Last week I had a rant ahead of the European Cup final. It was a thrilling game, and despite hoping for a Leinster win it’s clear that on the day Toulouse managed the game better. I referred to them as Rugby’s European Cup equivalent of Real Madrid, and they’ve extended their winning record. I’ll have a proper rant on Leinster’s short comings in European Cup finals in a little while, but this week I want to look ahead to the final round of URC game.

The URC has grown over 3 seasons into the best iteration of the competition that originated as the Celtic League and grew into the Pro(number). It’s become an increasingly competitive affair, evidenced by the fact that Leinster have gone from making the final most years and winning 4-in-a-row to not yet competing in the final of this version of the competition.

As a Leinster fan I enjoyed the lengthy unbeaten runs and long periods of league success which was at times a procession, but this kind of competitive league is better for the competition, the teams involved, the respective unions represented by the teams, and the sport as a whole.

Here’s some thoughts coming into the final round of games.

• I’ve said it before, but for Munster, Glasgow, and Leinster they have to hope Bulls fail to finish above them. Bulls are guaranteed to finish at least 4th, but if they earn a home semi-final and final that suddenly drastically increases their odds of winning the league, considering their 3 knockout games will be South Africa while other teams will have to travel from Europe to South Africa during the play-offs.
  • Unfortunately for the European based sides Bulls have a very good chance of taking a try bonus point from their final game. They face Sharks, who will be up for it but are travelling back from England having won (and probably celebrated) the Challenge Cup. Their season is over. They’ll do their utmost to hold off Bulls due to their rivalry but it’s going to be a huge ask.
  • Munster vs Ulster is intriguing because both sides likely need something. If Bulls, Glasgow, or Leinster win their games they could overtake Munster, and if all 3 win then Munster could be out of home semi-final places. For all the good form Munster have been on they could find themselves with a difficult run in the play-offs if they slip up against a resurgent Ulster.
  • Glasgow should have enough to pick 5 points up against Zebre. Then a home semi-final against Stormers will see them benefit from another case of opposition travelling across the hemisphere.
  • Leinster host Connacht in the last game a the current RDS. Regardless of other results or who lines out Leinster need a BP win and a big display to make up for last week. This needs to be a statement win. That won’t be easy because Connacht could still make the play-offs.
• The big game of the week in the other half of the top 8 s Edinburgh vs Benetton. After Sharks winning the Challenge Cup it’s basically a play-off for Champions Cup Rugby with the sides level on points. Whoever loses will have to go all the way and win the URC to qualify.
• It would probably be good for the URC to have as many countries as possible represented in the play-offs and qualify for the Champions Cup.