It’s an all-Welsh blockbuster on Friday night as Cardiff Rugby welcome the Scarlets to Arms Park.

Historically, Scarlets have held the upper hand in this rivalry, winning four of the last five meetings between the sides, including a 19-25 victory on the road in October 2024.

This season, Cardiff have shown stronger league form compared to recent campaigns, riding high in the URC standings where they now sit in second place, behind the undefeated DHL Stormers.

Spearheaded by a revitalised Callum Sheedy and a flurry of fast backs out wide, Cardiff have sharpened their attacking structure and have asserted themselves as a genuine competitor to take home the silverware in the URC 2025/26.

Scarlets have endured a fairly miserable start to this campaign, with just four points from five games. However, despite their lower placement in the table, Scarlets can never be underestimated in derby contexts. They’re coming off the back of a shock win at home to Glasgow Warriors, scoring 23 points whilst holding them to nil in an immense display of physicality and bruising forward pressure.

Arms Park is rapidly becoming a fortress for the capital city giants, who boast a home winning streak which began all the way back in March. Expect a gritty battle, where the outcome could hinge more on discipline and execution than flair and finesse.

A match-up fabled for drama, it’s the dawn of the first Derby D’Italia of the season.

The Italian showdown between Benetton and Zebre Parma is always a major talking point in the URC calendar. Whether it be the on-field flair or off-field fashion, this fixture always brings fireworks.

Benetton have long held the upper hand in this national rivalry, winning around three-quarters of their meetings with Zebre, aided by greater squad depth and strong home form in Treviso.

Zebre Parma started the season in great fashion, claiming two victories in their first two games, and will be desperate to regain such momentum and get one over their noisy neighbours, who are five from five in recent encounters.

Given their home advantage, Benetton are expected to control territory and assert themselves on top in this one. But, if Zebre Parma can disrupt early and defend resolutely, they have the potential to turn this classic Italian duel into a tighter contest than the record books suggest.

Sharksfest has arrived in style as Hollywoodbets Kings Park Stadium awaits for what promises to be a South African URC classic.

The Hollywoodbets Sharks will take to the field in front of the highest capacity Shark Tank since 2012, as Durban’s finest welcome the URC’s sleeping giants, the Vodacom Bulls, to town.

This is a mouth-watering derby rooted in physical confrontation and tactical intensity, featuring some of the great Springboks of our generation.

In recent meetings, the Vodacom Bulls have held a slight edge, winning three of the last five encounters, although the Sharks have shown they can compete hard and take the spoils when opportunities arise.

This season, both teams bring contrasting narratives to the derby. Sharks sit in a measly 14th place, fractured by inconsistency despite boasting a line-up brimming with superstars. They have shown flashes of potent attack and will definitely thrive from home support, but lapses in concentration and lack of end product have hurt them this season.

Meanwhile, the Vodacom Bulls combine rugged forward power with territorial control, led into battle by powerful Springboks Elrigh and Wilco Louw, carrying traits that have underpinned their success and helped them progress deep into recent URC campaigns.

Expect an abrasive contest where set-piece battles and breakdown intensity dictate momentum. The Vodacom Bulls might edge the framework with their familiar structured pressure, but the Sharks’ flair and home energy mean nothing is guaranteed in this derby.