URC Preseason Power Rankings 2025/26: Leinster Lead the Charge
URC Preseason Power Rankings 2025/26: Leinster Lead the Charge
The URC is stacked for 2025/26. From Leinster’s dominance to Sharks’ redemption, here’s how all 16 clubs rank in our pre-season power rankings.
The United Rugby Championship has grown into one of the most unpredictable and compelling competitions in world rugby. With 16 clubs spanning Ireland, Scotland, Wales, Italy, and South Africa, this season promises blockbuster battles, young stars emerging, and the old guard fighting to hold on.
- Subscribe To FloRugby To Watch URC Rugby All Season Long
- Rugby Today: Here's What's Streaming On FloRugby
- The 100 Best Rugby Players In The World: The Full List
From Leinster’s hunger for dominance to the Sharks’ quest for redemption, and with new coaches injecting fresh ideas, the URC’s Pre-Season Power Rankings set the stage for what will be a rollercoaster campaign.
1. Leinster Rugby
Dumping a 10,000lb gorilla, or rather a Bull, off their back, Leinster Rugby’s trophyless drought came to an end with a long overdue URC title to end last season. Going some way to wiping away the bitter disappointment of their shock Champions Cup semifinal loss to the Northampton Saints, the URC title at the very least released the pressure valve a touch. Entering this season as the clear favourites to defend their URC crown and once again push deep in the Champions Cup, Leo Cullen’s side will know that continuing the us against the world narrative this season is imperative if they are to finally shut up their doubters.
2. Vodacom Bulls
Another season, another Bulls final loss. Getting brutally outclassed in Dublin, the Bulls were overpowered by an international-laden Leinster outfit in the URC final. Immediately feeling the ramifications of another high-profile failure, head coach Jake White was shown the door. Taking his place in the hot seat, the highly touted Johan Ackermann was one of the biggest coaching signings this offseason. On the pitch, the addition of double World Cup-winning flyhalf Handre Pollard was a real coup and will instantly add a hard edge to the Bulls in the big moments. Joining Pollard in returning to Pretoria is fellow Springbok Jan Serfontein. Whilst the experienced duo will instantly add some much-needed big match nous. The return of electric winger Kurt-Lee Arendse will instantly make the Bulls' attack even more threatening. The key for the Bulls will be to ensure that they don’t have to hit the road again when the business end of the season rolls around.
3. Munster Rugby
Projecting a major bump in fortunes now that they actually have a head coach, the two-time European Champions will be out for blood this season. Saying goodbye to a handful of experienced campaigners, most notably Peter O’Mahony and Conor Murray, is a significant hit. Yet, what many outside of the province underestimate is the sheer quality of young players coming through the system. Under the tutelage of new boss Clayton McMillan, expect Munster to play an up-tempo game without moving too far away from their dogged roots. In Tadhg Beirne, they have arguably the best player in the URC, whilst their halfback pairing of Craig Casey and Jack Crowley feels destined to take another big step forward this season.
4. Glasgow Warriors
Relinquishing their URC crown with a thumping in Dublin at the hands of Leinster, the Warriors return this season a touch weaker overall. This drop is no small part down to the departure of star playmaker Tom Jordan, who has cashed in with a big move to the Bristol Bears. In his place, Adam Hastings and new recruit Dan Lancaster will compete for the number ten shirt. Still, the Warriors have some world-class talent, in particular their British and Irish Lions Sione Tuipulotu, Huw Jones and Scott Cummings, plus another should-be Lion in Zander Fagerson. Franco Smith’s side will be a play-off side once again, but face a stiffer challenge in an ever increasingly competitive URC.
5. Hollywoodbets Sharks
On paper, the Sharks should be a top 10 side. Stacked with Springbok talent in every position, the Durban-based side has no excuses for their continued underperformance. Getting to a URC semifinal and not getting out of their pool in the Champions Cup was simply not good enough for this team. Now is the time for this Sharks side to take the leap and win a URC or else one suspects changes are incoming.
6. DHL Stormers
Reloading this off-season, the DHL Stormers should once again be contenders in the URC. For this to happen, it is imperative that their playmaking stars, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu and Damian Willemse, stay fit and in form. The transfer from the big offseason acquisition of Springbok prop Ntuthuko Mchunu from the Sharks gives the Stormers a much-needed replacement for the retired Steven Kitshoff. Widely regarded as one of the most exciting front row prospects in South Africa, Mchunu will be chomping at the bit to take his career to the next level in the Cape. In addition to the loosehead, backrow Ruan Ackermann and veteran Springbok scrumhalf Cobus Reinach add some much-needed depth to areas where the Stormers were a touch light last season.
7. Connacht Rugby
Our surprise pick for a real push in both this season’s EPCR Challenge Cup and URC. We are leaning into the Stuart Lancaster effect with the former England, Leinster and Racing boss being firmly entrenched among the elite coaches in professional rugby. Blessed with a squad jam-packed with young talent and three British and Irish Lions, Connacht will surprise teams this season. Their biggest concern will, of course, be depth, but if Lancaster can have the impact, we believe he will expect a new wave of Irish Rugby talent to emerge out west. Of this new wave, newly capped Hugh Gavin has the potential to be the next great Irish centre at just the right time, with Bundee Aki and Robbie Henshaw nearing the twilight of their distinguished careers.
8. Edinburgh Rugby
British and Irish Lions on each wing, a solid pack and a smattering of talented youngsters, Edinburgh are certainly going in the right direction. In last season’s URC quarterfinal, they gave the Bulls all they could handle in Pretoria and really should’ve closed out the contest. Where they may come unstuck is with their depth as they compete in both the Champions Cup and URC. Overall, they are certainly a knockout contender once again this season in the league and should target the last-16 in the Champions Cup.
9. Scarlets
Amidst the utter confusion of where Welsh Rugby is heading, the Scarlets remain a beacon of light on the field. Adding one of the hottest prospects in the Welsh game, Joe Hawkins from the Exeter Chiefs, adds another ball player in a backline that is stacked with electric young attacking talent. Just where the playmaker will slot in remains to be seen, but from the outset, he appears set to compete with Sam Costelow for the starting flyhalf role with the potential to feature at inside centre when needed. Across the board, the Scarlets have exciting players; whether they have the power game in the pack to compete consistently is the biggest question mark for this squad.
10. Benetton Rugby
Striking a unique deal with the Queensland Reds that sees them loan four promising players in Richie Asiata, Josh Bryant, Louis Werchon and Josh Flook. The Italian side has padded out their squad nicely until the quartet return home for Super Rugby Pacific. On the whole, whilst talent has not been an issue for Benetton in recent seasons, getting the squad to perform consistently has. Losing captain Ignacio Brex to Toulon further dents Benetton’s chances this season. To their credit, whilst they missed the top eight in the URC, they did qualify for the knockout stages in the Champions Cup for the first time last season. Standing tall as their signature win was their powerful display against Stade Rochelais. Again, further 11mphasising that when firing, they can compete with anyone.
11. Ulster Rugby
Perhaps somewhat of a projection, but now entering their second full season under head coach Richie Murphy and with star signings Angus Bell and Juarano Augustus in tow, the Irish province should be significantly better this season. On the departing front, scrumhalf John Cooney’s move is a blow, whilst Alan O’Connor, Kieran Treadwell, Matty Rea and Aidan Morgan would’ve all added useful depth. A top 8 spot in the URC should be their target, but a run in the EPCR Challenge Cup is equally realistic.
12 Cardiff Rugby
Parking the uncertainty in Welsh Rugby, Cardiff feels safe as the capital city side. Having made some really good progress last season, now is the time for Matt Sherratt’s side to take the next step and become a top-eight side. On the transfer front, losing Efan Daniel and Gabe Hamer-Webb was disappointing, but the addition of Taine Basham and Ioan Lloyd was significant. Overall, we can see them scraping for that eighth spot this season with an ultimate finish anywhere from eight to twelve.
13. Lions Rugby
Losing three key backline playmakers in Marius Louw, Edwill van der Merwe, and Sanele Nohamba was a blow for the Johannesburg side. Offsetting these moves with the addition of Chris Smith, Eduan Keyter, and Angelo Davids was a step back. Overall, the Lions remain a dangerous but inconsistent side who will once again be chasing the top eight but face an uphill battle to get there.
14. Ospreys
Lining up a brilliant new stadium amidst the uncertainty about their future, the Ospreys sent out a signal that they won’t go down without a fight. At times, they flirted with the top eight in the URC and should do so again this season. Key for the Swansea side is the development of Dan Edwards, who took hold of the Welsh fly-half shirt in July. On the signing front, hooker Efan Daniel gives them a brilliant 1-2 punch with Dewi Lake.
15. Zebre Parma
Trending upwards with five wins last season, Italy’s second team have firmly closed the gap on the middle of the URC. Adding a few interesting players this season, most notably David Odiase, Zebre should aim for at least 7 wins in the URC. Where their success came back to bite them was with the departures of Danilo Fischetti and Geronimo Prisciantelli. The pair were two of their top performers and will leave major holes in the squad.
16. Dragons
One win last season was a brutal return for a club that is doing everything right off the pitch in how they are striving to grow. Going all in on the transfer market this offseason, the Dragons targeted seasoned players who should make them more consistent. Of their signings, keep an eye out for Fine Inisi, who should take the league by storm. On the whole, their goal should be to win at least five games to try to avoid last spot.
European Union Rugby Lives On FloSports And FloRugby
Rugby fans can stream every match from the Top 14, Gallagher Premiership, and United Rugby Championship on FloRugby, along with the Investec Champions Cup and EPCR Challenge Cup, making the platform the U.S. home for the world’s biggest club competitions and the game’s top players
How To Watch Rugby Matches In The United States On FloRugby
Professional club rugby in Europe all streams on FloRugby and the FloSports app in the United States. FloRugby and FloSports also are the U.S. home to:
- United Rugby Championship
- PREM Rugby
- Top 14
- Investec Champions Cup
- EPCR Challenge Cup
- Currie Cup
- Super Rugby
- And more
FloRugby also is home to match archives and match replays.