Then there were only four in the United Rugby Championship as the quest for glory sharpens up at the semi-final stage.
The teams remaining all finished the regular season in the top four and their wins at the quarter-final stage underlined their status as the leading quartet in the competition.
Ahead of the action that stretches from Ireland to South Africa, we unpack five storylines to keep an eye on in the semi-finals.
Springboks v Ireland dress rehearsal
Interestingly in less than a month, one of the most-anticipated Test series of the year gets underway between the and at Loftus Versfeld where the first of the two games will get underway.
As per the world rankings, the teams are the best two in the world making this ‘mock’ run in Pretoria very interesting considering how many of the Ireland internationals are from the Leinster set-up. In the same breath, the Bulls have been the best South African side but will not have nearly as many internationals in their squad compared to Leinster.
Nevertheless, it all makes for a blockbuster game and one that Ireland boss Andy Farrell will be very grateful for but more on that below.
Bulls injuries load up
Rugby is a game of attrition and what inevitably comes with that are injuries as the Bulls know all too well. So often the injuries seem to rack up in the same area making a certain position a pressure point and that is exactly what has happened at wing for the Pretoria men.
In the space of 10 days, Jake White’s side lost Rugby World Cup winning duo Canan Moodie and Kurt-Lee Arendse, who have both been integral to their top two finish, with the latter being nominated for South Africa’s URC Player of the Season award.
The impact of their injuries cannot be overstated with both players able to bust any game open as the flick of a switch. The pair are right up there with the world’s elite and are irreplaceable to the Bulls.
🗣️ “We want him ready for the Tests. Every player wants to be in the Test squad.”
🤕 Kurt-Lee Arendse suffered a fractured cheekbone on Saturday.
— Planet Rugby (@PlanetRugby)
On a more positive note, it is two Springboks out and two Springboks in by the looks of it with Marcell Coetzee and Marco van Staden set to make their returns. Of course, the two hulking loose forwards won’t be running on the wing but they will be able to influence the breakdown and collision area which is where play-offs are so often won. Their leadership and experience will also be invaluable during this semi-final.
Injuries are part of the game and coaches so often speak about how a squad effort wins leagues now the Bulls have to show that for themselves. They will have that Dublin win in the semi-finals from URC I to keep close to their hearts. A repeat of that memorable victory is required.
The Bulls will be confident going in thanks to their remarkable play-off record at home with six wins from seven knockout games at what truly is Fortress Loftus.
Leinster superstar’s first trip down South
The URC is in its third season, and frustratingly, this will be the first time since its inception that Leinster will send their big names down south. This is largely due to the scheduling of their tour in and around Champions Cup play-offs which Leinster has run deep in for the last three seasons. By that time of the season, the Irish giants have typically been comfortable on the URC table and have sent youthful squads to face the South African sides. In fact, as White mentioned this week, the Bulls are the only South African team to face a full-strength Leinster side.
There is no doubting Leinster’s quality, they are a magnificent side from top to bottom but many of them despite their ability have limited experience in South Africa particularly at altitude.
The Bulls have a sign with the stadium’s altitude of 1350 metres and ‘it matters’ above the tunnel as the players run out and that is spot on. The thin air can be exploited for how far the ball travels but it is that same air that robs players of oxygen making that last quarter of the game gruelling.
Leinster are obviously extremely well conditioned and will know what to expect so it will be fascinating to see how the players handle it. The Ireland coaching staff will be watching closely, considering that the vast majority of their starting lineup gets a ‘free’ shot at a mini-Test match in Pretoria.
Mood with Munster after 10 on the bounce
The job Graham Rowntree has done with is underappreciated after winning the title from seemingly nowhere in the first season to powering to the top of the table in his second season. After the quarter-final domination of Ospreys Munster has won a whopping 10 URC games in a row.
It is highly impressive, and so many facets of Munster’s play have grown from their tight play to their set-piece, all of which gives their general Jack Crowley the tools to play. The fly-half’s rise has been central to their success and he will be vital yet again.
Munster have shown how complete they are by being able to win everywhere and their remarkable record in South Africa compared to other northern sides shows this as clear as day.
Glasgow Warriors are certainly a tough opponent, but Munster in their own backyard has fast become a nightmare fixture, and frankly, it will take a perfect performance to dislodge the champions.
The lone Scotsman
Just as Rowntree deserves praise, so does Franco Smith, as he has got the Glasgow machine pumping over the last two seasons. It is not just the results they have gotten but the manner in which they have as they are willing to throw the ball around and really have a go at other teams, but also their frankly underrated forward pack’s performance, not just at the maul but the breakdown and scrum too.
Even with Edinburgh’s improvements this season, Glasgow have been head and shoulders above carrying the Scottish flag. Their performance against the Stormers last time out was assured and calculated, handing them a deserved spot in the semi-finals.
Facing Munster away is never easy especially considering their form but Glasgow is capable, however, as aforementioned they will need to be at their best. There is no love lost between these two sides so expect a dogfight and the intensity you’d usually see in a local derby.
It certainly feels like something special is brewing in Glasgow, will it be their season?