With just six rounds left, the Race to the Eight in the BKT United Rugby Championship is poised to deliver the most unpredictable battle for the playoffs in league history.
The League is leaning into the promotion of this phase of the competition, returning to prominence now that the Guinness Men’s Six Nations has concluded.
The “Race to the Eight” branding draws on US Sport and the College Basketball season that has a very specific campaign for each phase of its own March Madness competition now underway.
The URC has created specific digital and social media content to further drive the narrative.
With 15 teams fighting for just eight Play-Off places after 12 rounds, every game will shape the path to this season’s Grand Final on June 14.
Just four points separate Emirates Lions in eighth position and Zebre Parma in 15th, while only eight points cover the gap between the Italian side and fifth-placed Munster.
Beyond the regular season, the knock-out stages have stepped up another level since the expansion to eight teams in 2021. In that time, the percentage of away wins has risen (seven out of 21) – including two of the three Grand Finals won by the visiting team – so every champion has beaten the odds.
Currently, Leinster tops the table with a perfect record of 12 wins from 12, but in the BKT URC era, the No. 1 ranked team has yet to claim the trophy. In 2022, DHL Stormers won from second place; in 2023, Munster’s incredible run saw them win from fifth position, while Glasgow Warriors’ second-ever title came after finishing fourth in the table.
In addition to grabbing a place in the Play-Offs, teams are also in competition to see who will represent the BKT URC in the Investec Champions Cup next season.
Last season saw all five countries from the BKT URC represented through merit while as it stands in the top eight teams from Ireland, Scotland, South Africa and Wales are poised to qualify.
BKT URC Era Play-Off Facts:
Top-ranked team yet to win the league
2022: DHL Stormers (Rank No 2)
2023: Munster (5)
2024: Glasgow Warriors (4)
Seven of the 21 Play-Off fixtures won by the away team (33%)
11 of the 16 BKT URC teams have reached the Play-Offs in the first three seasons
Ireland: Connacht, Leinster, Munster, Ulster
Italy: Benetton
Scotland: Glasgow Warriors and Edinburgh
South Africa: DHL Stormers, Hollywoodbets Sharks, Vodacom Bulls
Wales: Ospreys
Round 13 Fixtures this coming weekend:
Glasgow Warriors (2) v Munster (5)
Cardiff Rugby (6) v Emirates Lions (8)
Hollywoodbets Sharks (4) v Zebre Parma (15)
Benetton (13) v Edinburgh (7)
Vodacom Bulls (3) v Leinster (1)
Scarlets (10) v DHL Stormers (12)
Dragons (16) v Ulster (14)
Ospreys (11) v Connacht (9)
Further Reading for Sport for Business Members: URC Launches Mental Health Partnership with LooseHeadz
SPORT FOR BUSINESS PERSPECTIVE
The sport needs a strong club league and with the best of the five countries coming together it creates great storytelling and an opportunity for fans to be connected to their team.
WHAT’S UP NEXT?
This weekend’s Round 13 games are listed above with all four Irish teams on the road.
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