Seven Things We Learned From The First Seven Rounds In The URC: 3/7

Super signings

One suspected Ben Healy was going to be a quality recruit for Edinburgh Rugby and so it’s proved.

Having shared in Munster’s grand final triumph over the DHL Stormers at the end of last season, the international fly-half headed for the Scottish capital after the World Cup.

His impact has been significant. He’s brought tactical control and he’s also been prolific in front of goal, scoring more points (76) than anyone else in the BKT URC.

He has fitted in like a glove and played a major part in Edinburgh Rugby winning five of their first seven league matches, while he was at it again on the weekend, with four more successful shots at goal in the 34-21 victory over Castres in the EPCR Challenge Cup.

Next behind Healy in the points stakes, on 61, is another fly-half recruit in South African Tinus de Beer, who has joined Cardiff Rugby from the Pumas.

With Jarrod Evans having moved to Harlequins and Rhys Priestland retired, there was a big hole to fill at No 10.

Summer signing De Beer has stepped up to the plate and is certainly earning his corn, having been on the pitch for all but 26 minutes of the league season so far, while he’s posted a further 14 points in Cardiff’s two Champions Cup ties.

Two more fly-half signings that have proved good bits of business are the Scarlets bringing the gifted Ioan Lloyd home from Bristol, while the much-travelled JJ Hanrahan has settled in well at Connacht.

Elsewhere, Munster look to have added real quality by snapping up Kiwi centre Alex Nankivell from the Chiefs of Waikato, while Malakai Fekitoa has gone well in the Benetton Rugby midfield since leaving Thomond Park.

Unsurprisingly, Willie Le Roux has looked absolute class for his new team, the Vodacom Bulls, while there has been much interest generated by the arrival of fellow Springbok World Cup winner Stephen Kitshoff in Ulster.

So lots of new faces and plenty of positive impact.