Your Team
Launch edition — spotted a bug or got feedback?
hello@veldt-rugby.com
Latest
INJURYAlex MitchellNorthampton Saints — out, remainder of the season
INJURYXavier SaifoloiCrusaders — out, season-ending
INJURYScott BarrettCrusaders — out, season-ending
INJURYHemopo CunninghamBlues — out, season-ending
INJURYJames CameronBlues — out, season-ending
INJURYMitch DrummondCrusaders — out, season-ending
INJURYToby BellCrusaders — out, season-ending
INJURYHugh CooneyLeinster — out, Season-ending
INJURYHenry RobertsonWestern Force — out, season-ending
INJURYJayden SaChiefs — out, season-ending
INJURYBilly SearleLeicester Tigers — out, Remainder of season
INJURYJack YeandleExeter Chiefs — out, remainder of the season
INJURYEthan HookerHollywoodbets Sharks — out, extended spell out
INJURYGabin VilliereRC Toulon — out, season-ending
INJURYBernard van der LindeBath Rugby — out, before end of season
INJURYSacha Feinberg-MngomezuluStormers — doubt
INJURYALEX NANKIVELMUNSTER — out
INJURYKwagga SmithSpringboks — out
INJURYGlen NewmanFijian Drua — out
INJURYFraser HannonFijian Drua — out
INJURYJames DolemanFijian Drua — out
INJURYFijian DruaFijian Drua — out
INJURYStar RedsFijian Drua — out
INJURYThe DruaFijian Drua — out
INJURYBut Queensland'sFijian Drua — out
INJURYThe RedsFijian Drua — out
INJURYThe Queensland RedsFijian Drua — out
INJURYQueensland RedsFijian Drua — out
INJURYCiaran FrawleyLeinster — out, N/A
INJURYJohn BryantQueensland Reds — out
INJURYCharlie GambleNSW Waratahs — out
INJURYFolau FaingaaNSW Waratahs — out
INJURYAustin DurbidgeNSW Waratahs — out
INJURYJimmy TupouMoana Pasifika — out
INJURYJordie BarrettHurricanes — out, 1 week
INJURYNgane PunivaiHurricanes — out, week-to-week
INJURYBilly VunipolaMontpellier — doubt
INJURYTommy O'BrienLeinster — doubt
INJURYAJ MacGintyBristol — return_pending, N/A
INJURYMcDermottReds — return_pending, N/A
INJURYDeon FourieStormers — return_pending, set to return to Cape Town for scans
INJURYTommy ReffellLeicester Tigers — return_pending
INJURYDuhan van der MerweEdinburgh Rugby — return_pending
INJURYJosh van der FlierLeinster Rugby — return_pending, graduated return-to-play protocol
INJURYRobbie HenshawLeinster Rugby — return_pending, graduated return-to-play protocol
TRANSFERSarah Beckettsigns for Sale Sharks
TRANSFERAoife Waferagreed a new deal with Harlequins Women; prop Hannah Duffy retiring.
TRANSFERSteven LuatuaSigns new deal into 10th season with Bristol Bears.
TRANSFERTommaso Menoncellojoins Stade toulousain, engaging until 2029.
TRANSFERHannah Dallavallere-signs with Gloucester-Hartpury
TRANSFERZoe Stratfordagreeing to join Sale Sharks, leaving Gloucester-Hartpury at the end of the season.
TRANSFERApete Narogojoin Toulon for several seasons, according to reports
TRANSFERZoe Stratfordjoins Sale Sharks.
INJURYAlex MitchellNorthampton Saints — out, remainder of the season
INJURYXavier SaifoloiCrusaders — out, season-ending
INJURYScott BarrettCrusaders — out, season-ending
INJURYHemopo CunninghamBlues — out, season-ending
INJURYJames CameronBlues — out, season-ending
INJURYMitch DrummondCrusaders — out, season-ending
INJURYToby BellCrusaders — out, season-ending
INJURYHugh CooneyLeinster — out, Season-ending
INJURYHenry RobertsonWestern Force — out, season-ending
INJURYJayden SaChiefs — out, season-ending
INJURYBilly SearleLeicester Tigers — out, Remainder of season
INJURYJack YeandleExeter Chiefs — out, remainder of the season
INJURYEthan HookerHollywoodbets Sharks — out, extended spell out
INJURYGabin VilliereRC Toulon — out, season-ending
INJURYBernard van der LindeBath Rugby — out, before end of season
INJURYSacha Feinberg-MngomezuluStormers — doubt
INJURYALEX NANKIVELMUNSTER — out
INJURYKwagga SmithSpringboks — out
INJURYGlen NewmanFijian Drua — out
INJURYFraser HannonFijian Drua — out
INJURYJames DolemanFijian Drua — out
INJURYFijian DruaFijian Drua — out
INJURYStar RedsFijian Drua — out
INJURYThe DruaFijian Drua — out
INJURYBut Queensland'sFijian Drua — out
INJURYThe RedsFijian Drua — out
INJURYThe Queensland RedsFijian Drua — out
INJURYQueensland RedsFijian Drua — out
INJURYCiaran FrawleyLeinster — out, N/A
INJURYJohn BryantQueensland Reds — out
INJURYCharlie GambleNSW Waratahs — out
INJURYFolau FaingaaNSW Waratahs — out
INJURYAustin DurbidgeNSW Waratahs — out
INJURYJimmy TupouMoana Pasifika — out
INJURYJordie BarrettHurricanes — out, 1 week
INJURYNgane PunivaiHurricanes — out, week-to-week
INJURYBilly VunipolaMontpellier — doubt
INJURYTommy O'BrienLeinster — doubt
INJURYAJ MacGintyBristol — return_pending, N/A
INJURYMcDermottReds — return_pending, N/A
INJURYDeon FourieStormers — return_pending, set to return to Cape Town for scans
INJURYTommy ReffellLeicester Tigers — return_pending
INJURYDuhan van der MerweEdinburgh Rugby — return_pending
INJURYJosh van der FlierLeinster Rugby — return_pending, graduated return-to-play protocol
INJURYRobbie HenshawLeinster Rugby — return_pending, graduated return-to-play protocol
TRANSFERSarah Beckettsigns for Sale Sharks
TRANSFERAoife Waferagreed a new deal with Harlequins Women; prop Hannah Duffy retiring.
TRANSFERSteven LuatuaSigns new deal into 10th season with Bristol Bears.
TRANSFERTommaso Menoncellojoins Stade toulousain, engaging until 2029.
TRANSFERHannah Dallavallere-signs with Gloucester-Hartpury
TRANSFERZoe Stratfordagreeing to join Sale Sharks, leaving Gloucester-Hartpury at the end of the season.
TRANSFERApete Narogojoin Toulon for several seasons, according to reports
TRANSFERZoe Stratfordjoins Sale Sharks.
Global Rugby. No Filter.
URC · Roundup

URC — Friday 22 May 2026

Friday 22 May 2026

Match of the Day

Ulster vs. Montpellier in the EPCR Challenge Cup Final

The battle for continental silverware heads to Bilbao tonight, with Ulster facing Montpellier in the Challenge Cup final at San Mamés Stadium. This clash isn't just for a trophy; victory secures Champions Cup rugby for next season and would mark the province's first final appearance since the 2012 Heineken Cup decider.

The stakes are palpable, and the squad has had to rapidly process their disappointment over missing the URC play-offs. As Ulster look to make their biggest final statement, key players are returning to fill gaps, including winger Robert Baloucoune, who has been parachuted straight into the side. He replaces a fellow international who is dealing with a facial fracture and has undergone surgery.

Head coach Murphy acknowledged the pressure, saying: “I suppose it’s not the position we want to be in (to have it as our final game of the season).” Despite the bittersweet timing, he stressed that the focus must be solely on execution. “So it gives us full focus on what’s ahead,” he stated, emphasizing that the team must give their "very best account of ourselves as we possibly can.”

Adam Beard, the Welsh and British & Irish Lions lock, is set to captain the charge, hoping to become the 48th Welsh player to lift the EPCR Challenge Cup winners medal.

Talking Point
The profound significance of the Challenge Cup final for Ulster, who are racing to add to the trophy cabinet and secure a Champions Cup spot for the next season.
Stats
  • Ulster defeated Exeter Chiefs 29-12 in the semi-final.
  • Ulster's biggest prior European Cup final appearance was the 2012 Heineken Cup decider.
  • Ulster’s historic title wins include the European Cup (1999), the Celtic Cup (2003), and the League (2006).
  • Lloyd Williams set a Cardiff Rugby record of 261 appearances over 13 seasons.
  • Lloyd Williams earned 32 caps for Wales between 2011 and 2021.
  • Clíodhna Moloney-MacDonald was involved in Ireland’s memorable third place finish in the Guinness Women’s Six Nations.
  • Adam Beard hopes to become the 48th Welsh player to win the EPCR Challenge Cup winners medal.

Other Results & News

Former Wales scrum half Lloyd Williams announced his retirement at the end of the season. The Lions are bracing for a powerful showing from Leinster in the upcoming Vodacom URC quarter-final. McCloskey was awarded the OCC Consulting Men’s 15s Player’s Player of the Year award following a successful year for Ulster and Ireland. Clíodhna Moloney-MacDonald clinched the OCC Consulting Women’s 15s Player’s Player of the Year award. Montpellier advanced to the final after beating the Dragons in the semi-final.

Injury Flash

Quote of the Day

“
“I suppose it’s not the position we want to be in (to have it as our final game of the season).” – Murphy

Next Up

Next FixtureThe Lions are set to face Leinster in the Vodacom URC quarter-final at the Aviva Stadium next Saturday.
Weekend Brief
Rugby in your inbox. No noise.
Scores, talking points, and a few opinions — every week from The Veldt.
Subscribe Free →