UNITED RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP: ROUND 15 COULD DRAMATICALLY SHIFT THE RACE TO THE PLAY-OFFS WITH 11 TEAMS STILL WITHIN STRIKING DISTANCE

The Race to the Eight is heating up even more this weekend, with the United Rugby Championship entering the last four rounds of action before the play-offs get underway.

There are still 11 teams in the running for the eight spots, with last weekend’s action tightening up the table if anything. With that in mind, we take a closer look at which games in Round 15 influence the play-off picture.

Ulster (10) v Benetton (5)

This is one of the most important games of the weekend with Ulster desperately needing a result to climb back into the top eight. Home advantage at this stage is vital and the hosts need to make the most of that by beating their Italian rivals before some tricky inter-pro derbies to finish the season.

Benetton may be five places above Ulster but only have three more points, showcasing just how tight the table is. The Italians have a tricky run into the play-offs with a trip to South Africa looming, making a win of any kind against Ulster gold dust for the Treviso men, particularly with so many teams in the hunt.

Zebre (16) v Glasgow Warriors (2)

Zebre are at the foot of the table and are not involved in the play-off race but this match-up serves as a golden opportunity for Glasgow Warriors to walk away with maximum points and possibly revving their points difference.

A weakened Leinster side struggled against the Lions last weekend and face the Stormers in Cape Town on Saturday. If Glasgow bags a full house of points there is even the possibility of leapfrogging the leaders depending on the result in South Africa.

How would you describe Round 1️⃣4️⃣? The #RaceToTheEight intensity is heating up 😬🔥@Vodacom #URC pic.twitter.com/yoJBJkWWpn

— Vodacom United Rugby Championship (URC) (@URCOfficial_RSA) April 21, 2024

Bulls (4) v Ospreys (7)

The two sides come off completely different results, with the Bulls certainly disappointed by losing to Munster at home and missing a chance at pushing for the top two. They will be desperate to bounce back and know that a clean sweep in the last four games is the only way they will have half a chance at those coveted top two spots, which guarantee a home semi-final should they make it that far.

The Ospreys earned their money in heaps against a woeful Stormers effort last weekend and climbed up the table as a result. The Welsh side will already be happy with the returns from their tour but will be hopeful to pip the Pretoria men with the momentum well with them.

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Cardiff (12) v Edinburgh (8)

Cardiff may not be in the play-off race but are relishing shaking the cage, running both Munster and Ulster close in the last two rounds, almost spoiling the latter’s chances altogether.

Edinburgh are on the cusp of the play-off picture and they will have to travel well. A team like Cardiff that has nothing to lose is incredibly dangerous and the Scots will have to keep their head on straight or it could be a hammer blow for their top-eight hopes.

Lions (11) v Munster (3)

It is brutal when a bonus-point win over Leinster doesn’t result in a move up the table, but that is the reality for the Lions, who have a tricky final few games. The Jo’burgers were inspired and played with precision last weekend, the same has to happen for the Lions against the champions. They will be wise to the fact that they can’t lose.

💨 51 Metres Made

💥 9 Carries

💪 5 Defenders Beaten

😍 2 Tries

Emmanuel Tshituka's R14 performance 🆚 Leinster was ferocious 🦁@Vodacom #URC | #RaceToTheEight | @LionsRugbyCo pic.twitter.com/CfQa7TxqMu

— Vodacom United Rugby Championship (URC) (@URCOfficial_RSA) April 23, 2024

Munster seem to have the ingredients and nous to trump South African sides in the Rainbow Nation, as they did against the Bulls last time out. While the Johannesburg side may seem a lesser opponent, Graham Rowntree’s men will be well aware of the threat of a cornered Lion. Back-to-back weeks at altitude is a tough ask but the Irish province are the holders of the URC for good reason.

Stormers (6) v Leinster (1)

The Capetonians were loose and erratic against Ospreys last time out and it cost them serious ground in their race to the top four. John Dobson apologised for the performance and will no doubt have the side worked up for a vital clash against a young Leinster side. Back-to-back losses could be massively costly with a northern tour looming. The Stormers have to win or the slope could be slippery.

Leinster are battling on two fronts and decided to manage their squad for the South African tour which started terribly as the Lions ran away with a spectacular win last weekend. That is not to say the players they brought down south is poor, it is actually loaded with promising talent and should not be underestimated. It is the first time in a while that their position at the summit is under threat and they will be adamant to defend that. Fireworks are loading in Cape Town.

Dragons (15) v Connacht (9)

The Dragons are well out of the play-off picture but serve as an important fixture for the Irish side that simply needs to take five points from the Welsh side, especially with Munster, the Stormers and Leinster to come in the final three rounds.

The Welsh region may be in 15th but they always make life difficult at Rodney Parade. Connacht will have to be polished and execute well to take the full house of points and underline their play-off credentials. It is not a time to slip up.

READ MORE: United Rugby Championship: The play-off race tightens with just four games remaining

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