The run in

[Neill_M]

need 1 more win to secure Conference B and a home semi final, behind them it is very close.

5 games left:
Benetton 46
Edinburgh (H), Connacht (A), Leinster (A), Munster (H) and Zebre (A)

Ulster 44
Dragons (A), Kings (H), Glasgow (A), Edinburgh (A) and Leinster (H)

Edinburgh 42
Benetton (A), Leinster (H), Scarlets (A), Ulster (H) and Glasgow (A)

Scarlets 41
Munster (H), Cardiff Blues (A), Edinburgh (H), Zebre (H) and Dragons (JD)


could have a say in this battle with only the Scarlets having already played them twice. You would think if they lock up the league, their focus would switch to Europe and the timing of when you play them could be crucial (Edinburgh week before QF, Treviso week after QF and week after SF) Also do Ulster/Edinburgh have the squad depth to in theory compete on 2 fronts?

[jean valjean]

Not sure what the best result for ulster is today in Italy. On one hand I would like benetton pegged back a little but they then play 3 irish provinces next so could falter then. Edinburgh are probably still the biggest threat for a top 3 place so a loss today would defiantely put them behind the 8 ball.

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[big mervyn]

Not sure what the best result for ulster is today in Italy. On one hand I would like benetton pegged back a little but they then play 3 irish provinces next so could falter then. Edinburgh are probably still the biggest threat for a top 3 place so a loss today would defiantely put them behind the 8 ball.

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Embra missing out on the BP was …. a bonus. Not a bad start to the w/e.

[Joe Schmo]

Be interesting to see how we respond to that tomorrow, a good chance to put some daylight between us and Edinburgh.

[jean valjean]

If our provincial partners can beat benneton over the next 3 games and we get 10 points in next 2 matches we might even squeeze into 2nd. Need to watch scarlets though.

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[UlsterNo9]

Unfortunately for Edinburgh (great for us) there is a huge injury list within Scottish rugby at present. They've lost more to the national team than they normally would during the Six Nations window.

I'd be disappointed if we didn't do enough to secure a home quarter final most likely against Connacht and with a bit of luck I'd take our chances away at Glasgow if the gods favored us.

Ridiculous we are in contention given where we were this time last year.

[big mervyn]

Unfortunately for Edinburgh (great for us) there is a huge injury list within Scottish rugby at present. They've lost more to the national team than they normally would during the Six Nations window.

I'd be disappointed if we didn't do enough to secure a home quarter final most likely against Connacht and with a bit of luck I'd take our chances away at Glasgow if the gods favored us.

Ridiculous we are in contention given where we were this time last year.

We would likely have to play Connacht, Munster away and Leinster to win the Pro14.

[UlsterNo9]

I'm predicting Glasgow to finish above Munster Merv, if they take a maximum 10 points against Zebre (currently 35-3 up with bonus point confirmed) and then Cheetahs they will be in a goo position.

I like the Connacht, Munster and Leinster route though, Pro 14 champions and undisputed interpro winners.

[UlsterNo9]

If all games finish as they are tonight I'll be delighted, currently

Edinburgh 0 Leinster 8
Connacht 7 Treviso 0
Cardiff 17 Scarlets 0

20 minutes gone

[Cap'n Grumpy]

If all games finish as they are tonight I'll be delighted, currently

Edinburgh 0 Leinster 8
Connacht 7 Treviso 0
Cardiff 17 Scarlets 0

20 minutes gone

would be good, but

Leinster have peaked and are now 14-11 down

Cardiff need drug-tested - currently 38 (5 tries) up at HT.

Connacht still edging Benneton 2 tries to one

All Half Times

[UlsterNo9]

If all games finish as they are tonight I'll be delighted, currently

Edinburgh 0 Leinster 8
Connacht 7 Treviso 0
Cardiff 17 Scarlets 0

20 minutes gone

would be good, but

Leinster have peaked and are now 14-11 down

Cardiff need drug-tested - currently 38 (5 tries) up at HT.

Connacht still edging Benneton 2 tries to one

All Half Times

It looks like we're going to end up with Meatloaf!

[UlsterNo9]

Ulster - 54pts (Barring a travesty vs Kings)
Glasgow A
Edinburgh A
Leinster H

Benetton - 50 pts
Leinster A
Munster H
Zebre A

Edinburgh - 47 pts
Scarlets A
Ulster H
Glasgow A

Scarlets - 45 pts
Edinburgh H
Zebre H
Dragons A

[big mervyn]

Bookies now have Ulster as favourites to clinch a top 3 spot at 2/5.

[Loki]

saw about 20 minutes either side of HT of Edinburgh - Leinster. win as expected given the respective teams, and once Edinburgh got going a patchwork Leinster side didn't really have much to stop them. Nonetheless I found several of Whitehouse's calls unfathomable, particularly the Leavy binning. Didn't even think that was a penalty. I'd love to see the assessor's reports on him in general because about 90% of the matches he refs seem to be an absolute shitshow of make-believe decisions.

Scarlets-Edinburgh will be interesting one way or another. Had to do a serious double take at the half time score, looks like the Welsh lads have thrown their season since hearing of Pivac's departure.

[Dave]

Ulster - 54pts (Barring a travesty vs Kings)
Glasgow A
Edinburgh A
Leinster H

Benetton - 55 pts

Munster H
Zebre A

Edinburgh - 47 pts
Scarlets A
Ulster H
Glasgow A

Scarlets - 45 pts
Edinburgh H
Zebre H
Dragons A

Fixed. Leinster are giving away points.