It can’t get more exciting as URC hits business end

The top team in the Shield, the Stormers, could go as high as second overall. If the Cape team loses to Edinburgh on Friday and the other local teams contending for top eight places win their games, they could drop to last in their conference. The Glasgow Warriors take on the Vodacom Bulls. Cell C Sharks take part in a local contender, Cell A Sharks' clash with Leinster. Emirates Lions play a game against Connacht. The Cell B Sharks play against the Emirates Lions.

DHL Stormers take on Glasgow Warriors in Vodacom United Rugby Championship on Friday at 18.30. Stormer's have won six consecutive home games. Warriors have a good chance of winning the game. Warrick Gelant and Salmaan Moerat will play off the bench for StormERS. Deon Fourie is injured for Warriors. The game can't get more exciting as URC hits business end.

Ulster play Munster in Belfast on Friday 20.35. Ulster are second on the log, 10 points behind leaders Leinster. A win for Munsters will enable them to leapfrog their fellow Irish province Ulster. If the winner of the earlier game between Glasgow Warriors and Stormers is Cape Town, the second place will be decided by the bonus points earned by both teams.

Edinburgh play Zebre on Friday 20.45. Ulster beat them 7-0. They are both in the top eight.

Edinburgh and Vodacom Bulls are playing each other in the Rugby Championship. The Bulls lost to Benetton last year in a Rainbow Cup final in Treviso. They are also back at altitude and their coach Jake White believes it matters. Marcell Coetzee is likely to lead his team to victory. The match is taking place in Pretoria on Saturday at 14.00.

Dragons are at home against Scarlets (Newport, Saturday 16.00). Scarlet's team has run into impressive late season form and has now usurped the Ospreys on the Welsh conference log. Bulls are well-coached and organised.

Emirates Lions take on Connacht in Johannesburg on Saturday 16.05. Connachts have won over the Bulls and the Stormers in Galway. The Sportsground lay-out, with a dog racing track around the perimeter and an openness to the elements, offers a unique challenge to visiting teams.

There's a 70 percent chance of rain during Cell C Sharks v Leinster (Durban, Saturday 18.15). The weather gods are not happy with the Sharks' preparation. Leinsster are understrength for this game. The Sharks beat the Lions two weeks ago.

Sharks are favourites to beat Cardiff Rugby at Cardiff on Saturday 18.15. Ospreys are eight points behind Welsh Shield leaders Scarlets.