'That's what the URC needed' - Munster ready to embrace the pressure says Van Graan

Munster head coach Johann van Graan admits he may have to rotate his squad over the next two URC games, despite the province being in a tight battle to secure a home quarter-final.

Van Graan's side face one of their most crucial league matches of the season this Friday night, as they take on Ulster at Kingspan Stadium (live on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player).

While Leinster have pulled clear at the top of the table, the remaining sides in the play-off spots are closely bunched, with just two wins separating Ulster in second from the Bulls in eighth.

And with so many of the top sides facing each other this weekend, Friday night's fixture will have a huge say on whether or not Munster are at home or away in the quarter-finals.

While a win against Ulster could see them climb up to second, defeat at Kingspan Stadium could see them fall as far as eighth, depending on results elsewhere.

"We're under no illusions as to what we have to do in Belfast on Friday night and it's a team that's been playing very good rugby over the last couple of months," said Van Graan.

As things stand, Munster hold one of the four home quarter-final spots with three games left to play, but the Bulls, Edinburgh, Sharks and Stormers are all breathing down their necks, and capable of leapfrogging the province this weekend.

"That's what the URC needed, in terms of competition," Van Graan added.

"The South African teams are bringing that. There's a log-jam from positions two to eight at this stage, so every point you can gather every week is important. There are three round to go, and it'll be tight until the end."

It's just over five years to the day since Munster last won a derby against Ulster in Belfast, while they needed a second-half comeback to narrowly win the