebre Parma: 15 Lorenzo Pani, 14 Mirko Belloni, 13 Guilio Bertaccini, 12 Marco Zanon, 11 Simone Gesi, 10 Martin Roger Farias, 9 Alessandro Fusco, 8 Giovanni Licata (c), 7 Samuele Locatelli, 6 Davide Ruggeri, 5 Leonard Krumov, 4 Alessandro Ortombina, 3 Matteo Nocera, 2 Tommaso Di Bartolomeo, 1 Muhamed Hasa
Replacements: 16 Giampietro Ribaldi, 17 Paolo Buonfiglio, 18 Juan Pitinari, 19 Giacomo Ferrari, 20 David Odiase, 21 Migael Prinsloo, 22 Giacomo Da Re, 23 Damiano Mazza

Cardiff: 15 Cam Winnett, 14 Mason Grady, 13 Harri Millard, 12 Steff Emanuel, 11 Tom Bowen, 10 Ioan Lloyd, 9 Aled Davies, 8 Alun Lawrence, 7 Dan Thomas, 6 Ben Donnell, 5 George Nott, 4 Josh McNally (c), 3 Javan Sebastian, 2 Daf Hughes, 1 Rhys Barratt
Replacements: 16 Max Pearce, 17 Ioan Emanuel, 18 Sam Wainwright, 19 James Botham, 20 Taine Basham, 21 Ellis Bevan, 22 Harri Wilde, 23 Cornel Smit

Munster v Stormers

Venue: Thomond Park, Limerick
Kick-off: 17:30 (19:30 SA time; 17:30 GMT)
Weather: cold 4 degrees, rain ealrier in day but should clear, humidity in 90's - click here for updates 

Referee: Andrea Piardi (Italy)
Assistant referees: Andrew Cole (Ireland), Andrew Fogarty (Ireland)
TMO: Matteo Liperini (Italy)

Munster: 15 Shane Daly, 14 Diarmuid Kilgallen, 13 Tom Farrell, 12 Alex Nankivell, 11 Thaakir Abrahams, 10 Jack Crowley, 9 Craig Casey, 8 Gavin Coombes, 7 Jack O’Donoghue, 6 Tadhg Beirne (c), 5 Fineen Wycherley, 4 Tom Ahern, 3 John Ryan, 2 Diarmuid Barron, 1 Jeremy Loughman
Replacements: 16 Niall Scannell, 17 Michael Milne, 18 Ronan Foxe, 19 Edwin Edogbo, 20 John Hodnett, 21 Ethan Coughlan, 22 Tony Butler, 23 Dan Kelly

Stormers: 15 Warrick Gelant, 14 Dylan Maart, 13 Wandisile Simelane, 12 Ruhan Nel, 11 Leolin Zas, 10 Jurie Matthee, 9 Stefan Ungerer, 8 Evan Roos, 7 Marcel Theunissen, 6 Paul de Villiers, 5 Connor Evans, 4 Salmaan Moerat (captain), 3 Neethling Fouché, 2 André-Hugo Venter, 1 Vernon Matongo.
Replacements: 16 JJ Kotzé, 17 Oli Kebble, 18 Sazi Sandi, 19 Adré Smith, 20 JD Schickerling, 21 Ruan Ackermann, 22 Dewaldt Duvenage, 23 Clinton Swart.

Edinburgh v Ospreys

Venue: Hive Stadium, Edinburgh
Kick-off: 17:30 (17:30 GMT)
Weather: Overcast and cold at 3 degrees, humidity early 80's, should be dry - click here for updates 

Referee: Peter Martin (Ireland)
Assistant referees: Finlay Brown (Scotland), Ciaran Stark (Scotland)
TMO: Brian McNeice (Ireland)

Edinburgh: 15 Wes Goosen, 14 Lewis Wells, 13 Piers O’Conor, 12 Findlay Thomson, 11 Duhan van der Merwe, 10 Ross Thompson, 9 Ben Vellacott, 8 Tom Currie, 7 Ben Muncaster, 6 Liam McConnell, 5 Grant Gilchrist (c), 4 Callum Hunter-Hill, 3 Paul Hill, 2 Harri Morris, 1 Pierre Schoeman
Replacements: 16 Dylan Richardson, 17 Boan Venter, 18 Ollie Blyth-Lafferty, 19 Marshall Sykes, 20 Magnus Bradbury, 21 Conor McAlpine, 22 Cammy Scott, 23 Harry Paterson

Ospreys: 15 Max Nagy, 14 Daniel Kasende, 13 Evardi Boshoff, 12 Phil Cokanasiga, 11 Iestyn Hopkins, 10 Jack Walsh (cc), 9 Luke Davies, 8 Ross Moriarty, 7 Gwilym Evans, 6 Lewis Lloyd, 5 Huw Sutton, 4 Ryan Smith, 3 Tom Botha, 2 Sam Parry (cc), 1 Cameron Jones
Replacements: 16 Efan Daniel, 17 Steffan Thomas, 18 Kian Hire, 19 Lewis Jones, 20 Will Greatbanks, 21 Scott Whitlock, 22 Luke Morgan, 23 Harri Houston

Connacht v Sharks

Venue: Dexcom Stadium, Galway
Kick-off: 19:45 (21:45 SA time; 19:45 GMT)
Weather: Overcast, 6 degrees, humidity early 80's, rain earlier in the the day - click here for updates 

Referee: Ben Breakspear (Wales)
Assistant referees: Andrew Brace (Ireland), Jack MacNeice (Ireland)
TMO: Keith David (Wales)

Connacht: 15 Seán Naughton, 14 Chay Mullins, 13 Hugh Gavin, 12 Cathal Forde, 11 Shayne Bolton, 10 Josh Ioane, 9 Ben Murphy, 8 Sean Jansen, 7 Paul Boyle (c), 6 Josh Murphy, 5 Darragh Murray, 4 Niall Murray, 3 Jack Aungier, 2 Dave Heffernan, 1 Jordan Duggan
Replacements: 16 Eoin de Buitléar, 17 Denis Buckley, 18 Sam Illo, 19 David O’Connor, 20 Seán O’Brien, 21 Matthew Devine, 22 Bundee Aki, 23 Sam Gilbert

Sharks: 15 Jordan Hendrikse, 14 Edwill van der Merwe, 13 Jurenzo Julius, 12 Francois Venter, 11 Makazole Mapimpi, 10 George Whitehead, 9 Jaden Hendrikse, 8 Emmanuel Tshituka, 7 Vincent Tshituka (c), 6 Matt Romao, 5 Marvin Orie, 4 Jason Jenkins, 3 Hanro Jacobs, 2 Fez Mbatha, 1 Phatu Ganyane
Replacements: 16 Eduan Swart, 17 Lee-Marvin Mazibuko, 18 Mawande Mdanda, 19 Emile van Heerden, 20 Phepsi Buthelezi, 21 Grant Williams, 22 Le Roux Malan, 23 Hakeem Kunene

Scarlets v Glasgow

Venue: Parc y Scarlets, Llanelli
Kick-off: 19:45 (19:45 GMT)
Weather: Cold at 5 degrees, rain before game and possible showers, humidity early 80's - click here for updates 

Referee: Chris Allison (South Africa)
Assistant referees: Ben Whitehouse (Wales), Adam Jones (Wales)
TMO: Morne Ferreira (South Africa)

Scarlets: 15 Jac Davies, 14 Iori Badham, 13 Macs Page, 12 Eddie James, 11 Tomi Lewis, 10 Sam Costelow, 9 Gareth Davies, 8 Fletcher Anderson, 7 Josh Macleod (c), 6 Max Douglas, 5 Sam Lousi, 4 Jake Ball, 3 Archer Holz, 2 Ryan Elias, 1 Kemsley Mathias
Replacements: 16 Marnus van der Merwe, 17 Sam O’Connor, 18 Henry Thomas, 19 Harvey Cuckson, 20 Dan Davis, 21 Dane Blacker, 22 Carwyn Leggatt-Jones, 23 Gabe McDonald

Glasgow Warriors: 15 Josh McKay, 14 Kyle Rowe, 13 Ollie Smith, 12 Stafford McDowall (c), 11 Kerr Johnston, 10 Dan Lancaster, 9 Ben Afshar, 8 Macenzzie Duncan, 7 Angus Fraser, 6 Gregor Brown, 5 Jare Oguntibeju, 4 Alex Craig, 3 Patrick Schickerling, 2 Johnny Matthews, 1 Jamie Bhatti
Replacements: 16 Gregor Hiddleston, 17 Nathan McBeth, 18 Sam Talakai, 19 Max Williamson, 20 Alex Samuel, 21 Ally Miller, 22 George Horne, 23 Adam Hastings

Updated URC Handicaps

Posted 27 Nov 07h47

Ulster -17.5 v Benetton
Dragons +21.5 v Leinster
Bulls -11.5 v Lions
Zebre -7.5 v Cardiff
Edinburgh -24.5 v Ospreys
Munster -8.5 v Stormers
Connacht -8.5 v Sharks
Scarlets +13.5 v Glasgow

The markets seem to have settled and now we wait for team news. The weather forecast and links for the weekend will be up later today.

Updated handicaps 

Posted 25 Nov 08h05

Below the latest prices in brackets next to the early lines I saw which by then had already moved in certain cases. 

Ulster -12.5 (-14.5) v Benetton
Dragons +20.5 (+19.5) v Leinster
Bulls -11.5 (-11.5) v Lions
Zebre -5.5 (-7.5) v Cardiff - I wonder what the biggest minus Zebre have ever started at? This must be close
Edinburgh -18.5 (-23.5) v Ospreys - as called by Pablo in the forum 
Munster -8.5 (-7.5) v Stormers
Connacht -8.5 (-8.5) v Sharks
Scarlets +13.5 (+13.5) v Glasgow

URC Handicaps – Round 6

Posted 24 Nov 15h28

World Sports Betting are out with handicaps

Friday 28 November

Dragons +20.5 v Leinster
Ulster -12.5 v Benetton

Saturday 29 November

Bulls -11.5 v Lions
Zebre -5.5 v Cardiff
Edinburgh -18.5 v Ospreys
Munster -8.5 v Stormers
Connacht -8.5 v Sharks
Scarlets +13.5 v Glasgow

No moves for me at this stage 

URC Returns – Round 6 Fixtures, Latest Betting & Log Overview

As we head into the final week of November, the log is starting to take shape and a few teams have already separated themselves from the pack.

After five rounds, the DHL Stormers and Munster are setting the pace, both unbeaten with bonus-point wins driving them to 23 log points. Glasgow and Cardiff sit just behind on 20 points, while Ulster complete the top five thanks to strong early form.

The Bulls, Leinster, and Lions currently occupy the mid-table spots (6th–8th), all sitting between 11 and 14 points, while Zebre, Benetton, Edinburgh and Connacht are tightly bunched just below them, illustrating how competitive the middle tier of the URC has become.

Down at the bottom, the Sharks, Ospreys, Dragons, and Scarlets have all struggled for consistency and already find themselves under pressure heading into this crucial block of fixtures.

Here is what’s coming up this weekend:

Friday 28 November 2025

• Ulster vs Benetton – Kingspan looks a fortress again this season, but Benetton no mugs.
• Dragons vs Leinster – watch team news, Leinster likely to be missing internationals.

Saturday 29 November 2025

• Bulls vs Lions – Big local derby at Loftus.
• Zebre vs Cardiff – Zebre fighting to stay in mid-table mix.
• Munster vs Stormers – Match of the Round – No.1 vs No.2.
• Edinburgh vs Ospreys – Both needing points to stay in touch with the pack.
• Connacht vs Sharks – Two sides desperate for momentum.
• Scarlets vs Glasgow – Glasgow chasing a fifth win.

URC Outright Betting Update

With five rounds completed, Leinster remain firm favourites at 13/20. Bookmakers clearly expect their squad depth and late-season surge to kick in, even though they currently sit 7th on the log.

The Bulls (99/20) are next in, priced as the most realistic South African contender despite an inconsistent start. Meanwhile, the Stormers, who top the table after five straight wins and look the most complete side so far, sit at 6/1.

Munster (7/1) and Glasgow (8/1) also remain firmly in the mix and are well-placed on the table, both having shown strong early-season form.

Behind that, there’s a big jump to the longshots:

• Sharks (31/2)
• Ulster (33/1)
• Benetton (124/1)
• Cardiff (144/1)
• Lions (149/1)

The rest are all effectively priced out of contention.

Value Play:
The Stormers look a value play at 6/1 – they are flying high and have plenty of home fixtures to come.