UNITED RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP: THE PLAY-OFF RACE TIGHTENS WITH JUST FOUR GAMES REMAINING
Round 14 in the United Rugby Championship (URC) served up some interesting results that have shaken up the battle for the play-off spots, with only four rounds remaining.
As the race to eight heats up, Planet Rugby takes a closer look at all the 11 sides in the mix and what they have ahead of them at the business end of the regular season.
1) Leinster (54 pts)
The Irish province took the risk of sending a younger side to South Africa to balance their battle on two fronts and the Lions certainly did not like that as they blew away the leaders in the opening 20 minutes. Ultimately Leinster took a big loss in Johannesburg and now have Glasgow Warriors on their tails. Leo Cullen’s men will be desperate to get a result against the Stormers before they add their firepower in the north for the last three games. They are still very well placed but for the first time, their lead is under genuine threat.
R15: Stormers v Leinster
R16: Leinster v Ospreys
R17: Ulster v Leinster
R18: Leinster v Connacht
2) Glasgow Warriors (53 pts)
The Scots dispatched a weakened Sharks side with relative ease and one would expect the same in both their matches against Zebre, which places them in a very strong position to contend for the top spot. Glasgow look to have a firm hold of second with the Bulls slipping up and their tour to South Africa where they face the Pretoria men and the Lions will likely determine how high up the table the Warriors finish.
R15: Zebre v Glasgow Warriors
R16: Bulls v Glasgow Warriors
R17: Lions v Glasgow Warriors
R18: Glasgow Warriors v Zebre
3) Munster (48 pts)
Not many teams from the north get a result in Pretoria but Munster seem to have the right recipe for success in South Africa as they picked up a very important win. The victory already makes their southern tour successful and they could well take points off the inspired Lions this weekend. Munster went a long way in their quest for a home play-off last week and will hope to strengthen their position in Johannesburg.
R15: Lions v Munster
R16: Munster v Connacht
R17: Edinburgh v Munster
R18: Munster v Ulster
4) Bulls (46 pts)
Just when Jake White’s team had a chance to pressurise the top two they buckled at home against an astute Munster side. It is not the end of their hopes for a home play-off but the Bulls would have wanted top two. Technically that is not off the cards with all their last four games in South Africa and three in Pretoria. The best the Bulls can do now is have a clean run-in, winning the last four and in particular the clash with Glasgow. Like all above them the Bulls are still well placed despite defeat.
R15: Bulls v Ospreys
R16: Bulls v Glasgow Warriors
R17: Bulls v Benetton
R18: Sharks v Bulls
5) Benetton (42 pts)
The Italians have a brutal run-in from here on out which is why their full house of points against the Dragons last weekend was absolutely critical. Benetton have shot up the table and are within striking distance of the Bulls. Their fixtures are tough, with the next three on the road, so they will need to win at least one and try to accumulate some sort of points from each outing. Crunch time for the Treviso men.
R15: Ulster v Benetton
R16: Sharks v Benetton
R17: Bulls v Benetton
R18: Benetton v Edinburgh
Winners and losers from the URC after famous wins and officiating difficulties
6) Stormers (40 pts)
Head coach John Dobson rightly apologised for a woeful outing against Ospreys where the Welsh side put the over-confident Stormers away. It was meant to be a clash where they could load up on points but instead puts massive pressure on the former champions. Now Leinster knock on the door this weekend before a two-game tour up north – where they struggled all season long – is followed by a game against the electric Lions. The Capetonian’s slip-up not only dampens top-four hopes but puts them at a real risk of missing the top eight.
R15: Stormers v Leinster
R16: Dragons v Stormers
R17: Connacht v Stormers
R18: Stormers v Lions
7) Ospreys (40 pts)
Simply brilliant in Cape Town last time out in a memorable win as they became only the third team to beat the Stormers at home in URC history. Two tricky fixtures are coming up but if the Ospreys could take points off one of the Bulls or Leinster they will be in a strong position heading into the local derbies that round out their regular season. The Welshman took a big step forward last weekend but need to back it up or their heroics will be in vain.
R15: Bulls v Ospreys
R16: Leinster v Ospreys
R17: Ospreys v Dragons
R18: Cardiff v Ospreys
8) Edinburgh (39 pts)
Last weekend’s demolition of the Scarlets went perfectly according to plan as it always needed to be a match-up Edinburgh gained five points from. A full house of points in one of their next two matches is critical before a tough final two rounds. The men from Scotland’s capital have their play-off hopes in their own hands at this stage and will need to take charge of that to strengthen their prospects. There is no time for slip-ups.
R15: Cardiff v Edinburgh
R16: Edinburgh v Zebre
R17: Edinburgh v Munster
R18: Benetton v Edinburgh
9) Connacht (39 pts)
A vital box was ticked with a five-point haul against Zebre last time out and realistically another bonus-point needs to come against Dragons considering the brutal run-in for the last three rounds. Even beyond the Dragons clash they will need to find a way to take points in two of their last three games, which will be tricky against Munster, the Stormers and Leinster. They are still in the running but some big results need to fall their way.
R15: Dragons v Connacht
R16: Munster v Connacht
R17: Connacht v Stormers
R18: Leinster v Connacht
10) Ulster (39 pts)
It may have been a controversial win over Cardiff last weekend but it kept the Irish province alive in the play-off race. Their knockout credentials will be tested again straight away against Benetton this weekend where a win is probably required. Regardless of that result, five points against Scarlets is non-negotiable before they tackle two giants in the final two rounds. Ulster are alive in the race but there is plenty of work to do.
R15: Ulster v Benetton
R16: Scarlets v Ulster
R17: Ulster v Leinster
R18: Munster v Ulster
11) Lions (39 pts)
Imagine dismantling Leinster and claiming a bonus-point win but not even moving up the table. It just shows how tight the race is and as we said it’s essentially knockout mode for the Lions in their play-off race. The victory over Leinster was so impressive that they have to try to do it again this weekend against the holders Munster after which they welcome Cardiff and the red-hot Glasgow before a trip to Cape Town. It is easily the hardest run-in in terms of opponents but there is a real sense of belief in the Lions’ camp. What a story it would be if they made the top eight.
R15: Lions v Munster
R16: Lions v Cardiff
R17: Lions v Glasgow Warriors
R18: Stormers v Lions