URC Preview | Cardiff v Zebre

Fri 2 Oct, 19:45 (UK/IRE), Cardiff Arms Park

Broadcasters: S4C, Premier Sports, SuperSport, Sky Italia, URC.tv and FloRugby

The big picture

Cardiff return to the Arms Park after opening with a Welsh derby victory, while Zebre Parma are looking to respond to their

defeat against Vodacom Bulls.

Match angles

• Cardiff have won their opening two fixtures in only one of the previous five URC seasons, in 2024.

• Cardiff’s only defeat in their last 13 matches at Cardiff Arms Park was to Scarlets in Round 7 last season.

• Zebre have not won since defeating Pau in the European Challenge Cup Round of 16 in April; their most recent URC win

outside Italy was at Edinburgh in February 2025.

• Cardiff are unbeaten in their last eight clashes with Zebre.

• Zebre’s only victory at Cardiff Arms Park was 30-25 in September 2013.

Form snapshot

Cardiff Rugby last 6 URC: W-W-L-W-L-W

Zebre Parma last 6 URC: L-L-L-L-L-L

Recent URC meetings

Cardiff Rugby have won 4 of the last five meetings, with 1 draw.

29 Nov 2025: Zebre Parma 14 Cardiff Rugby 29

20 Sep 2024: Cardiff Rugby 22 Zebre Parma 17

17 Nov 2023: Zebre Parma 22 Cardiff Rugby 22

Overall URC H2H

Cardiff Rugby 16 wins, Zebre Parma 4 wins, 1 draw.

Key players in the URC this season

Cardiff Rugby: Evan Lloyd, Dan Thomas and Taine Basham each scored a try in Round 1; Callum Sheedy contributed four

points from two conversions.

Zebre Parma: Alessandro Fusco scored a try against Vodacom Bulls, while Tommaso Allan led their scoring with eight points.

Match officials

Referee: Morne Ferreira (SARU, 25th game)

AR1: Ben Connor (WRU)

AR2: Lucas Yendle (WRU)

TMO: Marius Jonker (SARU)