Munster to host Connacht in opening round of 2024/25 URC season

The fixture list was released on Thursday morning.

Thu, 30 May, 2024 - 12:45

Shane Donovan

The first weekend of the 2024/25 BKT United Rugby Championship season will include an Irish derby, with current URC champions Munster set to host Connacht at Thomond Park.

Leinster will kick off the season the Friday, September 20, away to Edinburgh, before Munster get their first opportunity of the season to run out in front of the Limerick faithful the following evening, Saturday, September 21.

Ulster will also begin their campaign on that Saturday, at home to Glasgow.

The specifics of the provinces' Round 8 and 9 games during the Christmas and New Year stretch have not yet been confirmed.

Munster's usual trip to Ulster hosting of Leinster home over Christmas and New Year has been flipped, but that doesn’t necessarily mean the traditional Leinster fixture will not occur on or shortly after St. Stephen's Day.

There remains a scenario where Rowntree's men could be in Belfast on December 21 and face Leinster at Thomond on December 28.

Munster's usual three home fixtures at Virgin Media Park are likely to be augmented by a pre-season friendly, set to be announced at the end of the current season.

Meanwhile, the location of Leinster and Munster's meeting on October 12 is still pending, raising optimism that a Croke Park fixture may be in the works. Leinster will host the majority of their home games at the Aviva Stadium, as the RDS continues to be redeveloped.

The Grand Final of the competition has been scheduled for Saturday, June 14.

Martin Anayi, United Rugby Championship CEO, said: “Given the complexity of our scheduling we are thrilled to have our fixtures published earlier than ever before.

“Our fixture list is at the core of our entire league with fans, teams, broadcasters and media all setting their schedules to it and now we have set a new standard by delivering it while the current season is still in play.

“Our whole team is focused on making the United Rugby Championship the best league in the world and setting fan-friendly goals is key to that. Our clubs have been more engaged than ever in supporting this while our broadcast partners also play a crucial role in allowing the kick-off times to be set so far in advance.

“This weekend we will discover who has triumphed in the Race to Eight before the gripping drama of our Play-Offs takes centre stage. Now, no matter how the season ends fans can immediately look to next season’s fixtures to begin planning for another thrilling campaign.”

The entire fixture list can be viewed here.