URC semi-finals: All you need to know

After two games of the season, not many would have predicted our eventual United Rugby Championship semi-finalists.

Almost everyone would have anticipated Leinster's route to the last four, while Ulster's place in the semi-finals was also closer to expectation than hope. But after the way all four South African franchises started the inaugural URC, the chances of them having a team - let alone two - competing for the title would have seemed laughable.

But here we are in June in the final weeks of the season, and it's two Irish and two South African sides still standing. On one side of the play-off bracket are Leinster and the Bulls, while the other semi sees the Stormers take on Ulster, the home sides winning each occasion when the sides met earlier this season.

For Ulster, it's a quick return to Cape Town having been there in March when they lost in controversial circumstances to the Stormers, Callum Reid's apparent match-winning try disallowed incorrectly by the TMO. Had it been allowed to stand, it's likely Ulster would now be hosting the South Africans this weekend, rather than the other way around.

There was no such controversy when Leinster and the Bulls met in Round 1 at the Aviva Stadium, with the defending champions comfortably holding the Bulls at arm's length as they ran out easy 31-3 winners, before the South Africans shipped a 34-7 hiding against Connacht a week later.

Next week's final will be played at the home of the highest seed to get through to the decider, with Leinster knowing they'll be back at the RDS if they come through their game against the Bulls.

TV

Stormers v Ulster is live on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player from 1.45pm on Saturday, while Leinster v Bulls will be shown on TG4 at 7.35pm on Friday.

RADIO

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