More talk of a region merger. Feels like every week. Hard to see them being competitive this season which is a shame.
I think it's in the country of the highest ranked team to make the final.
The highest ranked team in the final will host it. It can be in their home ground. If it's leinster it'll be Croke Park as they have nowhere else to play it. If its Munster it could be played in Thomond, but the rumour is that it would be in PuC.
Hence, if this transpires to be Glasgow, the final will be held in Murrayfield, otherwise Leinster would host a final in Croke Park or Munster would do so in Thomond Park.
In the event of the Bulls being the highest finalist, the final would actually be played in the 95,000 capacity FNB Stadium in Johannesburg, as Loftus Versfeld has been booked for South Africa’s presidential inauguration that weekend. It’s a change from Ed Sheeran concerts or a Europa League final!
From the Irish Times today
Is that definite yeah? Know it was the arrangement last 2 seasons but the URC site is a bit vague: "The Final Match will be knock-out, played over one Match, at a venue designated by Pro Rugby Championship."
URC pick the venue.
The winners of the semi-finals will proceed to the Final Match. The Final Match will be knock-out, played over one Match, at a venue designated by Pro Rugby Championship.
Yes, it is set in stone. The wording is for when a stadium isn't up to hosting the final, such a Scotstoun. Thomond Park would be more than capable.
When the semi finals are played. Highest ranked team plays at venue of their choice.
Ok yeah, just clarifying it isn't the team itself that chooses. Surprised they wouldn't look at Celtic Park again for Glasgow
I do wonder if they'll look at destination finals again…
And as I said above, that will be the home teams ground unless it's not suitable to host the final.
Never mind. You replied while I was typing.
I think they leave it deliberately vague though. As opposed to having a min 20k seat rule or whatever
Found this when looking it up so doesn't look like they're in a hurry to go back to destination finals any time soon. Guess with a very narrow to sell tickets they're relying mostly on home fans and neutrals within the country showing up and then away fans. https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/rugby/2023/05/12/urc-chief-martin-anayi-keen-to-see-current-final-venue-format-maintained/
Bit of a mad stadium. 95k capacity and mostly used for soccer, Ed Sheeran and Christian proselytes pulling in 165000 punters.
If Connacht can hang on for the win and Leinster win this evening, there'll be six teams that are on 51-49 points going into the last day for 3/4 Champions Cup spots. Mad stuff.
Lions could potentially miss out on playoff spot despite having 4th highest points difference in the whole league
Whoever finishes first or second will hope they do.
Why are they behind Benetton despite having the same points and 130 better PD?
I noticed it earlier but games won is the first tie breaker. Bennetton have 10 wins Lions only have 9
...2 out of Edinburgh, Lions and Benetton are going to miss out on Champions Cup next season after the Sharks beat Gloucester next week.…unless they actually go on to win the URC?!!
The URC has been brilliant this season...
It has. Terrific games all weekend.
I think some gobshite writing for the guardian was saying that the prem never had such a great finish. A closed league with 10 teams....no comparison
when did the team who finished top of the URC table go on to win the trophy ?
Leinster have finished top after the regular season both previous seasons of the URC, but lost in the semi both times.
Going into the final round, the top four can't be caught, so it simplifies the permutations a small bit.
One thing we can be sure of, Glasgow will get 5 points against Zebre and finish on 65 points.
You have to also imagine Bulls will go to (a likely second string) Sharks and also get a BP win, putting them on 66.
So it all hinges on the Irish derbies, with huge bearing on the semi finals.
For the benefit of anyone possibly booking early tickets with away semi finals in mind, I think the following are the possible permutations with respect to wins.
Munster win
Ulster win
Leinster win
Munster top (4 or 5 pointer) with home games throughout
.
Leinster finish 4th (4 pointer) with a likely away SF in Thomond, or 3rd (5 pointer) with a likely away SF in Pretoria
Munster guaranteed 4th (with 1 or 2 LBPs) because of points difference with a likely away SF in Pretoria
Leinster finish 3rd (4 pointer) with a likely away SF in Glasgow, or 2nd (5 pointer) with home games until the final
Connacht win
Munster top (4 or 5 pointer) home games throughout
Leinster finish 4th with either 1 or 2 LPs, with a likely away SF in Thomond
Munster finish 3rd with either 1 or 2 LBPs with a likely away SF in Glasgow
Leinster finish 4th with either 1 or 2 LPs likely away SF in Pretoria.
(if anyone wants to factor in draws, be my guest!)
Hasn't happened yet in the URC but I wouldn't swap being on top position just because of that stat.
^
@Neil3030
Maybe posting a screen grab is best, that's unreadable
Assuming Glasgow and Bulls both get 5 pointers:
One interesting anomaly is that Munster are simultaneously Top of the league and bottom of the Irish Shield currently.
Yea, nailed by injuries this year.
I think we will beat ulster at home, which helps the stats
Edit: new format introduced this season.
https://www.irishrugby.ie/2024/04/17/bkt-urc-announces-shields-for-good/amp/
Munster haven't lost a game away from home outside Ireland since sometime last season. This year, we were unlucky with injuries at certain positions but as can be seen, once we have a squad that can field 23 players of decent standard we're a force to be reckoned with. In recent weeks we've picked up BP wins where before we could well have lost those games.
Aside from bragging rights, the Shields are meaningless though it's tough on the Irish Provinces having to play each other twice while the likes of Glasgow get to play Zebre twice almost guaranteeing them 10 points.
Connacht a few months ago?
Leinster in Aviva this season?
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