We're now 11 rounds into the 2023/24 URC season and things are really starting to heat up. It's been an interesting campaign so far in the URC, to say the least, with very little separating many of the clubs as we approach the business end of the regular season.
Just five points separate fourth-placed Edinburgh and the eleventh-placed Emirate Lions as we push towards the playoffs with just seven games left in the regular season.
Munster and Ulster Rugby are both on 34 points, the same as Edinburgh, with Connacht one point behind them, and Benetton just two points behind, making the battle for the top four just as interesting.
At the top of the table, just four points separate the Vodacom Bulls and the Glasgow Warriors from leaders Leinster following their respective wins in Round 10.
Previous seasons
50 points was enough to make the playoffs for URC 1, with 58 points being the magic number for the top four.
For URC 2, just 48 points was enough to make the playoffs, but you needed 63 points to make the top four and secure a home quarter-final.
What will it take this year?
We've crunched the numbers and looked at the probabilities, and as things stand, 49 points is the magic number to make the playoffs for URC 3 this year, one point more than last season and one point less than the season before that.
As for the top four, 57 points is the target if you want that all-important home advantage.
So who's in contention?
This is where it gets interesting, with a whopping 12 of the 16 teams still in contention for the playoffs.
As for the top four, 11 teams can still make it, with seven games left to play.
Conclusion
We weren't messing around when we told you EVERY GAME COUNTS in the United Rugby Championship.
It's all to play for when Round 12 kicks off on March 22nd.
There are going to be plenty more twists and turns before the playoffs start on June 07.