Andrew Trimble picks final URC 'top eight' has he predicts Ulster's fate

Andrew Trimble believes Ulster can squeeze into the play-offs with just three games remaining in the regular United Rugby Championship season.

The province edged past Benetton on Friday night, Richie Murphy's side claiming a 38-34 win at Kingspan Stadium. That result left them in fifth spot before a ball was kicked in the other games on Saturday.

A top-eight finish will secure a play-off spot this season, but there are plenty of other clubs battling for points and seedings.

Read more: Richie Murphy opens up on permanent Ulster job 'talks'

Former Ulster star Trimble believes the Belfast side can make it into the quarter-finals, but admits it won't be easy with remaining games against Scarlets, Leinster and defending champions Munster.

Trimble believes the final top eight will be:

1. Leinster

2. Glasgow

3. Munster

4. Bulls

5. Stormers

6. Benetton

7. Lions

8. Ulster

Explaining some of his picks, Trimble told Premier Sports ahead of Ulster's game against Benetton on Friday night: "I just see Stormers potentially picking up a win against Leinster and then kicking on from there. Benetton, hopefully they just pick up one more win and drop down a bit.

"The Lions, my rationale there is that South African teams always just surge towards the end of the season. We have seen a little bit of a surge from the Lions last week."

Looking at Ulster's schedule, Trimble said: "They have to win tonight (vs Benetton). It depends on Leinster potentially being busy. We saw them being tripped up in South Africa after sending a second string team out. That's the only chance Ulster have (against them).

"You can probably write off Leinster and Munster, so they need to win against Benetton and the Scarlets."

He added: "It's a nightmare. Connacht have Munster and Leinster. Ospreys have tough games. There is a hefty degree of naivety and hopefulness in me putting Ulster in eighth there."

While Trimble remains optimistic on Ulster's chances, former Glasgow and Scotland forward Ryan Wilson doesn't believe Murphy's men will make it.

He said: "There will be questions around Ulster, but I think they have a really tough run-in. I have predicted one win and that's against Scarlets.

"As for the rest, Connacht have an easier run-in. The top four have cemented themselves, but Ospreys are on the up at the minute so I think they will find themselves in a comfortable position.

"It is so interesting at the minute, but I think Ulster have a difficult road ahead."

Wilson's final top eight reads:

1. Leinster

2. Glasgow

3. Munster

4. Bulls

5. Benetton

6. Stormers

7. Ospreys

8. Connacht

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