Saturday’s bonus point win over Leinster at the Liberty Stadium means that the Ospreys are now firmly in contention for a Champions Cup spot next season – here’s the lowdown on what is needed….
With five wins from the last six Guinness PRO14 games, the Ospreys have moved above Connacht to fifth place in Conference A and, with three rounds of the regular season (plus one rearranged away day versus Zebre), there’s everything to play for.
European Qualification – In a nutshell
Seven teams qualify for the Champions Cup from the PRO14. South Africans sides cannot qualify.
The three highest placed European teams in each Conference qualify automatically for the Champions Cup and South African teams should be removed from the equation.
The fourth highest placed European team in each Conference play-off for the last place with the best performing team having home advantage.
As it stands
If the season was to end today, then Glasgow, Munster and Cardiff Blues qualify automatically from Conference A (remember, Cheetahs are ineligible) with Leinster, Scarlets and Edinburgh qualifying from Conference B.
The Ospreys in fifth place in Conference A will travel to Kingspan Stadium to face Ulster from Conference B in the Play-off, although Connacht are just one point behind the Ospreys and, in the other Conference, Benetton Rugby also trail Ulster by a solitary point.
Can the Ospreys still claim automatic qualification?
To progress automatically the Ospreys will need to finish as the third best European team, a position currently held by Cardiff Blues who are 12 points clear of the Ospreys who have a game in hand. The final game of the regular season is a Welsh derby between the two sides at Principality Stadium on Judgment Day.
To Play
Round 19 – 6/7 Apr
Edinburgh v Ulster
Ospreys v Connacht
Leinster v Zebre
Toyota Cheetahs v Cardiff Blues
Scarlets v Glasgow Warriors
Benetton v Dragons
Southern Kings v Munster
Round 20 – 13/14 Apr
Glasgow Warriors v Connacht
Toyota Cheetahs v Munster
Ulster v Ospreys
Edinburgh v Scarlets
Zebre v Dragons
Leinster v Benetton
Southern Kings v Cardiff Blues
Round 17 Rearranged – 20/21 Apr
Ulster v Glasgow Warriors
Zebre v Ospreys
Round 21 – 27/28 Apr
Benetton v Zebre
Connacht v Leinster
Munster v Ulster
Southern Kings v Toyota Cheetahs
Dragons v Scarlets
Cardlff Blues v Ospreys
Edinburgh v Glasgow Warriors
CLICK HERE TO BUY TICKETS FOR OSPREYS V CONNACHT AT THE LIBERTY STADIUM ON FRIDAY 6TH APRIL