As the United Rugby Championship season enters its decisive final stretch, the battle for playoff positioning is heating up. Ulster back-row powerhouse Juarno Augustus has made it clear that his team's sights are set on a crucial prize: home advantage in the knockout rounds. Speaking after a confidence-boosting run in Europe, Augustus emphasized the importance of building momentum through a daunting final schedule.

Currently sitting third in the table, Ulster face a monumental run-in, starting with Friday's massive Irish derby against Leinster in Belfast. They then face clashes with Munster, the Stormers, and table-toppers Glasgow Warriors. "We are playing four of the best," Augustus acknowledged, outlining a simple, focused approach: "All we need to do is take it week by week, recover well, and then just go again."

The South African number eight, who joined Ulster from Northampton last summer, believes strong finishes in these high-stakes matches can propel them up the standings. "We're focusing firstly on the URC now because we want to get a home quarter-final, a home semi-final. That's what teams are playing for now," he stated. "If we win a few games we can get second or first in the table, and that's what we're aiming for."

Augustus also touched on the team's adaptable style, a necessity in the unpredictable conditions of a Northern Hemisphere season. While expressing a desire to play expansive, attacking rugby, he noted the need to be pragmatic. "We have to adapt to the weather conditions and the teams we play... If the weather is better we can show better what we have."

On a personal note, the 28-year-old expressed relief at being back to full fitness after an ankle injury sidelined him in December. "Hopefully it's all behind me now," he said, aiming to finish the season strongly alongside his teammates. With home-field advantage in the playoffs on the line, Ulster's final four games promise to be a thrilling test of their championship mettle.