The United Rugby Championship (URC) is reaching its final stages in the regular season with just three games left.
Each game matters for sides as they search for a place in the top eight, qualifying for the playoffs and gaining a place in the European Champions Cup for 2026/27. Some teams will also be looking to cement themselves in the top four, as this gives them a home quarter-final in the playoffs. For the top sides, they may aim for a top-two place, which gives them a home quarter-final and semi-final if they make it that far.
These three fixtures offer a strong mix of all these match types. All six sides are in jeopardy based on their final results this season.
Stormers vs Glasgow Warriors (2nd vs 1st in the URC)
Glasgow continue their South African tour with a match against the Stormers at DHL Stadium. The first game of the tour didn’t end so well as they were defeated 54-12 by the Lions. The interesting contrast in this fixture is that the Stormers also suffered a shock home defeat in the last round to Connacht.
Glasgow sit four points ahead of their opponents in this fixture. A big loss could see them lose that top spot. A win for Glasgow could see them move eight or nine points ahead. For them, a top two spot would be all but guaranteed. Both of these teams have matches against Ulster and Cardiff in the final two rounds. A loss for the Stormers could see them drop as low as sixth in the table if other teams pick up positive results.
Lions vs Connacht (4th vs 9th)
Connacht are continuing their tour of South Africa in much more positive spirits than Glasgow. They had a huge comeback bonus point win against the Stormers, while the Lions also had a huge bonus-point win against Glasgow. The Lions are in incredible form and will be looking to use this to earn a home quarter-final. A win could even put them in contention for the top two as they have trips to Leinster and Munster for the final two games.
Connacht are the team just outside the top eight, but are still only four points behind the Lions in fourth. Once they return to Europe, they have a home interpor against Munster and a trip to Edinburgh to try and seal a place in the playoffs.
Munster vs Ulster (6th vs 5th)
An interpro derby that means more for these two teams. Ulster travel down to the south of the island after two interpro defeats in the URC in a row. They have lost two home games this season across all competitions, both coming in their last two home URC matches against Connacht and Leinster. Munster had a difficult tour of South Africa before the European break, but came back with a brilliant positive victory over Benetton in Italy. They scored an impressive seven tries in the win. Ulster sit just one point ahead of Munster, and therefore, the result will have the same impact on both teams. Whichever team wins (Munster need a bonus point), they could go as high as second in the table if results go their way. On the other hand, whichever team loses could be caught by Connacht, who start in ninth.
