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‘It’s going to be tough’: Simon Zebo sounds warning ahead of URC
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Former Ireland star Simon Zebo believes Leinster are the team to beat and will start the season as favourites to complete a hat-trick of United Rugby Championship titles.
The Munster legend believes that Leo Cullen, who is standing down at the end of the campaign, will go out on a high by bringing an 11th URC title to the RDS Arena.
Zebo, 36, who won two URC crowns in 2011 and 2023, believes that strength in depth will be key for Leinster, as will the confidence gained from back-to-back Grand Final victories over the Bulls.
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“I would for sure (make Leinster favourites). There’s a lot of quality in South Africa, in particular, and the size and the tactics of certain teams have been a bit of an Achilles’ heel for the Irish sides at times.
“But I think given what Leinster have done to the Bulls in the previous two finals, and their squad is so deep. They have so much quality. There’s confidence there as well when you’re champions.
“It’s always tough not to go to the current champs. So I think they’re still very much the team to beat, but the South African teams, Munster, Glasgow – there’s plenty of teams still in the mix. Leinster are still probably favourites going in, so it’s hard not to begrudge that,” he said.
Zebo believes his former side, Munster, who face Glasgow Warriors, the Bulls, Ulster, Racing 92, and Leinster in the opening weeks of the campaign without an injured Jack Crowley, will find the going tough.
“It’s going to be tough. It’s not obviously sink or swim. It’s the start of the season. You’d look for some good momentum. A massive part for me would be keeping players fit and keeping as close to your best 15 as healthy as possible.
“You’re going to have to be very careful in training with the amount of contact you’re doing, how you mind fellas over that period, because if they’re picking up injuries in these opening games and their squads are really being tested, that’s going to be a massive challenge.
“It’s not ideal when your number one fly-half, the Irish international fly-half, your key man, is out injured for such a lengthy period of time. When you’re missing that link to your outside backs, they’ll probably be using Craig Casey’s tactical nous a bit more and making sure your forwards are on top of their games,” he said.
Simon Zebo is part of the Premier Sports team bringing every game live from the BKT United Rugby Championship throughout the season. Tune in to all eight opening games this weekend. Visit www.premiersports.com
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