Glasgow Warriors and Edinburgh return from their summer break this weekend with pre-season fixtures against Newcastle Red Bulls and Ulster respectively.
As we enter September, we are now just a few weeks out from the 2026/27 United Rugby Championship (URC) campaign kicking off. With that in mind, we’ve taken a look at what all 16 clubs have been up to over the past few months in terms of notable arrivals and departures in their playing squads and any other big changes.
Here is what every URC club has been up to over the summer break - including Glasgow Warriors and Edinburgh:
5. Dragons
The departure of Aaron Wainwright to Leicester Tigers is a huge blow for Dragons. They've added New Zealander Terrell Peita from the Blues in Auckland to fill the sizeable gap left by the 67-times capped Welsh international in the back row. Also arriving at Rodney Parade are Tongan winger Anzelo Tuitavuki and Samoan scrum-half Ere Enari to their ranks as they look to improve on last season's second bottom finish. Dragons can approach the new season knowing they, along with Cardiff, are likely protected as the WRU deliberates which of their four professional clubs will be cut. | Getty Images
6. Edinburgh
Edinburgh are one of a few clubs who have had a significant turnover during the summer, with some notable players departing and plenty of new ones arriving. Highly touted centre Riley Higgins and scrum half Louie Chapman won't be at the Hive in time for the new URC season kicking off, but will hopefully be available before the end of the year. Sean Everitt remains as head coach after a disappointing campaign last time out, but it's a new look backroom staff for the capital club to support him. They've also promoted a handful of promising young players from the academy to supplement the first team squad and maybe even make a serious impression. | Getty Images
7. Glasgow Warriors
In terms of quality departures over the summer, no other URC side can match Warriors, with six current or former Scotland internationals all leaving or retiring. Jamie Ritchie's arrival has given supporters a boost but the only other new faces in the group will be Australian utility back Bayley Kuenzle and South African back rower Ruwald van der Merwe. Franco Smith is set to give more minutes to the host of promising young talent emerging at Scotstoun. They also still have international talent coming out of the woodwork including one of the league's most formidable back rows even without the departed Dempsey. | Getty Images
8. Leinster
Former Munster man Joey Carbery returns to the reigning champions from Bordeaux Bègles to provide competition at fly-half, while veteran prop Peter Dooley is also back with his first club after five years with Connacht. There are no other new arrivals so far but they have lost some serious fire power on the wings with 88-times capped All Black Rieko Ioane returning to the Blues and Ireland ace James Lowe heading to Japan. French prop Rabah Slimani and Ireland scrum half Luke McGrath are also away. Despite all those high-profile exits, Leinster start the season at the bookmakers favourites to once again lift the URC title. | Getty Images