We wrap up all the latest rugby action from the past weekend’s United Rugby Championship and Gallagher Premiership.
URC R13: Home wins for Hollywoodbets Sharks, Stormers; Lions and Bulls lose out on tour
The Hollywoodbets Sharks claimed an important 23-13 win over Edinburgh at Hollywoodbets Kings Park on Saturday to rise to 13th on the log. With a full-strength team at John Plumtree’s disposal, the men in black and white managed to grind out what was just their third URC victory this season as they continue to build momentum ahead of the upcoming Challenge Cup knockouts.
In Dublin on Friday, an impressive first-half performance from the Bulls wasn’t enough as they fell to a 14-47 defeat to Leinster, who are now nine points clear of the third-placed Pretoria side. The Ospreys were too good for the Lions in Swansea on Saturday, winning 36-21, while the fifth-placed Stormers were made to work hard for their 13-7 victory over Ulster on the same day.
In other results, Dragons beat Zebre 20-13 at Rodney Parade in the battle of the basement dwellers, Benetton got back to winning ways after seeing off Connacht 18-14 in Treviso, second-placed Glasgow cantered home 45-3 against Scarlets in Llanelli and Munster held off Cardiff 20-15 at Thomond Park.
Phepsi Buthelezi ensures that the Hollywoodbets Sharks go back-to-back in Durban 🦈
— SuperSport Rugby (@SSRugby) March 30, 2024
📺 Stream Vodacom #URC live: https://t.co/bDeiretgWP pic.twitter.com/EVgeqeOO2A
Gallagher Prem R14: Saints, Quins earn statement victories
After falling to a miserable defeat in Bristol the previous week, leaders Northampton Saints were always going to be in for a massive challenge coming up against in-form defending champions Saracens on Friday. As it happened, Phil Dowson’s men rebounded superbly to bag a 41-30 victory at Franklin’s Gardens and maintain their standing atop the leaderboard.
At The Stoop on Saturday, a hurting Harlequins outfit dealt second-placed Bath a 40-36 defeat to keep alive their play-off hopes. After their hammering at the hands of Sarries in round 13, the magnitude of their latest triumph will provide them with a mammoth boost going forward.
Elsewhere, Leicester Tigers bounced back from their disappointing loss to Gloucester with a hard-fought 19-13 win at Kingston Park over Newcastle Falcons, Bristol Bears got the better of the Cherry and Whites 33-24 at the Kingsholm and Sale Sharks walloped Exeter Chiefs 41-5 at the AJ Bell.
Still on top ☝️@SaintsRugby were back to their best with an impressive win over Saracens on Friday night 😇#GallagherPrem pic.twitter.com/EAUhIjOnxk
— Premiership Rugby (@premrugby) April 1, 2024
