At the top of the United Rugby Championship, Leinster are firmly established in a class of one.
Behind them, Glasgow Warriors, the Bulls and Sharks are all but secured in the top four.
However, for the remaining four play-off places, eight teams are separated by just six points.
Not only does a top-eight place secure a spot in the URC play-offs, but also a likely Champions Cup spot for next season.
With just three rounds of matches remaining, here’s the state of play.
As illustrated above, there is barely anything to split the sides from fifth to 12th in the URC table before the final three rounds of fixtures.
With just six points between the sides, there will be plenty of chopping and changing before the top eight are decided.
Italian side Benetton, Welsh challengers Cardiff, South African outfit Stormers and Irish province Munster currently occupy the final four play-off spots.
However, Scarlets are just two points off eighth place, swiftly followed by Ulster and Edinburgh.
Connacht are also in contention in 12th, but five points off knockout rugby.
While a top-eight finish guarantees knockout rugby in the URC, it does not necessarily secure one of the league’s eight Champions Cup spots for next season.
If a team wins the Champions Cup or Challenge Cup and finishes outside the top eight in the league, they will take one of the URC’s spots.
This currently only applies to Edinburgh, who are outside the top eight but are in the semi-finals of the Challenge Cup.
Leinster are in the last four of the Champions Cup but have already secured a top-eight finish, so their spot in next season’s tournament is already secured.
The intrigue in the URC is further enhanced by the remaining fixtures, with all but one team having to face one of their play-off rivals at least one of their final matches.
The exception is Scarlets, who face leaders Leinster, strugglers Lions and the Sharks, who have all but booked their place in the knockout stags.
On paper, it’s actually 12th-placed side Connacht who have the easiest run-in. They travel to the Lions and Zebre, and host Edinburgh in the middle of that run where the Scottish side will also have to juggle a European semi-final.
Could the Irish province, currently without a permanent head coach, make a late run for the play-offs?
Munster and Ulster are the other Irish sides in contention, and they face each other in the penultimate round of fixtures in Limerick.
It has been a mixed campaign for Ulster but, despite a recent resurgence in form, they will need to beat the Sharks, pick up a positive result in Munster and then take on Edinburgh on the final day in what could be a shootout for the knockout stages.
Aside from their game with Ulster, Munster also have a difficult run with games against Benetton and Cardiff, but with two of those games at Thomond Park they will be confident of getting across the line.
Despite the well-documented struggles of Welsh rugby recently, Cardiff have worked their way into a strong position to make the play-offs but have a tricky final three fixtures at home to Munster followed by a South African double-header with the Bulls and Stormers.
Cardiff are one place below 2021 Pro14 champions Benetton, who finish up with trips to the Stormers and Munster either side of a home match with Glasgow.
While it is tight between the sides, the three-point buffer Benetton and Cardiff hold to the cut line could be crucial.
As previously mentioned, Edinburgh are in a unique position as they have two routes to Champions Cup rugby available for next season.
If they cannot qualify by winning the Challenge Cup, then they can book their place by sneaking into the top eight.
Games away to Zebre and Connacht are certainly winnable and, as we’ve mentioned, that final game at home to Ulster could be crucial.
Should points difference come into play, both the Scarlets and Edinburgh are better off than the sides immediately ahead of them.
Last, but by no means least, the Stormers are in a strong position heading into the final three fixtures as they round out the season with three home fixtures against Benetton, bottom side Dragons and Cardiff.
With so much still to be decided, the final few weeks of the regular season promise much drama, joy and heartache.
