URC (R4) – Edinburgh make it four from four, Glasgow stun Benetton

A look back at United Rugby Championship round 4, played on 23 and 24 October.

Edinburgh remain the only perfect side in the URC: four games, four wins, and top spot strengthened against the Lions on Friday. Behind them, Glasgow snatched a win in Treviso after trailing 17-0, and Leinster came from behind to beat Munster at the Aviva Stadium.

Edinburgh make it four from four, Van der Merwe forced off

Edinburgh beat the Lions 31-10 in the rain at Hive Stadium, scoring five tries for a bonus point. Hector Patterson, 21, scored twice (50th, 64th minutes) and had a hand in every try. It is the first time since 2015-16 that Edinburgh have won their opening four league games. It was a frustrating night for Duhan van der Merwe, though: back after recurring ankle problems, the Scotland wing went off after just 18 minutes.

Glasgow fight back, Cardiff beaten at the Arms Park

Glasgow trailed 17-0 just after the break in Treviso, after tries from Zanandrea and Lynagh. With Midena in the sin bin, they scored three times in six minutes (Ferrie, Steyn, Darge) before Jare Oguntibeju put the Warriors ahead two minutes from time (24-20). Still unbeaten, Glasgow are second. Benetton are still looking for a first win despite three losing bonus points.

In Cardiff, the Sharks lost captain Andre Esterhuizen to a foot injury after 52 seconds but won 36-21 with six tries, two of them from Matt Romao. James Botham’s two tries (44th, 57th) had put Cardiff back in front. It is Cardiff’s first defeat at the Arms Park since losing 21-17 to the Scarlets on 19 December 2025, a run of eight straight home wins in all competitions.

Leinster turn it round, Ulster still winless

Trailing 13-0 after Shane Daly’s try, Leinster beat Munster 24-18 with a bonus point. Tries from Ryan Baird, Charlie Tector and Jamie Osborne, the last from a long Jamison Gibson-Park pass, all came in the second half, with Munster down to 14 after Alex Nankivell’s yellow card (55th).

In Pretoria, the Bulls led 21-0 thanks to two Marcell Coetzee tries before holding off Ulster’s comeback (34-26). Ulster scored four tries, two from Chay Mullins, but are still without a win after four rounds, which had not happened to them since 2008-09.

Madness in Cape Town, Connacht and Ospreys win

The Stormers and the Scarlets shared 92 points and 14 tries (52-40). Joe Roberts scored a hat-trick for the Scarlets, who drew level at 40-40 on 64 minutes, before Yaqeen Ahmed settled it with two late tries (72nd, 79th). With four tries this season, Roberts is the league’s second-highest try scorer behind Dragons hooker Elliott Dee (five).

Connacht beat Zebre 48-27 with eight tries, two from Dave Heffernan; Zebre scored five and earned their first point of the season. On Saturday night, the Ospreys beat the Dragons 31-14 at St Helen’s with a bonus point, Reuben Morgan-Williams scoring twice.

Round 4 results

The table after four rounds

Next round on 30 and 31 October: Glasgow host the Lions, Connacht welcome Leinster and Edinburgh travel to Treviso.