Vodacom Bulls v Leinster URC Preview: Cullen Demands Response in Pretoria

URC Round 2 – Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria
Saturday 4 October, KO 17:30 (IRE/UK)
Live on Premier Sports 1, SuperSport, URC.tv

Form & Context

Leinster head into Round 2 on the back of one of their heaviest ever URC defeats, a 35–0 loss to the Stormers in Cape Town — only the second time they have been held scoreless in competition history. Head coach Leo Cullen admitted his side were “very much second best in pretty much every department” as a youthful Leinster outfit failed to fire.

Next up is a daunting trip to Pretoria to face the Vodacom Bulls, last year’s beaten finalists. The Bulls began their campaign with a 53–40 victory over the Ospreys, continuing their formidable home record at Loftus Versfeld.

Key Stats to Know

• Bulls’ only defeat in their last ten URC matches was against Leinster in last year’s Final (32–7).
• The Bulls have won their last seven Championship games at Loftus Versfeld since March.
• Leinster were nilled for only the second time in URC history last weekend, the previous occasion being a 0–18 defeat to Munster in 2008.
• Leinster have not lost successive Championship matches since April 2024.
• Leinster have won just two games in South Africa since 2018 (v Lions 2023, v Sharks 2024).
• Bulls lead the head-to-head 4–3, with Leinster losing all three previous trips to Loftus Versfeld.

Quotes

Leo Cullen did not hold back in his post-match assessment after the Stormers defeat:
“We were pretty poor now overall, I thought. Credit to the Stormers, I thought they were pretty outstanding today… we were very much second best in pretty much every department.”

On Leinster’s struggles: “We got some access down in the 22; we were just not quite accurate enough. The Stormers put us under a huge amount of pressure; we just didn’t manage with it very well. I thought they were much sharper across the board in all the contact points, and when you’re losing the momentum, you’re just on the back foot the whole game.”

Cullen added: “We’ll look after ourselves and put a good plan together because we’ve got to turn the page to next week pretty quickly.”

Injury Update

• Further assessment required: Jordan Larmour (foot injury v Stormers).
• Unavailable: Jamie Osborne (hamstring), Cormac Foley (calf).
• No further updates: Caelan Doris, Joe McCarthy, Hugo Keenan.
• No new players have been flown out to South Africa.

Recent Meetings

• Leinster 32–7 Bulls (URC Final, June 2025, Croke Park)
• Bulls 21–20 Leinster (March 2025, Loftus Versfeld)
• Leinster 47–14 Bulls (March 2024, RDS Arena)
• Bulls 62–7 Leinster (April 2023, Loftus Versfeld)

Key Factors

• Bulls’ fortress: Seven straight URC wins at Loftus, altitude advantage.
• Leinster’s bounce-back record: Have not lost back-to-back league games since April 2024.
• Travel issues: Just two wins in South Africa since 2018.
• Squad depth tested: No reinforcements flown in after injuries to Osborne, Foley, and Larmour.

Betting & Market View

The Bulls opened as -9 favourites, reflecting both their Loftus dominance and Leinster’s heavy defeat in Cape Town. Leinster’s poor South African record makes the line look justified, though their ability to rebound after setbacks will be tested once again.

Prediction

Expect a fierce battle in Pretoria, with the Bulls’ power game at altitude a huge challenge for a Leinster side missing key players. Cullen’s men will need a massive improvement across the board to avoid back-to-back URC defeats.

Verdict: Bulls by 8–10 points.

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Connacht v Scarlets URC Preview: Stats, Betting and Video interviews.

URC Round 2 – Dexcom Stadium, Galway
Saturday 4 October, KO 13:45 (IRE/UK)
Live on TG4, Premier Sports, URC.tv

Team News

Cian Prendergast captains the side on his 88th appearance for the province, lining out in the back row alongside Paul Boyle and Sean Jansen. Murray partners Joe Joyce in the engine room, while the front row is reshaped with long-serving loosehead Denis Buckley joined by Dave Heffernan and Jack Aungier.

Behind the scrum, Jack Carty continues at out-half, partnered by scrum-half Ben Murphy. The back three remain unchanged with Sean Naughton at full-back and Chay Mullins and Shayne Bolton on the wings. In midfield, Cathal Forde is paired with David Hawkshaw.

Connacht Rugby Matchday Squad vs Scarlets

15. Sean Naughton (2)
14. Chay Mullins (9)
13. David Hawkshaw (44)
12. Cathal Forde (52)
11. Shayne Bolton (27)
10. Jack Carty (221)
9. Ben Murphy (17)
1. Denis Buckley (265)
2. Dave Heffernan (220)
3. Jack Aungier (88)
4. Darragh Murray (39)
5. Joe Joyce (38)
6. Cian Prendergast (88) (C)
7. Paul Boyle (117)
8. Sean Jansen (27)

Replacements: Eoin de Buitléar, Jordan Duggan, Sam Illo, David O’Connor, Sean O’Brien, Matthew Devine, Hugh Gavin, Finn Treacy

Form & Context

Connacht Rugby are chasing their first run of three consecutive BKT United Rugby Championship victories since March 2024, after edging Benetton 26–15 in round one. Stuart Lancaster’s side showed a marked defensive improvement, a theme the new head coach has been eager to highlight since arriving in Galway.

Scarlets, meanwhile, fell 34–21 at home to Munster, extending their losing run to three matches and leaving them searching for their first win since May 2024. Their poor record against Irish provinces continues, with just one victory since March 2021.

Key Stats to Know

• Connacht have won their last two URC games but not three in succession since March 2024.
• Connacht have won three of their last four home fixtures in the Championship at Dexcom Stadium.
• Connacht’s only defeat to a Welsh side since 2021 was away to Ospreys last March.
• Scarlets have lost three in a row and risk four straight defeats for the first time since May 2024.
• Scarlets’ only victory over an Irish province since March 2021 was a home win against Leinster in April.
• Connacht have won their last four encounters with Scarlets since March 2021.

Quotes

Jack Carty has spoken about the lift under Lancaster: “I wake up every morning and I’m buzzing coming into work, and maybe over the last number of years I may not have been there all the time.”

Stuart Lancaster pointed to defence as the biggest change: “Defensively was the big marker for me compared to last year where you know Connacht would score but then concede tries and lose big games. One of the stats I showed the players from last season was the number of try-saving tackles we made, and I think we’ve equalled it in one game.”

Lancaster added: “Treviso are a very good team, very physical and very big. We kept getting off the line and held our nerve. If you said at the start of the day, when I saw the Treviso team, that we would come away with a bonus point win I would have taken it.”

Recent Meetings

• Scarlets 23–24 Connacht (Parc y Scarlets, Oct 2024)
• Connacht 26–20 Scarlets (Dexcom Stadium, Mar 2024)
• Connacht 36–14 Scarlets (Dexcom Stadium, Oct 2022)
• Scarlets 23–29 Connacht (Parc y Scarlets, Feb 2022)

Key Factors

• Defensive resilience: Connacht conceded just 15 points to a physical Benetton pack in round one.
• Home form: Three wins from their last four URC games at the Dexcom Stadium.
• Scarlets’ travel woes: Only one win away to an Irish side in over three years.
• Returning internationals: Lancaster is expected to strengthen Connacht’s XV with more Irish internationals this weekend.

Betting & Market View

Connacht opened as -10 favourites, a reflection of their home form and Scarlets’ struggles. Punters see Lancaster’s side continuing their strong defensive form, while Scarlets need a big turnaround to stay competitive.

Prediction

Connacht look to be growing into the Lancaster era quickly, with defensive steel and renewed leadership from Carty. Scarlets’ record against Irish sides is a major concern, and their confidence is fragile after three defeats.

Verdict: Connacht to win by 12–15 points, with Scarlets battling but falling short in Galway.

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