# United Rugby Championship season developments > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/20260925-united-rugby-championship-season-developments > Updated: 2026-09-25T12:53:00.000Z. Sources: 17. Developments: 2. The United Rugby Championship (URC) 2026-27 season has commenced, marked by significant roster changes and structural discussions. Initial developments included major player transfers, such as Joey Carbery returning to Leinster and the Stormers adding Siya Kolisi and Cheslin Kolbe. Additionally, the Welsh Rugby Union proposed a plan to reduce the number of professional regions in Wales from four to three by the 2028-29 season. As the opening rounds unfolded, South African franchises achieved a clean sweep of victories. The Lions secured a narrow 27-26 win over defending champions Leinster in Johannesburg, a match that highlighted Leinster’s young out-half Caspar Gabriel. Other South African successes included the Stormers defeating Connacht 29-15 in Galway, the Bulls securing a 47-13 victory, and the Sharks beating the Ospreys 41-24 in Durban. In contrast to the South African success, the Irish provinces faced a difficult start, marking the first time in 17 years that all four suffered defeats in the opening weekend. In Scotland, Glasgow Warriors secured a 26-20 bonus-point win against Munster at Thomond Park, using their bench to overcome an early deficit. Meanwhile, in the Welsh derby, Cardiff Rugby defeated the Scarlets 21-15. ## Timeline ### 2026-09-25: South African URC teams secure perfect opening round wins South African URC franchises secured a perfect opening round with wins for the Stormers, Bulls, Lions, and Sharks, while Irish provinces faced a collective defeat, including Munster losing to Glasgow. 17 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/united-rugby-championship-season-begins-with-glasgow-and-edinburgh-updates ### 2026-09-20: United Rugby Championship season begins amid major transfers and Welsh restructuring As the United Rugby Championship season begins, clubs undergo major transfers while Welsh rugby faces potential restructuring to reduce its professional regions from four to three. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/united-rugby-championship-season-begins-amid-major-transfers-and-welsh-restructuring --- Cite as: United Rugby Championship season developments. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/20260925-united-rugby-championship-season-developments