United Rugby Championship 2023/24 Round 1: All you need to know

The BKT United Rugby Championship gets under way this weekend with Munster out to defend their crown.

While many were hoping that Irish interest this weekend would be focused in France, it's domestic rugby that takes centre stage.

All four Irish provinces are in action with Ulster kicking off proceedings on Saturday away to Zebre Parma (1pm). Connacht host Ospreys in Galway (3pm), while holders Munster start off in Thomond Park against the Sharks at 5.15pm.

Leinster are in action on Sunday with a trip to Glasgow on the cards (4pm).

Here we'll take you through all you need to know ahead of Round 1.

ONLINE

We'll have live scoring, blogs, reports and reaction across the weekend.

TV

Leinster's clash away to Glasgow Warriors is live on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player on Sunday from 3.30pm. TG4 is showing Connacht v Ospreys, and Munster v Sharks. Premier Sports has Ulster's trip to Parma. All games are live on urc.tv

RADIO

Live updates on Saturday Sport on RTÉ Radio 1 from Connacht v Ospreys (3pm).

WEATHER

To follow...

After finishing second in the regular season, a quarter-final defeat at home to Connacht would have really stung Ulster and they will want to make amends.

The star signing of Springbok prop Steven Kitshoff is the big news on the recruitment front.

Home ground: Kingspan Stadium

Last season: Quarter-finalists (2nd in table)

Coach: Dan McFarland

Star turn: John Cooney - Retaining the scrum-half on a new deal has been a major boost as only the DHL Stormers' Manie Libbok scored more points than him in the cross-country BKT URC last season.

Rising talent: Tom Stewart - The 22-year-old hooker set a new try-scoring record for the league last term, with his 16 touchdowns surpassing the previous best of 14 by wingers Tim Visser (Edinburgh,