Updated Munster and Connacht to kick off next season's URC with derby

The 2024/25 BKT United Rugby Championship season will kick-off with an Irish derby, with Munster set to host Connacht on the opening weekend of the season.

The URC confirmed the full fixtures list for next season this morning, with Munster and Connacht meeting at Thomond Park in Round 1 on Saturday 21 September (live on RTÉ).

Leinster will be the first Irish side in action next season, away to Edinburgh in their opening game on Friday 21 September, while Ulster host Glasgow on the Saturday evening.

The final round of regular season games will take place across Friday 16 and Saturday 17 May, with Edinburgh hosting Ulster and Munster facing Benetton on the Friday night, before Connacht travel to Zebre and Leinster face Glasgow at home.

The Grand Final is scheduled for Saturday 14 June.

Round 4 will see a double-header of Interpros on Saturday 12 October, as Leinster host Munster at 5.45pm. The venue for that is yet to be confirmed, leaving open the possibility of a Croke Park return.

Later that evening, Ulster welcome Connacht to Belfast at 8pm.

FULL LIST OF 2024/25 URC FIXTURES AVAILABLE HERE

There will be a disappointing fixtures clash on the final weekend of November, due to Ireland's meeting with Australia on Saturday 30 November.

The fixture, an additional Test match organised outside the official Test window, will see Ulster and Leinster depleted for their URC clash in Belfast the previous evening, Friday 29 November.

Connacht and Munster will both be in action on Saturday 30 November, and are likely to see their ticket sales affected by Ireland's meeting with the Wallabies, which gets under way at 3.10pm.

Connacht are set to host the Bulls that evening at 5.30pm, with Munster and the Lions kicking off at 7.35pm.

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