It's three from five says Schmidt

Schmidt believes current league leaders Munster have already done enough to secure themselves a semi-final spot, with the five teams below them in the table left to fight it out for three places with five rounds of action remaining.

Current Champions the Ospreys lie in second place, closely followed by Leinster, the Blues, Ulster and the Scarlets.

And it is not an easy run-un for Leinster who still have to travel to Thomond Park and host Ulster in two key games as the season draws to a close.

"The Welsh teams are going to be a very dangerous proposition because the three Irish teams, Munster, Ulster and ourselves, are all involved in (European) quarter-finals," Schmidt said.

"Even the second home slot is going to be difficult to get because the Scarlets, Cardiff and the Ospreys don't have anything else to play for. It is the Magners League for them.

"We are not distracted by the Heineken Cup. We are delighted to be where we are.

"But, at the same time, those teams will have time off to freshen themselves up and make a charge."