After 151 games of pulsating action, last gasp finishes, wonder tries and even a few slugfests, the inaugural season of the United Rugby Championship drew to a close with a fittingly enthralling final. Many people doubted the league’s identity and motives, but it is fair to say that the URC has won over most fans. Before the season began, the move to free to air tv coverage was met with widespread plaudits, and there is no doubt it has helped grow the leagues status.
The South African conquest looked like a sunken dream when the season started, but when a run of home games helping them gather momentum, they quickly took over as the dominant force. The Stormers downed Ulster twice and Leinster once in Cape Town en route to victory, while finalists Bulls had home wins over Ulster and Munster to go with a major away scalp over Leinster in the semi final. The Cheetahs and Kings made up the numbers, the Stormers, Bulls, Sharks, and to a lesser extent the Lions, are here for silverware.
Even as a huge advocate for the competition, you can’t but accept that the start to the league was a very slow burner. We welcomed back the fans, but it was an underwhelming start. The 4 southern franchises had humbling results early doors, allowing the Irish provinces to set up shop at the summit of the standings. Out with the old and in with the old.
We were due to finally see a slate of games on South African soil in November, when Covid reared its ugly head again. A nasty variant led to the postponement of multiple games, but luckily, zero cancellations. At this point, the usual suspects were back out. You would swear Covid was a URC led virus, rather than a deadly pandemic. In reality, this derailment placed hurdles in the path of the organisers which they managed accordingly.
Halfway through the league season, and everyone has played a different number of games, with postponed games still to be held later in the year, and a distinctive Pro14 look to the standings. That’s when the Six Nations period shook things up. One by one, game by game, the league table started to shapeshift into the one we saw near the end of the season.
Leinster went top, the South Africans surged from bottom half to top half, and the high-flying Scots came back to reality. The provinces continued to flex their muscles until their rescheduled games in South Africa. The stage was set for what would be an encapsulating finale.
Rounds 17 and 18 were a steady pace setter to close out the year. Storylines galore as teams looked to secure playoff or European spots, or their respective shields. Come the final round, five of the eight games had clear and obvious ramifications. Say what you like about having quarter finals, but it added to the weeks prior.
The seven playoff games which capped off the year also lived up to the hype. From multiple last minute winners, some stunning free flowing rugby, and a run in the park for Leinster against fraudsters acting as Glasgow; we had it all. Even a final which looked set to disappoint with bleak weather was a fun spectacle. Knockons galore plagued the game, but the willingness to play ball and run from anywhere, was matched with typical South African physicality. A first final that was equally enjoyable for all.
The opening chapter of this book was a fun read, with enough twits and thrills to live in the memory. To say it’s finely poised to get even better for next year is true. Less clashes with international games, (hopefully) Covid in the rear view mirror leading to less postponements, and some big name signings like Eben Etzebeth. It should be fun. If the Welsh regions get their house in order, the Scots take another step forward and Benetton compete for a full season, then it could be a classic. The naysayers will continue, but right now the URC looks set to become a clearly great league, and will squeeze ahead of the Premiership. Mark my words.
Caolan S Rugby 
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