Cell C Sharks v Benetton (5.30pm, Friday)
Just one point and one place between these two play-off contenders going into avital Durban duel. The eighth-placed Sharks can go a long way to booking theirspot in the knock-out stage with a victory that would in turn seriously damagethe hopes of Benetton, who lie just below them in ninth. The two sides comeinto the match on the back of very different EPCR experiences last weekend. TheSharks suffered a heavy 54-20 defeat at the hands of Toulouse in the HeinekenChampions Cup quarter-finals, while Benetton beat Cardiff 27-23 in a ChallengeCup nail-biter.

Glasgow Warriors v Scarlets (7.35pm, Friday)
Franco Smith’s Glasgow will guarantee themselves a top four finish and homeadvantage in the play-off quarter-finals if they beat the Welsh visitors to Scotstoun.They are on a roll once more, having followed up a crucial URC victory away toMunster with Challenge Cup knock-out wins over the Dragons and Emirates Lions.Those Euro wins have set up a semi-final against the similarly in-form Scarletson April 29, so this weekend provides a dress rehearsal for that encounter,although Dwayne Peel’s side are likely to have a bit of a different look in afortnight’s time.

Ulster v Dragons RFC (7.35pm, Friday)
The home side will be looking for maximum points to keep up the pressure on theDHL Stormers in the battle for second spot which would secure all-importanthome ties through to the final. They are currently just two points behind thetitle holders and ready to capitalise on any slip-ups. The Dragons have lost theirlast six games in all competitions and are without a win since mid-January, sogo in as firm underdogs.

Vodacom Bulls v Zebre Parma (12pm, Saturday)
The first leg of a double header at Emirates Airlines Park in Johannesburg,with the seventh-placed Bulls no doubt looking for a bonus point victory tostay on course for the play-offs. They will be firm favourites with Zebre nothaving won a game so far this season. The Bulls ended a losing run of their ownlast weekend by thumping the Griquas 40-3 in the Currie Cup, running in sixtries.

Emirates Lions v Leinster (3pm, Saturday)
Successive URC victories over Glasgow, the Bulls and Benetton have put theLions right in the mix for the play-offs. They are still down in 11th but arejust three points off eighth and their last two fixtures are at home, startingwith this second installment of the Jo’burg double bill. Already guaranteed topspot, league leaders Leinster have travelled to South Africa without the 23players that figured in last weekend’s Champions Cup victory over Leicester sothis will be a real test of their renowned strength in depth as they look tomaintain their unbeaten record this season.

DHL Stormers v Munster (7.35pm, Saturday)
Victory is a necessity for the reigning champions as they attempt to hold offthe challenge of Ulster and retain second spot. They have racked up 19 straightwins at the DHL Stadium since their last defeat on home soil in December 2021,so securing home advantage for the first two stages of the play-offs is clearlya huge incentive.
Scrum-half Paul de Wet commented: “It is great to have Munster in Cape Town.They are one of the top teams in the competition and have a lot ofinternationals with a wealth of experience. We will defend the home record andcontinue to make our fans proud of the team.”
The return of No 8 Evan Roos, who is back after a long lay-off, is a timelyboost for the Stormers in the absence of injured flanker Deon Fourie.
Fifth-placed Munster still need a couple of points to be sure of making theplay-offs, while they will also be aware they will likely have to finish in thetop seven to qualify for the Champions Cup, with the winners of the WelshShield guaranteed automatic entry.
As such, they have selected a strong squad for their two-match stay in SouthAfrica, with the likes of Peter O’Mahony, Conor Murray, Keith Earls, RG Snyman,Joey Carbery and Gavin Coombes all on board.

Connacht v Cardiff Rugby (7.35pm, Saturday)
Another huge game in the play-off context, with the sixth-placed hosts fivepoints clear of tenth-ranked Cardiff, who simply have to win to keep alivetheir hopes of a top eight finish, while also having an eye on remaining inpole position for the Welsh Shield.

Connacht’s Aussie coach Andy Friend said: “We have a bigopportunity. Cardiff’s season is in the balance too. They are out of theChallenge Cup and have got everything to play for in the URC. They will beseeing this as an opportunity to come across and get a much-needed win and bethe number one Welsh team, so we have got a job to do ourselves.”

After facing Connacht, Cardiff take on Welsh Shield rivalsthe Ospreys on Judgement Day at the Principality Stadium on April 22.

Director of rugby Dai Young said: “It’s a long old slog andyou want to get to the business end of the season with something to play for.

“We have got two hugely important games now if we want toachieve something this year.”

Looking ahead to Saturday night’s showdown at the GalwaySportsground, Connacht are lifted by the return of Finlay Bealham, Jack Carty,Dennis Buckley and Jarrod Butler, while Cardiff continue to be withoutHarlequins-bound fly-half Jarrod Evans.

Edinburgh v Ospreys (7.35pm, Saturday)
Both teams are still mathematically in with a shout of reaching the play-offsbut it looks a long shot with them lying down in 14th and 12th respectively.For the Ospreys though, there is still much at stake as they look for a winthat could pile the pressure on Cardiff in the race for the Welsh Shield, whichbrings with it qualification for the Champions Cup. They are currently justfour points behind the Arms Park outfit and meet them on Judgement Day at thePrincipality Stadium in the final round of matches.