Check out the weekend rugby wrap featuring the round-up from the URC, Gallagher Premiership and Barbarians v Wales clash in Cardiff.
URC R3: Bulls fly SA flag up north
The Bulls were the only local winners on a weekend that saw all four of SA’s franchises on tour in Europe. Jake White’s men were too strong for Zebre in Parma, scoring nine tries in a comprehensive 54-29 win. While the side’s attacking performance is something they’ll take pride in, the defence will need work ahead of their upcoming clashes in Cardiff and Edinburgh.
The Hollywoodbets Sharks slumped to a third straight defeat after falling 5-19 to Ospreys in Swansea on Friday. While the Durbanites do deserve time to adjust to John Plumtree’s style of coaching, the performances so far haven’t inspired too much in the way of confidence.
The Stormers went down 9-20 to the Glasgow Warriors at the Scotstoun while the Lions copped a narrow 10-15 defeat at the Stadio Communale to Benetton as they too continue to search for a first win this season.
Elsewhere, leaders Connacht edged past rivals Ulster 22-20 in Galway for a third straight win, Leinster saw off Edinburgh 36-27 at the RDS, Scarlets beat countrymen Cardiff 31-25 in Llanelli and Munster eased past Dragons 45-14 at Thomond Park.
Second Half David Kriel hat trick 🤫#BackTheBulls @Vodacom #URC pic.twitter.com/iRIPdn4xAH
— Official Blue Bulls (@BlueBullsRugby) November 6, 2023
Gallagher Prem R4: No away wins in round four
Each of the five hosts triumphed in round four of the Premiership with Newcastle the only remaining club without a win to their name. They were soundly beaten 12-40 at The Stoop by Harlequins on Saturday, while Northampton beat Bath 24-18 last Franklin’s Gardens and Saracens put Leicester away 32-17 at the StoneX.
The weekend got underway at the AJ Bell when Sale recorded a 24-10 victory over Gloucester and concluded on Sunday at Sandy Park in a clash which saw Chiefs claim a 29-20 win over Bristol.
Exeter lead the way at the summit with 15 points, closely followed by second-placed Quins (14), Sale (13) and Bath (12).
Take a look at this absolute worldie that Tyrone Green scored for Harlequins in their win at the Stoop:
The best thing you'll see this weekend 😍
— Harlequins 🃏 (@Harlequins) November 5, 2023
Tyrone, take a bow 👏#COYQ pic.twitter.com/7epbLLho51
Wales too good for Barbarians as Principality says goodbye to Welsh giants
Wales too good for Barbarians as Principality says goodbye to Welsh giants
The great Alun Wyn Jones, Leigh Halfpenny and Justin Tipuric likely played their final matches at the Principality Stadium during Wales’ 49-26 win over the Barbarians on Saturday. Player of the Match Jones and Tipuric were in action for the Baabaas, while Halfpenny featured for the Dragons for the final time in a typically entertaining clash in Cardiff in which the Eddie Jones-coached invitational team succumbed to Warren Gatland’s hosts.
Jones, the most capped rugby international of all-time with a ridiculous 170, now plies his trade for Toulon in the Top 14 while Tipuric (94 Test caps) continues to soldier on for Ospreys in the URC. Halfpenny is on his way to Christchurch to join the Crusaders ahead of the next Super Rugby season as Wales rugby enters a new era.
🏉 A final try for Al on the @principalitysta turf 👊 pic.twitter.com/MbNpcrfQGq
— Welsh Rugby Union 🏴 (@WelshRugbyUnion) November 5, 2023
