Glasgow Warriors duo named in 25/26 URC 'Elite XV' but one teammate handed surprise snub

Winger Kyle Rowe and centre Stafford McDowall earn places in the league’s Team of the Season but there is no place for scrum-half George Horne who was named as the club’s Player of the Season. Bulls’ half-back Embrose Papier is chosen in the nine position instead.

He is one of three Bulls players picked along with hooker Johann Grobbelaar and lock Cobus Wiese. Fellow semi-finalists Stormers are the only other club to have three players selected in the form of loose-head prop Ntuthuko Mchunu, number 8 Evan Roos and fly-half Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu.

South African sides dominate URC ‘Elite XV’ as Glasgow Warriors see multiple stars miss out

Leinster, who came second in the league standings and have also progressed to this weekend’s play-off semi-finals, have just one player named in the XV. Tight-head prop Thomas Clarkson completes the front row for the star team.

In total there were seven clubs represented across the team with Ulster, Connacht and Lions equalling Glasgow’s two selections. Although the missed out on a top eight finish and the play-offs the Northern Irish outfit have Ireland centre Stuart McCloskey partnering McDowall in the midfield while South African winger Werner Kok earns a place after scoring ten tries across the campaign.

Connacht, who were beaten by Warriors in the quarter-finals at Scotstoun last weekend, are represented by lock Darragh Murray and flanker Cian Prendergast on the blind-side. The Lions have Ruan Venter at seven completing the back-row along with Quan Horn at full-back.

2025/26 BKT United Rugby Championship ‘Elite XV’:

1. Ntuthuko Mchunu, DHL Stormers (Loosehead Prop)
2. Johann Grobbelaar, Vodacom Bulls (Hooker)
3. Thomas Clarkson, Leinster Rugby (Tighthead Prop)
4. Darragh Murray, Connacht Rugby (Lock / Second Row (4))
5. Cobus Wiese, Vodacom Bulls (Lock / Second Row (5))
6. Cian Prendergast, Connacht Rugby (Flanker (6))
7. Ruan Venter, Fidelity SecureDrive Lions (Flanker (7))
8. Evan Roos, DHL Stormers (Number 8)
9. Embrose Papier, Vodacom Bulls (Scrum-half)
10. Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, DHL Stormers (Fly-half)
11. Kyle Rowe, Glasgow Warriors (Left Wing (No.11))
12. Stuart McCloskey, Ulster Rugby (Inside Centre)
13. Stafford McDowall, Glasgow Warriors (Outside Centre)
14. Werner Kok, Ulster Rugby (Right Wing (No.14))
15. Quan Horn, Fidelity SecureDrive Lions (Full-back)

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