Plenty of quality rugby coming up this weekend across Europe and South Africa, with key rounds in the United Rugby Championship, Top 14, and the English Premiership. No international tests this weekend, with Six Nations starting the following week.
All kickoff times listed are local to the venue.
United Rugby Championship (URC)
Friday 23 January 2026
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Ospreys vs Lions – 19:45 – Dunraven Brewery Field, Wales
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Edinburgh Rugby vs Vodacom Bulls – 19:45 – Hive Stadium, Edinburgh
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Munster vs Dragons – 19:45 – Virgin Media Park, Cork
Saturday 24 January 2026
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Scarlets vs Ulster – 15:00 – Parc y Scarlets, Wales
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Connacht vs Leinster – 17:30 – Dexcom Stadium, Galway
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DHL Stormers vs Hollywoodbets Sharks – 17:30 – DHL Stadium, Cape Town
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Cardiff Rugby vs Benetton – 19:45 – Cardiff Arms Park
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Zebre Parma vs Glasgow Warriors – 19:45 – Stadio Lanfranchi, Parma
Big local derbies and playoff implications here, especially with South African sides hosting northern teams.
Top 14
Saturday 24 January 2026
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Bordeaux-Bègles vs Stade Français – 13:30 – Stade André Moga
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Bayonne vs Castres – 15:35 – Stade Jean Dauger
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Perpignan vs US Montauban – 15:35 – Stade Aimé Giral
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Racing 92 vs Lyon – 15:35 – Paris La Défense Arena
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Toulouse vs Pau – 20:00 – Stade Ernest-Wallon
Sunday 25 January 2026
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Clermont Auvergne vs La Rochelle – 20:05 – Stade Marcel-Michelin
As always, the Top 14 brings serious physicality, with home advantage likely to be decisive.
English Premiership
Saturday 24 January 2026
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Exeter Chiefs vs Bristol Bears – 15:00 – Sandy Park
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Saracens vs Newcastle – 15:00 – StoneX Stadium
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Harlequins vs Leicester Tigers – 15:05 – Twickenham Stoop
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Sale Sharks vs Northampton Saints – 17:30 – AJ Bell Stadium
Key fixtures for both playoff positioning and relegation pressure as the season tightens.
International Rugby
There are no international test matches this weekend. Attention shifts to the Six Nations starting the following week.
Weekend Talking Points
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URC travel impact for northern teams touring South Africa
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Premiership teams tightening rotations as results become critical
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Top 14 relegation and top-six battles heating up
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Final form check before international rugby returns
Should be a solid weekend of rugby across all competitions. Which matches are you watching?
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