URC

2023 - 3 - 24

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Image courtesy of "The South African"

URC: What's on the line for South African teams in round 16? (The South African)

Here are the playoff permutations for the four South African teams ahead of this weekend's round 16 URC matches.

The men from Pretoria will be looking to turn things around after a run of six successive defeats in the URC, Champions Cup and Currie Cup. Ulster know the score. They are now only five points behind them having turned their season around after winning just one of their first nine matches. Benetton are just one point outside the top eight so they will be aiming to heap the pressure on the teams above them by getting the better of their guests from Johannesburg. If they win out in Treviso, they become serious play-off contenders. ALSO READ:

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Image courtesy of "Nation.Cymru"

What's on the line in round 16 of the URC? (Nation.Cymru)

Simon Thomas. Zebre Parma v Cardiff Rugby (Stadio Lanfranchi, Parma; 7.10pm Friday). If Cardiff Rugby are to keep alive their hopes of making the ...

The men from Pretoria will be looking to turn things around after a run of six successive defeats in the BKT URC, Champions Cup and Currie Cup. The Ospreys have Cardiff Rugby firmly in their sights as they look to retain the Welsh Shield which they won last season. They are now only five points behind them having turned their season around after winning just one of their first nine matches. Benetton are just one point outside the top eight so they will be aiming to heap the pressure on the teams above them by getting the better of their guests from Johannesburg. They have further motivation this weekend as they seek revenge over the Dragons RFC who beat them 32-25 at Rodney Parade in October, when Wales wing Rio Dyer bagged a brace of tries. They are currently down in twelfth, seven points adrift of Connacht after three successive defeats. Ulster know the score. “It’s been a while since we have played South African opponents as well, so you are coming up against a different style of play which brings excitement into the building. They are currently just four and five points ahead of the chasing Ospreys and Scarlets respectively, so can’t afford any slip-ups. If they win out in Treviso, they become serious play-off contenders. We like the challenge of welcoming the BKT URC champs from last year. The DHL Stormers are bringing over their full-strength squad.

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Image courtesy of "WalesOnline"

The fight to be the best Welsh region and what each team has left to ... (WalesOnline)

With three rounds left of the United Rugby Championship, the Welsh Shield is up for grabs, while there's still the chance of a Welsh side reaching the top eight ...

This Saturday Shane Williams will be joined by Ross Harries, Tom Shanklin, Rhys Ap Williams and Lauren Smith for live and exclusive UK coverage of Ospreys v Dragons from Swansea.com stadium with all the build-up from 12.30pm (with a 1pm kick off). The Ospreys saw off Montpellier home and away before beating Leicester at Welford Road to set up a Champions Cup Round of 16 clash with Saracens. "We're a million miles away from the Leinsters and Munsters unfortunately," he said. "But we mention rugby and we get a bit negative. A Judgement Day clash with the Dragons will give Dwayne Peel's side a chance to finish strongly. However, a clash against a Sharks side loaded with Springboks will make matters tough, as does a trip to Glasgow in the penultimate round. As such, their meeting in the penultimate round on April 15 could prove crucial to the Arms Park side's hopes of catching the Galway outfit. "It just means these Welsh sides have something to play for in the final weeks of the season. "You only have to look at the Ospreys' performances in Europe this year. Of course, all are still involved in the European knockout stages - meaning each of their campaigns could go on a little longer. They then finish up against their nearest Welsh challenger, the Ospreys, at Judgement Day in the Principality Stadium. A testing campaign has seen all four stuck in the bottom-half.

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