URC Quarter Final Archives - SportsNewsIreland

Leinster v Lions URC Quarter-Final Preview, Team News And Betting Angle

JoeNa Connacht — Thu, 28 May 2026 11:45:37 +0000

Leinster v Lions URC Quarter-Final Preview: Team News, Stats And Betting Angle

James Lowe is set to make his 100th Leinster appearance as Leo Cullen names his side for Saturday night’s BKT United Rugby Championship quarter-final against the Fidelity SecureDrive Lions at the Aviva Stadium.

The game kicks off at 8pm and will be shown live on TG4 and Premier Sports 1.

Caelan Doris captains Leinster from number eight, with six changes to the matchday squad from the Investec Champions Cup final. Lowe returns to the side after equalling Shane Horgan’s all-time Leinster try-scoring record of 69 tries in his last outing.

Big Talking Point

Wow.

Ciarán Frawley being left out of the 23 is a very strange call unless there is an injury issue involved. Someone at Leinster may end up regretting not giving him a proper run at 10 over the last two years.

The Lions should be a lot more confident after seeing this Leinster starting team. Leinster are still packed with quality, but with Sam Prendergast and Luke McGrath starting at half-back, and Frawley not involved, there is definitely a betting angle here.

The handicap is Lions +15, and that looks huge based on this team news.

Recent URC Form

Leinster Last Six URC Matches

Glasgow Warriors 38-17 Leinster
Leinster 36-19 Scarlets
Ulster 21-29 Leinster
Benetton 29-26 Leinster
Leinster 31-7 Lions
Leinster 68-14 Ospreys

Lions Last Six URC Matches

Lions 54-17 Edinburgh
Lions 42-26 Dragons
Lions 54-12 Glasgow Warriors
Lions 33-21 Connacht
Leinster 31-7 Lions
Munster 24-17 Lions

The Lions have lost their last two matches in Ireland, but before that they had put together a seriously impressive run, including big home wins over Glasgow, Connacht, Edinburgh and Dragons.

Head-To-Head

25 February 2022: Leinster 21-13 Lions
15 April 2023: Lions 36-39 Leinster
20 April 2024: Lions 44-12 Leinster
26 October 2024: Leinster 24-6 Lions
09 May 2026: Leinster 31-7 Lions

Leinster have won four of the five URC meetings between the sides, with the Lions’ only win coming in Johannesburg in April 2024.

Key Match Stats

This is Leinster’s eleventh successive appearance in the URC play-offs.
Leinster have won all five URC quarter-finals they have played, with all five taking place in Dublin.
Leinster’s only defeat in their last five URC matches was away to Benetton.
The Lions have reached the URC play-offs for the first time.
The Lions’ last eight URC matches have all been won by the home team on the day.
The Lions’ only victory in ten visits to Ireland was a 38-14 win over Connacht in March 2024.
The only away victory in this fixture was Leinster’s 39-36 win in Johannesburg in April 2023.

Top Scorers This Season

Leinster

Top try scorer: Joshua Kenny – 9 tries
Scott Penny – 5 tries
Tommy O’Brien – 5 tries
Top points scorer: Harry Byrne – 67 points
Sam Prendergast – 56 points
Joshua Kenny – 45 points
Ciarán Frawley – 27 points

Lions

Top try scorer: Ruan Venter – 7 tries
Henco van Wyk – 6 tries
Francke Horn – 5 tries
Sibabalwe Mahashe – 5 tries
Top points scorer: Chris Smith – 154 points
Ruan Venter – 35 points
Henco van Wyk – 30 points

Leinster Rugby Starting XV

1. A. Porter
2. D. Sheehan
3. T. Furlong
4. J. McCarthy
5. J. Ryan
6. M. Deegan
7. S. Penny
8. C. Doris (C)
9. L. McGrath
10. S. Prendergast
11. J. Lowe
12. J. Osborne
13. R. Ioane
14. J. O’Brien
15. H. Keenan

Replacements

16. G. McCarthy
17. A. Usanov
18. T. Clarkson
19. D. Mangan
20. J. van der Flier
21. J. Gibson-Park
22. H. Byrne
23. R. Henshaw

Match Details

Fixture: Leinster Rugby v Fidelity SecureDrive Lions

Competition: BKT United Rugby Championship Quarter-Final

Venue: Aviva Stadium

Kick-off: Saturday, 8pm

TV: TG4 and Premier Sports 1

Referee: Sam Grove-White

Verdict

Leinster should still win this game. Their pack is stacked, Doris captains the side, Lowe returns for a landmark 100th appearance, and the bench contains serious international quality in Josh van der Flier, Jamison Gibson-Park, Harry Byrne and Robbie Henshaw.

However, this does not feel like a full-throttle Leinster selection. Frawley missing out is the eyebrow-raiser, and the Lions have enough power and attacking threat to stay within range if they start well.

Prediction: Leinster to win, but Lions +15 looks a big handicap.

The post Leinster v Lions URC Quarter-Final Preview, Team News And Betting Angle appeared first on SportsNewsIreland.

Connacht Team News: Sean Jansen Absence Massive Blow For Glasgow Quarter-Final

JoeNa Connacht — Thu, 28 May 2026 11:22:11 +0000

Connacht Team News: Jansen Absence The Killer Blow Ahead Of Glasgow Quarter-Final

Big takeaway from the Connacht team announcement: Sean Jansen is the killer blow.

Jansen has been one of Connacht’s most important forwards all season with his carrying, line speed and defensive work-rate. Losing him for a game like this against Glasgow’s power pack is massive.

The other major concern is the backline depth and experience available.

No Harry West. No Cathal Forde. No Mack Hansen. No Byron Ralston. Jack Carty is unavailable due to personal reasons. Caolin Blade and Finn Treacy also miss the 23 despite returning to training this week.

Dylan Tierney-Martin and Darragh Murray returning to the starting side is a huge boost, while Dave Heffernan being fit enough for the bench gives Connacht badly needed experience and leadership in the pack.

Despite all the injuries, there is still real quality in the side.

Bundee Aki remains the focal point in midfield, Cian Prendergast captains the side again, while Sam Gilbert at 15 gives Connacht a genuine weapon with his goal-kicking. In a tight knockout game away from home, that boot could be absolutely crucial.

Glasgow Warriors Team News

Scott Cummings returns after an injury layoff for his first Glasgow Warriors appearance since before the Guinness Six Nations.

Glasgow Warriors Starting XV

Josh McKay; Kyle Steyn (captain), Stafford McDowall, Sione Tuipulotu, Kyle Rowe; Dan Lancaster, George Horne; Patrick Schickerling, Johnny Matthews, Zander Fagerson, Scott Cummings, Alex Samuel, Matt Fagerson, Rory Darge, Jack Dempsey.

Glasgow Warriors Replacements

Gregor Hiddleston, Rory Sutherland, Sam Talakai, Jare Oguntibeju, Euan Ferrie, Sione Vailanu, Jack Oliver, Ollie Smith.

Connacht Rugby Team

Connacht Starting XV

Sam Gilbert; Shane Jennings, John Devine, Bundee Aki, Shayne Bolton; Josh Ioane, Ben Murphy; Billy Bohan, Dylan Tierney-Martin, Sam Illo, Darragh Murray, Josh Murphy, Cian Prendergast (captain), Shamus Hurley-Langton, Paul Boyle.

Connacht Replacements

Dave Heffernan, Peter Dooley, Finlay Bealham, Joe Joyce, Sean O’Brien, Matthew Devine, Hugh Gavin, Sean Naughton.

Franco Smith On Connacht Challenge

“Connacht will present a strong challenge tomorrow evening. They have a well-drilled squad full of talent, and come here as one of the most in-form teams in the competition.

“We are pleased to welcome Scott back into our matchday 23 after his injury layoff – he has worked hard and worked closely with our medical and S&C teams to put himself in the best possible position ahead of his return.

“We know the difference that the Warrior Nation can make, and we look forward to hearing them get behind the team at Scotstoun as we kick off the playoffs tomorrow night.”

Stuart Lancaster On Connacht’s Opportunity

“This is exactly where we wanted to be at the start of the season, so credit must go to all the players for what they’ve displayed in recent months to get us to this position. Now we have to go out there and seize the opportunity.

“Glasgow are a formidable opponent especially away from home, with an array of talented players who are very well coached, but we are excited by the challenge ahead of us.”

Verdict

Connacht are not going to Scotstoun at full strength, and the injury list makes this a far tougher assignment. Losing Jansen is the biggest blow of all, while the lack of experienced backline cover leaves very little room for disruption once the game starts.

However, Connacht still have enough quality to make this uncomfortable for Glasgow. If Aki can get them over the gainline, Prendergast leads the pack well, and Gilbert punishes mistakes from the tee, Connacht have a puncher’s chance.

But against a strong Glasgow side, away from home, Connacht will need close to a perfect knockout performance.

The post Connacht Team News: Sean Jansen Absence Massive Blow For Glasgow Quarter-Final appeared first on SportsNewsIreland.

Glasgow Warriors v Connacht Rugby Preview, Team News, Betting & Prediction

JoeNa Connacht — Tue, 26 May 2026 14:49:23 +0000

URC Quarter-Final Preview

Glasgow Warriors v Connacht Rugby Preview: Stats, Team News, Betting & Prediction

FRIDAY, MAY 29

Glasgow Warriors v Connacht Rugby

Scotstoun Stadium, Glasgow – KO 19.45

Referee: Adam Jones (WRU, 51st league game)

AR 1: Ben Breakspear (WRU) AR 2: Craig Evans (WRU)

TMO: Aled Griffiths (WRU)

Live on: Premier Sports & TG4

Friday night at Scotstoun brings one of Connacht Rugby’s biggest tests of the season as Stuart Lancaster’s side travel to face top seeds Glasgow Warriors in the BKT United Rugby Championship quarter-finals.

Huge Scotstoun Test For Connacht

Connacht Rugby head to Scotstoun on Friday night for their first BKT United Rugby Championship quarter-final since 2023 knowing the scale of the challenge in front of them.

Top seeds Glasgow Warriors have turned Scotstoun into one of the toughest venues in European rugby over the last two seasons and, crucially, they are expected to be far closer to full strength than the side Connacht narrowly defeated 15-10 in Galway back in February.

That win at Dexcom Stadium proved a major turning point in Connacht’s season. Sean Jansen’s late try secured a dramatic victory that reignited belief within Stuart Lancaster’s squad and sparked the run that eventually secured a playoff spot.

However, Friday night looks like an entirely different proposition.

Glasgow’s Home Record Is Serious

Glasgow have lost only twice at Scotstoun in URC competition since the start of the 2023/24 season — against Ospreys in March 2025 and Bulls in April 2025.

During that same period they have also produced huge European performances at home, including wins this season over Toulouse and Saracens.

Glasgow finished top of the URC table
Fifth straight URC quarter-final appearance
Only two URC home defeats since 2023/24
Scotstoun remains one of Europe’s toughest away venues

Glasgow’s recent form has also improved again after heavy losses away to the Lions and Stormers in South Africa. Since those defeats, they have beaten Cardiff 40-17 and Ulster 26-22 to regain momentum entering the knockout stages.

Glasgow Injury Boost?

Glasgow hope to have Scotland trio Matt Fagerson, Jamie Dobie and Scott Cummings available for their tilt at United Rugby Championship glory.

Stand-off Dobie and lock Cummings have both been sidelined by injury since the Six Nations earlier this year but have returned to training ahead of Friday’s quarter-final at home to Connacht.

“Jamie and Scott trained last week, so we just need to see how they react.”

Glasgow defence coach Scott Forrest said they will wait to see whether the pair are in the mix this week or whether they return later in the knockout campaign.

Back-rower Fagerson missed the final match of the regular URC season as Glasgow sealed top spot with an away win over Ulster.

If all three are available, it significantly strengthens a Glasgow side that already looks formidable at home.

Connacht Arrive In Form

Connacht arrive arguably playing their best rugby of the season.

Their final six URC matches produced five victories:

Ulster — won 26-19
Ospreys — won 21-14
Stormers — won 33-24
Lions — lost 33-21
Munster — won 26-7
Edinburgh — won 26-5

5 wins from final 6 URC games
153 points scored in those 6 games
Average of 25.5 points per game
Only 17 points conceded per game in that run

Perhaps even more impressive is their away form. Connacht’s only defeat in their last five away URC matches was the 33-21 loss away to the Lions in Johannesburg.

Wins at Hive Stadium, Ulster and the DHL Stadium have shown this side is now capable of competing away from Galway — something that has not always been true in previous seasons.

Lancaster Knows The Challenge

Stuart Lancaster acknowledged the challenge this week.

“It’s a very, very difficult place to go and win.”

The Connacht head coach knows Scotstoun well from his time with Racing 92 and openly admitted Glasgow “absolutely smashed” his side there previously in Europe.

Still, there is genuine belief growing around this Connacht group.

Sam Gilbert Has Transformed Connacht

One of the biggest tactical developments during the second half of the season has been the emergence of Sam Gilbert at full-back.

Gilbert has arguably transformed Connacht’s overall balance. He has also become arguably the best place-kicker in Irish rugby this season.

That reliability off the tee is massive in knockout rugby. In games where territory, pressure and scoreboard management become everything, having a kicker capable of punishing almost every infringement changes how opponents defend.

84 points this season
Connacht’s top points scorer
Elite place-kicking form
Huge influence from full-back

That added control has helped Connacht become far more pragmatic in recent weeks. Earlier in the season they often looked like a side trying to score from every phase. Now there is more patience and game management in their approach.

Connacht Team News

The return of several injured players could also be massive.

Caolin Blade, Dylan Tierney-Martin and Finn Treacy have all returned to full training, while Dave Heffernan, Darragh Murray, Sean Jansen and Harry West could also feature.

Jansen’s possible return is particularly significant.

The New Zealand back-row has scored 10 tries this season — more than any Connacht player — and has become one of the URC’s most destructive carriers close to the line.

Connacht Leading Try Scorers

Sean Jansen — 10
Matthew Devine — 6
Shamus Hurley-Langton — 6
Paul Boyle — 4

Remaining unavailable are Denis Buckley, Temi Lasisi, Matthew Victory, Oisin Dowling, Oisin McCormack, Cathal Forde, Byron Ralston and Mack Hansen.

Glasgow Threats

Dobie’s potential return is huge because Glasgow’s attacking tempo changes completely when he plays. Franco Smith’s side thrive on speed, width and transition attack, and Dobie is central to that identity.

Glasgow Leading Try Scorers

Gregor Hiddleston — 7
Jamie Dobie — 7
George Horne — 6
Johnny Matthews — 6
Kyle Rowe — 6

Lancaster referenced the defensive challenge directly this week.

“You’ve got to make sure — particularly against a team like Glasgow — that you’re strong defensively because their DNA is to attack from everywhere.”

If Connacht lose collisions early or allow Glasgow quick ruck ball, Scotstoun can become a very difficult environment quickly.

Head-To-Head And Knockout Pressure

Knockout rugby is rarely straightforward.

Connacht’s recent run has essentially been playoff rugby already. Every game over the last month carried enormous pressure and the squad has responded impressively.

Their Challenge Cup quarter-final defeat to Montpellier in April — a 45-22 loss to the eventual champions — also provided another important learning experience about knockout intensity.

Historically, this fixture heavily favours Glasgow.

Last four meetings won by the home team
Connacht won 15-10 in Galway in February
Glasgow were weakened that night
Connacht have not won away to Glasgow since 2010

The February win mattered, but Friday night is a different animal. Glasgow should be much closer to full strength and Scotstoun is a very different setting to Dexcom Stadium.

Betting Angle

The betting markets currently reflect Glasgow’s strength at home.

Glasgow are around 11-point favourites, with Connacht available at roughly 6/1 outright.

Glasgow probably win this game more often than not, particularly if their returning internationals are fully fit. But Connacht’s form, confidence and improving tactical maturity suggest this could be far more competitive than many expect.

Connacht +11 looks tempting
Sean Jansen anytime try scorer worth watching if fit
Connacht at 6/1 may be slightly overpriced given current form

Prediction

Glasgow deserve to be favourites, but Connacht have enough form, belief and goal-kicking quality to make this much tighter than the market suggests.

The post Glasgow Warriors v Connacht Rugby Preview, Team News, Betting & Prediction appeared first on SportsNewsIreland.