Who needs what in URC final week to make play-offs?

May 10, 2026 No Comments

Who needs what in URC final week to make play-offs?Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Munster, Cardiff, Ulster and Connacht are in contention for the URC play-offsByChris KirwanBBC Sport WalesPublished8 May 2026Updated 1 hour agoSupporters will be glued to phones and radios as well as the action on the pitch as the United Rugby Championship (URC) play-offs are decided next weekend.After seven months of league action, the race for the top eight has gone the distance with five teams battling for four spots.Lions, Munster, Cardiff and Ulster are currently above the dotted line with Connacht chasing hard.The tussle for the play-offs is the main story of the final round of the URC, while Glasgow battle with Stormers for top spot.BBC Sport looks at what is at stake next weekend and how it could impact Champions Cup qualification.Farewells, injuries and play-off bids – Welsh rugby’s weekend

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URC standings

The United Rugby Championship standings after 17 rounds of 2025-26

Fascinating Friday

Tournament organisers could not have wished for a more intriguing Friday night of the final weekend with all three games having a huge impact on the play-offs.

Cardiff and Ulster are locked on 50 points in the last two play-off places but face the league’s top two sides Stormers and Glasgow, respectively, while Connacht travel to Edinburgh ready to capitalise on any slip.

Ulster thought they were moving up to sixth place with a bonus-point win over Stormers on Friday before conceding an injury-time penalty try in a dramatic 38-38 draw in Belfast.

It means the Challenge Cup finalists remain below Cardiff on games won and just a point ahead of Connacht.

“We’re going into the last game knowing after that game, we’re in the final of a European competition,” reported Ulster head coach Richie Murphy.

“There’s so much to play for over the next couple of weeks. We’ll brush ourselves down.

“We’ll go through the same process we always do and make sure we turn up Monday ready to go again.”

Ellis Bevan is dejected after Cardiff's defeat by Glasgow — Image caption,

Cardiff failed to claim a match point for only the second time this season at Glasgow

Will history repeat itself for Cardiff after missing out by a point to Scarlets last season?

Victory against Stormers – the 11th of the campaign – will seal a place in the play-offs regardless of what Connacht manage at Edinburgh.

Cardiff’s home record is impressive this season, having won nine of 10 games at the Arms Park.

“It’s the last round, the last one at home, so we’ll give it a good go and see where it takes us,” reported head coach Corniel van Zyl.

“It’s special to play at Arms Park and we’ll be looking forward to a good day out.”

Connacht kept alive their hopes of sneaking into the play-offs with a bonus-point win over injury-hit Munster.

Director of rugby Stuart Lancaster was thrilled with the derby win but recognised the need to swiftly focus on the next task against out of contention but in-form Edinburgh.

He reported: “It’s got to go back to zero and we’ve got to do it again next week because it’s still all to go after.”

All will not be lost for 2016 champions Connacht even if Cardiff and Ulster both win.

Remarkably Lions, third in the table last week before the 31-7 loss at Leinster, could now travel to Munster on Saturday with both teams knowing defeat would see them drop to ninth and fail to progress.

Fighting for top spot

Sione Tuipulotu carries the ball for Glasgow against Stormers — Image caption,

Glasgow beat Stormers in the 2025 play-off quarter-finals

First place is of huge value given it will mean home advantage throughout the play-offs, including the grand final on Saturday, 20 June.

Glasgow regained first place last weekend and now a bonus-point win over Ulster would secure top seeding for the knock-out stages.

Stormers have won the same number of games as Warriors but have a vastly superior points difference so could regain top spot if Glasgow failed to take maximum points in the last game.

Leinster host an Ospreys side with little to play for and could finish second – and home advantage in the quarter and semi-final – or even top.

Bulls will expect to claim maximum points against Benetton to cement a quarter-final in Pretoria.

Champions Cup qualification

Ulster take on Montpellier in the Challenge Cup final, aiming to end a 20-year trophy drought.

It also comes with qualification for next season’s Champions Cup, even if Richie Murphy’s side miss out on the URC play-offs.

That would mean the team finishing eighth in the URC would miss out on Europe’s top-tier competition, as happened to Ospreys in 2024 when Sharks lifted the Challenge Cup.

So, a top-seven finish could prove crucial for all involved.

URC fixtures

Friday

Cardiff v Stormers
Ulster v Glasgow
Edinburgh v Connacht

Saturday

Sharks v Zebre
Bulls v Benetton
Leinster v Ospreys
Scarlets v Dragons
Munster v Lions

Quarter-finals: 29-31 May

Semi-finals: 5-7 June

Final: Saturday, 20 June

Who needs what in URC final week to make play-offs?

URC standings

Fascinating Friday

Fighting for top spot

Champions Cup qualification

URC fixtures

Related topics

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URC standings

Fascinating Friday

Fighting for top spot

Champions Cup qualification

URC fixtures

Related topics

Related Posts

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