Good afternoon rugby fans and welcome to the final day of the regular Guinness Pro12 season. We’re following all the action from around the grounds as the four provinces all hope to finish with a flourish.
There is so much at stake and it promises to be an afternoon of high drama. All six games kick-off at 3pm.
Before we begin our buildup, lets take a look at the six games down for decision today.
- Connacht v Glasgow
- Edinburgh v Cardiff Blues
- Leinster v Treviso
- Munster v Scarlets
- Ospreys v Ulster
- Zebre v Dragons
The top two, Glasgow and Connacht, meet in Galway with the winner securing a home semi-final.
Leinster are hot on their tails in third and Leo Cullen’s side entertain Treviso at the RDS knowing a bonus-point win would be enough for them to earn a home semi-final.
Ulster are clinging onto the final play-off berth and are in Swansea to face Ospreys. The northern province will be hoping Munster can do them a favour by beating Scarlets in Limerick.
We have reporters at the RDS, Thomond Park, the Sportsground and the Liberty Stadium to bring you the best coverage of this Pro12 ‘Super Saturday’.
Get in contact by leaving a comment below, emailing ryan@the42.ie or tweeting @rugby_ie.
The scene is set in Limerick, where Munster will wear their alternative black kit against Scarlets.
It’s been a season to forget down south but Anthony Foley’s men can seal a Champions Cup place with a win this afternoon.
Anthony Foley has kept faith with the same starting XV that saw off Edinburgh last week.
Munster (v Scarlets)
15. Simon Zebo
14. Andrew Conway
13. Francis Saili
12. Rory Scannell
11. Keith Earls
10. Johnny Holland
9. Conor Murray
1. Dave Kilcoyne
2. Niall Scannell
3. Stephen Archer
4. Dave Foley
5. Billy Holland
6. Dave O’Callaghan
7. Tommy O’Donnell
8. CJ Stander (c)
Replacements:
16. Mike Sherry
17. James Cronin
18. John Ryan
19. Robin Copeland
20. Jack O’Donoghue
21. Duncan Williams
22. Ian Keatley
23. Ronan O’Mahony
The equation for Leinster is simple: beat Treviso with a bonus point and they’ll have a home semi-final at the RDS to look forward to.
The rain has relented in the capital and Leo Cullen will be hoping his side can take advantage of the conditions to play some attacking rugby.
The hosts have been forced into a late change with Devin Toner dropping out through illness. Ross Molony comes into the second-row alongside Mick Kearney.
Leinster (v Treviso):
15. Rob Kearney
14. Isa Nacewa (Capt)
13. Garry Ringrose
12. Ben Te’o
11. Dave Kearney
10. Johnny Sexton
9. Eoin Reddan
1. Jack McGrath
2. Richardt Strauss
3. Mike Ross
4. Ross Molony
5. Mick Kearney
6. Rhys Ruddock
7. Jordi Murphy
8. Jamie Heaslip
Replacements:
16. Sean Cronin
17. Peter Dooley
18. Tadhg Furlong
19. Hayden Triggs
20. Dominic Ryan
21. Luke McGrath
22. Cathal Marsh
23. Noel Reid
It’s another big day out west. Connacht will look to finish with a flourish and secure a home semi with victory over league leaders Glasgow.
It’s a tall order against the reigning champions but Pat Lam has been able to recall Bundee Aki, Matt Healy and AJ MacGinty for the game. Robbie Henshaw also starts in midfield.
Connacht (Glasgow):
15. Tiernan O’Halloran
14. Niyi Adeolokun
13. Robbie Henshaw
12. Bundee Aki
11. Matt Healy
10. AJ MacGinty
9. Kieran Marmion
1. Ronan Loughney
2. Tom McCartney
3. Finlay Bealham
4. Ultan Dillane
5. Aly Muldowney
6. Sean O’Brien
7. Jake Heenan
8. John Muldoon (Capt.)
Replacements:
16. Dave Heffernan
17. JP Cooney
18. Rodney Ah You
19. Quinn Roux
20. Eoin McKeon
21. John Cooney
22. Shane O’Leary
23. Peter Robb
Finally, Les Kiss and Ulster are in Wales to face Ospreys knowing that a bonus-point win would guarantee them a top-four finish.
Anything less and they’ll be looking nervously over their shoulder with Scarlets, who are in Limerick, looking to grab that final play-off spot.
Ospreys also have plenty to play for with three successive bonus-point wins keeping their hopes of Champions Cup qualification alive. They need to collect five points today and hope other results go their way.
Ulster (v Ospreys):
15. Jared Payne
14. Andrew Trimble
13. Luke Marshall
12. Stuart McCloskey
11. Craig Gilroy
10. Paddy Jackson
9. Ruan Pienaar
1. Callum Black
2. Rory Best (capt)
3. Ricky Lutton
4. Pete Browne
5. Franco van der Merwe
6. Iain Henderson
7. Chris Henry
8. Sean Reidy
Replacements:
16. Rob Herring
17. Kyle McCall
18. Andy Warwick
19. Robbie Diack
20. Roger Wilson
21. Paul Marshall
22. Stuart Olding
23. Darren Cave
The heatwave we were promised hasn’t materialised and the weather around the country isn’t great, but it is dry in Dublin for Leinster’s clash with Treviso.
Not long until kick-off around the grounds now. We’ll keep you up-to-date with all the action as it happens right here.
If you’re desperately trawling through the channels to find your province on TV, here is where you can find each of the games:
- Connacht v Glasgow – TG4
- Munster v Scarlets – S4C
- Ospreys v Ulster – BBC NI and Sky Sports 1
- Leinster v Treviso – no broadcaster
We’re underway at the Liberty Stadium, Thomond Park, the RDS and the Galway Sportsground. Strap yourselves in, we’re set for a thrilling afternoon of rugby.
Early opportunity for Glasgow to take the lead in Galway is squandered by Finn Russell. He pushes his penalty wide of the posts.
Early blow for Connacht as Finlay Bealham is forced in the second minute. Rodney Ah You comes on. Meanwhile, Niall Scannell has gone off for a HIA in Limerick.
Ulster under some early pressure at the Liberty Stadium as Sam Underhill makes a break through midfield. The visiting defence just about manages to scramble back and force the mistake. Lively start.
Murray Kinsella is at Thomond Park this afternoon.
Frenetic start in Galway with the weather conditions far from ideal. In Limerick, Scarlets have looked dangerous in the opening exchanges with Tommy O’Donnell forced to make a try-saving tackle after a break from Liam Williams.
We have our first points of the day as Dragons take an early lead against Zebre. Remains scoreless in the games involving the provinces.
TRY! Leinster 5-0 Treviso (Sexton)
Leinster are up and running as Sexton finishes off a sensational running team move. Just three more now for Cullen’s men. The out-half fails to add the extras.
TRY! Ospreys 7-0 Ulster (Biggar)
The hosts’ early pressure is rewarded as Biggar forces his way over before converting his own try.
PENALTY! Munster 0-3 Scarlets (Shingler)
First points of the day in Limerick and it’s the visitors who open their account through Steven Shingler.
It’s been a difficult start for Munster, with Tommy O’Donnell now off for a HIA.
TRY! Munster 7-3 Scarlets (Saili)
Munster click into gear and hit the front through a brilliant score from Saili. Holland converts.
TRY! Ospreys 7-7 Ulster (Jackson)
Brilliant response from Ulster and they’re level as Jackson dots down under the posts. Les Kiss looks far happier in the stands now.
Rob Kearney appears to be in trouble with an ankle injury but the Ireland international is soldiering on.
TRY! Connacht 7-0 Glasgow (Aki)
Clinical from Connacht as they convert their first foray into opposition territory with seven points. Aki forces his way over and MacGinty makes no mistake.
Johnny Sexton’s early try has given Leinster the lead.
Munster lead Scarlets but they’ve been forced into two early changes.
TRY! Leinster 10-0 Treviso (Kearney)
Try number two for Leinster as Dave Kearney crosses from a powerful lineout maul.
Big let-off for Munster.
Finn Russell is struggling to find his radar in the driving rain in Galway. The Glasgow out-half has now missed two kickable penalties and it remains 7-0 to the hosts.
Tommy O’Donnell has been forced off early, but Munster lead in Limerick.
As we reach the 25 minute mark, lets take a check on the latest scores:
- Connacht 7-0 Glasgow
- Leinster 10-0 Treviso
- Munster 7-3 Scarlets
- Zebre 17-3 Dragons
- Edinburgh 12-0 Cardiff
- Ospreys 7-7 Ulster
TRY! Ospreys 7-14 Ulster (Best)
Cometh the hour, cometh the man. Ulster take the lead in Wales for the first time as Best powers his way through the Ospreys defence from yards out to complete a first half turnaround for his side. Jackson adds the extras.
TRY! Leinster 17-0 Treviso (Strauss)
Strauss in on the act now and Leinster are cruising. Sexton makes no mistake with the conversion this time.
TRY! Munster 12-6 Scarlets (Scannell)
It’s all happening. Munster pull clear with their second try of the day through Rory Scannell.
Bundee Aki’s try is currently the difference at a very wet Sportsground.
Rob Kearney has hobbled off at the RDS after failing to shake off that ankle injury. Noel Reid is on in his place with Garry Ringrose moving to the wing.
PENALTY! Munster 14-9 Scarlets (Shingler)
Three from three for Shingler at Thomond Park.
Frustration growing for Connacht with Ian Davies on the receiving end of some heavy criticism from the Sportsground crowd. Pat Lam side’s knocking on the door.
TRY! Ospreys 14-14 Ulster (Matevesi)
It’s been an entertaining affair in Swansea and Ospreys hit back through Josh Matevesi. Biggar has the simple task of leveling proceedings from the tee.
By all accounts, Treviso have been pretty awful so far and it has been a stroll in the park for Leinster. They shouldn’t have any problem in wrapping up the bonus point now.
Brilliant from Marmion as he scythes through the Glasgow defence, only for the visitors to turn it over yards from their own line.
TRY! Ospreys 14-21 Ulster (Trimble)
Right on the stroke of half-time, Ulster take the lead. The bounce of the ball falls Trimble’s way and he does brilliantly to sprint home from 40 yards out. Jackson’s conversion goes over via the upright.
Paddy Jackson has scored one of Ulster’s three first-half tries.
PENALTY! Munster 14-12 Scarlets (Shingler)
Munster’s indiscipline is costing them as they concede their sixth penalty and Shingler reduces the deficit to just two points.
The Munster medical staff have been busy.
It’s been an intensely physical battle in Galway.
Still playing at Thomond Park.
Here are the half-time scores:
- Connacht 7-0 Glasgow
- Leinster 17-0 Treviso
- Munster 14-12 Scarlets
- Zebre 23-3 Dragons
- Edinburgh 17-7 Cardiff
- Ospreys 14-21 Ulster
Back underway at the RDS and Liberty Stadium. As it stands, Connacht and Leinster have home semi-finals and Ulster lie in fourth. It can all change very quickly though.
PENALTY! Ospreys 14-24 Ulster (Jackson)
Ulster start the second period just as they finished the first. Brilliant break from Gilroy and he wins the penalty, with Jackson converting.
Pretty poor crowds at Munster and Leinster today.
Treviso have started the second half brightly in Dublin and while Leinster are in complete control, they’ve been far from their best and will want to seal the deal sooner rather than later.
Nacewa almost secures the bonus point but the captain just can’t force his way over.
TRY! Leinster 24-0 Treviso (Jack McGrath)
And there it is. Leinster guarantee themselves a home semi-final as Jack McGrath scores the all-important fourth try.
With Sexton down receiving treatment, Nacewa steps up and adds the extras.
Munster come out of the blocks quickly.
Glasgow are just beginning to exert a bit more pressure and a rolling maul results in a penalty for the visitors. Russell has missed his first two attempts and this time he goes for the corner.
TRY! Leinster 31-0 Treviso (Nacewa)
Leinster running riot now as Nacewa scores his side’s fifth try of the afternoon.
TRY! Connacht 7-7 Glasgow (Reid)
The Sportsground falls silent as Glasgow make their pressure count to draw level through Gordon Reid.
It’s all level in Galway with 32 minutes remaining.
Munster far from home and try. Scarlets are giving it a real go.
Connacht looking for an instant reply and they win the penalty. MacGinty goes for the corner and tempers are just beginning to flare. Ian Davies consults with his touch judge and the outcome is that we’re going upstairs to have a look at that last passage of play.
RED! The replay is damning and Puafisi is shown red by Ian Davies for leading with the head on Marmion. Moment of madness from the Glasgow prop and the natives have found their voices again.
Treviso are also down to 14 men at the RDS with Filo Paulo sent to the bin. Leinster pushing for a sixth try.
TRY! Ospreys 14-31 Ulster (Henry)
Brilliant from Ulster. The northern province have now secured a bonus point of their own through Chris Henry and they’re pulling clear of Ospreys.
Connacht looking to make their numerical advantage count as they go through the phases in Glasgow’s 22. Pat Lam’s men continue to knock on the door but there’s no way through just yet.
Sickening clash of heads and Rodney Ah You is forced off after coming on in the third minute. JP Cooney on.
TRY! Leinster 36-0 Treviso (Kearney)
Mick Kearney scores his first Leinster try but is then forced off with a head injury. Hayden Triggs is on in his place.
Steven Shingler’s boot has kept Scarlets in touch with Munster.
TRY! Leinster 36-7 Treviso (Lazzaroni)
The Italians register their first points of the day with Hayward converting.
It has been a brilliant day for Ulster.
TRY! Leinster 43-7 Treviso (Reid)
Noel Reid comes to the party with a wonderful individual score.
Frustration for Munster. The hosts opt to kick for the corner after winning the penalty but a crooked throw from Sherry sees the chance come and go.
Here’s a check on the latest scores:
- Galway 7-7 Glasgow
- Leinster 43-7 Treviso
- Munster 14-12 Scarlets
- Zebre 47-10 Dragons
- Edinburgh 17-14 Cardiff
- Ospreys 14-34 Ulster
Injury problems for Connacht as Ronan Loughney the latest prop to hobble off. As the game restarts, Marmion dashes down the right and as the ball goes through the hands, it eventually breaks down with a knock-on from Healy.
TRY! Ospreys 19-34 Ulster (Grabham)
Are Ospreys launching a late comeback?
Conor Murray has been struggling with his quad over the last few minutes and the Ireland scrum-half has to make way. Duncan Williams on in his place. It’s still Munster 14-12 Edinburgh.
It’s been an easy afternoon for Leinster, with Noel Reid scoring their latest try.
TRY! Ospreys 19-41 Ulster (Olding)
But Ulster find the perfect response through Stuart Olding. That’s surely game over now with 11 minutes remaining.
TRY! Connacht 14-7 Glasgow (O’Halloran)
Perseverance pays off for Connacht. They win a penalty for obstruction and take full advantage as Shane O’Leary’s cross-field kick is gathered by O’Halloran and he bundles over the line.
Sila Puafisi’s moment of madness looks like costing his side dearly.
Not long left in Wales. It has been a stellar performance from Ulster.
TRY! Leinster 43-12 Treviso (Muccignat)
After returning to their full complement, Treviso score their second of the day through Matteo Muccignat.
TRY! Ospreys 26-41 Ulster (Grabham)
Grabham grabs his second and Ospreys pull another one back. Five minutes remaining.
PENALTY! Munster 19-15 Scarlets (Shingler)
Shingler on target again to bring the Welsh side within four points.
TRY! Leinster 43-19 Treviso (Bacchin)
A late rally from the Italians and Leo Cullen won’t be pleased with this.
TRY! Ospreys 26-46 Ulster (Reidy)
Ulster finish with a flourish as Reidy gets over for a sixth try of the afternoon. Jackson unable to steer his effort between the posts.
Isa Nacewa is named man of the match at the RDS and it’s all smiles for Ulster in Swansea. Just two minutes remaining in that one.
TRY! Leinster 50-19 Treviso (Ringrose)
Ringrose is rewarded for another exciting performance with a try at the death.
TRY! Munster 24-15 Scarlets (Stander)
And that should do it for Munster. Fourth try for Foley’s men scored by the captain, CJ Stander.
It’s 14 v 14 in Galway. Another injury, this time to Cooney, means Connacht are down a man. The hosts wanted to bring Quinn Roux on but Glasgow kicked up a fuss.
Thrilling game at the Liberty Stadium and a fantastic win for Ulster.
Eight minutes remaining out west, where it is very tense.
Bundee Aki with a terrific kick and chase there to relieve the pressure on the hosts.
Cooney is back on the field again and Connacht are back to 15. Glasgow throwing everything at the home side with five minutes remaining.
Drama in Galway. Glasgow going through the phases, throwing the ball wide in search of a breakthrough. Heroic defence from Connacht and they force the mistake. What a game.
The Clan Terrace is in full voice as ‘The Fields of Athenry’ echoes around the Sportsground. Just three minutes remaining for Connacht to hold on. Last push.
TRY! Munster 31-15 Scarlets (Scannell)
It’s Rory Scannell again and Munster finish with a try.
Full-time: Connacht 14-7 Glasgow
Bonus-point wins for Leinster, Ulster and Munster on the final day of the regular season while Connacht earn a hard-fought victory over Glasgow in Galway.
A thrilling afternoon of rugby.
The final standings:
I’m sure the irony of Jim McGuinness revealing all in a book is not lost on Kevin Cassidy.
Really hope he gets a good ghost writer (Keith Duggan or Kieran Shannon would be perfect) and this could be a belter of a book.
No matter what your opinions on the football, he’s a fiercely interesting guy.
fools and their money.
Christ did this lad win a few championships or just one .
He won it twice! Once as a player and once as the manager
A book about how to play puke football
No thanks
3 out of 4 ulster championships too – u know the only one that counts really :-)
Kevin Cassidy must be absolutely raging right now
chapter 1, refuse to play just strangle the life out of the opposition until they surrender the end.
Chapter 2 Uses if verbal abuse.
You are very bitter Paul
not a bit of it Joe .