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:
9. Lions
The Lions gave the All Blacks a real test during their leg of the Rugby's Greatest Rivalry tour, losing 35-41 in Johannesburg after leading the match by 18 points. They flew under the radar a bit last season on their way to a seventh-placed finish and quarter-final defeat to Leinster but, as Glasgow learned, they can be a hugely challenging opponents - especially when playing at home. Boan Venter's arrival from Edinburgh adds to Ivan van Rooyen's already strong front-row options and although they don't have as many of the instantly recognisable Springbok names as the other South African sides they have real strength in depth across the pitch. Quan Horn and Ruan Venter were their standout players last season, both earning places in the Elite XV and will likely lead the way once again. | Getty Images
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10. Munster
Munster are due to start the season light in the fly-half department with Ireland international Jack Crowley ruled out till the new year and new signing Will Harrison dealing with his own injury issue. One position where they aren't light though is the front row, especially with the additions of Springbok hooker Marnus van der Merwe and veteran former England prop Kieran Brookes. They struggled for consistency a bit last season but still managed a seventh place finish before being well beaten in the quarter-finals at Loftus Versfeld. The visit of Glasgow to Thomond Park in Round One gives them the chance to lay down a significant marker for the campaign to come. | Getty Images
11. Ospreys
Ospreys are one of the two Welsh clubs in danger of being cut by the WRU but that has been just one of the challenges they've had to deal with this summer. They have been significantly weakened with the loss of British & Irish Lions Jac Morgan as well as Wales captain Dewi Lake, who have both joined Gloucester. They have made a few strong additions though, most recently bringing in experienced Australian international winger Marika Koroibete. However, the loss of Morgan and Lake is massive and they'll do well to better their 11th-placed finish from last season on the back of that. | Getty Images
12. Scarlets
Scarlets are the other of the four Welsh sides in danger of being cut by the WRU and they've had a summer with a fair bit of squad turnover. They've brought in ten and released 11 with New Zealand capped back rower Cullen Grace and 22-year-old lock Tom Allen coming in from Super Rugby. Also arriving at the Parc y Scarlets is veteran former Welsh international fly-half Gareth Anscombe. They also confirmed that Nigel Davies had been made Director of Rugby on a permanent basis after taking on the role in an interim basis in January, while his backroom staff has also been strengthened. | AFP via Getty Images