Ulster looking to dent Munster's championship momentum ahead of play-off push

Everything is in play for Ulster this evening.

Richie Murphy's side are strangely placed heading into the final round of the BKT United Rugby Championship.

Already guaranteed a play-off spot, they’re still looking to lock in their qualification for the Investec Champions Cup next season.

With their 5.15pm kick-off away to Munster (live on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player) falling at the end of the weekend running order, it’s conceivable that by kick-off their qualification for the top tier of European rugby could already be secure. If the chips fall another way earlier in the afternoon, Ulster may even need a win to ensure a top-six finish, which would cement their Champions Cup spot.

Given where they were towards the end of February, the province have done well to get to this final round with their fate in their own hands.

Four wins in a row since their heavy Challenge Cup quarter-final defeat to Clermont Auvergne – the latest being a gripping comeback win against Leinster in Belfast – have put them back on the right track on the pitch, while they’re also starting to see some stability off it.

Murphy’s appointment on a two-year contract has been followed this week by the addition of experienced former Connacht forwards coach Jimmy Duffy to the coaching ticket, while the recruitment of out-half Aidan Morgan from the Hurricanes has cleared some of the uncertainty heading into next season. Morgan is set to replace Billy Burns in the squad, with the out-half moving to this evening's opponents Munster.

There’s still a job to be done this season though. Two games are guaranteed, three would be a bonus, while four would be dreamland.

Considering their hefty injury list has claimed Iain Henderson and James Hume among others, it’s unlikely this