URC Play-offs: quarter-finals confirmed

The United Rugby Championship Play-off teams are now confirmed with eight teams from across Ireland, South Africa, Scotland and Wales all locked in for the quarter-finals on May 30 and 31.

As the ‘Race to the Eight’ finished in dramatic fashion this weekend, the four home quarter-finalists - Leinster, Vodacom Bulls, Hollywoodbets Sharks and Glasgow Warriors all learned who they face in a bid to reach the semi-finals.

The results from Round 18 ensured that the four home teams were ranked; Leinster (1), Bulls (2), Sharks (3) and Warriors (4).

This sets up an intriguing quarter-final slate which includes three cross-hemisphere battles.

BKT URC Play-Off Format

Quarter-Finals

Friday, May 30

QF4: (4) Glasgow Warriors v (5) DHL Stormers

Venue: Scotstoun Stadium, Glasgow

KO: 7.35pm UK/8.35pm SA

Live on Premier Sports, SuperSport, URC.tv, FloRugby

Saturday, May 31

QF2: (2) Vodacom Bulls v (7) Edinburgh

Venue: Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria

KO: 12.30pm UK/1.30pm SA

Live on SuperSport, Premier Sports, URC.tv, FloRugby

QF1: (1) Leinster v (8) Scarlets

Venue: Aviva Stadium, Dublin

KO: 3pm UK/4pm SA

Live on RTE, SuperSport, BBC Wales, Premier Sports, URC.tv, FloRugby

QF3: (3) Hollywoodbets Sharks v (6) Munster

Venue: Hollywoodbets Kings Park, Durban

KO: 5.30pm UK/6.30pm SA

Live on TG4, SuperSport, Premier Sports, URC.tv, FloRugby

Semi-Finals – Saturday, June 7

SF1: Winner QF1 v Winner QF4

SF2: Winner QF2 v Winner QF3

URC Grand Final – Saturday, June 14

Winner SF1 v Winner SF2

While the four home quarter-finalists are best placed to reach the decider, history may yet deliver a twist - no team ranked No 1 has ever lifted the URC trophy. In past seasons, it was fourth-placed Glasgow (2024), fifth-placed Munster (2023) and second-placed DHL Stormers (2022) who emerged as champions.