An unpredictable battle: URC play-off race is tighter than ever
SPOTLIGHT: With just six rounds left to play, the race to the top eight in the United Rugby Championship is poised to deliver the most unpredictable battle for the play-offs in league history.
The URC era has set a new bar for competitive campaigns and with 15 teams fighting for just eight play-off places after 12 rounds, it means every single game will shape the path to this season’s Grand Final on June 14.
Incredibly, just four points separate the Lions in eighth position and Zebre Parma in 15th while only eight points cover the gap between the Italian side and fifth-placed Munster.
Beyond the regular season, the knock-out stages have stepped up another level since the expansion to eight teams in 2021. In that time, the percentage of away wins (33 percent) has risen (seven out of 21) – including two of the three Grand Finals won by the visiting team – so every champion has beaten the odds.
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Currently, Leinster top the table with a perfect record of 12 wins from 12, but in the URC era, the No.1 ranked team has yet to claim the trophy.
In 2022, the Stormers won from second place, in 2023, Munster’s incredible run saw them win from fifth position while Glasgow Warriors’ second-ever title came after finishing fourth in the table.
In addition to grabbing a place in the play-offs, teams are also in competition to see who will represent the URC in the Champions Cup next season.
Last season saw all five countries from the URC represented through merit while as it stands in the top eight teams from Ireland, Scotland, South Africa and Wales are poised to qualify.
The Race to the Eight – key points:
- Fifteen teams still able to qualify for the play-offs
- Just four points separate Zebre Parma (15th) and the Lions (eighth)
- Four teams tied on 28 points (Benetton, Stormers, Ospreys, Scarlets)
- Form Guide: Only Leinster and Zebre Parma have won their last three URC games in a row
- Six rounds remain with 48 games to play
- Top eight teams reach the play-offs and qualify for Champions Cup*
- Top four teams earn a home quarterfinal
URC Era Play-Off Facts:
Top-ranked team yet to win the league:
- 2022: Stormers (Rank No.2)
- 2023: Munster (5)
- 2024: Glasgow Warriors (4)
Seven of the 21 play-off fixtures were won by the away team (33 percent).
Eleven of the 16 URC teams have reached the play-pffs in the first three seasons.
- Ireland: Connacht, Leinster, Munster, Ulster
- Italy: Benetton
- Scotland: Glasgow Warriors and Edinburgh
- South Africa: Stormers, Sharks, Bulls
- Wales: Ospreys
Round 13 Fixtures:
Glasgow Warriors (2) v Munster (5)
Cardiff (6) v Lions (8)
Sharks (4) v Zebre Parma (15)
Benetton (13) v Edinburgh (7)
Bulls (3) v Leinster (1)
Scarlets (10) v Stormers (12)
Dragons (16) v Ulster (14)
Ospreys (11) v Connacht (9)
United Rugby Championship
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