29-4-16 rugby pro 12

PRO 12 TEAMS AND FIXTURES

FRIDAY

TREVISO V CONNACHT

Connacht: T O'Halloran; N Adeolokun, R Parata, P Robb, F Carr; J Carty, J Cooney; R Loughney, T McCartney (capt), R Ah You; Q Roux, A Browne; S O'Brien, J Heenan, E McKeon.

Replacements: D Heffernan, JP Cooney, F Bealham, A Muldowney, J Muldoon, C Blade, AJ MacGinty, R Henshaw.

Treviso: J Hayward; A Esposito, L Morisi, A Sgarbi (capt), L Nitoglia; S Christie, E Gori; M Zanusso, O Gega, S Ferrari, F Paulo, T Palmer, F Minto, A Zanni, A Steyn.

Replacements: D Giazzon, C Traorè, S Manu, M Fuser, M Lazzaroni, A Lucchese, L McLean, T Iannone.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/36158984

A bonus point win here for Connacht would give them top place in the table at least for the time being and with Glasgow playing Zebre nothing would be sealed as for a home semi final. Connacht do though need a bonus point win here as it might mean they will only need to win on their final match.

GLASGOW V ZEBRE

Glasgow Warriors: Glenn Bryce, Taqele Naiyaravoro, Mark Bennett, Alex Dunbar, Sean Lamont, Duncan Weir, Grayson Hart, Jerry Yanuyanutawa, Pat MacArthur, D'arcy Rae, Greg Peterson, Leone Nakarawa, Rob Harley (capt), Favaro, Ashe.

Replacements: Fraser Brown, Gordon Reid, Zander Fagerson, Tim Swinson, Ryan Wilson, Ali Price, Finn Russell, Tommy Seymour

 

http://beta.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/36157649

This is a match that Glasgow must win if their home semi final ambitions are still on in any way shape of form. I think that it will be a lot harder to get a bonus point than what people think

MUNSTER V EDINBURGH

Munster: Simon Zebo; Andrew Conway, Francis Saili, Rory Scannell, Keith Earls; Johnny Holland, Conor Murray; Dave Kilcoyne, Niall Scannell, Stephen Archer; Dave Foley, Billy Holland; Dave O'Callaghan, Tommy O'Donnell, CJ Stander (capt).

Replacements: Mike Sherry, James Cronin, John Ryan, Robin Copeland, Jack O'Donoghue, Duncan Williams, Ian Keatley, Ronan O'Mahony.

 

Edinburgh: Blair Kinghorn, Damien Hoyland, Matt Scott, Andries Strauss, Tom Brown, Jason Tovey, Sean Kennedy, Alasdair Dickinson, Ross Ford (capt), WP Nel, Anton Bresler, Ben Toolis, Jamie Ritchie, John Hardie, Cornell Du Preez.

Replacements: Stuart McInally, Rory Sutherland, John Andress, Alex Toolis, Magnus Bradbury, Sam Hidalgo-Clyne, Chris Dean, Dougie Fife

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/36158785

This match is a play off in my opinion for a European Champions cup spot and this is where we get to see whether we have found the real Munster that Munster that are very hard to beat.

SATURDAY

BLUES V OSPREYS

 

 

 

 

 

 

Both Blues and Ospreys have got faint hopes of playing European rugby the looser of this will not have them hopes any more that is how important this match is for both sides and I think that the Ospreys have got more quality but this game will be very close

ULSTER V LEINSTER

 

 

 

 

 

 

This is a match with everything on the line for both Ulster and Leinster as an Ulster win could seal their semi-final spot and a Leinster win should not make that much difference to their position. I think that Ulster will win a very close match that will be settled my no more than a drop at goal.

DRAGONS V SCARLETS

 

 

 

 

 

The Scarlet’s should win this match and win it quite easily. If they do loose this it should be seen as failure but this is a big match as it is a Welsh derby and we have seen things happen in derbies that do not happen in normal matches. I think it will depend on the flow of this game.

 

18-4-16 pro 12

Friday 15th April 2016

Ospreys 47- 10 Benetton Treviso

EVENS DOUBLE GIVES OSPREYS EASY BONUS POINT WIN

 

Ospreys kept alive their slim hopes of a top-six finish in the Pro12 with an easy bonus-point win over bottom side Treviso.

Dan Evans, Dan Baker and Owen Watkin crossed for first-half tries to put Ospreys 21-3 ahead at the interval.

Olly Cracknell, Hanno Dirksen, Evans again and Ben John scored after the break, with Dan Biggar converting six.

Alberto Sgarbi got a consolation try for Treviso, who had Dean Budd sent off.

Ospreys had seen Wales forwards Paul James and Justin Tipuric together with Canada wing Jeff Hassler and South Africa centre JJ Engelbrecht ruled out for the season.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/36044851

 

Leinster 30- 23 Edinburgh

MC FADDEN DOUBLE GIVES LEINSTER BIG BONUS POINT

 

 After being 6-3 up at half-time, a Luke McGrath try extended Leinster's lead only for Tom Brown to quickly reply.

Josh van der Flier was gifted a try by Sean Kennedy before a Fergus McFadden score extended Leinster's lead to 25-8.

Ian Madigan's mistake allowed Mike Allen to reply but after McFadden scored his second try, Kennedy's score left Leinster hanging on.

Edinburgh lost centres Chris Dean and Phil Burleigh to injuries at half-time and, despite having to play several players out of position in the second period, fought back impressively to earn a losing bonus point.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/36045100

Getting a bonus point here could make the difference between a home semi final and not having a home semi-final as Leinster are still showing that they can be the powerhouse we know that they can be.

Saturday 16th April 2016

Scarlets 10 - 46 Glasgow

RUSSEL AND JONES DOUBLE SECURE GLASGOW SEMI FINAL

Finn Russell and Lee Jones each went over twice in the bonus-point win against a side who had been hit by a stomach illness in the build-up.

Henry Pyrgos and Tommy Seymour also touched down for Glasgow.

Liam Williams' first-half try on his return from injury was Scarlets' scant consolation.

Russell returned at fly-half for the visitors as coach Gregor Townsend rang changes including the reintroduction of scrum-half Pyrgos and full-back Stuart Hogg.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/36026305

This might be the biggest win of the season as it allows Glasgow to chase down Leinster and Connacht for that home semi. This will make that very interesting and questions should be asked about Townsend being Scotland manager I wonder why they haven’t

Zebre 17- 47   Ulster

PAYNE HAT TRICK PUTS ULSTER IN POLE POSITION

Ulster moved into fourth place in the Pro12 table as they ran in seven tries in a bonus-point demolition of Zebre in Italy on Saturday.

Jared Payne secured a hat-trick of scores, with Tommy Bowe touching down twice on his first appearance of the season for Ulster after a knee injury.

Ruan Pienaar and Craig Gilroy also crossed the Italian side's line.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/36013774

This was a vital win for Ulster as it means if they win their last 2 matches they should secure a semi-final spot and I think that Leinster will be such a big match for them. I think that with Bowe and Payne on form anything can still happen.

Connacht 35 – 14 Munster

BEALHAM TRY ALLOWS CONNACHT TO DREAM

 The visitors were in clinical form early on as tries from Simon Zebo and Mike Sherry opened up a 14-6 lead, but yellow cards for James Cronin and Billy Holland were ruthlessly punished by Connacht nearing half-time.

Niyi Adeolokun darted clear to make it a one-point game and with Holland seeing yellow for not rolling away close to his try-line, the Munster scrum crumpled for a penalty try and a 20-14 turnaround.

 

The westerners ended up scoring 29 points without reply, Adeolokun completing his brace and recent Ireland debutant Finlay Bealham nabbing his first senior try for the province. An injury-time penalty from Shane O'Leary topped off his 15-point contribution.

http://www.rte.ie/sport/rugby/2016/0416/782323-connacht-35-14-munster/

Connacht are having the season of their lives and another big win has made it so a home semi-final is still on as Connacht are just getting better and better and if Connacht have a good season next season maybe Pat Lam should be considered Ireland manager.

 Sunday 17th April 2016

Cardiff Blues 28 – 8  NG Dragons

LEELO GIVES CARDIFF VITAL WIN

Josh Turnbull, Rey Lee-Lo and Gareth Anscombe went over for the hosts.

Dragons battled throughout with Sarel Pretorius' try and Dorian Jones' penalty their reward.

Rhys Patchell was playing his last game at the Arms Park before joining Scarlets in a Blues team showing two changes from the 28-22 win in Llanelli

 http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/36052878

There seems to be a 3 horse race for 1 spot in Europe next season and with what has happened this season they must show better next as things must improve.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

pro 12 fixtures 15-4-16

Friday

Leinster v Edinburgh 1935

 
 
 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Leinster: R Kearney; F McFadden, B Te'o, N Reid, L Fitzgerald; I Madigan, L McGrath; C Healy, R Strauss, M Ross; R Molony, M Kearney; R Ruddock, J van der Flier, J Murphy. Replacements: S Cronin, P Dooley, T Furlong, D Toner, D Ryan, E Reddan, C Marsh, D Kearney.

 

Edinburgh: B Kinghorn; D Hoyland, C Dean, P Burleigh, T Brown; J Tovey, S Hidalgo-Clyne; A Dickinson, R Ford (capt), WP Nel; A Bresler, B Toolis; J Ritchie, J Hardie, C Du Preez. Replacements: S McInally, R Sutherland, J Andress, A Toolis, M Bradbury, H Watson, S Kennedy, M Allan

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/36045100

This is a match that could secure a semi-final for Leinster and possibly a home semi if Scarlet’s beat Glasgow. Leinster should have the quality to win this match quite comfortably but if things are tight Leinster might have a few problems

Ospreys v Treviso 19.35

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ospreys: Dan Evans; Hanno Dirksen, Owen Watkin, Josh Matavesi, Eli Walker; Dan Biggar, Rhys Webb (capt); Nicky Smith, Sam Parry, Dmitri Arhip, Adam Beard, Rynier Bernardo, Olly Cracknell, James King, Dan Baker.

Replacements: Scott Baldwin, Gareth Thomas, Aaron Jarvis, Rory Thornton, Dan Lydiate, Brendon Leonard, Sam Davies, Ben John.

Benetton: Jayden Hayward; Angelo Esposito, Luca Morisi, Alberto Sgarbi, Ludovico Nitoglia; Sam Christie, Edoardo Gori; Alberto De Marchi, Luca Bigi, Simone Ferrari, Filo Paulo, Jeff Montauriol, Marco Lazzaroni, Alessandro Zanni (capt), Robert Barbieri.

Replacements: Ornel Gega, Matteo Zanusso, Salesi Manu, Dean Budd, Abraham Steyn, Francesco Minto, Chris Smylie, James Ambrosini.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/36044851

If Ospreys have any chance of Champions cup rugby next season this is a match that they must win and win well I see this as a bonus point win

Saturday

Scarlet’s v Glasgow 15.15

 

 

 

 

Glasgow Warriors: S Hogg. T Seymour, M Bennett, A Dunbar, L Jones, F Russell, H Pyrgos, G Reid, F Brown, S Puafisi, T Swinson, J Gray (capt), R Harley, R Wilson. J Strauss.

Replacements: P MacArthur, J Yanuyanutawa, Z Fagerson, L Nakawara, T Holmes, G Hart, D Weir, T Naiyaravoro.

This is a season defining match for both clubs as I think the looser will go into a playoff final day stress with Ulster for that fourth spot.

Zebre v Ulster 16.00

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ulster need a bonus point win here to at least lave some final day stress on either Scarlets or Glasgow and I think that they will get a bonus point win here

Connacht v Munster 19.15

 

 

 

 

 

 

I think that with so much on the line for both clubs this will be an old fashioned Irish battle and the fact that conacht will be at home will matter so much more

Sunday

Blues v Dragons 14.30

 

 

 

 

 

 

Neither team are doing that well but the blues are so far ahead of the dragons as if the dragons might need a major change to compete next season  

chalenge cup 11-4-16

EUROPEAN CHALENGE CUP

SALE 19-25 MONPELLIER

PAILLAGUE BOOT PUTS MONPELLIER IN SEMIS

 

Montpellier reached their first European Challenge Cup semi-final after inflicting a first home defeat of the season on Sale.

Sharks began the game as the only team in Europe yet to lose at home but that record was ended by the Top 14 side.

Danny Cipriani's boot edged Sale into an 11-10 half-time lead, after Paul Willemse and Tom Brady exchanged tries.

But five Benoit penalties in the second half took Montpellier through, despite Sam James' late try.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/35970433

A game won by the boot so quickly by Montpellier and I think that as they go further in the competition they will find it trickier. I don’t see them as champions however I thought sale would put up more of a fight   

GRENOBLE 33-32 CONNACHT

WISNIEKI LAST MINUTE DROP WINS MATCH NO ONE DESERVES TO LOOSE

 

Connacht lost a 19-3 lead as Grenoble won a thrilling European Challenge Cup quarter-final in France.

Two Niyi Adeolokun scores and a Robbie Henshaw try seemed to put Connacht in control but Jonathan Wisniewski replied with 13 points before the break.

A Matt Healy try left Connacht 26-16 up before Grenoble punished Denis Buckley's sin-binning as Lucas Dupont and Mahamadou Diaby scored tries.

John Cooney kicked Connacht ahead again but Wisniewski's late drop goal won it.

Grenoble's victory means they will face Harlequins in the semi-finals while Connacht will have to recover from this disappointment to regroup for the conclusion of the Pro12, where the currently lead the table.

As Connacht started with their verve that has been the hallmark of their season, centre Bundee Aki's looping pass set up Adeolokun's 13th-minute try.

After Wisniewski's penalty reply, a lightning Healy break and well-directed Shane O'Leary cross-kick allowed Henshaw to touch down before a Kieran Marmion dart helped set up Adeolokun's second try.

However after slotting his second successful conversion, O'Leary's reckless cross-kick on his own line gifted Grenoble a lifeline as fly-half Wisniewski replied.

Two more Wisniewski penalties reduced Connacht's lead to 19-16 at the break but the Irish province moved 13 clear by the 52nd minute after the outstanding Healy burst through the Grenoble defence and O'Leary kicked five further points.

However, Buckley's sin-binning on the hour mark, after he illegally attempted to prevent a Grenoble try, was a key moment.

Grenoble, currently eighth in the Top 14 table, scored two tries during Buckley's absence with Dupont and Diaby touching down as Irishman Chris Farrell provided a brilliant off-load in the build-up to the second score.

Wisniewski's two conversions helped Grenoble lead for the first time with 10 minutes left and while replacement John Cooney's penalty put Connacht ahead again on 73, the home number 10's drop goal two minutes later clinched victory.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/36005953

What a match in a game that neither side deserve to loos especially with how well Connacht has done this season. I think that this French team are better than there French top 14 spot is showing and if they can get things right maybe both teams can reach the quarter finals.

HARLIQUINS 38-30 IRISH

CARE HAT TRICK MEANS IRISH MISSED A TRICK

Harlequins ran in five tries as they came from behind to beat London Irish in the European Challenge Cup quarter-final on home soil at The Stoop.

England scrum-half Danny Care claimed a hat-trick, while loose forward Luke Wallace crossed twice as Quins booked a home semi-final against Grenoble.

But Quins were given a real scare, not reclaiming the lead until late on.

Irish ran in three tries through winger Fergus Mulchrone, scrum-half Brendan McKibbin and centre Sean Maitland.

And the visitors put in a spirited display that bodes well for next weekend's 11th v 12th relegation battle at Newcastle.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/35970943

This was a match that if I was watching it as a quins fan I would worry as London Irish are not the best team in the league but any win can change a season in an instant and I think quins might be a potential Challenge cup champion.

GLOSTER 21-23 DRAGONS

DAVIES TRY PUTS DRAGONS IN SEMIS

Newport Gwent Dragons snatched a shock win at Gloucester to reach the semi-finals of the European Challenge Cup.

Scrum-half Charlie Davies grabbed a close-range try after 76 minutes to put the holders out and end their 15-game unbeaten European run.

Dragons fly-half Dorian Jones kicked five penalties and Carl Meyer one in a close-fought game.

England back-rower Ben Morgan and Steve McColl scored home tries while Greig Laidlaw kicked 11 points.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/35970534

Dragons are the only pro 12 team that have had a successful run in Europe and that is a disappointment that must be changed going forward as England and France rugby get more and more money will this be the vision of the future .

Semi final draw

Grenoble v haliquins monpellier v sale

european champions cup quarters

EUROPEAN CHAMPIONS CUP

LEISTER 41-13 STADE FRANCAIS

GONVEA DOUBLE PUTS LEISTER IN SEMIS

 

Leicester became the third English side into the European Champions Cup semi-finals as they handed Stade Francais a record European loss.

Tigers, into the last four for the first time since 2009, scored first-half tries through Manu Tuilagi, Niki Goneva and Freddie Burns.

Julian Dupuy's score for Stade after the break was wiped out as Goneva, Mike Fitzgerald and Telusa Veainu crossed.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/35971055

This match was more to do with the beating of Sade Francis as I think they beat themselves and how poor they are playing at the moment rather than the strength of Leister and I feel that this will get better

 

RACING METRO 19-16 TOULON

IMHOFF TRY ALLOWS METRO TO BEAT GODS

 

Racing 92 will face Leicester in the Champions Cup semi-finals after beating reigning champions Toulon in a tense last eight meeting.

The French Top 14 sides were level on 77 minutes after Charles Ollivan cancelled out Juan Imoff's opening try for Parisians Racing in the first half.

But a late Maxime Machenaud penalty edged Racing in front and they held on to defeat the three-time champions.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/35978455

Everybody thought Toulon were the best team in Europe for rugby and the fact that they had to play must have been a triggering factor as at home this would not happen I don’t think.

 

WASPS 25 -24 EXETER

PUATU DOUBLE ALLOWS WASPS TO  HOLD THEIR NERVE

 

Jimmy Gopperth kept his nerve to kick Wasps into a European Champions Cup semi-final against Saracens after an extraordinary win against Exeter.

The visitors led 14-6 at half-time after two tries from Thomas Waldrom wiped out Gopperth's two kicks.

Wasps' Charles Piutau and Chiefs prop Harry Williams traded tries and Gareth Steenson kicked Exeter 24-11 ahead.

Frank Halai gave Wasps hope, but Exeter looked set to hang on until Gopperth converted Piutau's last-second try.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/35970984

What a match between a team that has come from nowhere and one of the best teams in the world I think that this was an epic and will definitely help Exeter in the long run

SARACENS 29-20 NORTHAMPTON

WYLES KEEPS SARACES UNBEATEN DREAM IN TACT

 

A below-par Saracens extended their unbeaten record in the Champions Cup by beating injury-hit Northampton to set up a semi-final against Wasps.

Saints led 10-6 at the breaks thanks to a Ken Pisi try but missed chances to increase their advantage.

Owen Farrell ended with 19 points and was integral to his team's comeback.

Sarries' strength in depth told as Chris Ashton and Chris Wyles crossed the whitewash, and Courtney Lawes' late converted try was mere consolation.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/35971029

Saracens are one of the best sides in Europe this season and will improve week on week and I think they might be your champion

SEMI FINAL DRAW

Leister v racing metro, Saracens v Wasps