LEINSTER AND MUNSTER could meet in the Guinness Pro14 semi-finals for the second year running, but the southern province must first overcome history-makers Benetton in next weekend’s quarter-final tie.
Johann van Graan’s side were unable to overtake Glasgow Warriors at the top of Conference A, and so bypass the quarters for a home tie in the last four, despite a three-try win over Connacht this evening.
Glasgow’s commanding victory over Edinburgh ensured Dave Rennie’s side of a home semi-final at Scotstoun, with Munster to host Benetton at Thomond Park next Saturday.
As was already confirmed, Ulster will face Connacht in an intriguing inter-pro clash at Kingspan Stadium in the other quarter-final, with Glasgow waiting for the winners of that game in the semi-finals.
Leinster, courtesy of their utter dominance of Conference B, are just two games away from retaining their Pro14 crown, with their southern rivals or Benetton their next opposition at the RDS.
Following the conclusion of today’s round 21 action, Pro14 have confirmed the fixture details for the end-of-season play-offs, with five of the six teams advancing through previous winners of the competition.
Both of next weekend’s quarter-finals will be broadcast live in Ireland on eir Sport 1.
Meanwhile, Ospreys and Scarlets will compete in the Champions Cup play-off but a date for that one-off game has yet to be confirmed.
Pro14 play-offs 2018/19:
Saturday 4 May
Quarter-final 1 [Winners play Leinster in semi-final]
- Munster v Benetton, Thomond Park, 3pm
Quarter-final 2 [Winners play Glasgow Warriors in semi-final]
- Ulster v Connacht, Kingspan Stadium, 5.35pm
Friday 17 May
Semi-final 1
- Glasgow Warriors v Ulster/Connacht, Scotstoun, 7.35pm
Saturday 18 May
Semi-final 2
- Leinster v Munster/Benetton, RDS, 3pm
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I loved playing Munster in the RDS last yr for first time in 8 yrs. Great atmosphere. You’d miss it with the annual lack of atmosphere Aviva clash on now instead.
@Baz Dunne: yeah if we get past Treviso, should be a cracker.
Will be a cracker in the RDS hopefully not as sunny as last time :-( Ulster Connacht will be brilliant next week and a tough ask for the winner going to Glasgow.
@mrbryanrussell: who wishes for less sun? Are you mad? More sun!!
@Baz Dunne: Christ it was melting last time lol even a comfortable heat, only felt similar in final v Ospreys in RDS and Saracens last week. But yea sun over rain or cold for sure
Wouldn’t it be a pleasant change if these two teams could play each other without the usual amount of nonsense spouted here about how great/terrible each team are?
@Ravensburger: bang on
So, with the Ospreys facing the Scarlets in the play-off; that means only one Welsh team will be in the Champions Cup next year? So much for the argument that region/club/franchise/provincial success were intrinsically linked to that of the natii am team
Headline is a bit disrespectful to Benetton. Almost makes it sound like a forgone conclusion.
A full house at the RDS in May will make for a cracking day of rugby. Nice weather, friendly atmosphere, a few beers and hopefully a great game of rugby.
@Roibeard O’ Beachain: No booing there please !
@Walter Obrien: you are a bit of a one trick pony at this stage. You won’t find any booing or hostile crowds in Dublin. Repeating yourself doesn’t make it true.