Down produced a stunning display to defeat Donegal 3-21 to 1-21 in the Ulster Championship quarter-final, according to multiple reports. Manager Conor Laverty, who led the team to the Division Three final win over Wexford in extra-time, had planned meticulously for the match. Laverty said the team endured the "worst bus journey of my life" but that the challenge to players was that they had been close to a marquee win against Armagh and Donegal. He specifically prepared for the absence of Donegal's Michael Langan and drilled his players on stopping the opposition's attack. Laverty also took the squad to Killarney for a challenge game against Kerry to sharpen their form.
In Welsh rugby, the Ospreys sent a message to the Welsh Rugby Union with a 21-10 victory over Ulster at Brewery Field on Saturday, according to www.planetrugby.com. The Ospreys touched down twice in the final 13 minutes through James Ratti and Daniel Kasende, overturning a 10-7 deficit. Ulster had lost just four matches in all competitions before this game, with two of those losses coming in Wales. The week after the Ospreys' 19-13 victory over Dragons, they learned they were the likeliest region to be cut by the WRU, according to research. The Ospreys are historically the most successful region in Wales and currently sit ahead of Dragons and Scarlets in the URC table. Ulster were weakened due to the Six Nations, with Stuart McCloskey, Robert Baloucoune, Tom O'Toole and Nick Timoney playing for Ireland. The exact date of the match is unclear, with some reports suggesting 28th February 2026, though this may be a future date or a reporting error.
URC round 13 saw the return of key Welsh players from injury, with Taulupe Faletau, Jac Morgan, and Elliot Dee all featuring, according to major media. Cardiff, Ospreys, and Dragons lost, while Scarlets were the only Welsh winners in round 13. Jac Morgan, described by BBC Sport as arguably Wales' only world-class player, dislocated his left shoulder in November and returned off the bench for Ospreys against Benetton. Faletau missed the autumn campaign with a knee injury and a calf issue ahead of the Six Nations. Dee featured in all five Six Nations games in 2025 but suffered a shoulder injury on the opening weekend of the season. The Stormers beat Dragons, while Bulls, Lions, and Sharks also won in round 13. Cardiff beat Ospreys in a Welsh derby at the Arms Park, lifting them to fourth in the URC table. Scarlets beat Zebre 41-14, scoring six tries to four.
Munster's contrasting performances continued as they lost 34-31 to the Bulls at Loftus Versfeld, following a 45-0 defeat to the Sharks the previous weekend. Tom Ahern scored two tries for Munster, while Embrose Papier scored two for the Bulls. Ulster finished 14th in the URC last season with 38 points but are now second in the table after a bonus-point win in Edinburgh. Ulster had seven players in the Ireland Six Nations matchday squad against Wales. Munster beat Ulster 41-14 at Thomond Park, with John Hodnett scoring four tries and Alex Kendellen a hat-trick. Ulster beat Ospreys 28-24 to reach the Challenge Cup quarter-finals, where they will play La Rochelle on 10 April. Ulster also beat Zebre 28-12 in Parma, a match in which Simone Gesi was sent off for clawing at Stuart McCloskey's eye. The Ward brothers, Zac and Bryn, both have potential for international honours, according to www.planetrugby.com. Ireland had a remarkable victory over England in the Six Nations. Newcastle Red Bulls lost to La Rochelle in the Challenge Cup. The current status of the WRU's decision to cut a region remains unclear, as does which region is most likely to be cut.