Frank Quinn’s rugby review for the months ahead

THE URC championship is running in between the 6N, we have just completed Round 11, with 16 teams in the hunt. Not much has changed as Leinster on 44 points top the table with a four point lead over The Bulls from South Africa. The objective is to be in the top eight to progress to the knock out stages and we have three other contenders in Ulster in 5th place. Munster (The Champions ) in 6th place, and Connacht in 7th place, which puts the three of them in contention and ten points behind Leinster. Dragons and Sharks are propping up the table at the end in 15th and 16th position.
Its a long way to go to getting in 18 rounds and then to the round of 16 and the knockout stages and then to a final on 22nd June, March is early days for this one so we have to grin and bear it for a three month decision, and hope we can come up trumps again to follow Munster’s win least season. It will offer many opportunities to the squads in all the clubs to get games.
In tandem with URC, the EPCR is in a very difficult tight schedule. They will finish off their two cup competitions on the week ending the 25th May.
The EPCR is in a more delicate stage, having reached the dreaded round of 16 in January, this round is in early April , which is a one off game without a home and away opportunity. A one shot. head to head. Winners only need apply for the quarter finals.
The bad news is that we lost Ulster and Connacht along the way, however we have two Clubs left in the round of 16, Leinster are at home to Leicester Tigers on the 5/6/7 April while Munster are away to Premiership League Leaders Northampton, It will be a quick transition from 6N to club for many of the players. This is followed with a quarter final round and a finish to the Investec Cup and challenge Cup at the end of May.
There is plenty of rugby to come before the close so hold on to your tickets and TV armchair. There is a summer tour for Ireland before we pick up the silverware.

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