Round 22 Permutations

3rd May 2016 By Munster Rugby

As Munster welcome Scarlets to Thomond Park for Round 22 of the Guinness PRO12 this Saturday at 3pm, we examine the potential outcomes from the game and what they will mean for Munster’s Champions Cup ambitions.

There are three sides currently in contention for 6^th place and Champions Cup qualification – Munster, Ospreys and Edinburgh.

All three are in action at 3pm on Saturday:

Munster v Scarlets at Thomond Park
Ospreys v Ulster at Liberty Stadium
Edinburgh v Cardiff Blues at Murrayfield

Permutations based on the following outcomes for Munster on Saturday.

Win / bonus point win: Moves Munster to 62/63 points and guarantees Champions Cup qualification as a bonus point win for Ospreys would only see them reach 59 points.

Draw: Moves Munster to 60 points and guarantees Champions Cup qualification as again, the maximum Ospreys can achieve is 59 points.

Losing bonus point: Moves Munster to 59 points which is only enough for Champions Cup qualification provided Ospreys don’t achieve a bonus point win. Should the Welshmen match Munster on 59 points, they will go through on foot of a better points (scored) difference.

Loss: Munster then require Ospreys to lose or draw and Edinburgh not to record a bonus point win. Should Ospreys win and match Munster on 58 points, as above, Ospreys would go through. Also, if both Munster and Ospreys lose and Edinburgh record a bonus point win, the Scottish side would move to 58 points and qualify ahead of Munster on the basis of points (scored) difference.

Scarlets target play-off qualification.

Following last Friday’s maximum points return over Edinburgh at Irish Independent Park, Munster require another massive performance against a Scarlets side for whom it’s all to play for as the Welsh outfit set their sights on play-off qualification.

Scarlets currently lie within one point of 4^th placed Ulster who travel to Ospreys on Saturday and proceedings at Liberty Stadium could significantly impact the fates of both Munster and Scarlets.

Munster and Scarlets will be routing for their respective countrymen. A win for Ulster would end Ospreys’ challenge on Munster for Champions Cup qualification, while an Ospreys win would make play-off qualification that bit easier for Scarlets.

If Ulster fail to pick up a league point, all Scarlets require is a losing bonus point. Should Ulster achieve one point, a win in Limerick would still be enough for Scarlets.

However if Ulster win without a bonus point, Scarlets then require a bonus point victory over Munster to reach the play-off stages.

It makes for a thrilling Super Saturday of action and you can be there to play your part for Munster by cheering them on at Thomond Park in the final game of the season.

Munster v Scarlets, Guinness PRO12 Round 22, Saturday May 7^th at Thomond Park Stadium – KO 3pm.

Tickets can be purchased online here, from the Munster Rugby Ticket Offices in Irish Independent Park and Thomond Park or by calling 0818 719 300.