Zebo backs Leinster for third straight URC title but warns Munster faces a tough start without Crowley

Simon Zebo has backed Leinster to win a third consecutive United Rugby Championship title this season, citing their squad depth and back-to-back Grand Final victories over the Bulls as the foundation of their favouritism — but the former Ireland wing also warned that Munster face a challenging start to the campaign without key playmaker Jack Crowley.

Zebo, 36, who won URC crowns in 2011 and 2023, believes departing Leinster head coach Leo Cullen is well-placed to bow out with an 11th title for the province. “I would for sure make Leinster favourites,” Zebo said. “Their squad is so deep. They have so much quality. There’s confidence there as well when you’re champions. It’s always tough not to go to the current champs.”

The Munster legend did acknowledge that the competition remains open, pointing to the South African franchises, Glasgow Warriors, and Munster as credible challengers. “The South African teams, Munster, Glasgow — there’s plenty of teams still in the mix,” he added. “It’s hard not to begrudge that.”

His concern for Munster centres on a demanding early schedule — fixtures against Glasgow Warriors, the Bulls, Ulster, Racing 92, and Leinster — that arrives while Crowley, Ireland’s first-choice fly-half, is sidelined through injury. Zebo suggested Craig Casey’s tactical intelligence and a dominant forward pack will need to compensate.

“It’s not ideal when your number one fly-half, the Irish international fly-half, your key man, is out injured for such a lengthy period of time,” Zebo said. “When you’re missing that link to your outside backs, they’ll probably be using Craig Casey’s tactical nous a bit more and making sure your forwards are on top of their games.”

Zebo also stressed that squad management across the opening weeks will be critical for all contenders, warning that injuries sustained early in the season could prove decisive over the long campaign. “You’re going to have to be very careful in training with the amount of contact you’re doing, how you mind fellas over that period,” he said. “If they’re picking up injuries in these opening games and their squads are really being tested, that’s going to be a massive challenge.”