Leinster v Bulls URC final is anyone’s game – John Dobson

The Bulls and Leinster in URC action during their pool match at Loftus Versfeld in October last year. Picture: Sydney Seshibedi/Gallo Images An entertaining conclusion to the 2025-26 United Rugby Championship (URC) season is set to be battled out between the Bulls and defending champs Leinster at Croke Park in Dublin next week Friday. It is a replay of last season’s final at the same ground, where the hosts emerged with a thumping 32-7 win to secure their first URC title, and ninth overall when including previous iterations of the tournament.

But this season is very different to last, with Leinster not as dominant a force, and the Bulls will fancy their chances, with them currently in top form. Last season Leinster were almost unstoppable and finished top of the URC log after winning 16 of 18 pool games, and then cruised through the play-offs, comfortably beating Scarlets 33-21, Glasgow Warriors 37-19 and then the Bulls in the title match. This season however, they won 12 and lost six of their pool matches, showing their vulnerability, but hit some good form with big pool wins over the Lions and Ospreys going into the playoffs, and thenthrashed the Lions againin their quarter-final.

But their semifinal clash against the Stormers brought them back down to earth, as theyedged a brutal contest 20-11, that could have been a lot different had the Cape visitors not been issued three cards in the second half. So that should give the Bulls confidence, coupled with their impressivecomeback 22-21 semifinal winover Glasgow, and knowing that they have done it before, back in URC one when they upset Leinster 27-26 at the RDS Arena in the semifinals. Stormers director of rugbyJohn Dobsonexplained that Leinster are the stronger attacking team, but that the Bulls would likely have the upper hand in the scrums, and if they can defend like they did in their semi win, they could cause an upset.

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“The final will be a good game but we defended really well. If rugby is about the team that attacks, then Leinster deserved to win,” said Dobson in the post-match presser. “I thought we got the edge in the scrum against Leinster, and the Bulls also have a good scrum.

So Leinster are going to have to handle the Bulls scrum. “I think the final will be very close, much like this game. I’d say we are very similar (when it comes to physicality), although I like to think we play with a bit more flow.

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