BKT United Rugby Championship: Round 6 Highlights

Following the completion of the Quilter Nations Series, the BKT United Rugby Championship resumed this weekend with three of the Irish provinces playing at home, and defending champions Leinster duelling it out with the Dragons in Newport.

A back spasm meant Iain Henderson was a late withdrawal for Ulster, but fellow Ireland internationals Jacob Stockdale and Nick Timoney, who stood in as captain, both started as Richie Murphy’s men hosted Italian side Benetton.

Max Deegan led Leinster on their return to URC action at Rodney Parade, with front rowers Gus McCarthy and Thomas Clarkson having both played for Ireland this month, and Academy back rower Josh Ericson called up for his senior debut for the province.

Captain Tadhg Beirne, a member of the 2025 World Rugby Dream Team, was one of five returning Ireland internationals in the Munster team that faced the DHL Stormers in Saturday’s top of the table clash at Thomond Park.

Connacht ran out at the Dexcom Stadium for the first time in six weeks, with Paul Boyle captaining the team from the back row. For the visit of the Hollywoodbets Sharks, Darragh Murray, an Ireland debutant in the summer, paired up with his older brother Niall at lock.