The race is on, the pace is quickening and there are now only 100 days to go to the inaugural Magners League Grand Final on Saturday, 29 May.
And while everyone is looking up, and admiring, the current leaders Glasgow Warriors, it would be a foolish man who wrote off almost anyone in the chasing pack from making the Play-Offs and going on to compete for the ultimate prize in the Grand Final.
Dragons prop Hugh Gustafson certainly believes that the playoffs are a realistic goal for the Men of Gwent “We’re only three points off Leinster so things are very tight,” he said “Things are really moving on and developing at Rodney Parade and we have a good squad of players.
“Although automatic Heineken qualification is a major focus for us, we have shown through some of our big wins this season that we are capable of having a real impact in the league and aiming for the playoffs.”
There is certainly a bit of apprehension in air at the home of the reigning Magners League champions Munster, who the Dragons face on 6 March at Rodney Parade in what is a crucial encounter for both teams.
It was at this very stage last year that Tony McGahan's squad made their push for the title, picking up 14 of a maximum 15 points while their international players were on RBS 6 Nations duty, and the Aussie coach is hoping for another major push over the next month.
He has seen Munster meander between 10th and 2nd to date this season in their defence of the title they won by a massive eight point margin last year. They are currently lying in fifth place and poised to move back into the Play-Off Zone.
"It was a great idea to introduce the Play-Off system and Grand Final into the Magners League and there has definitely been an increase in intensity and standard this season," said McGahan.
"It is much harder to win on the road because every team is very strong at home, we discovered that on the opening day of the season at Glasgow Warriors and all five of our defeats to date have come away from home.
"It has been a tough league season so far and it is only going to get harder. The third phase of the campaign, during the 6 Nations, is very important and one in which we made good ground last season.
"We're still involved in the Heineken Cup, and that tournament is pretty special to the Munster fans and players, but the Magners League crown is also very important to us. The pressure is mounting and, with only 100 days left to go before the silverware gets handed out, the clock is ticking.”
With only the top four teams at the end of the regular league season progressing through to the Play-Off Semi Finals, the battle lines are now well and truly drawn with every point vital. And because home advantage in both the Play-Offs and the Grand Final will go to the top ranked teams there is massive incentive for sides to finish their regular campaigns strongly to try to grab pole position.
Director of Celtic Rugby David Jordan, believes the new initiative is already having a major impact on the league and expects more big twists and turns before the final round of games on 7-9 May.
"The Magners League Grand Final is all set to become a major showpiece occasion for the tournament. Every team craves the chance of appearing in the first Grand Final," said Jordan.
"But to do so they must ensure a top four finish to compete in the Play-Off stage of the competition. We are now approaching the business end of the season, when every point will count.
"The table is tightly bunched at the moment with no one team dominating, and with seven full rounds still left to play there are plenty of points still on offer."
And while everyone is looking up, and admiring, the current leaders Glasgow Warriors, it would be a foolish man who wrote off almost anyone in the chasing pack from making the Play-Offs and going on to compete for the ultimate prize in the Grand Final.
Dragons prop Hugh Gustafson certainly believes that the playoffs are a realistic goal for the Men of Gwent “We’re only three points off Leinster so things are very tight,” he said “Things are really moving on and developing at Rodney Parade and we have a good squad of players.
“Although automatic Heineken qualification is a major focus for us, we have shown through some of our big wins this season that we are capable of having a real impact in the league and aiming for the playoffs.”
There is certainly a bit of apprehension in air at the home of the reigning Magners League champions Munster, who the Dragons face on 6 March at Rodney Parade in what is a crucial encounter for both teams.
It was at this very stage last year that Tony McGahan's squad made their push for the title, picking up 14 of a maximum 15 points while their international players were on RBS 6 Nations duty, and the Aussie coach is hoping for another major push over the next month.
He has seen Munster meander between 10th and 2nd to date this season in their defence of the title they won by a massive eight point margin last year. They are currently lying in fifth place and poised to move back into the Play-Off Zone.
"It was a great idea to introduce the Play-Off system and Grand Final into the Magners League and there has definitely been an increase in intensity and standard this season," said McGahan.
"It is much harder to win on the road because every team is very strong at home, we discovered that on the opening day of the season at Glasgow Warriors and all five of our defeats to date have come away from home.
"It has been a tough league season so far and it is only going to get harder. The third phase of the campaign, during the 6 Nations, is very important and one in which we made good ground last season.
"We're still involved in the Heineken Cup, and that tournament is pretty special to the Munster fans and players, but the Magners League crown is also very important to us. The pressure is mounting and, with only 100 days left to go before the silverware gets handed out, the clock is ticking.”
With only the top four teams at the end of the regular league season progressing through to the Play-Off Semi Finals, the battle lines are now well and truly drawn with every point vital. And because home advantage in both the Play-Offs and the Grand Final will go to the top ranked teams there is massive incentive for sides to finish their regular campaigns strongly to try to grab pole position.
Director of Celtic Rugby David Jordan, believes the new initiative is already having a major impact on the league and expects more big twists and turns before the final round of games on 7-9 May.
"The Magners League Grand Final is all set to become a major showpiece occasion for the tournament. Every team craves the chance of appearing in the first Grand Final," said Jordan.
"But to do so they must ensure a top four finish to compete in the Play-Off stage of the competition. We are now approaching the business end of the season, when every point will count.
"The table is tightly bunched at the moment with no one team dominating, and with seven full rounds still left to play there are plenty of points still on offer."
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