The festive season of the United Rugby Championship competition is here with seven high-stakes rugby fixtures to excite rugby fans over Christmas.
Excitement is building for the most eagerly anticipated games of the year for URC players, coaches, supporters and TV pundits as packed stadiums across Scotland, Ireland, South Africa, Italy and Wales add to the Christmas spirit.
As the first round of festive derbies approaches, as well as bragging rights and historic derby rivalries coming to the fore, the battle for the URC top eight maintains its intensity with only six points between 1st (Leinster on 29) and 4th (Munster on 23) and just three points between 8th (Connacht on 19) and 5th (Edinburgh).
Friday night sees a double delight, as the first 1872 Cup in Scotland kicks off between Glasgow Warriors and Edinburgh at 21:35 (SA Time) with these two rivals neck and neck and just four points apart in the URC table. Edinburgh will arrive highly charged and looking to turn the tables on Glasgow Warriors, who won both 1872 Cup games in last year’s festive battles.
Glasgow coach Franco Smith has hailed his team’s meetings with arch-rivals Edinburgh as “the biggest derby in the Vodacom URC”.
Smith’s side will be the hosts at a packed Scotstoun this weekend and will then travel to Murrayfield on December 30, with the 1872 Cup on the line over the two matches.
“For me, it’s one game played in two halves over two weeks,” said Smith.
“We obviously have some Christmas pudding in between, so we have to make sure we keep all the balls in the air and keep all the guys available.
“It’s a two-week strategy for these games. We have prepped well and we feel good going into it.
“It’s exciting. I’ve been involved in derbies for years. First in South Africa, then Benetton v Aironi back in the day and then Benetton v Zebre - those are big days.
“It’s class and the fact the 1872 Cup is part of the outcome is massive. It stimulates the players and the rivalry even more.
“This must be the biggest derby game in the Vodacom URC.
“The fact so many people will head down to Murrayfield next week is really exciting. It will be a privilege to be a part of it.
“This has been a rivalry for years. It’s a game that has been talked about since the start of the season.
“There are places in the Scotland team to play for in the next two weeks, so that will suit the coaching group of the national team as well.
“So yes, there’s a little bit of extra motivation this week.”
Smith has selected Scotland centre Huw Jones on the wing amid injuries to Ollie Smith, Kyle Steyn, Sebastian Cancelliere and Facundo Cordero.
For Edinburgh, Ali Price starts at scrum-half against his former team, having switched from Glasgow on a season-long loan, while prop WP Nel is fit to return to the starting XV.
Head coach Sean Everitt said: “Local derbies are always special occasions whatever sport you’re involved in. I’ve been part of many in South Africa and it’s now a privilege to take charge of Edinburgh in world rugby’s oldest intercity rivalry.
“Both sides head into the match in good form off the back of European wins. However, history has shown us the formbook goes out the window when these teams meet. It will be 80 minutes of hard-nosed, physical rugby - like derbies always are - and it’s up to us to set the tone and for 1-15 to win their battles.
“The boys know what it means to wear the castle on their chest and represent Edinburgh. These are the games you want to be involved in and we’re excited for the challenge.”
It’s set to be a 7,200-full house at Scotstoun, while around 25,000 tickets have been sold for the second leg at Murrayfield.
Then in Belfast, it doesn’t come much bigger than Ulster v Connacht at 21:35 (SA TIme) as 7th plays 8th with Ulster riding high on the back of a 31-15 win against Racing 92 in Europe and with Connacht looking to reignite their early URC form.
Having started the season so well, Connacht now heads to Belfast on the back of four successive defeats in all competitions.
They have conceded 173 points along the way, losing to Vodacom Bulls (53-27) and Leinster (24-22) in the Vodacom URC and then going down to Bordeaux Begles (41-5) and Saracens (55-36) in the Investec Champions Cup.
So it’s a timely boost for them to have Ireland wing Mack Hansen back from injury for the trip to the Kingspan Stadium.
As for Ulster, they will be in a buoyant mood, having claimed a 31-15 Champions Cup victory over star-studded French outfit Racing 92 last weekend.
Second-row Kieran Treadwell will make his 150th appearance for the province in a game that is set to be played out in front of a bumper crowd.
Giving his thoughts, Connacht head coach Pete Wilkins said: “Interpro weeks always create a special buzz around the squad and an away game in Belfast is no different.
“Ulster will be high on confidence after their European win last week and will be relishing another game at home.
“We are fully aware of what it takes to compete against them in that environment and everyone is looking forward to the game.”
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