We are now 13 rounds into the 2023/24 season and the Race to the Eight play-off spots is closer than ever.
There are now just five rounds left to play in the regular season as the Vodacom URC gets set to return this weekend for Round 14 and the hunt for a play-off spot is really starting to heat up.
As things stand, just five points separate 5th and 11th position in the standings with this weekend’s action set to play a pivotal role in determining who will be in the frame to win VURC 3 come the knockout stages when they get underway on June 7th.
11 of the 16 teams can still make it and given what we’ve seen take place this season so far – anything is possible.
Looking ahead to this weekend’s action we can see just how important the last five rounds will be.
Eight-placed Ulster are just one point ahead of Edinburgh, Connacht, and the Emirates Lions ahead of their clash with Cardiff at Kingspan in what has to be seen as a must-win for the Irish province if they are to stay in the race.
The Lions host league leaders Leinster this weekend and will be looking to capitalise on home advantage and springboard themselves into the top eight, with Connacht and Edinburgh also at home against Zebre Parma and Scarlets respectively as they look to do the same.
Benetton’s huge last-gasp win over Connacht in Round 13 has shot them up to 6th in the table but they are just two points clear of both Ospreys and Ulster as they get set to welcome the Dragons to Italy this weekend.
Moving further up the table, URC 1 winners the DHL Stormers currently sit in 5th place and welcome 7th place Ospreys to South Africa this weekend in a game that will have huge implications on the race with just four points separating them in the standings.
Even more is on the line when the Vodacom Bulls entertain reigning champions Munster at Loftus Versfeld as 3rd and 4th respectively go toe-to-toe in a heavyweight battle. Just two points separate the pair in the standings.
The Bulls could climb back to 2nd this weekend if fellow South Africa side the Hollywoodbets Sharks can do them a favour against Glasgow Warriors who currently occupy that coveted spot in the table.
Some other mammoth fixtures to look forward to in the #RaceToTheEight across the last five rounds of the regular season include the Vodacom Bulls hosting Ospreys, the Emirates Lions vs Munster, and the DHL Stormers vs Leinster in Round 15, the Bulls vs Glasgow Warriors and Munster vs Connacht in Round 16, the Lions vs Glasgow Warriors, Connacht vs the Stormers and Ulster vs Leinster in Round 17, and Bennetton vs Edinburgh, Leinster vs Connacht, and the Stormers vs the Lions in Round 18.
The quarter-finals of URC 3 take place on June 8 and 9 before we head straight into the semis the following week.
The Grand Final takes place on Saturday, June 22.
Ready, set – Race to the Eight!
>>>Story courtesy of www.unitedrugby.com<<<
