Cardiff Rugby welcome the DHL Stormers to Cardiff Arms Park in what promises to be a high-class affair, with so much still at stake for both sides.

Cardiff are on the cusp of their first top eight finish since the URC’s inception, posting a previous best of 9th place (2024/25). A win would gaurentee it but if Connacht lose then they are confirmed for a Play-Off spot. They have shown consistency over the season, racking up 10 wins from 17 games, but have struggled towards the later stages, with two wins from their last five heading into this. However, they have been very strong at Arms Park, losing just once 17-21 to Scarlets in Round 7, whilst boasting memorable victories over the likes of Leinster and South African opposition Lions.

DHL Stormers’ head into the final round as the second seed, having only lost once in their last six URC matches, a suprise defeat to Connacht. Their focus now is to try and finish top and the be the no.1 seeds for the Play-Offs. Against Welsh opposition, they’ve won their last six matches since they were defeated 37-24 by Ospreys back in September 2024. Their key players are coming to the fore at the right time as No.8 Evan Roos leads the URC try-scoring charts (12), whilst talisman Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu is tied with Chris Smith (Lions) first for points scored this season, which includes nine tries.

Edinburgh host the in-form Connacht at Hive Stadium in a game that has the biggest impact on the Race ot the Eight.

If Connacht lose, the current top-eight to proceed no matter of their individual results, with the Galway club missing out. Win, and any of Lions, Munster, Cradiff or Ulster could drop out.

Connacht have strung together a run at exactly the right time, winning seven of their last eight in the league, including victories against the top two sides in the competition. However, Scotland has not been a happy hunting ground in the past having won just once in their last nine trips, a 37-26 triumph over Edinburgh in October 2020. Yet, the visitors will be relying on their recent resurgence and the prospect of a top eight finish to buck that trend.

After making the Play-Offs last year, Edinburgh have struggled for form this season, sitting in 12th place with just seven wins. They have been hindered heavily by injuries to big players and international commitments around pivotal games, but conceding 62 tries so far has held them back from being in Play-Off contention. However, the Scottish capital side are on a three game winning streak, including impressive victories at home to the Hollywoodbets Sharks and on the road versus Dragons RFC. They will be looking to finish the campaign on a high, having peaked a little too late to throw their hat into the Play-Off ring.

The third leg of the Friday night triple-header sees table toppers Glasgow Warriors head to Ulster in what should be a blockbuster in Belfast.

Ulster are without a win in their last three URC games, their longest winless run in this season. After getting off to a flier in the first half of the campaign, they have slipped from 2nd to 8th, and in turn their Play-Off spot is on the line. Although they have a chance to secure Champions Cup rugby next season in their EPCR Challenge Cup Final next weekend, victory here would gaurnetee that, plus a place in the URC Play-Offs.

Glasgow returned to the top of the standings last weekend but it was significent that the victory came at Scotstoun where they have been imperious this term. They have won just three of their eight away games, and one of those was against local rivals Edinburgh at Murrayfield. Moreover, their only win in their last seven trips to Ireland was 17-10 over Munster in the 2024 Semi-Final at Thomond Park, and their last success in Belfast came back in September 2013. However, there is much motivation to finish as the top seed and with so much on the line for both outfits, it’s a clash not to be missed!