URC to introduce number of format changes ahead of next season

Next season's URC is due to start on October 20, on the weekend of the World Cup semi-finals in France.

SCHEDULE CHANGES: Jack Crowley of Munster is tackled by Herschel Jantjies of DHL Stormers during the United Rugby Championship Final. Pic: Nic Bothma/Sportsfile

The organisers of the United Rugby Championship are making a number of changes to the format for next season with teams set to finish their campaign with a derby match.

And further efforts are being made to accommodate the four South African teams with each of them making just two trips north next season.