With just five rounds remaining in the regular season of the Guinness PRO12, Ulster is well and truly in contention as the business end of the campaign approaches.
Nine teams are still in with a chance of qualifying for the play-offs, making this season’s PRO12 one of the most competitive ever. And defeats suffered by Leinster and Munster last weekend have made things even more interesting.
Only Leinster have conceded fewer points than Ulster to date in the PRO12, while Connacht is the only side to have scored more tries than Les Kiss’ men. With six bonus point tries and five losing bonus points, Ulster now occupy fourth position in the league table.
However, given that most of the top teams will face at least three other play-off contenders in the run-in, there will be plenty of jostling in the table right until the end.
The race for Europe
Of course, the league table also has significance for European qualification for the 2016/17 campaign.
The seven highest-ranked clubs based on their finishing positions in the PRO12 will qualify for next season’s Champions Cup. The seven qualifiers must include at least one club from each country - Ireland, Italy, Scotland and Wales.
As things currently stand, the four Irish Provinces - Connacht (1st), Leinster (2nd), Ulster (4th) and Munster (5th) - will qualify along with Scarlets (3rd), Glasgow (6th) and Zebre (11th).
A strong finish will in all likelihood secure Ulster’s place in next season’s Champions Cup.
There is a lot at stake for all teams!
Nine teams are still in with a chance of qualifying for the play-offs, making this season’s PRO12 one of the most competitive ever. And defeats suffered by Leinster and Munster last weekend have made things even more interesting.
Only Leinster have conceded fewer points than Ulster to date in the PRO12, while Connacht is the only side to have scored more tries than Les Kiss’ men. With six bonus point tries and five losing bonus points, Ulster now occupy fourth position in the league table.
However, given that most of the top teams will face at least three other play-off contenders in the run-in, there will be plenty of jostling in the table right until the end.
The race for Europe
Of course, the league table also has significance for European qualification for the 2016/17 campaign.
The seven highest-ranked clubs based on their finishing positions in the PRO12 will qualify for next season’s Champions Cup. The seven qualifiers must include at least one club from each country - Ireland, Italy, Scotland and Wales.
As things currently stand, the four Irish Provinces - Connacht (1st), Leinster (2nd), Ulster (4th) and Munster (5th) - will qualify along with Scarlets (3rd), Glasgow (6th) and Zebre (11th).
A strong finish will in all likelihood secure Ulster’s place in next season’s Champions Cup.
There is a lot at stake for all teams!