The URC table is heating up after the penultimate round of matches in what's been the most competitive league campaign in years. Over half the league have something to play for coming into the final day of the season.
Ulster's last gasp win against Leinster and Munster's win in Scotland has left top spot in the hands of the men from Limerick while Connacht can still sneak into the Top 8 even after their defeat to the Stormers.
This season more than ever anyone can beat anyone on their day and the table is wide open heading into the last matches. With that, here are the permutations that will effect the Irish teams on the final round of the season.
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Permutations For First Place In URC Table
Munster need to just beat Ulster to finish top of the URC table and with that a home route to the URC Final. With Leinster's and Glasgow's defeats, Munster are now in pole position to finish top of the regular season table.
Leinster will need Munster and Bulls to lose while also beating Connacht at home with a bonus point if they want to finish top of the table. They have guaranteed a home quarterfinal now but they will have to better the Bulls' result if they also want to guarantee a home semifinal.
Vodacom Bulls need to beat the HollywoodBets Sharks and hope Munster drop points against Ulster to finish top of the table. Meanwhile, Glasgow Warriors need all of Munster, Leinster and Bulls to drop points and get a win over Zebre if they are to claim the URC's top spot.
Permutations for Playoff Spots
Ulster's win against Leinster has all but guaranteed them a Top 8 spot in the URC. They now sit in sixth place ahead of Edinburgh, Benetton and the Lions by 4 points. With Edinburgh and Benetton playing each other it guarantees that Ulster a playoff spot and they can climb up to fifth win a win against Munster and the Stormers lose to the Lions. Champions Cup qualification will be guaranteed as well if they get 2 points from the match against Munster.
Connacht's quest to the Top 8 now looks much more difficult after their home loss to the Stormers in Round 17. They are 4 points off the Edinburgh/Benetton/Lions contingent and likely need a bonus point win over Leinster if they are to have any chance of reaching the playoffs due to their low points difference. They'll also need two of the Lions, Edinburgh and Bennetton to lose without a bonus point and hope for the Ospreys behind them to also not get a win by a bigger margin than them.
Here’s everything you need to know ahead of Round 18 🔥#BKTURC #URC | #RaceToTheEight pic.twitter.com/rXmrV9cKOV
— BKT United Rugby Championship (URC) (@URCOfficial) May 31, 2024
Bizarrely Connacht can finish in the Top 8 but not qualify for the Champions Cup next season. Since the HollywoodBets Sharks won the Challenge Cup they will take the URC's 8th spot in Europe's elite competition next season, despite being in 13th place heading into the final round. That means that whoever finishes in 8th place will get into the playoffs but not the Champions Cup in a cruel twist of fate.
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