Mistakes cost more in play-offs as URC reaches knock-out stage

The last round of the URC regular season was played last weekend, confirming the seedings for the play-offs in two weeks.

Play-off games bring a different energy compared to regular-season games. Team selection is final, there's no more shadow boxing so players know where they stand and teams will have to use their full game strategy without holding anything in reserve.

There are no second chances. The pressure comes on and there’s no chance to right those wrongs at a later stage. Mistakes will cost you more than scores or league points, too many will send you off on holidays and cut the season short.

Under pressure, teams will revert to type and the game-plan may not look as obvious as before. It’s not only environmental pressure due to the knock-out nature of the competition, the opposition will be better which means that you have to be better to show what you’re capable of.

You always hear that at the top of the game, you get less opportunities to do anything. This is because when you play against the best teams in the league, you will get less unforced errors, less set-piece turnovers, less free transition play and you also won’t be able to force as many errors because the opposition team and opposition individual players are playing at a higher standard.

When you get to the knock-out stages of any league, most teams will have a solid set piece. At least solid enough for them to launch more attacks and therefore you have to work harder to get your hands on the ball.

The likes of Niall Murray has been in disruptive form in the defensive lineout, and he might continue to be that disruptive when he gets to the Kingspan Stadium in two weeks, but Ulster will be confident in their own lineout and won’t give up as many