Johann van Graan’s men are second in the table on 56 points and have already secured a place in the quarter-finals.

The top four teams at the end of 18 rounds will have home advantage in the quarter-finals.

Leaders Leinster are six points ahead of Munster and have top spot wrapped up with five teams battling it out for the remaining three top four places that would secure a home quarter-final.

Just three points separate second-placed Munster (56 points) and sixth-placed Vodacom Bulls (53 points) with Cell C Sharks and DHL Stormers (56 each) only behind Munster on points difference and Ulster (55) a point further back in fifth place.

Friday night will see Ulster host Cell C Sharks (7.35pm) with the Vodacom Bulls away to Ospreys (8.10pm).

DHL Stormers are away to Scarlets on Saturday evening (5.10pm) with Munster away to Leinster in the final game of the round (7.15pm).

Ospreys and Scarlets have plenty to play for as they bid to top the Welsh shield and earn a place in next season’s Champions Cup. The sides are tied at 44 points apiece heading into the final round.

Should teams finish level in the table, the higher team will be decided by the following criteria:

1. Matches won
2. Highest points-difference
3. Tries scored
4. Total points scored
5. Try difference
6. Fewest number of players suspended
7. Fewest yellow cards received
8. Coin toss

Munster (+193) have a superior points difference to all of the teams below them (Sharks +148, Stormers +148, Ulster +112, Bulls +123).