Munster-bound Christian Cullen's Wellington Lions side was on the wrong end of a 26-8 scoreline against Otago at the weekend - but Irish hopes of seeing the brilliant full back next week look to have been dashed by the NPC draw.

Cullen will join the Celtic League champions as soon as Wellington's provincial campaign is finished, but, with one match to play in the round-robin stage, the Lions are in the box seat for a semi-final spot.

Despite the heavy home loss on Friday night, Wellington are lying fifth in the table - only four points behind leaders Otago. And their final match this coming weekend is against Northland, who have failed to win a match all season.

A win will guarantee Wellington a spot in the semis - and delay Cullen's move by at least a week. A win in that semi-final will see the Lions in the NPC final on the weekend of October 24-26, with New Zealand's leading Test try-scorer flying to Ireland the following week.