Leinster Rugby begin another playoff run as one of the favorites to win the URC title, again.
It starts after one of the worst losses in club history in the 2026 Investec Champions Cup Final, but Leinster are the defending URC champions.
Leo Cullen’s side closed the regular season with a dominant 68-14 victory over Ospreys and now host the Fidelity SecureDrive Lions at Aviva Stadium.
The two teams already met earlier this month, with Leinster cruising to a 31-7 victory in Dublin.
History strongly favors Leinster.
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The Irish province has won four of five meetings against the Lions and remains one of the most dominant playoff teams in league history. Leinster have won all five URC quarterfinals they have hosted in Dublin.
Lions Are One Of The Best Stories In Rugby
The Lions, however, arrive with confidence after reaching the playoffs for the first time.
Before losses to Leinster and Munster to close the regular season, the Lions won four straight matches while scoring 54 points against Edinburgh and Glasgow.
Chris Smith finished the regular season with 154 points, making him one of the league’s most productive players.
Leinster’s attack remains loaded.
Joshua Kenny scored nine tries during the regular season while Harry Byrne and Sam Prendergast continue sharing kicking duties.
The key matchup may be physicality.
If the Lions dominate collisions and force Leinster into an arm wrestle, they could make things uncomfortable. But if Leinster establish tempo and field position early, Dublin could become a very long night for the visitors.
United Rugby Championship Playoffs Round 1 Schedule
May 29, 2026
- 1:45 PM CT: Glasgow Warriors vs. Connacht Rugby, Scotstoun Stadium (Glasgow)
May 30, 2026
- 6:00 AM CT: Vodacom Bulls vs. Munster Rugby, Loftus Versfeld (Pretoria)
May 30, 2026
- 8:30 PM CT: DHL Stormers vs. Cardiff Rugby, DHL Stadium (Cape Town)
May 30, 2026
- 2:00 PM CT: Leinster Rugby vs. Fidelity SecureDrive Lions, Aviva Stadium (Dublin)
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