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Round four of the United Rugby Championship had a little bit of everything. Edinburgh continued their perfect start, Glasgow produced a remarkable comeback in Italy, Leinster survived a fierce Munster challenge and the South African sides enjoyed another productive weekend. There were 92 points in Cape Town, plenty of drama in Pretoria and another difficult evening for Welsh rugby in Cardiff. With the first international window approaching, the early signs are becoming clearer, although several of the competition's biggest names still have plenty to work on.
J. Adams (9'), J. Botham (44', 57')
Tries
E. Hooker (1'), M. Romao (26', 79'), J. Jenkins (42'), T. Toit (61'), E. Bester (73')
J. Evans (10', 45', 58')
Conversions
G. Lombard (26', 62'), S. Masuku (74')
For the best part of an hour, Cardiff looked capable of claiming a significant victory against one of the URC's most physically imposing squads. James Botham's second try had given the home side a narrow lead, and the Arms Park crowd could sense another big result. Unfortunately for Cardiff, the Sharks had rather more firepower waiting on the bench. Thomas du Toit crossed for the bonus-point fourth try as the visitors took control of the final quarter, before Ethan Bester added a fifth and Matt Romao completed his double. It was an impressive response from a Sharks side that had lost captain Andre Esterhuizen to injury almost immediately after kick-off. Cardiff had made 11 changes following their European defeat against Northampton, and the short turnaround eventually appeared to take its toll. Their first home defeat since December 2025 will sting, particularly after getting themselves into a winning position. The Sharks, however, demonstrated the value of their considerable squad depth.
F. Bealham (8'), S. Jansen (13'), C. Forde (17'), S. Gilbert (22'), C. Prendergast (30'), D. Heffernan (55', 79'), H. West (67')
Tries
G. Ferrari (4'), J. Botturi (27'), M. Belloni (32'), G. Ribaldi (70'), B. Stavile (76')
C. Frawley (8', 18', 23', 30')
Conversions
G. Montemauri (28')
Stuart Lancaster's Connacht are certainly giving supporters plenty to watch. Having beaten Saracens 45-36 in Europe the previous weekend, the Irish province followed it up with another free-scoring performance, running in eight tries against Zebre. Finlay Bealham, Sean Jansen, Cathal Forde, Sam Gilbert and Cian Prendergast all crossed in the first half, while Dave Heffernan scored twice after the break and Harry West added the other try. The attacking cohesion is clearly developing, with Ciaran Frawley providing direction at fly-half and Connacht looking increasingly comfortable playing at tempo. The defensive side of the performance was rather less convincing. Conceding five tries at home to a Zebre team still searching for its first win of the season is something Lancaster will want addressed. Zebre at least collected a try bonus point for their efforts. For Connacht, two league victories from four matches leave them in a reasonable position, but they will need considerably better defensive control against the URC's leading sides.
M. Currie (19'), M. Tuipulotu (46'), H. Patterson (50', 64'), G. Gwynn (73')
Tries
B. Hlekani (56')
J. Grayson (47', 51'), C. Scott (74')
Conversions
C. Smith (57')
Penalties
C. Smith (33')
Edinburgh's impressive start to the season continued with a fourth consecutive league victory, and Hector Patterson is becoming one of the most interesting young players in Scottish rugby. The 21-year-old scrum-half celebrated signing a new contract by scoring twice and creating two more tries against the Lions, helping Edinburgh turn a narrow 5-3 half-time advantage into a comfortable bonus-point win. His quick thinking around the breakdown, particularly for his second try from a tap penalty, underlined the confidence running through his game. Conditions at Hive Stadium were difficult, but Edinburgh showed greater composure and adapted far better as the match progressed. It was also an emotional occasion following the death of Lions player Hyron Andrews, whose memory was honoured during the evening. Sean Everitt's side have now matched their best opening sequence for 11 years. Edinburgh have often threatened to produce something special without quite sustaining it. Four rounds in, there is a growing sense that this season might be different.
M. Coetzee (1', 31'), E. Louw (17'), J. Grobbelaar (65')
Tries
C. Mullins (40', 62'), D. McCann (44'), S. McCloskey (69')
H. Pollard (2', 18', 32', 66')
Conversions
J. Murphy (40+1', 45', 70')
H. Pollard (49'), C. Bosch (81')
Penalties
At 21-0 down in Pretoria, Ulster were staring at a very long afternoon. The Bulls had established complete control through their powerful driving maul, with former Ulster forward Marcell Coetzee scoring twice against his old club and Elrigh Louw adding another. Handre Pollard was managing proceedings comfortably, and the visitors appeared to be struggling with both the physical challenge and the conditions at Loftus Versfeld. But Ulster refused to disappear. Chay Mullins scored twice, David McCann and Stuart McCloskey also crossed, and the visitors dragged themselves to within five points late in the second half. Coetzee's yellow card helped create an opening, but the Bulls found enough control through their set-piece and Pollard's kicking to stay ahead. Curwin Bosch's last-play penalty denied Ulster a losing bonus point, leaving them with just their try bonus point. The Bulls secured all five match points, although allowing a 21-point advantage to become such a close contest will concern their coaching staff. For Ulster, there was plenty of character, but a defeat away from home that ultimately offered little reward.
Z. Porthen (10'), H. Pead (15'), N. Mchunu (27'), S. Senatla (33'), D. Fourie (40+1'), O. Reid (54'), Y. Ahmed (73', 79')
Tries
J. Roberts (18', 45', 64'), I. Jones (30'), M. Page (41'), J. MacLeod (59')
S. Feinberg-Mngomezulu (16', 28', 34', 40+1', 55', 74')
Conversions
C. Leggatt-Jones (19', 31', 42', 46', 65')
If anyone needed reminding that the URC can produce some extraordinary rugby, Cape Town provided 92 points of evidence. The Stormers appeared to have this game wrapped up at half-time, leading 33-14 after a blistering attacking display featuring tries from Zachary Porthen, Haashim Pead, Ntuthuko Mchunu, Seabelo Senatla and Deon Fourie. The Scarlets, however, had absolutely no intention of accepting the result. Led by a superb Joe Roberts hat-trick and some enterprising work from their young backs, the Welsh side somehow fought their way back to 40-40 in the closing stages. At that point, a remarkable away victory looked possible. Instead, replacement Yaqeen Ahmed crossed twice late on to rescue the Stormers and deny Scarlets what would have been a famous result. The hosts deserve credit for finding a response under enormous pressure, but conceding 40 points at home is hardly the defensive standard they will be aiming for. Scarlets left with only a try bonus point, although the character and attacking ambition shown in that comeback offered plenty of encouragement.
F. Zanandrea (29'), L. Lynagh (41')
Tries
E. Ferrie (49'), K. Steyn (52'), R. Darge (55'), O. Oguntibeju (77')
J. Umaga (30', 42')
Conversions
M. Urwin (50'), B. Kuenzle (78')
J. Umaga (40', 68')
Penalties
Glasgow's unbeaten start survived one of its biggest tests yet, but Franco Smith's side certainly made life difficult for themselves in Treviso. Benetton led 17-0 early in the second half, having frustrated Glasgow for long periods before Louis Lynagh's interception try appeared to leave the visitors with an enormous task. What followed was an excellent demonstration of Glasgow's resilience. Euan Ferrie, Kyle Steyn and Rory Darge crossed as the Warriors levelled the contest, only for Jacob Umaga's penalty to restore Benetton's advantage. The decisive moment came in the closing minutes when Jare Oguntibeju finished sustained pressure near the Italian side's line, with Bayley Kuenzle converting to secure the victory. Winning in Treviso is never straightforward, and Glasgow's ability to recover from such a poor position says plenty about their mentality. Benetton will be frustrated by another opportunity that slipped away, particularly after controlling so much of the contest. Glasgow, meanwhile, return to Scotland with five valuable league points.
T. O'Brien (33'), R. Baird (54'), C. Tector (63'), J. Osborne (72')
Tries
S. Daly (26'), B. O'Connor (81')
J. Carbery (55', 73')
Conversions
C. O'Shea (27')
Penalties
C. O'Shea (6', 29')
Irish rugby's biggest domestic rivalry rarely needs much additional motivation, and Munster arrived at the Aviva Stadium determined to upset the favourites. Clayton McMillan's injury-hit side were excellent early on, building a 13-0 lead through Shane Daly's try and Charlie O'Shea's kicking while disrupting Leinster's breakdown and forcing the hosts into mistakes. For a while, another memorable Munster victory looked very possible. Leinster eventually responded through their superior depth and increasing control of possession, with Jamison Gibson-Park influential and Dan Sheehan making an impact in the unfamiliar No.8 role. Tommy O'Brien, Ryan Baird, Charlie Tector and Jamie Osborne scored the tries as the defending champions turned the contest around to collect a bonus-point victory. Munster secured a deserved losing bonus point through Ben O'Connor's late try. The match also featured an allegation of foul play at a ruck from Gavin Coombes, which officials were unable to substantiate from the available footage during the game. Leinster got the result, but Munster's performance offered evidence that the gap between the provinces is not always as large as their respective squads might suggest.
R. Morgan-Williams (5', 29'), S. Parry (36'), Penalty Try (41'), R. Moriarty (53')
Tries
R. Dyer (40+2'), A. Tuitavuki (63')
D. Edwards (6', 30')
Conversions
de Beer (40+3', 64')
The Ospreys marked their return to St Helen's with a convincing Welsh derby victory that was built on physicality, territorial control and making better decisions in atrocious conditions. Reuben Morgan-Williams was particularly influential, scoring twice in the first half as the hosts repeatedly punished Dragons mistakes. Sam Parry also crossed before the interval, and the Ospreys' powerful driving game produced a penalty try and another score for Ross Moriarty after the break. For the Dragons, the combination of poor discipline and difficult weather made an already challenging evening almost impossible. Three yellow cards undermined any chance of building momentum, although Rio Dyer and Anzelo Tuitavuki did provide moments of encouragement. Having also beaten the Dragons at Rodney Parade earlier in the month, the Ospreys have now collected ten league points from their two Welsh derby meetings. For Mark Jones and his players, this was a welcome homecoming and another encouraging step forward. The Dragons will have to look closely at their discipline before the season begins to get away from them.
Four rounds into the URC, Scotland has plenty to be pleased about. Edinburgh's perfect start and Glasgow's continued unbeaten run have given both clubs genuine early momentum. South Africa's leading sides remain difficult to beat, even when they are not entirely convincing, with the Bulls, Sharks and Stormers all collecting bonus-point wins. Leinster are beginning to find their rhythm, while Connacht's attacking improvement is encouraging. Welsh rugby remains a mixed picture: the Ospreys are gathering momentum and Scarlets showed real character in Cape Town, but Cardiff and Dragons have more immediate questions to answer. The international window will test squad depth across the competition, and the teams best equipped to cope with those absences could gain a valuable advantage in the coming weeks.
