The Vodacom Bulls’ hopes of hosting a URC semi-final rest on Connacht producing an upset in Glasgow on Friday night, writes MARK KEOHANE.
Writing for TimesLIVE, Keohane says the Bulls will know before kick-off against Munster at Loftus on Saturday whether a home semi-final remains possible, but the equation is simple: Connacht must beat top-ranked Glasgow in Scotland on Friday night.
The challenge is significant, yet not impossible. Connacht have consistently troubled Glasgow in recent seasons and already beat them in Galway this campaign.
“There will be belief from Connacht,” Keohane writes.
He points to the margins between the teams in Glasgow, where Connacht have twice lost narrowly, as proof that the visitors will travel with confidence rather than fear.
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The Bulls, meanwhile, are expected to beat Munster at Loftus, although the Irish side have historically pushed them hard in Pretoria. Every meeting between the sides at Loftus has been decided by a single score.
“Everything suggests the Bulls, at home, will be too strong, but in this competition one can never discount the unexpected,” Keohane writes.
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For Keohane, the wider URC playoff history reinforces that belief. Home advantage matters, but it guarantees nothing. Munster have won in Cape Town, Glasgow have won in Pretoria and the Bulls themselves have won a semi-final in Dublin.
The Bulls can handle their side of the bargain. Whether Connacht can do theirs may define the playoff road ahead.
Quarter-finals
Friday, 29 May
Glasgow Warriors vs Connacht (8:45pm SA time)
Saturday, 30 May
Bulls vs Munster (1pm)
Stormers vs Cardiff (3:30pm)
Leinster vs Lions (9pm SA time)
Semi-finals
Saturday, 6 June
Glasgow/Connacht vs Bulls/Munster
Leinster/Lions vs Stormers/Cardiff
Photo: Anton Geyser/Gallo Images
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The Vodacom Bulls’ hopes of hosting a URC semi-final rest on Connacht producing an upset in Glasgow on Friday night, writes @mark_keohane
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