URC) final

A feeling of familiarity and a lack of jeopardy plagued what was then known as the Pro14. However, the introduction of the four South African franchises has ...

This may just be the spark which ignites a new dawn for Irish provincial rugby. The nation is the world’s third largest rugby market and has previously been left largely untapped. If the URC can rectify these mistakes, garnering the attention of the South African rugby public could prove to be a golden ticket, offering an alternative market and potentially bringing in a fresh wave of viewing revenue for the Irish provinces. Despite the obvious fact that they will be reeling from a disappointing end to their seasons, the presence of the two South African sides will serve as fuel to fire for those involved within Irish provincial rugby. This apathy has been broken though by the emergence of a new threat to Leinster’s throne in the shape of the physically imposing South African sides. Initially -- upon the announcement that the Stormers, Bulls, Lions and Sharks would be severing ties with Super Rugby in favour of a move to the URC -- there was some scepticism as to the seriousness with which these sides would take club rugby north of the equator.