With just two weeks to go in the regular URC season, there are some huge fixtures on the card again this weekend, with ramifications at both ends of the table.
Following a couple of excellent results, it is the Stormers who now top the pile, following their bumper win over Glasgow Warriors a couple of weeks ago and they look to have timed their run to perfection.
Hope is still there for the chasing pack though, with the Lions, Leinster and Munster all very much in the mix too.
All 16 teams are in action again this weekend and with no margin for error, this should be an unmissable round of games.
Here are some of our top tips for URC game week 17:
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Claim Welcome Bonus!URC Round 17 Predictions
08/05/26
Arguably the clash of the round kicks things off on Friday, with high flying Ulster welcoming league leaders Stormers to Belfast.
With a Challenge Cup final to look forward to, Ulster have done a stellar job of turning around their fortunes this season and they look to have real momentum building currently.
Stormers would have earmarked this as a tricky fixtures from the start of the campaign and there is plenty riding on their visit to Northern Ireland here.
Calling this one is tough and Stormers will certainly play their part but Ulster at home, represent good value for the win.
Score Prediction: Ulster 24 – 21 Stormers
09/05/26
Following a couple of gritty wins on the road in Wales, the Bulls will be eager to return to familiar surrounds here, as they take on struggling Zebre.
Analysing this mixed campaign for the Bulls points to inconsistency in both results and performance levels but they will be confident in front of home support in this one.
With just two wins all term, Zebre have struggled with the demands of the URC and are currently propping up the table.
This won’t be a trip they are relishing and a comfortable home win for the Bulls appears to be on the cards.
Score Prediction: Bulls 55 – 10 Zebre
Two sides that have struggled in the URC this team collide here, as the Sharks host Benetton in Durban.
With just six wins from their 16 URC games played this term, it is fair to say that the Sharks haven’t lived up to pre-season expectations, but they remain a very dangerous side, who can really turn on the flair at times.
For Benetton, an almost identical synopsis can be written, with the mercurial Italians continuing to produce mixed URC results.
This should be a very open game, with the Sharks most likely to prevail.
Score Prediction: Sharks 48 – 32 Benetton
Another huge clash is on the cards here, as fourth placed Leinster host third place Lions in Dublin.
Irish rugby is booming and this Leinster side is packed with talent, who appear hungry to achieve all they can in the game, with results in all competitions improving hugely of late.
For the Lions, building on recent momentum is key and while they know this is a tricky task on the road, they have the experience and knowhow to deal with big occasions.
That said, Leinster are ticking along well and at home, they can be a very tough team to stop.
Score Prediction: Leinster 24 – 17 Lions
