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Wales Online
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Simon Thomas

Wales could still have two teams in next season's Champions Cup but the PRO14 don't yet know what to do

There is still no decision on which two Welsh teams would qualify for the Champions Cup if the Guinness PRO14 earns an extra place in the competition.

We do know whoever wins the play-off between the Ospreys and the Scarlets at the Liberty Stadium on the weekend of May 18 will take the league’s seventh guaranteed spot in Europe’s top event.

But the PRO14 could yet get an eighth side on board if a convoluted series of events all fall into place.

That would definitely be a Welsh team, but it’s unclear which one.

It could either go to the side that loses the play-off or to the team that finished with the eighth most points in the league.

If the Scarlets win the game, it would be a straightforward decision as the Ospreys gained the sixth highest points in the two PRO14 conferences.

But it’s more complicated if the Liberty lads win, as Cardiff Blues secured more league points than the Scarlets.

The likeliest option would seem to be the two play-off sides progressing, but there is no definite decision yet.

A number of things need to happen for the PRO14 to secure an extra spot, yet it remains very much a possibility.

Firstly, holders Leinster would need to beat Saracens in the Champions Cup final at Newcastle’s St James’ Park on May 11.

Then the four Challenge Cup semi-finalists would have to qualify for the Champions Cup through their league placings.

The Ospreys will play hosts to the Scarlets in a Euro play-off (Ben Evans/Huw Evans Agency)

As things stand, all four are in qualifying spots, with the top six going through from both the English and French leagues.

Harlequins and Sale stand fifth and sixth respectively in the Gallagher Premiership, with two rounds of matches left to play.

And Challenge Cup finalists Clermont Auvergne and La Rochelle lie second and sixth respectively in the Top 14.

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There are still three rounds of regular season games to be played in France, but La Rochelle are five points clear of seventh-placed Montpellier and are at home for two of their remaining three fixtures.

So it’s the situation in England which could prove decisive, with six teams battling it out for the three qualifying spots still up for grabs.

Northampton, Harlequins, Sale, Wasps, Bath and Bristol are covered by just six points and there are some key matches coming up.

This coming weekend, Bristol entertain Sale, while Bath welcome Wasps to The Rec.

Then, in the final round of matches, Wasps play hosts to Harlequins.

So there are plenty of twists and turns to come yet.

But, if everything falls into place, Wales would have two teams in the Champions Cup next season. Which two remains to be seen.

The two sides from the west booked their places in the Euro play-off on a highly eventful final weekend of PRO14 fixtures.

The Ospreys sealed fourth spot in Conference A by beating the Blues 26-23 in a dramatic Judgement Day encounter at the Principality Stadium.

It looked as though the Scarlets might have blown their chances when they suffered a shock 34-32 defeat to the Dragons in the first of the derby double headers.

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Dragons coach Ceri Jones and hooker Elliot Dee celebrate after their shock Judgement Day victory over the Scarlets (Ben Evans/Huw Evans Agency)

But Edinburgh’s 34-10 loss to Glasgow meant Wayne Pivac’s team finished fourth in Conference B to earn a play-off spot.

That then led to some debate over what would happen if the PRO14 did secure an extra eighth qualifying spot and that dialogue continues.

Whatever happens, the play-off will have to go ahead on the weekend of May 18.

If Leinster lose to Saracens, only the play-off winners would progress and even if the Irish giants retain their European crown, the picture would still not be clear in time.

That’s because the English and French leagues would still be going on, with their European qualifiers yet to be confirmed.

The final round of Gallagher Premiership matches are on the same weekend as the all-Welsh play-off, while the regular Top 14 season goes on until May 25.

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