A look at who’s in charge at each of the 16 URC clubs

The 2025/26 United Rugby Championship is almost upon us and ahead of the big kick-off on September 26th, we’ve taken a deep dive on the head coach of each of our 16 clubs.

Which coach do you think will have the most success this season?

Leo Cullen – Leinster Rugby

Cullen has been Leinster’s head coach since August 2015, having previously starred as a player and captain for both Leinster and Ireland.

Under his leadership Leinster won the 2018 Investec Champions Cup and multiple URC/PRO14 titles, winning their first URC final last season, with victory over the Vodacom Bulls in the Grand Final.

Cullen is known for building strong squad depth, integrating academy talent and maintaining a culture of relentless standards.

Clayton McMillan – Munster Rugby

McMillan, coming from New Zealand, took over Munster in July on a three-year deal.

Before moving to Munster, he was head coach of the Chiefs in Super Rugby, leading them to multiple finals in recent seasons.

He has coached the Māori All Blacks and the All Blacks XV, bringing international exposure, plus strong experience in forwards and team culture building.

McMillan’s leadership, discipline, organisation and ability to extract consistency will be key for Munster this season.

Stuart Lancaster – Connacht Rugby

Lancaster was appointed head coach of Connacht in June 2025.

Before that he coached Racing 92 in France, and prior to that had a long successful tenure as Senior Coach at Leinster, contributing to multiple league titles and Champions Cup finals.
Connacht Rugby

He also was head coach of England (2012-2015), overseeing several Six Nations campaigns and a World Cup.

Lancaster is known for defensive structure, developing youth, and emphasising a high-performance environment. He arrives at Connacht with the new state-of-the-art Dexcom Stadium nearing completion, in what is an exciting time for rugby in the West of Ireland.

Richie Murphy – Ulster Rugby

Richie Murphy became permanent head coach of Ulster in May 2024, after serving as interim following Dan McFarland’s departure.

It’s his first senior provincial head-coaching job, having previously coached Ireland Under-20s, winning back-to-back U20 Six Nations Grand Slams in 2022 and 2023.

Murphy is widely regarded as strong in developing young players, technical skill work (particularly kicking and skills), and bringing fresh energy to Ulster during what has been very much a rebuilding period for the province.

Matt Sherratt — Cardiff Rugby

Matt Sherratt has risen rapidly in recent seasons, moving from academy and backs roles into senior leadership at Cardiff and, briefly, as Wales’ interim head coach during the 2025 Six Nations.

Known for man-management, high standards in skill execution and an eye for integrating younger players, Sherratt blends calm authority with modern attacking ideas.

He has led Cardiff through a turbulent period and was trusted by the WRU to steady the national side last season.

Expect pragmatic game plans that prioritise structure, tempo and set-piece reliability while giving his backs a clear license inside an organised framework.

Filo Tiatia — Dragons RFC

Former Ospreys flanker, Tiatia brings a tough, defence-first mentality to the Dragons after progressing from defence coach to permanent head coach in early 2025.

A former international and long-time pro, Tiatia emphasises physicality, contact accuracy and work-rate, looking to build a combative identity at Rodney Parade.

His immediate task has been stabilising performances, sharpening defensive systems and developing a clearer culture for young domestic talent. Tiatia’s combative approach and emphasis on fundamentals aim to make the Dragons harder to break down and more competitive in tight fixtures — a practical blueprint for steady improvement.

Mark Jones — Ospreys Rugby

Appointed Ospreys head coach in January 2025, Jones brings extensive coaching experience across age-grade and professional rugby and a reputation for energetic, player-first leadership.

A former Wales wing, Jones focuses on international-level skills, width and attacking craft while prioritising defensive structure. Early results under his tenure showed a positive uptick — he’s pragmatic about squad development and quick to deploy academy talent.

Expect the Ospreys to play with pace in the backline, strong conditioning, and a focus on finishing chances, while Jones refines defensive cohesion and consistency across 80 minutes.

Dwayne Peel — Scarlets

Peel has translated a decorated international playing career into a thoughtful coaching style at Scarlets, combining tactical nuance with attention to detail.

Appointed head coach in 2024, Peel emphasises swift, structured attack and resilient defence; his Scarlets side have produced notable scalps, demonstrating his ability to prepare teams for high-pressure games.

His coaching blends scrumhalf instincts with strong player pathways and an emphasis on mental toughness. He is pragmatic, adaptable and rewards high work-rate — Scarlets under Peel are organised, dangerous in transition and capable of stylistic variety when needed.

Sean Everitt — Edinburgh Rugby

Everitt joined Edinburgh back in 2023, bringing a South African attacking pedigree from long service with the Hollywoodbets Sharks and consulting work with the Vodacom Bulls.

Everitt’s coaching accentuates back-line creativity, quick ball movement and a positive mindset; he is an experienced organiser of attack who also values physicality and structure.

Edinburgh continue to improve under him and will be targeting a Play-Off spot this season.

Franco Smith — Glasgow Warriors

Smith took over Glasgow in 2022, and is credited with modernising the squad and delivering a high-intensity, well-structured attack.

He guided the Scottish side to a famous URC title in 2024, beating holders Munster in the semi final away, before defeating the Vodacom Bulls in the Grand Final, once again away from home.

Smith blends South African power with northern hemisphere game management, focusing on conditioning, tactical kicking and creative midfield play. He is pragmatic yet progressive — demanding high work-rate, meticulous preparation and clear player roles. Smith’s tenure has emphasised squad depth, resilience and a structured defence that allows attacking freedom, making Glasgow a consistent top-tier URC contender.

Calum MacRae — Benetton Rugby

Calum MacRae, promoted to Benetton head coach in 2025 after serving as defence coach, brings international sevens success and a reputation for defensive organisation and breakdown control.

MacRae’s background includes Scotland 7s and coaching roles at Edinburgh; he’s pragmatic, detail-driven and focused on blending Italian flair with northern-style structure. Tasked with improving Benetton’s consistency in the URC and European competitions, MacRae prioritises set-piece solidity, disciplined defence and quicker transition play to unlock dangerous back-line talent. Expect a stepwise rebuilding programme centred on structure, fitness and smarter game management.

Massimo Brunello — Zebre Parma

Massimo Brunello has been credited with a clear turnaround at Zebre after moving from Italy’s age-grade pathway into the URC role. A coach who cut his teeth developing Italian youth talent, Brunello focuses on structure, player development and extracting value from the available resources.

His methods emphasise fitness, defensive organisation and quick, opportunistic attacking patterns that suit Zebre’s emerging stars. Recognised for getting the best out of youngsters and improving competitiveness across the season, Brunello’s work earned him the BKT Coach of the Season award last season — proof of genuine progress at Zebre Parma.

Johan Ackermann — Vodacom Bulls 

Johan Ackermann returns to the Vodacom Bulls as head coach with a reputation forged in South Africa, England and Japan.

A former Springbok lock and multiple-times SA Coach of the Year, Ackermann is pragmatic and forward-oriented: he prioritises physical dominance, set-piece security and direct, territorial rugby. His track record includes stints at Gloucester and success developing tight-six power and defensive grit.

Tasked with turning near-misses into trophies, Ackermann will lean on Loftus Versfeld’s strengths — a powerful pack culture, structured kicking and ruthless lineout work.

Ivan van Rooyen — Lions

Ivan van Rooyen is a long-serving Lions coach who progressed through strength & conditioning and assistant roles into the head coaching position. He’s known for his physical conditioning programmes, an expansive attacking outlook and an emphasis on power through the middle paired with backline electric runners.

His tenure has delivered competitive, entertaining Lions teams that thrive on tempo, physical intensity, and an ability to exploit quick turnover ball.

John Dobson — DHL Stormers

Dobson is a tactician who emphasises a balanced game: forward power, slick backline interplay and disciplined defence.

His leadership blends sharp man-management with a focus on squad rotation and dealing with travel demands; he also helped cultivate veteran leaders and younger talents to sustain the Cape-based franchise’s high standards.

Expect a structured, physical DHL Stormers side, who aren’t afraid to have a go, under his steady stewardship.

John Plumtree — Hollywoodbets Sharks

Plumtree returned to Durban in 2023 for a second spell and brings decades of southern hemisphere and Super Rugby expertise. Known for forward coaching acumen, Plumtree builds teams with strong set-pieces, clinical close-range play and tactical kicking.

Plumtree’s strengths are squad development, adaptability and managing veteran talent. Expect structured, physical Sharks rugby with an emphasis on territory, breakdown efficiency and finishing from short-range phases under his pragmatic, experienced stewardship.