Top of the Club Rankings Tightens as Playoffs approach - May 13, 2026
With just a few games left in the Northern Hemisphere (+ S. Africa) club season, playoff positions are still available for late entrants but time is running out.
In the Gallagher Premiership, the top 6 are unchanged but with 4 heading to the semi-finals on June 13 and only 3 games to play, the 7 point gap between 4, 5 and 6 is keeping everyone on their toes. Leaders Northampton lost 41-17 to #3 Leicester Tigers in a raucous Midlands derby that set 2 records; highest score by the Tigers over the Saints at home; and more cards (5 yellows and 1 20-minute red) in their history. More important, Tigers picked up 5 points and Saints none. #2 Bath played away at #4 Exeter and lost 35-12; 5 points to the Chiefs and zero for Bath; the 13 point gap between 4th and 1st narrowed to 8. Adding spice was #6 Saracens beating #5 Bristol closing to just 2 points back and only 7 from 4th placed Exeter. The match to watch next weekend is Saints (#1) vs. Bristol Bears (#5); Bath, Leicester and Exeter all have easier contests based on the season so far, but who knows??
In the URC, Glasgow Warriors regained the #1 spot beating Cardiff 40-17 (5-pt win) while last week’s leaders, the Stormers drew with Ulster 38-38, both sides earning 3 pts. Leinster’s win over the Lions 31-7 pushed the Irish back into 3rd and dropped the Lions back to 5th, with the Bulls taking 4th after a strong 54-19 win over Zebre Parma. Rounding out the top 8, Munster’s loss to Connacht dropped them to 6th; Cardiff’s loss took them to 7th and Ulster stayed in 8th. Final round on May 15 and 16 with #1 Glasgow at #8 Ulster; the Stormers play #7 Cardiff. Most interesting is Connacht, the only side with a chance to make the quarter-finals is playing #12 Edinburgh, starting the weekend only 1 pt. behind #7 & 8, who play the #2 and #1 clubs respectively, next.
In France, Top 14 leaders Toulouse maintain their 12 pt. lead over new #2 Montpelier who beat bottom club Montauban 59-7. Paloise dropped to 3rd after a 4-pt win over Castres (27-15) and Stade Francais stayed in 4th with a 5-pt win over Lyon 59-17. ASM Clermont and UBB stay in 5th and 6th respectively, the last 2 spots for the playoffs. With 3 rounds to play only Racing '92 and Stade Rochelais have a meaningful chance of joining the playoff party which starts on June 13, although RC Toulon could make a late run.
All upcoming club matches and replays available on florugby.com
In the penultimate round of the Women's 6 Nations Rugby tournament, the top 2 teams, England and France continued their winning ways, setting up a final weekend showdown between the 2 teams in Bordeaux. Both teams are 4-0, all bonus point wins but with England having the higher points differential, +164 to +124. Wales take on Italy in Cardiff and a win there plus a Scotland loss in Dublin would move Wales up to 5th place, a welcome result after a tough couple of years for all Welsh rugby. Six Nations live and with replays on Peacock.com