Time to win is now as URC turns towards home stretch

The BKT United Rugby Championship may be playing in the shadows of the Guinness Six Nations at this time of year, but a win is no less valuable.

A victory in March is still worth the same four or five points, and for Connacht and Ulster in particular, every point is vital as we turn towards the meaty part of the season.

By the end of this weekend we'll be two-thirds of the way through the URC regular season, and so time is running out to get back into the mix for the play-offs and Champions Cup qualification.

Most in need of a result this weekend are Ulster. Having endured a tough start to the season, it looked like Richie Murphy’s side were turning a corner when they pulled off a big win away to Connacht just after Christmas, which left them within reach of the top half of the table midway through the season, with some favourable contests ahead.

However, a shock defeat to Zebre in Belfast was followed up by a second-half collapse away to Benetton a fortnight ago, and with just one point picked up in that period, it’s seen the province fall all the way down to 14th in the table.

"This is a must-win game for us – that's how we are approaching it," the Ulster head coach said, ahead of today’s meeting with the Scarlets in Belfast (live on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player).

While Ulster are just three places from the bottom, the inconsistency of those around them means they’re only four points back from their Welsh opponents, who currently occupy eighth in the table, and barely laid a glove on Munster in their recent 29-8 defeat at Thomond Park.

Murphy (below) has taken a gamble with some selections this week. Scrum-half Conor McKee makes his debut, while Jack Murphy is still an inexperienced out-half, although he’s put an experienced