The 2025-26 United Rugby Championship launches on September 26 with Leinster travelling to Cape Town to face the Stormers. The 25th season sticks to a 16‑team, 18‑round format and will run to a Grand Final on June 20, 2026. Festive derby rounds and themed weeks add extra colour, while Premier Sports and S4C secure live TV coverage. European qualification rules favour the URC champion and top‑five regular‑season finishers. Regional Shield battles continue alongside the main league.
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