URC Preview | Leinster v Cardiff

Saturday, October 10, 19:45 UK / 20:45 ITA & SA, Laya Arena

Broadcasters: TG4, Premier Sports, SuperSport, URC.tv, FloRugby

The big picture

Defending champions Leinster return to the Laya Arena still seeking their first win after back-to-back defeats in South

Africa. Cardiff arrive two from two after scoring six tries against Zebre, setting up a meeting between sides with

sharply contrasting starts.

Team news

the Leinster team to face Cardiff for our first fixture of the 26/27 season at Laya Arena!

Cardiff change seven for Leinster showdown

Match angles

• Leinster have started the season with back-to-back losses on their South African tour for the second successive season.

• Leinster have lost just one of their last 18 matches at the Laya Arena, 22-21 to Ulster on New Year's Day 2024.

• Cardiff's only loss in their last four URC matches was 21-44 to DHL Stormers in last season's Quarter-Final.

• Cardiff have not won outside Wales since defeating Zebre in November 2025.

• Cardiff beat Leinster 8-7 in their most recent clash to end a three-match winning run for the Irish side in the head-to-head

series.

• Cardiff have not beaten Leinster in Ireland since a 22-18 victory at Energia Park (Donnybrook Stadium) in March 2004.

Form snapshot

Leinster last 6 URC: W-W-W-W-L-L

Cardiff last 6 URC: W-L-W-L-W-W

Recent URC meetings

In the last five meetings: Leinster 3 wins, Cardiff 2 wins.

27 Feb 2026: Cardiff 8 Leinster 7

1 Mar 2025: Leinster 42 Cardiff 24

2 Mar 2024: Cardiff 20 Leinster 33

Overall URC H2H

Leinster 27 wins, Cardiff 8 wins, 2 draws.

Key players in the URC this season

Leinster: Fintan Gunne leads the team with 3 tries and 15 points.

Cardiff: Tom Bowen and Taine Basham have 2 tries each; Callum Sheedy leads their scoring with 12 points.

Match officials

Referee: Sam Grove-White (SRU, 65th game)

AR1: Keane Davison (IRFU)

AR2: Jonny Erskine (IRFU)

TMO: Andrew McMenemy (SRU)