Predicting URC Champions 2025 | The Rugby Pod

[@oldman774]

I am rooting for the Lions to make thetop eight, they have been the Cinderalla team of SA for a long time, and made the Super Rugby finalthree times pre covid. With a bunch of unknowns alldeveloped by the Lions themselves. This new bunch look promising

[@e.t.h.559]

no way, the lions are a shit team, or maybe you have forgotten that none of the players who were involved in that super rugby final, nor the coach is there anymore?

[@oldman774]

@@e.t.h.559 considering the fact that they don't have the budget the other SA teams have, nor had for the best part of a decade, I root for them. I am not saying they will get top aight, but ho hum, it sure will be great for them if they do. You might want to show some respect to the "smaller" teams in the URC, those players may not be stars, but they work as hard, and are as committed as the top teams.

[@graeme6563]

I think they are great team. Young kids and lots of talent. I hope they can do it. The amount of rugby might hurt them. But if they only focus on URC, I see them hitting the top 8.

[@KewKew-do3kq]

Super rugby is rubbish though

[@siyashosha6241]

@oldman774 they will be lucky to even make the top 10 considering they have just been ransacked by the Sharks of their top players...they are definitely weaker than last season now

[@kevindevane6175]

Listening to the lads in SA, I Would keep my eye on the Lions. Worth a tenner.

[@siyashosha6241]

@@kevindevane6175 they just got ransacked by the Sharks of their top players. They are definitely weaker than last season now

[@mjribes]

@siyashosha6241 Yup, money talks and the Sharks have pots of it.

[@barrypower6822]

@@mjribes did not help them last year they were shite

[@mjribes]

@barrypower6822 Yes, yes they were. Diabolically so. But even in their slump, they still won the EPCR Challenge Cup, and they're in the Currie Cup final tomorrow (against the Lions). So they're definitely looking better this year.

[@barrypower6822]

@@mjribes no cares about the currie cup its like the munster senior cup or the leinster senior cup etc . the problem the sharks have is none of their boks players will play urc before chrismass

[@Thudsrayz]

Sharks and Leinster on paper. Just a few reservations on the sharks coaches. Glasgow and Bulls will be tough at the end of the season though

[@KewKew-do3kq]

Both have poor coaches Cullen and plumteee

[@danielsummerton2259]

@@KewKew-do3kq I still remember when Plumtree was a king in Durban. SR final and a few Currie Cups to boost, playing real exciting rugby. The game overtook him a bit after that and he was left behind. I have been seeing some encouraging signs this year though. Currie Cup semifinal win away to the Bulls last week reminded me of the old days when the sharks would beat the best away from home even...

[@CraighJonas]

My Top 8 👇 1. Leinster 🇮🇪 2. Sharks 🦈 3. Munster 🇮🇪 4. Bulls 🐂 5. Glasgow 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 6. Benetton 🇮🇹 7. Stormers ⚡️ 8. Edinburgh 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 Only for Leinster to choke in the semi's again.😂

[@galinor7]

Every contributing nation in the top 8, except one. The only one that isn't filled with upper middle class hoorah's. Interesting.

[@eughrologh]

C'mon the URC. If the league can keep building momentum I think it'll grow it's audience. This year should be good.

[@FrancoisCoetzee]

Good pick on the Sharks! The Sharks are building - After a poor start last year, they went on to win the Challenge Cup. Yesterday, they clinched the Currie Cup in the dying moments of the match against the form team, the Lions, after edging the favoured Bulls in the semi-final a week before. When the Springboks are back, they will be a force to reckon with.

[@kevindevane6175]

Bundi Aki got his Irish citizenship this week! truly one of our own now!!!

[@mjribes]

@@kevindevane6175 But I guarantee he'll be off back to New Zealand once he plays his last international for Ireland.

[@KewKew-do3kq]

He got it because of the tax exemption for Irish rugby players after 10 years of playing.

[@mjribes]

@KewKew-do3kq I think it's a tax exemption for the last 10 years of your career if you're an irish citizen. The Irish authorities use that as an incentive for Irish players to play in Ireland for the last 10 years of their careers.

[@siyashosha6241]

@@kevindevane6175 I'd bet my house he will take the 1st flight back home to NZ once his playing days are over like they all do.

[@SmcdMcd-d2k]

@@mjribesI doubt it with the tax incentives available to him. And he seems fairly settled in Galway

[@WalterWhite-sm2dr]

I saw a sharks team with all available players .. looked like a semi Springbok team ..

[@eamonlyons8069]

Sharks are massive chokers though.

[@brettfleiner4906]

@@eamonlyons8069 Sharks have recently won a few nailbiters in the dying seconds or even in overtime, things are definitely changing in that camp.

[@AndyFairlie]

Don’t write off the lions this season, expect them to do some great things. Probably won’t win it, but they will be representing towards the end. Sharks to do much better this season, I also feel Stormers may struggle a bit but challenge for top 8

[@Dan1973100]

I am a Bull., scared of the Joburg Lions, watch the space, Great Show, once again Big Jim

[@neilmontgomery3470]

I'm a Leinster fan but it would be amazing for the league and for Welsh rugby if they were to win.

[@Bobbydyland]

Agreed. I'm loving the URC, and love the fact that a different team from different nations has won it. I'd love for Ospreys to take it. For Squidge's sake.

[@SAnd-pd1ou]

URC is by far the best club League, but steady a Welsh team have no chance

[@davidwalker2402]

It’s hard to look past Leinster because this year they are putting everything into the league URC….

[@paulnash5500]

I hope you are right. When they travel to SA this year, they need to bring men, not boys like the last couple of seasons.. Unfortunately Leo will have to go if he hasn’t learned anything. He’s a gent, but trophies 🏆 are what’s needed in.2025. Not the biggest squad. The International players need more game time with Leinster, they can’t just fit in and be expected to win.

[@hlangaful]

Don't sleep on Saffa teams. Straight from Currie Cup to URC... Lions in the final...all the teams are humming. Maybe not Stormers, but they will get their SB's back

[@Wolf-hh4rv]

SA teams win the rough diamond prize hands down

[@dontlikebigbubblesinmyguinness]

You know, it really pains me each time we say Leinster is the best team…. We’re good, we’re consistent, but if we were the best we’d have won every final we were in since 2019 (vs Saracens, Le Rochelle and Toulouse) in the Champions cup. And URC has been very challenging for many reasons but not even making a final is just so frustrating. We might finish first this season but I doubt the URC will be a priority over the champions cup. We’re clearly not the best and we never will until the trophies come in.

[@MariusleGrange-m3f]

The Lions may surprise this year. They don't look the strongest on paper but the squad has been been together for a few years and a few exciting young players. Not to win, but definitely a good candidate for top 8

[@jackkeaney2468]

Sharks ?

[@WalterWhite-sm2dr]

Top 6 - Team with the least amount of injuries have a chance !?

[@cornedenecker1636]

Mm, highly doubt Wales gets in the top 8. Stormers, Sharks and Bulls are in. Ulster,Leinster and Munster will be in. That's already 6. Glasgow will be there. And then I won't count out the Lions or Edinburgh and Conagh

[@kieranhanrahan2883]

Connacht top 8 is a good shout.... if we can learn to defend! Will score tries for fun, great back line, Cordero and Hansen back, 9 and 10 had dream debuts... backline is stacked, but can the forwards give them enough ball? Have the locks matured? Will they grind wins out? We'll see...

[@101MIGHTYJOE]

Leinster have the best players and squad but have terrible coaching (as in team selection) at the business end of the season, Leo is too loyal to players like ross byrne and luck mcgrath. If leinster dont sort themselves out then their advantage is nullified giving my beloved munster a chance of winning

[@gerardfitzpatrick60]

Suspect welsh teams will be 9, 13th, 14th and 15th 👌

[@toma411]

Half the Welsh squad went to private school in England lol

[@Valhalla88888]

Glasgow won the URC and had to travel to Africa to win against the Bulls!!!

[@wot4922]

South Africa. Africa has 54 Countries. I doubt they played everyone of them😂

[@hankscorpion9939]

Leinster with a proper focus on the URC and if Snyman and Barrett are firing at the end of the season are hard to look past. I'm really excited by Munster, Ulster and Connacht, and they have all made interesting additions. Hard to predict how they'll do. Could easily have f of the provinces in the top 8, or only 2 Excuse my exclusively Irish focus, but I am Irish after all, and don't watch enough of the other teams to have a strong opinion

[@greenplasticgun]

Sharks/Lions finish above Stormers/Bulls this year. Heard it here first.

[@raemongill19]

Munster or Sharks

[@brettfleiner4906]

Based solely on the trend of the first 3 URCs, it should be a Walesh or Italian team winning it this year.

[@mjribes]

Leinster to flame out as usual. Sharks are looking good and have made it to the Currie Cup final.

[@Etain18]

Leinster fan here, so I really really hope you're wrong, but completely agree re Sharks, and I think there's a lot more seriousness about the URC in SA now (love it, but fear it!). If Leinster come out of another season empty-handed, there'll have to be a shake-up at the top.

[@KewKew-do3kq]

Both have crap coaches

[@mjribes]

@KewKew-do3kq Yeah, fair comment actually

[@jmo8934]

This is probably Leo’s last chance. But, they have added Snyman, Barrett, Slimani and will hopefully go with Frawley/Prendergast at OH. A couple of props Boyle/McCarthy should make the breakthrough this season along with one or two others. Osbourne will probably get more games at FB as well. But until they actually have the hands on the trophy none of it will mean anything.

[@SmcdMcd-d2k]

Mate there’s nearly a whole year to go

[@eamonlyons8069]

1. Leinster 2. Bulls 3. Munster 4. Lions 5. Glasgow 6. Ulster 7. Stormers 8. Connacht 9. Cardiff 10. Sharks 11. Benneton 12. Dragons 13. Scarlets 14. Zebra 15. Edinburgh 16. Ospreys

[@paulnash5500]

If Leo gets his act together and gives his international players more game time, they have a real chance of winning both cups. A squad is of massive importance, but the test players need to be playing club rugby for consistency. Most important, they need to travel to SA and get matched hardened for the Champions Cup. Wrapping them up in cotton wool doesn’t work, as history tells us. Come on Leinster 🎉

[@GreatCoffie0]

Lions 💪

[@rugbyjpcom]

Leinster's year

[@iceicebaxy]

Leinster for sure

[@anotherstormer]

Leinster and Sharks are paper tigers, Sharks especially. Winner will be one of Munster, Stormers (if our best can stay fit unlike last year) or Bulls.

[@Balance-v8x]

The Lions or Sharks

[@jimwallace2009]

So long as Rowntree remains in charge, Munster will be lucky to make the top 8.

[@daveh2344]

Champions in 23, finished top of the league in 24 and lost the semi to a very good Glasgow warriors team. I'd say Rowntree is doing a good job. If Munster can avoid the injury problems they have enough to get the job done.

[@mariannugent3179]

I'd like to know your thinking on that statement regarding rowntree and munster????

[@rory3627]

Glasgow to win the title again, good squad and management, and good rugby.

[@perthshirewildfoods8760]

amen

[@karlernstbuddenbrock371]

Bulls want revenge

[@rory3627]

​Bulls will be strong this year!

[@siyashosha6241]

@rory3627 remember Leicester City winning the English Premier League in 2015-16 then never coming close to winning it again? Glasgow will be the Leicester City of the URC

[@perthshirewildfoods8760]

@@siyashosha6241 glasgow were the only team to go unbeaten at home last year and the team are only getting better this year

[@dineshanpillay5944]

Lets go lions, atleast the knock out rounds

[@harryocallaghan8082]

The Sharks finished 14th last season. 14th!!! What on earth makes you think that they will win it? 😂😂 One new signing in Kolisi won’t change much in all honesty.

[@Leroygarth-fw2zb]

The sharks will win this year with all the experience of the springboks in the sqaud

[@icefarrow7959]

International experience doesn't mean as much at club level as you think. Plenty of exceptional test players have mid club careers and vice versa.

[@alecrosema4885]

Jim put cardiff and Connacht above Lions and Stormers 😂😂

[@donnchaburke3684]

Rugby in Limerick isn't Middle class-far from it!!

[@siyashosha6241]

Top 8: 1. Leinster 2. Bulls 3. Munster 4. Stormers 5. Glasgow ('they are gonna be the Leicester City of the URC) 6. Sharks 7. Ulster 8. Connacht

[@SAnd-pd1ou]

All the Irish teams in top 8😂. Wonder where u from

[@siyashosha6241]

@@SAnd-pd1ou I'm South African...what's that got to do with anything? They have the best winning record especially away

[@stiofain88]

Do ye not think your guys expectations of Siya Kolisi is a bit unrealistic? Taking Sharks from 14th to 6th place in one year?

[@stiofain88]

​@@SAnd-pd1ou I'm embarrassed for you right now.

[@SAnd-pd1ou]

@stiofain88 oh don't be, the guys clearly Irish. Re. Your Sharks comment, I think they will do well, possibly semis or Final

[@martyodoherty4236]

Going to take a good team to beat the bulls

[@reillyd3]

Anyone want Ross Byrne. He's will go to Scarlets, tough waster. I mean painter.

[@adrianohanlon2312]

Munster are not middle class!!!

[@ShaneKenny-ij5kk]

Correct they are top class

[@extremesportsify]

Leinster all the way this year, on their day they would beat sharks

[@ritchiebirnie6124]

Havha ha ha. Failure as usual