Big names arrive and old faces return in new URC season

We have already gone in depth on the four Irish provinces (you can read our breakdowns of Leinster, Munster, Ulster and Connacht here), but it's been another busy summer of comings and goings across the BTK United Rugby Championship.

Some big names are returning to the URC, with others arriving to the league for the first time.

Here are some of the most exciting signings to keep an eye on across the rest of the league this season.

Eben Etzebeth (Sharks)

By some distance the most high-profile arrival to the URC this season, the Springbok legend returns to South Africa after three years in France with Toulon.

The towering lock provides even more ballast to a Sharks pack that already boasts Ox Nche, Bongi Mbonambi, Thomas di Toit, Siya Kolisi and the exciting Vincent Tshituka who has joined from the Lions.

Having previously played for his home side Stormers, Etzebeth joins the Durban-based Sharks, who have been spending big recently, Carlu Sadie (Lions) and Rohan Janse van Rensburg (Sale) among those who have also arrived this summer.

Sean Everitt's side couldn't stitch those star names together last season, finishing fifth overall and third out of the four South African franchises, but the addition of Etzebeth could be a game-changing arrival both for the team and the league as a whole.

Taulupe Faletau (Cardiff)

Cardiff have made a big statement with their summer signings, with Wales legend Liam Williams swapping scarlet for blue, Thomas Young joining from Wasps, and Taulupe Faletau ending his six year spell in England.

Faletau - who previously played for the Dragons - has been at Bath since the 2016/17 season, but has struggled with injury in recent seasons, featuring just eight times for the Premiership side in 2021/22.

In spite of