Following a 29-14 win against Benetton Rugby in the last round, Connacht know the road to the Guinness PRO14 Final series is in their own hands. They will battle it out with Munster – who sit in second place, 11 points ahead – and Cardiff Blues, who are level on points but sit behind them points difference. As the business end of the season approaches, it’s time to look at Connacht’s prospects going forward. What’s the current situation for Connacht? Connacht’s strong run of form since the turn of the year has propelled them into contention and they are now closing in on inter-pro rivals Munster. Glasgow Warriors appear out of sight with just three games to go, but Connacht know picking up maximum points in their remaining fixtures will guarantee them the coveted final play-off place – and perhaps home advantage in the quarter-finals if they can overtake Munster. With a crunch game with Cardiff Blues in sight, Connacht know they cannot afford a slip-up if they want to advance to the Guinness PRO14 Final series. What does their remaining schedule look like? Round 18’s win has given Connacht a platform to build off after a heavy loss to Glasgow Warriors in February. The Irish side will go to struggling Zebre next with high hopes of securing five points and that coincides with Cardiff Blues’ trip to second-placed Munster. Connacht know that whatever the result in that game, the side above or below them are guaranteed to drop points going into the penultimate fixture. And, coincidentally, they take place against Munster and Cardiff Blues in a pair of games that will decide the Conference A play-offs. But with Cardiff on a three-game winning streak and Munster picking up six victories in their last seven, it certainly won’t be straightforward. Connacht run-in: R19: Zebre (A) Saturday, April 6, 17:30 R20: Cardiff Blues (H) Saturday, April 13, 15:00 R21: Munster (A) Saturday, April 27, 19:35 Who are going to be the difference makers if Connacht can reach the Guinness PRO14 Final Series? Jack Carty has proven himself to be one of the best all-around No.10s in the Guinness PRO14 this season. With a mammoth 129 points to his name – the highest in the league – the Irish international has also completed 92 tackles, kicked 19 penalties, 27 conversions and ran in three tries to boot. Connacht can also rely on their wingers to do the job on the offensive front, with the likes of Cian Kelleher, Matt Healy and Niyi Adeolokun running in 12 tries between them. Lastly, experienced skipper Jarrad Butler, who has picked up a couple of man-of-the-match awards along the way, ranks fifth overall in tackles made with 211 – he brings the steel to the side in tough situations What’s the ‘must-win’ game for Connacht? Though the Munster game seems equally important, the penultimate round’s fixtures against Cardiff will decide who makes the postseason and who bows out. A tight 8-7 loss at Cardiff Arms Park in terrible conditions means both sides will come into this fixture keen for a more open, offensive game. If Connacht can pick up the maximum points in this game, they could go into the final round of fixtures five points ahead of their Welsh counterparts. Any other result and Connacht can expect to say goodbye to their Guinness Pro14 Final series ambitions. Can Connacht go all the way if they reach the Guinness PRO14 Final Series? It seems a long shot at this stage, but six wins is all Connacht need to pick up a second Guinness PRO14 title. The last two years have been disappointing for the Irish side, with an 8th placed finished in 2017 followed by coming bottom of Conference A last year. However, the likes of Carty, Butler and other stalwarts in the side have given the team and unlikely lift this campaign that could see them crowned champions at the end of the season. The Guinness PRO14 Final is one of the most entertaining games in the rugby calendar and takes place in Glasgow’s Celtic Park on May 25. Tickets start at just £25 for adults, £1 for kids. Visit www.pro14rugby.org/finaltickets
