As we head into the coveted URC playoffs, the competitors has been whittled down to simply 8 groups, all with one dream.
Round 18 produced a scintillating last spherical of video games, with elation and disappointment touching virtually each match-up.
This was very true for the Lions as they missed out on the playoff locations after dropping to the Stormers within the last minute at Cape Town stadium.
They had to watch because the Ospreys snatched the ultimate playoff place with a 77th-minute penalty strive, securing a bonus-point win and marking a miraculous turnaround in fortunes.
With 4 mouthwatering fixtures lined up, the URC seems set for extra drama, upsets and pleasure. Who will overcome the odds and make it to the semi-final showdown?
SOUTH AFRICAN TEAMS’ QUARTER-FINAL PREVIEWS
Bulls vs Benetton
The Bulls host Benetton within the quarter-finals in what guarantees to be a blockbuster match-up.
The Bulls completed the season with 4 wins on the bounce, comfortably defeating the newly topped Challenge Cup champions, the Sharks, within the last spherical. They reached this place in type with the very best ranked assault within the league this season, scoring the very best variety of factors within the league with 639 together with a league main 85 tries.
However, the South Africans could have their arms full as they face an extremely well-drilled and disciplined Benetton aspect. The Italians gave away simply 150 penalties and 6 yellow playing cards throughout their URC marketing campaign this season and boast an array of younger stars of their aspect, together with Six Nations Player of the Tournament, Tomas Menoncello, and Italy captain Michele Lamaro.
Benetton have already made historical past by changing into the primary Italian crew to attain the URC playoffs. They might be wanting to proceed rewriting the historical past books by upsetting the Bulls in Pretoria this weekend.
Glasgow Warriors vs Stormers
The last match-up of the quarter-finals sees Glasgow Warriors host final season’s runners-up in what is anticipated to be a spotlight of the weekend.
The Warriors have thrived on a free-flowing attacking sport, supported by their sturdy scrum, which is ranked third finest within the league this season. In distinction, the Stormers’ scrum, ranked 14th with simply an 88% success fee, has at occasions hindered their capacity to showcase their backline’s champagne rugby.
While either side are famend for his or her attacking rugby, the scrum is about to be a essential battleground on the Scotstoun Stadium. It is an intriguing conflict, with the Stormers enhancing their away type with three consecutive wins and the Warriors having misplaced two of their final three video games in opposition to South African sides.
Saturday evening’s match is definitely one to watch.
BEST OF THE REST OF URC QUARTERS
Munster vs Ospreys
Munster loved a fruitful URC marketing campaign throughout the common season, ending on the high of the general standings.
Remarkably, with simply 4 video games remaining, they’d lower than a 25% probability of securing the highest spot. They will really feel assured heading into their quarter-final in opposition to Ospreys having crushed them in spherical 12 away from dwelling.
However, they have to be cautious of their opponent as Ospreys have completed the season by defying the chances, overcoming only a 5% probability of reaching the URC playoffs heading into spherical 18.
They completed the URC season sturdy with 4 wins in six matches together with two victories in opposition to South African opposition, which ought to function a warning to Munster that the Ospreys have thrived because the underdog this yr.
Leinster vs Ulster
Our third quarter-final is an outdated Irish rivalry as Ulster takes a visit to the Aviva Stadium to face Leinster.
While Leinster began the season sturdy, they’ve faltered barely in direction of the top of the common season, with three losses of their final 5 video games. Despite this our simulations give them the very best probability of profitable the general championship (35%).
In order to do that, they may have to topple an outdated foe in Ulster, who they not too long ago misplaced to in a tightly fought contest at Kingspan Stadium, 23-21.
Ulster have confirmed to be a gritty aspect this season, grinding out victories all through, with a median profitable margin of simply six factors.
It might be a captivating contest between the edges, who’ve already battled for the Irish Shield this season, with Leinster popping out victorious by simply six factors.
Who will take the spoils this weekend in Dublin?
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