United Rugby Championship Rd 17: All you need to know

After two weeks of Champions Cup action, the BKT United Rugby Championship returns, as we reach the final two weekends of the regular season.

As things stand, all four Irish provinces are on course to reach the playoffs, but Munster and Connacht both have work to do to make sure they qualify for the Heineken Champions Cup.

Munster will be almost certain of a Champions Cup spot if they beat the Stormers this weekend, although that task is a lot easier said than done, with the defending champions unbeaten in Cape Town since December 2021, and Munster looking low on confidence after consecutive defeats.

Connacht's European chances are likely to come down to next week and their trip to Glasgow, but first they need to stay in the hunt with a win against Cardiff, in what looks like being Andy Friend's final home game in charge of the province.

Ulster have a home quarter-final secure, but for Dan McFarland's side the next two weeks represent a chance of building momentum for the playoffs. Two good wins will also keep their chances of a home semi-final alive (should they get there), although they will need the Stormers to slip up along the way.

For Leinster, the next fortnight is about the long term. With their top-seed already guaranteed and a Champions Cup semi-final on the horizon, Leo Cullen has brought an inexperienced group down to South Africa for their games against the Lions and Bulls, with more than half of the 30-man squad coming from their academy and development structures.

TV

Lions v Leinster (3pm), Stormers v Munster (5.15pm) and Connacht v Cardiff (7.35pm) are all live on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player on Saturday. Ulster v Dragons (Friday 7.35pm) is live on Premier Sports.

All games are live on URC TV.

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