LEINSTER’S position at the top of the United Rugby Championship standings remains unchanged following the latest round of fixtures.
Leo Cullen’s side suffered just their second defeat of the season to the Scarlets after a surprise 35-22 defeat in Wales – but remain in a very solid position as they aim for the European and URC double.
But the three other Irish provinces are in a worrying positions as the season hits crunch-time.
Munster suffered a 26-21 defeat to Cardiff on Friday night, collecting only a losing bonus point and falling out of the URC’s top eight in the process.
Connacht followed with a heavy 26-7 loss to the Lions in Johannesburg on Saturday, marking their biggest away defeat of the season.
Ulster came up on the wrong side of a close 22-19 defeat to the Lions in Belfast.
Now Munster have dropped out of the top eight into ninth place.
While Ulster and Connacht’s chances of reaching the knockout stages are now slim, with Richie Murphy’s Ulster side in 12th and Connacht in 14th.
Connacht has just five wins from 16 matches this season.
It was the first time in ten years that all four Irish provinces lost on the same weekend.
The previous occasion came during round 17 of the 2014/15 Pro12 season, when Leinster, Munster, Ulster and Connacht were all defeated.
On that weekend, Scarlets beat Leinster, Ospreys overcame Munster, Dragons defeated Ulster, and Cardiff Blues saw off Connacht.
At present, Irish provinces face a more difficult situation.
With two rounds remaining, Munster must secure positive results against Ulster and Benetton to qualify for the URC playoffs and ensure participation in next season’s Champions Cup.
While Ulster and Connacht also remain mathematically in contention but would require favourable results elsewhere in addition to winning their remaining fixtures.