From Pollard to Ioane, we break down the top signings for all 16 United Rugby Championship teams ahead of the 2025-2026 season.

Amid the red-hot action of international rugby, it’s easy to let the club scene slip to the back of your mind, but with less than two months until the 2025-2026 United Rugby Championship kicks off, we at FloRugby are absolutely buzzing for what promises to be another blockbuster season.

The URC has crowned four different champions in its first four years under the current format, reaffirming its status as one of the most fiercely competitive leagues in world rugby.

Round one serves up a mouth-watering clash between newly crowned champions Leinster and inaugural winners the DHL Stormers. Before the first whistle blows, here’s our fan-fuelled, hype-heavy breakdown of each team’s top signing heading into the new season.

Benetton Rugby – Josh Flook

After losing fan favorite and Italian international Ignacio Brex, Benetton moved quickly to lock in Australian Josh Flook.

The 23-year-old, on loan from the Queensland Reds, is 6-foot-1 and 95 kilograms, with serious wheels, making him the perfect foil for Tommaso Menoncello’s power game.

While whispers suggest Menoncello could be headed to the Top 14, right now, Treviso boasts one of the most dangerous center pairings in the URC.

Vodacom Bulls – Handré Pollard

The Bulls have been knocking on the door, but with Johan Ackermann taking over and Handré Pollard back in blue after six years away, this finally could be their year.

The double World Cup winner brings a world-class boot, knockout-game composure and the nous to steer big matches.

Add Jan Serfontein and David Kriel outside him, and you’ve got a 10-12-13 spine built to win finals.

Cardiff Rugby – Ioan Lloyd

Cardiff fell just one point short of the top 8 last season, but the signing of Ioan Lloyd could be the spark the team needs.

A magician with ball in hand, and equally comfortable at fly-half or fullback, Lloyd brings flair and unpredictability.

If Matt Sherratt opts to pair him with Callum Sheedy, Cardiff could unleash one of the URC’s most dangerous playmaking duos.

Connacht Rugby – Sam Gilbert

Connacht’s headline signing might actually be off-field with the addition of world-class head coach Stuart Lancaster.

On the pitch, their one senior addition is Sam Gilbert from the Highlanders.

A smart, composed utility back, he’s likely to fill the fullback role left by Piers O’Connor.

Lancaster’s influence could supercharge Connacht’s academy stars, with center Hugh Gavin tipped as the next big thing.

Dragons Rugby – Tinus de Beer

Only one win last season hurt, but the Dragons have gone all-in on a rebuild.

Tinus de Beer arrives from Cardiff with a lethal kicking game and the experience to steady the ship.

With fine new additions, such as Fine Inisi and McKenzie Martin, the Dragons finally look ready to make life uncomfortable for URC heavyweights.

Edinburgh Rugby – Dylan Richardson

One of the most under-the-radar coups this year, Richardson joins from the Sharks and covers back row and hooker.

With Dave Cherry and Jamie Ritchie gone, he offers versatility, aggression and set-piece strength. Expect him to form a bruising 1-2 punch with Ewan Ashman at hooker.

Glasgow Warriors – Dan Lancaster

Tom Jordan’s departure left a hole, and Glasgow filled it with Dan Lancaster from Racing 92.

Scottish-qualified and mentored by Owen Farrell, Lancaster’s physicality at 10 or 12 gives Franco Smith flexibility.

Expect him to push Adam Hastings hard for the fly-half role and maybe stake a claim for a Scotland call-up.

Leinster Rugby – Rieko Ioane

Leinster swapped one All Black for another, trading Jordie Barrett for Rieko Ioane, and sent a message to the rest of the league: We’re still the top dogs.

Ioane’s natural spot is 13, but with Garry Ringrose locked in, expect him to burn teams from the wing or as an impact sub.

Emirates Lions – Angelo Davids

Losing Edwill van der Merwe could have been a disaster, but the Lions acted fast, snapping up Stormers flyer Angelo Davids.

With 11 URC tries to his name, Davids thrives in an open, wide game, which is exactly the Lions’ style.

Get ready for him to rack up highlight-reel finishes.

Munster Rugby – JJ Hanrahan

Munster turned the page on Graham Rowntree and welcomed Clayton McMillan, but the homecoming of JJ Hanrahan could be just as important.

At 33, he’s the cool head who will keep the ship steady when Jack Crowley rests.

His experience across England, France, Wales and Connacht also will mentor Munster’s next generation of playmakers.

Ospreys – Efan Daniel

Still only 22, Daniel swaps Cardiff for Swansea in search of more minutes.

Dynamic around the park and deadly over the ball, he’ll rotate with Dewi Lake to form one of the URC’s most athletic hooker duos. Expect fireworks in open play.

Scarlets – Joe Hawkins

Scarlets fans, meet your new midfield maestro.

Hawkins, equally adept at 10 or 12, will partner with Sam Costelow to form a slick playmaking axis.

With Champions Cup rugby back in Llanelli, Hawkins has the stage to force his way back into Wales’ plans.

Hollywoodbets Sharks – Edwill van der Merwe

The Sharks pulled off a heist, luring van der Merwe from the Lions.

Explosive pace, ankle-breaking footwork and a killer instinct make him one of South Africa’s most feared wingers. Add him to a back three with Mapimpi and Fassi, and good luck to any defense.

DHL Stormers – Ntuthuko Mchunu

Replacing Steven Kitshoff is no small task, but Mchunu is built for it.

At 26, he’s learned from Ox Nche and brings power in the scrum, dynamism with ball in hand and a nasty edge at the breakdown.

Expect him to be a cornerstone of the Stormers pack for years.

Ulster Rugby – Angus Bell

Ulster kept it simple: sign world-class players.

Wallabies loosehead Angus Bell joins Juarano Augustus to give Ulster serious muscle.

A dominant scrummager with soft hands, Bell upgrades a front row that struggled last year, and he’ll play plenty in the URC as Ulster chase a top-8 return.

Zebre – David Odiase

Five wins never felt so sweet.

Zebre’s steady rise continues with the signing of 22-year-old Italian backrow David Odiase from Oyonnax.

At 6-foot-2 and 115kg, he brings serious size and punch to a pack that’s learning how to win and win big games.

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