Date: Saturday, 29 November 2025
Venue: Dexcom Stadium, Galway
Kick-off: 19:45 (IRE/UK) | 20:45 (ITA) | 21:45 (SA)
Live on: TG4, Premier Sports, SuperSport, Flo Rugby & URC.tv

Match Officials

• Referee: Ben Breakspear (WRU) – 14th URC game
• AR 1: Andrew Brace (IRFU)
• AR 2: Jack MacNeice (IRFU)
• TMO: Keith David (WRU)

Overview

Connacht welcome the Hollywoodbets Sharks to Galway in Round 6 of the URC, with the bookmakers installing the home side as 8-point favourites. Both teams have shown flashes of quality this season, but the statistics paint a clear picture of Connacht being the more consistent and defensively reliable of the two.

Despite sitting mid-table, Connacht have a positive points differential and all three of their defeats have come by a single score. The Sharks, meanwhile, remain unpredictable and have struggled defensively on the road, conceding over 27 points per game.

Connacht – Season Results (2025/26)

Record: P4 | W1 | L3
Points For: 76 | Points Against: 74
Average Score: Connacht 19 – 18 Opponents

Connacht have lost games by 6, 1 and 2 points, underlining that performance levels remain strong. Their defence, conceding just 18.5 points per match, is among the best in the league to date.

Sharks – Season Results (2025/26)

Record: P5 | W1 | D1 | L3
Points For: 96 | Points Against: 136
Average Score: Sharks 19 – 27 Opponents

The Sharks have conceded 30+ points in three of their five matches and remain winless away from home this season. Their defence has been the most inconsistent element of their campaign.

Form Guide & Key Statistics

Connacht

• Positive points differential (+2) despite a losing record.
• Conceding only 18.5 points per match.
• Two-point loss away to Munster shows improvement in tight games.
• Mack Hansen and Byron Ralston remain injury concerns.
• New signing Sam Gilbert could make his Connacht debut.

Sharks

• –40 points differential across five games.
• Conceding 27.2 points per match.
• Winless in all away fixtures.
• Jean Smith and Vincent Tshituka are the main attacking threats.
• Siya Kolisi remains a turnover machine at the breakdown.

Head-to-Head (URC)

Average total points: 47.5
Average Connacht score: 24.8
Average Sharks score: 22.8

Three of the four meetings have been decided by seven points or fewer, though Connacht’s scoring output at home tends to be significantly higher.

Betting Preview – Connacht –8

Why Connacht Are Favourites

• Sharks concede almost 9 points more per game than Connacht.
• Connacht’s home performances include a win and a one-point loss to the Bulls.
• Sharks have not won away this season.
• Connacht’s defeats have been by extremely narrow margins.

Suggested Bets

• Connacht –8 Handicap (most statistical support)
• Connacht to Win by 6–12 Points
• Under 50.5 Total Points (weather-dependent)
• Anytime Tryscorer: Josh Ioane or Vincent Tshituka

Prediction

Connacht 24–16 Sharks
Home strength, defensive control and better discipline should carry Connacht through. Sharks will threaten in moments, but Connacht’s consistency and structure point to a steady, controlled victory.

The post Connacht Rugby v Hollywoodbets Sharks – Full Stats Preview, Team News & Betting appeared first on SportsNewsIreland.

With the United Rugby Championship (URC) heading into the crucial final rounds, the playoff picture is beginning to take shape. Based on the latest standings and predicted results, we’ve forecasted the final league table and the quarter-final matchups. Here’s how the standings could look at the end of the regular season.

Predicted Final URC Table

Predicted URC Quarter-Finals

(1) Leinster vs (8) Munster

An all-Irish clash in the quarter-finals would be a blockbuster tie. Leinster, currently unbeaten, look set to finish as the top seed. Munster, sneaking into eighth, will face a huge challenge in Dublin. The 2023 champions will need a massive performance to upset their fierce rivals.

(2) Sharks vs (7) Edinburgh

The Sharks’ surge in form is expected to secure them the second seed, and they will welcome Edinburgh to South Africa. The Scottish side will need to be at their absolute best to take down a Sharks team filled with Springbok talent.

(3) Bulls vs (6) Lions

A fierce South African derby, this fixture would be an intense battle between two physical sides. The Bulls’ set-piece dominance could be a crucial factor, while the Lions will look to play an expansive game to keep their playoff hopes alive.

(4) Glasgow Warriors vs (5) Stormers

This clash between the Scottish and South African powerhouses promises fireworks. Glasgow’s home advantage will be key, but the Stormers are a dangerous side in the knockout stages. Expect a fast-paced, high-quality encounter.

Who Misses Out?

Connacht, currently eighth, are projected to drop out of the playoff places due to strong finishes from Edinburgh and the South African teams. Ospreys, Scarlets, and Benetton will also fall just short despite some promising performances. Ulster’s struggles continue, and they too are expected to miss out.

Final Thoughts

If these predictions hold, the URC quarter-finals will feature a thrilling mix of Irish, Scottish, and South African teams. Leinster will be the clear favourites, but with three South African teams in the top eight, the title could be heading back to the Southern Hemisphere. Glasgow and Munster will look to prove they can challenge for silverware, while Edinburgh will aim to cause an upset.

With so many heavyweight clashes on the horizon, the URC playoffs promise to be one of the most exciting in years. Buckle up for a thrilling end to the season!

Predicted URC Quarter-Finals: Who Makes the Top Eight?

With the United Rugby Championship (URC) heading into the crucial final rounds, the playoff picture is beginning to take shape. Based on the latest standings and predicted results, we’ve forecasted the final league table and the quarter-final matchups. Here’s how the standings could look at the end of the regular season.

Predicted Final URC Table

Predicted URC Quarter-Finals

(1) Leinster vs (8) Munster

An all-Irish clash in the quarter-finals would be a blockbuster tie. Leinster, currently unbeaten, look set to finish as the top seed. Munster, sneaking into eighth, will face a huge challenge in Dublin. The 2023 champions will need a massive performance to upset their fierce rivals.

(2) Sharks vs (7) Edinburgh

The Sharks’ surge in form is expected to secure them the second seed, and they will welcome Edinburgh to South Africa. The Scottish side will need to be at their absolute best to take down a Sharks team filled with Springbok talent.

(3) Bulls vs (6) Lions

A fierce South African derby, this fixture would be an intense battle between two physical sides. The Bulls’ set-piece dominance could be a crucial factor, while the Lions will look to play an expansive game to keep their playoff hopes alive.

(4) Glasgow Warriors vs (5) Stormers

This clash between the Scottish and South African powerhouses promises fireworks. Glasgow’s home advantage will be key, but the Stormers are a dangerous side in the knockout stages. Expect a fast-paced, high-quality encounter.

Who Misses Out?

Connacht, currently eighth, are projected to drop out of the playoff places due to strong finishes from Edinburgh and the South African teams. Ospreys, Scarlets, and Benetton will also fall just short despite some promising performances. Ulster’s struggles continue, and they too are expected to miss out.

Final Thoughts

If these predictions hold, the URC quarter-finals will feature a thrilling mix of Irish, Scottish, and South African teams. Leinster will be the clear favourites, but with three South African teams in the top eight, the title could be heading back to the Southern Hemisphere. Glasgow and Munster will look to prove they can challenge for silverware, while Edinburgh will aim to cause an upset.

With so many heavyweight clashes on the horizon, the URC playoffs promise to be one of the most exciting in years. Buckle up for a thrilling end to the season!

The post Predicted URC Quarter-Finals: Who Makes the Top Eight? appeared first on SportsNewsIreland.