Tight playoff race brilliant for the URC - Van Graan

Even with just two games to go, so much can change in the top eight of the URC that working out the permutations almost feels too labour intense.

While it's unlikely anyone will make a late break into the top eight in the table, the potential quarter-final match-ups, and in particular who has home advantage, remains wide open.

As it stands, Leinster, the Stormers, Munster and the Sharks occupy the home quarter-final places, but that could change dramatically given the remaining fixtures.

Leinster and the Stormers meet in Cape Town this Saturday, and the champions also face Munster in the final round next month. The Sharks and fifth place Ulster meet on the final round of the regular season, in a game that may decide who gets a home quarter, while Ulster also face Edinburgh away from home this weekend, with the Scottish side still well in the hunt.

Last Friday night's Interpro between Ulster and Munster proved huge for both sides, with Munster's first win away in Belfast since 2016 seeing them leapfrog their hosts, and leave Dan McFarland's side on the outside and looking in.

"I think it's brilliant for the URC, the fact that there's two rounds to go, it’s literally going to go to the last game for all the teams," said Munster head coach Johann van Graan after their 24-17 win against Ulster.

"Our last game is against Leinster in Dublin. I think the Sharks come here to Ulster if I’m not mistaken, I think the Stormers go to the Scarlets, I think the Bulls go to the Ospreys if I can remember all the fixtures.

"So it’s literally going to come down to the last and I think that’s brilliant for the competition. The fact that there’s going to be magic moments and big moments in the coming weeks and it’s literally who can hold their