United Rugby Championship

Connacht pair Murphy and Ioane embracing URC play-off pressure

Published

5 days ago

15th May 2026

Connacht pair Murphy and Ioane embracing URC play-off pressure

Connacht's Ben Murphy (left) and Josh Ioane // Photo Credit: Inpho Photography

Play-Off chasing Connacht Rugby are ready to embrace the pressure as they head into their make-or-break BKT United Rugby Championship clash with Edinburgh Rugby.

Going into the final weekend of the regular season, the west of Ireland province are one point outside the all-important top eight in ninth place. To make the BKT URC Play-Offs, they need to win at the Hive Stadium on tomorrow night (19:45 UK) and hope that other results go their way.

Scrum-half Ben Murphy acknowledges it won’t be easy to resolve their side of the equation as they travel to in-form Edinburgh. “They have won the last three games on the bounce,” said the 25-year-old. They have looked a lot more dangerous the last few weeks as well. They are throwing the ball around a lot more. So we know there is a serious threat and we are taking it as seriously as it comes.

“There’s pressure on the game, there’s no getting away from that. You either shy away from it or you walk into it head first. That’s what we plan on doing Friday night. There is more of an embrace of pressure now in this group. We know it’s going to be there, we know it’s going to be the same again this week, but we now feel like we have got tools to combat that pressure and get into our flow. I think that’s been a big plus for us this year.”

It’s been some turnaround from Connacht during what has been very much a season of two halves.

They only won three of their first 10 BKT URC matches to leave the Play-Offs looking a distant prospect. But, since then, they have recorded victories in six of their last seven in the league to put themselves right back in the mix.

“We’ve gone through a bit of pain. We didn’t have the start to the season we wanted,” admitted Murphy. But, every week, we felt like we were getting closer. Then we started a bit of a win streak and that’s given us confidence that what we are doing is working.

“The buy-in we have had from the whole squad has been immense, especially the last couple of months where the games are coming thick and fast. Everyone has just gone head first into it and it’s working well for us.”

Murphy’s half-back partner Josh Ioane echoes this point of view. “We had some painful games, some close losses, games we should have won,” said the Auckland-born All Black. “But then came the victory over Glasgow and we also won our first interpro against Ulster. That sort of got into the boys’ heads. Those were two teams at the top of the table that we were competing with. From there, it just became a habit.

“The whole year we have been training really hard and it’s been cool to see the growth in the team. We have found some real confidence coming into the back end of the season. We have been going well.”

Connacht’s latest success was the 26-7 bonus point victory over Munster Rugby at Galway’s Dexcom Stadium in Round 17. “There was a lot of pressure going into that game,” said Ioane.

“But you could sense the confidence in the warm up. You could just feel we were there, while there was real excitement around the supporters.

“We were into the wind in the first half which meant it was going to be a bit tricky to exit. So we came up with a plan that we were going to have to hold on to the ball a little bit. As the game unfolded, the boys were just winning collisions, getting on top. We found ourselves down in their half and getting points. We were happy overall.”

Now comes the crucial clash with Edinburgh. “We have been preparing the best we can,” said former Highlanders and Chiefs fly-half Ioane. “We have got our work done. Now it’s books down and trust what we have done and just go out there and whatever happens happens.”

Related Topics:Ben Murphy Josh Ioane Super Rugby Pacific

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United Rugby Championship

Bulls 45–19 Benetton – URC Round 18

Published

2 days ago

17th May 2026

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BKT United Rugby Championship, Loftus Versfeld Stadium, Pretoria, South Africa 5/10/2024 Vodacom Bulls vs Ulster A view of the Bulls changing room ahead of the game Mandatory Credit ©INPHO/Steve Haag Sports/Christiaan Kotze

The Bulls powered past Benetton with seven tries in a commanding 45–19 bonus-point win at Loftus Versfeld.

Key moments

3 mins – TRY BULLS: Canan Moodie breaks through and Handre Pollard sets up Sergeal Petersen for the opening try. Pollard converts. (Bulls 7–0 Benetton)

12 mins – TRY BULLS: Spellbinding play from Pollard opens up space and Willie le Roux takes full advantage. Pollard converts. (Bulls 14–0 Benetton)

18 mins – TRY BENETTON: Matt Gallagher sets up a wonderful passing move finished off by Louis Lynagh. Unconverted. (Bulls 14–5 Benetton)

28 mins – TRY BULLS: The Bulls maul proves unstoppable as Johan Grobbelaar powers over. Pollard misses the conversion. (Bulls 19–5 Benetton)

34 mins – YELLOW CARD BENETTON: Alessandro Garbisi is shown yellow.

37 mins – TRY BULLS: The pick and go results in a try for Cobus Wiese. Pollard converts to secure the bonus point. (Bulls 26–5 Benetton)

39 mins – TRY BENETTON: Rhyno Smith wriggles through a gap to score. Smith converts his own try. (Bulls 26–12 Benetton)

Half-time: Bulls 26–12 Benetton. The hosts in command with the bonus point already secured.

41 mins – TRY BENETTON: Matt Gallagher creates again and Louis Lynagh finishes for his second. Smith converts. (Bulls 26–19 Benetton)

56 mins – TRY BULLS: Stedman Gans plays a key part as Petersen scores a stunning individual try for his second. Pollard converts. (Bulls 33–19 Benetton)

62 mins – TRY BULLS: Mpilo Gumede breaks through the defensive line to touch down. Pollard converts. (Bulls 40–19 Benetton)

74 mins – TRY BULLS: Paul de Wet sets it up and Ruan Nortje scores from close range. Pollard’s conversion drifts wide. (Bulls 45–19 Benetton)

Full-time: Bulls 45–19 Benetton

Full match report to follow.

Teams

Bulls: 15 Willie le Roux, 14 Sergeal Petersen, 13 Canan Moodie, 12 Harold Vorster, 11 Devon Williams, 10 Handre Pollard, 9 Embrose Papier; 1 Gerhard Steenekamp, 2 Johan Grobbelaar, 3 Wilco Louw, 4 Ruan Nortje, 5 Cobus Wiese, 6 Marcell Coetzee, 7 Elrigh Louw, 8 Cameron Hanekom
Replacements: 16 Marco van Staden, 17 Jan-Hendrik Wessels, 18 Francois Klopper, 19 Ruan Vermaak, 20 Mpilo Gumede, 21 Paul de Wet, 22 Stedman Gans, 23 Stravino Jacobs

Benetton: 15 Matt Gallagher, 14 Louis Lynagh, 13 Paolo Odogwu, 12 Mattia Midena, 11 Rhyno Smith, 10 Alessandro Garbisi, 9 Federico Zanandrea; 1 Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro, 2 Bautista Bernasconi, 3 Tiziano Pasquali, 4 Federico Ruzza, 5 Lorenzo Cannone, 6 Manuel Zuliani, 7 Alessandro Izekor, 8 Toa Halafihi
Replacements: 16 Nicholas Gasperini, 17 Ivan Nemer, 18 Marcos Gallorini, 19 Niccolo Cannone, 20 Cristiano Tizzano, 21 Jadin Kingi, 22 Leonardo Marin, 23 Giulio Marini

Match details

Bulls 45 (Tries: Petersen 2, le Roux, Grobbelaar, Wiese, Gumede, Nortje; Cons: Pollard 5/7)
Benetton 19 (Tries: Lynagh 2, Smith; Cons: Smith 2/3)
Half-time: 26–12

Venue: Loftus Versfeld Stadium, Pretoria
Referee: Craig Evans (WRU)

United Rugby Championship

Sharks 54–19 Zebre – URC Round 18

Published

2 days ago

17th May 2026

rugbyisthegame

BKT United Rugby Championship, Dexcom Stadium, Galway 28/9/2024 Connacht vs Hollywoodbets Sharks A view of Vodacom URC branding Mandatory Credit ©INPHO/Laszlo Geczo

The Sharks ran in eight tries to thrash Zebre 54–19 in a dominant bonus-point victory at Hollywoodbets Kings Park.

Key moments

14 mins – TRY SHARKS: A series of passes ends with Jaco Williams touching down for the opening score. Vusi Moyo hooks the conversion wide. (Sharks 5–0 Zebre)

20 mins – TRY ZEBRE: Mirko Belloni breaks through and Malik Faissal finishes a wonderful passing move. Giovanni Montemauri converts. (Sharks 5–7 Zebre)

25 mins – TRY SHARKS: Siya Kolisi breaches the defence and powers over from close range. Moyo converts. (Sharks 12–7 Zebre)

28 mins – TRY SHARKS: Zekhethelo Siyaya shows brilliant skill to go over. Moyo converts. (Sharks 19–7 Zebre)

39 mins – YELLOW CARD ZEBRE: Alessandro Fusco is shown yellow.

40 mins – TRY SHARKS: The Sharks maul pushes over the tryline as Kolisi grabs his second. Moyo converts. (Sharks 26–7 Zebre)

Half-time: Sharks 26–7 Zebre. The hosts firmly in control after a commanding first-half display.

46 mins – TRY SHARKS: Spellbinding play from Bradley Davids sets up Vusi Moyo to dot the ball down from close range. Moyo adds his own conversion. (Sharks 33–7 Zebre)

53 mins – TRY SHARKS: Nothing was going to stop Manu Tshituka as he records the try. Moyo converts. (Sharks 40–7 Zebre)

62 mins – TRY ZEBRE: A stunning solo try from Simone Gesi. Montemauri converts. (Sharks 40–14 Zebre)

64 mins – TRY SHARKS: Andre Esterhuizen breaks through and sets up Le Roux Malan. Jean Smith converts from the bench. (Sharks 47–14 Zebre)

67 mins – TRY SHARKS: Esterhuizen is involved again as Ross Braude completes the rout. Smith converts. (Sharks 54–14 Zebre)

76 mins – TRY ZEBRE: Great forward play allows Giovanni Quattrini to score a consolation. Montemauri hits the upright with the conversion. (Sharks 54–19 Zebre)

Full-time: Sharks 54–19 Zebre

Full match report to follow.

Teams

Sharks: 15 Aphelele Fassi, 14 Eduan Keyter, 13 Lukhanyo Am, 12 Andre Esterhuizen, 11 Litelihle Bester, 10 Bradley Davids, 9 Nick Hatton; 1 Ox Nche, 2 Eduan Swart, 3 Vincent Koch, 4 Emile van Heerden, 5 Gerbrandt Grobler, 6 Jaco Williams, 7 Jurenzo Julius, 8 Siya Kolisi
Replacements: 16 Fez Mbatha, 17 Phatu Ganyane, 18 Hanro Jacobs, 19 Thomas Dyer, 20 Matt Romao, 21 Ross Braude, 22 Jean Smith, 23 Le Roux Malan

Zebre: 15 Mirko Belloni, 14 Simone Gesi, 13 Luca Morisi, 12 Enrico Lucchin, 11 Jacopo Trulla, 10 Giovanni Montemauri, 9 Alessandro Fusco; 1 Damiano Mazza, 2 Alessandro Ortombina, 3 Ion Neculai, 4 Andrea Zambonin, 5 Leonard Krumov, 6 Tommaso Di Bartolomeo, 7 Samuele Locatelli, 8 Martin Roger
Replacements: 16 Giampietro Ribaldi, 17 Muhamed Hasa, 18 Matteo Nocera, 19 Migael Prinsloo, 20 Iacopo Bianchi, 21 Luca Franceschetto, 22 David Odiase, 23 Malik Faissal

Match details

Sharks 54 (Tries: Williams, Kolisi 2, Siyaya, Moyo, Tshituka, Malan, Braude; Cons: Moyo 5/6, Smith 2/2)
Zebre 19 (Tries: Faissal, Gesi, Quattrini; Cons: Montemauri 2/3)
Half-time: 26–7

Venue: Hollywoodbets Kings Park, Durban
Referee: Adam Jones (WRU)

United Rugby Championship

Scarlets 35–35 Dragons – URC Round 18

Published

2 days ago

17th May 2026

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BKT United Rugby Championship, Stadio Monigo, Treviso, Italy 21/9/2024 Benetton Rugby vs Scarlets A view of the Scarlets jersey Mandatory Credit ©INPHO/Matteo Ciambelli

A thrilling Welsh derby ended all square as the Scarlets fought back from 14–25 down to draw 35–35 with the Dragons at Parc y Scarlets.

Key moments

1 min – TRY SCARLETS: Taine Plumtree breaks through the defensive line for a stunning solo try on the opening play. Joe Hawkins converts. (Scarlets 7–0 Dragons)

3 mins – TRY DRAGONS: Thomas Young touches down from close range as the Dragons hit back immediately. Angus O’Brien converts. (Scarlets 7–7 Dragons)

8 mins – PENALTY DRAGONS: O’Brien slots the penalty to edge the visitors ahead. (Scarlets 7–10 Dragons)

11 mins – TRY DRAGONS: Brodie Coghlan takes advantage of a gap in the defence and scores from close range. O’Brien converts. (Scarlets 7–17 Dragons)

14 mins – TRY SCARLETS: Plumtree grabs his second from close range. Hawkins converts. (Scarlets 14–17 Dragons)

35 mins – TRY DRAGONS: Niall Armstrong breaks through and Aneurin Owen sets up Aaron Wainwright to finish. O’Brien misses the conversion. (Scarlets 14–22 Dragons)

Half-time: Scarlets 14–22 Dragons. The visitors take an eight-point lead into the break after a pulsating first half.

42 mins – PENALTY DRAGONS: O’Brien extends the lead from the tee. (Scarlets 14–25 Dragons)

50 mins – TRY SCARLETS: Taine Plumtree sets it up and Josh MacLeod charges over. Hawkins converts. (Scarlets 21–25 Dragons)

56 mins – YELLOW CARD SCARLETS: Gareth Davies is shown yellow.

56 mins – PENALTY TRY DRAGONS: The referee awards a penalty try. Automatic conversion. (Scarlets 21–32 Dragons)

58 mins – TRY SCARLETS: Plumtree makes a superb break and Jarrod Taylor finishes it off. Hawkins converts. (Scarlets 28–32 Dragons)

62 mins – YELLOW CARD SCARLETS: Carwyn Leggatt-Jones is sent to the sin bin.

63 mins – PENALTY DRAGONS: O’Brien punishes the ill-discipline. (Scarlets 28–35 Dragons)

74 mins – TRY SCARLETS: Leggatt-Jones plays a key part and Macs Page takes full advantage to level the scores. Hawkins converts. (Scarlets 35–35 Dragons)

83 mins – PENALTY SCARLETS: Hawkins goes for the win but his penalty drops short of the posts.

Full-time: Scarlets 35–35 Dragons

Full match report to follow.

Teams

Scarlets: 15 Ioan Jones, 14 Tom Rogers, 13 Joe Roberts, 12 Joe Hawkins, 11 Ellis Mee, 10 Sam Costelow, 9 Dane Blacker; 1 Josh Morse, 2 Ryan Elias, 3 Archer Holz, 4 Sam Lousi, 5 Jac Price, 6 Taine Plumtree, 7 Josh MacLeod, 8 Sione Kalamafoni
Replacements: 16 Harry Thomas, 17 Sam O’Connor, 18 Harri O’Connor, 19 Jac Davies, 20 Dan Davis, 21 Gareth Davies, 22 Carwyn Leggatt-Jones, 23 Jarrod Taylor

Dragons: 15 Angus O’Brien, 14 Rio Dyer, 13 Joe Westwood, 12 Aneurin Owen, 11 Jared Rosser, 10 Will Reed, 9 Niall Armstrong; 1 Wyn Jones, 2 Brodie Coghlan, 3 Dillon Lewis, 4 Joe Davies, 5 Ben Carter, 6 Aaron Wainwright, 7 Thomas Young, 8 Ryan Woodman
Replacements: 16 Elliot Dee, 17 Rhodri Jones, 18 Chris Coleman, 19 Harrison Keddie, 20 Dan Sheridan, 21 Rhodri Williams, 22 Steff Hughes, 23 Matt Sheridan

Match details

Scarlets 35 (Tries: Plumtree 2, MacLeod, Taylor, Page; Cons: Hawkins 5/5; Pens: Hawkins 0/2)
Dragons 35 (Tries: Young, Coghlan, Wainwright, pen try; Cons: O’Brien 2/3; Pens: O’Brien 3/3)
Half-time: 14–22

Venue: Parc y Scarlets, Llanelli
Referee: Ben Whitehouse (WRU)