BEST OF THE WEST

You can’t fault Ulster one bit – they are doing everything they need to do and more in their final matches and it has left them in the perfect position to finish top of the Pro12 table. Friday’s win over Connacht means the Ulstermen only need a draw on the last weekend of the regular season to secure that coveted first place.

They laboured to the victory however. Up until about the 60^th minute Connacht were pushing all the way for a victory of their own which would keep their own Heineken Cup hopes alive, but after Tommy Bowe cruised over for Ulster’s bonus point try, the home resistance crumbled and Jared Payne was able to brush aside their defence to get a fifth try.

It wasn’t a rampant win and it certainly wasn’t perfect either, but it was enough to get the five points on offer. Considering Connacht were unbeaten at the Sportsground in 2013 up until the match, it was a very impressive win. Even more impressive when you consider that only two sides have beaten Connacht with bonus points in Galway this season – Ulster and the Scarlets.

One of the try scorers however, stole all the plaudits: Stuart Olding. His rise to fame has been incredible – he wasn’t even being considered for selection at the start of the season, but now he is an integral part of Ulster’s back line in the absence of Paddy Wallace and Luke Marshall. It’s hard to believe that he is only 20 because he plays with such confidence and skill. He is really causing a selection headache at centre for next season.

And another player who is really impressing as the season goes on is Iain Henderson. His immense strength and footwork to shrug off so many defenders to set up Tommy Bowe for his try was incredible and despite only making a 20 minute cameo at the end of the match, he more than played his part. If Stephen Ferris is indeed making his departure to Japan at the end of the season then Ulster seem to have an able young replacement in Henderson.

But Mark Anscombe will have a few things to work out, none more so than another slow start from his side. A few small errors allowed George Naoupu to stroll over for a try in the third minute to give Connacht an early lead and Ulster were struggling to get going. Anscombe will also have to work on Ulster’s attack as well and being clinical. They had plenty of chances early in the second half to seal the fourth try but they could not cross the line. Ulster are far from the finished article.

Nevertheless, another five points is wrapped up and Ulster are marching onwards to the Pro12 play-offs. If they can keep up this intensity until the end of the season then a first trophy since 2005 could be on the cards for the Ulstermen, even if they’d have to win it Dublin. Safe to say, it will take a very good team to stop them…

Warriors’ battle cry

If Ulster are setting out their stall for the play-offs, then Glasgow are bringing out the big guns. Since Christmas the Scottish side have been in inspired form, and this weekend they walked in five tries against fellow play-off hopefuls the Ospreys – a win which secures their play-off place. As for the Ospreys, it means they will have to hope for close to a miracle as they will have to win away to Leinster and then hope that the Scarlets lose at home to Treviso in order to clinch fourth place.

Talking of the Scarlets, they had an impressive win of their own at home to the Cardiff Blues. It puts them firmly in the driving seat for that final play-off spot – a win on the final day over Treviso would put them into the knockouts.

A massive congratulations to the Newport-Gwent Dragons as well who came back superbly after losing in Ravenhill only a week ago to defeat Munster at the Rodney Parade. Even though the away team were considerably weakened due to their mind being on the Heineken Cup semi-final this weekend it is a great achievement for the Welsh side and a result they can be proud of this season.

Permutations

Now that we only have one match left of the regular season, fans can start to look at who will be in the play-offs and who won’t be, so I have created a helpful guide for you. Enjoy!

Already in the play-offs: Ulster, Leinster, Glasgow Warriors

Can still qualify: Scarlets, Ospreys

Fourth place

The Scarlets will qualify if they draw or win next weekend at home to Treviso.

The Ospreys will qualify if they win away to Leinster next weekend and the Scarlets lose without any bonus points.

First place

Ulster will finish top if they win or draw at home to Cardiff next weekend.

Leinster will finish top if they win at home to the Ospreys next weekend and Ulster lose.

Glasgow will finish top if they win away to Connacht with a bonus point and both Ulster and Leinster lose.