UNITED RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP: THE IMPLICATIONS ROUND 14 HAS ON THE TIGHT PLAYOFF PICTURE

The United Rugby Championship returns this weekend with the regular season entering the business end as 11 teams are in the playoff mix with only five rounds remaining.

With the tight knockout picture in mind, Planet Rugby takes a closer look at how each of the games in round 14 influences the race for the top eight.

Ulster (8) v Cardiff (12)

Ulster is the only team with playoff prospects in this one, as they lie in eighth position on the table. Every point is essential with the clash against Cardiff as one of their must-win games as two gruelling interpro derbies loom for Ulster in the final rounds.

With the home advantage and given how tight the table is, Ulster must target a full house of points to give them the buffer they would like going forward. Cardiff, however, will be a tricky hurdle after giving Munster a scare in the last round.

Glasgow Warriors (2) v Sharks (13)

If one were to compare log positions only it would seem to be a simple match-up for the Scots but that is not the case with the high-powered Sharks squad finally starting to catch fire after a very slow start. That makes the South Africans a very dangerous opponent and Glasgow will be wise to that.

This is one of the three more difficult games for Franco Smith’s men in the remainder of the regular season and a win would likely confirm a top-four spot. Glasgow will want to take a full house of points against the Sharks but it will be no walk in the park against the Springbok-laden side.

United Rugby Championship table after round 13.

Lions (11) v Leinster (1)

The Lions have a brutal run into the end of the season and are essentially in playoff mode beginning with the leaders Leinster. Fortunately for the Johannesburg side, it is at home and Leinster look to be bringing a mixed squad to South Africa given the luxury of their lead at the top and the demands of the Champions Cup.

The hosts must find a way to win to keep alive, but Leinster oozes class and depth, so it will be a huge challenge. The Irish giants could take another step toward securing the top spot as no doubt they will target a bonus point win.

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Benetton (6) v Dragons (15)

Given the fact that the Italians have away games against Ulster, the Sharks and the Bulls coming up they absolutely have to make the most of their matchup with the Dragons.

Benetton are in solid form and there is a positive feel to the camp, a bonus point win has to be the goal for this game. A negative result could have catastrophic circumstances for the Treviso side.

Bulls (3) v Munster (4)

Probably the most influential clash of the round as three plays four in Pretoria. Jake White and his Bulls definitely have their sights set on at least a second-place finish which hands them a nice home run in the playoffs and a win against Munster is a massive step in that direction.

The defending champions are holding onto their top-four spot with the Stormers lurking with intent just below. Munster will not be looking down, however, as a victory would see them leapfrog the Bulls possibly opening up a charge towards a top-two spot.

This one is vital not only for the two teams on the field but Glasgow, the Stormers and Benetton will be watching closely for the result when the final whistle blows.

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Stormers (5) v Ospreys (7)

The Captonians caught serious fire late in the regular season on the way to their title in URC I and did so again last season as they pushed to a home final and this needs to happen again. The Stormers have been playing catch-up all season and need to beat Ospreys, especially with a Leinster clash and a northern tour awaiting. A full five points will be the goal as they push for a home quarter-final.

For the Welsh side, the next three games define their chances, and they need to take some sort of point away from Cape Town before travelling to Pretoria and then Dublin. It hardly gets more difficult, but Ospreys showed some guts in their win over the Lions last time out. They will be desperate to show off their quality again, or it could be the beginning of a slippery slope.

Connacht (10) v Zebre (16)

Connacht face Zebre and the equation is very straightforward and that is full points. The Irish side, with respect to Zebre, is certainly capable of doing just that because there are two interpro derbies against Munster and Leinster packed around a clash with the Stormers lying ahead. This is not the round to drop points or their top eight hopes could be smashed.

Edinburgh (9) v Scarlets (14)

The Scots come off a winless tour of South Africa but have a decent enough run-in to still be very much within striking distance of the top eight, providing they make the most of certain games especially this one.

Every single point is absolutely essential, and if Edinburgh are worthy of the playoffs, they need to show a ruthless edge and win with a bonus point.

2024-04-18T06:36:58Z dg43tfdfdgfd