WE KNOW WHO the four playoff teams are, but Munster, Ulster, Glasgow and Ospreys still have to decide who will play who and where. Also, we have Connacht’s attempt to qualify for the Champions Cup, either automatically or by making it into the seventh place playoff.
In short, this is going to be a fun day.
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This is such a weird feeling… the final round of the Pro12 and we have about five games that mean something! If you are a fan of Cardiff Blues or Zebre, then you should leave this liveblog because I will not be mentioning that soaking wet squib even once.
However, I’ll be casting an eye over these quintet of fixtures.
- Munster v Dragons
- Connacht v Ospreys
- Edinburgh v Leinster
- Glasgow v Ulster
- Treviso v Scarlets
Leinster might have nothing to play for but there are some interesting things to look out for in their trip to Edinburgh. Firstly, a win would secure Connacht a place in the Champions Cup playoff.
Also, Colm O’Shea and Noel Reid will start in the centre, a duo who haven’t see much game-time this season. Ian Madigan also gets the nod at ten while Lansdowne youngster Cian Kelleher will provide back three cover from the bench. No Garry Ringrose though, we will have to wait a few more months for that.
Edinburgh: 15 Jack Cuthbert, 14 Dougie Fife, 13 Sam Beard, 12 Andries Strauss, 11 Tim Visser, 10 Tom Heathcote, 9 Sam Hidlago-Clyne, 8 Cornell Du Preez, 7 Hamish Watson, 6 Fraser McKenzie, 5 Ben Toolis, 4 Anton Bresler, 3 John Andress, 2 Ross Ford (c), 1 Alasdair Dickinson.
Replacements: 16 Neil Cochrane, 17 Rory Sutherland, 18 Simon Berghan, 19 Ollie Atkins, 20 James Hilterbrand, 21 Nathan Fowles, 22 Jade Te Rure, 23 Tom Brown.
Leinster: 15 Rob Kearney, 14 Zane Kirchner, 13 Colm O’Shea, 12 Noel Reid, 11 Dave Kearney, 10 Ian Madigan, 9 Isaac Boss, 8 Jamie Heaslip (c), 7 Sean O’Brien, 6 Jordi Murphy, 5 Mike McCarthy, 4 Devin Toner, 3 Mike Ross, 2 Richardt Strauss, 1 Jack McGrath.
Replacements: 16 Aaron Dundon, 17 Michael Bent, 18 Tadhg Furlong, 19 Tom Denton, 20 Jack Conan, 21 Luke McGrath, 22 Jimmy Gopperth, 23 Cian Kelleher.
Munster host the Dragons at Musgrave Park knowing that a bonus point win will secure them a home semi-final. They have rested some key men but should still be good enough to secure a five-point win.
Munster: 15 Felix Jones, 14 Keith Earls, 13 Andrew Smith, 12 Denis Hurley (c), 11 Ronan O’Mahony, 10 Ian Keatley, 9 Conor Murray, 8 CJ Stander, 7 Paddy Butler, 6 Donnacha Ryan, 5 Paul O’Connell, 4 Billy Holland, 3 BJ Botha, 2 Eusebio Guinazu, 1 John Ryan.
Replacements: 16 Niall Scannell, 17 Dave Kilcoyne, 18 Stephen Archer, 19 Sean Dougall, 20 Jack O’Donoghue, 21 Duncan Williams, 22 JJ Hanrahan, 23 Andrew Conway.
Dragons: 15 Jason Tovey, 14 Tom Prydie, 13 Tyler Morgan, 12 Jack Dixon, 11 Hallam Amos, 10 Dorian Jones, 9 Jonathan Evans, 8 Taulupe Faletau, 7 Nic Cudd, 6 Nick Crosswell, 5 Rynard Landman (c), 4 Cory Hill, 3 Brok Harris, 2 Hugh Gustafson, 1 Boris Stankovich.
Replacements: 16 Rhys Buckley, 17 Phil Price, 18 Lloyd Fairbrother, 19 Matthew Screech, 20 James Benjamin, 21 Richie Rees, 22 Ashton Hewitt, 23 Geraint Rhys Jones.
Ulster boss Neil Doak seems to have conceded the home semi-final in favour of resting some of his frontline players. Some make the bench, while others have been omitted entirely.
Glasgow: 15 Stuart Hogg, 14 Tommy Seymour, 13 Richie Vernon, 12 Peter Horne, 11 Sean Lamont, 10 Finn Russell, 9 Niko Matawalu, 8 Adam Ashe, 7 Chris Fusaro, 6 Josh Strauss, 5 Al Kellock (c), 4 Jonny Gray, 3 Rossouw de Klerk, 2 Dougie Hall, 1 Ryan Grant
Replacements: 16 Pat MacArthur, 17 Gordon Reid, 18 Mike Cusack, 19 Leone Nakarawa, 20 Ryan Wilson, 21 Henry Pyrgos, 22 Duncan Weir, 23 Peter Murchie
Ulster: 15 Louis Ludik, 14 Rory Scholes, 13 Sam Arnold, 12 Stuart McCloskey, 11 Michael Allen, 10 Ian Humphreys, 9 Paul Marshall, 8 Robbie Diack, 7 Chris Henry (c), 6 Clive Ross, 5 Franco van der Merwe, 4 Louis Stevenson, 3 Ricky Lutton, 2 Rob Herring, 1 Andrew Warwick
Replacements: 16 Rory Best, 17 Kyle McCall, 18 Bronson Ross, 19 Iain Henderson, 20 Roger Wilson, 21 Ruan Pienaar, 22 Paddy Jackson, 23 Tommy Bowe
Judging from the teams selected, this semi-final line-up looks pretty likely:
Munster v Ulster
Glasgow v Ospreys.
One interesting thing about the Ulster line-up is that Stuart McCloskey starts at inside centre. The Bangor Bulldozer has been in dominant form in the last few weeks and should thrive in a starting role today.
The Scarlets lead Connacht by four points in the race for the automatic Champions Cup place and the westerners need the Welsh side to lose without any bonus points away to Treviso, and then beat the Ospreys at the Sportsgrounds.
Were the Scarlets to pick up a losing bonus point in Italy, then Connacht would have to win with a bonus point.
The Welsh team need just two points to clinch a place in next season’s European Cup.
Will this help or hinder Rhys Webb at the Sportsgrounds?
BOD seemed a little off in similar circumstances against England in 2013.
An raft of backline injuries at Connacht has seen Fionn Carr brought back into the team. Does he still have the ability to influence such an important game?
There is actually a similar scenario happening in England today, with the Aviva Premiership playing their final round of matches. Leicester, Exeter and Saracens are competing for two playoff places and it looks like the Chiefs might be the team that misses out.
Just ten minutes to kick off now… who do you think will come out on top in today’s games?
Glasgow, Munster with BP, Scarlets with BP, Leinster and Ospreys is 5/1… worth a punt?
It is Jimmy Gopperth’s last game for Leinster today too, but Ian Madigan will start in the ten jersey regardless.
If you put Alun Wyn Jones’ face into that stupid ‘guess the age’ app, he’d get about 50!
Good start by the Connacht scrum in Galway.
TRY! Munster 7-3 Dragons
Australian centre Andrew Smith shows lovely footwork to dance down the touchline and touch down in the corner. Perfect start for Munster at Musgrave Park.
Glasgow 3-0 Ulster
Munster 7-10 Dragons
Finn Russell has kicked Glasgow into the lead after Ulster go offside while the Dragons have struck back immediately through Ashton Hewitt!
Edinburgh 3-0 Leinster
Connacht 0-3 Ospreys
A scrum offence allows Dan Biggar to give the Ospreys the lead in Galway while Sam Hidalgo-Clyne has opened the scoring in Scotland.
Tom Denton replaced Mike McCarthy after the second row was suspected of having a concussion. The replacement has now gone off for the same test.
Munster 14-10 Dragons
A classic Munster score! Keatley goes to the corner with a penalty and CJ Stander rumbles over from the back of a maul.
Ospreys are piling on the pressure early on in Galway.
Great maul defence from Connacht keeps the Ospreys out… just as Treviso open the scoring against the Scarlets! UPSET ALERT*!
*Just trying to generate some excitement
Treviso 5-0 Scarlets
Edinburgh 3-3 Leinster
Davide Giazzon scored for the Italian’s but Jayden Hayward missed the conversion. Meanwhile, who said Ian Madigan couldn’t be a traditional ten? Jordi Murphy wins a lineout in Edinburgh territory and then Madigan slots a DG.
Connacht 0-10 Ospreys
The Connacht scrum is destroyed, allowing Dan Biggar to cross under the posts. Looks like Connacht might even miss out on the Champions Cup playoff unless Leinster do them a favour.
Munster 21-10 Dragons
The home side set another maul and after going through the phases, Conor Murray burrows over from close range. Another try and Munster will secure the one seed, and a home game with Ulster, as it stands.
The Leinster Twitter account is about as objective as the regular Olympic boxing judges!
TRY! Edinburgh 3-10 Leinster
Ian Madigan and Sean O’Brien combine to release the forgotten man Noel Reid, who finishes with gusto. A lovely score by Matt O’Connor’s men.
Bad news for Ulster…
Obviously Connacht wouldn’t want to lose Kieran Marmion, but John Cooney has played some excellent rugby in the last few weeks.
Treviso 8-0 Scarlets
Munster 28-10 Dragons
Hayward kicks another penalty so if Connacht can turn things around at home, they will take the last automatic Champions Cup spot. Elsewhere, Murray’s second try has sealed a bonus point for Munster.
Treviso 8-3 Scarlets
A Rhys Priestland penalty has reduced the gap to five in Italy.
Connacht 0-17 Ospreys
Ben John scores an easy try and it could already be game over at the Sportsgrounds. Very disappointing performance by Pat Lam’s men.
Treviso 13-3 Scarlets
Edinburgh 10-10 Leinster
Connacht 0-24 Ospreys
A Jayden Hayward interception try for Treviso increases their lead while Hamish Watson has levelled the match in Edinburgh. Also, new dad Rhys Webb has crossed for the Ospreys’ third try, and as it stands, Connacht will be playing in the Challenge Cup next season.
Glasgow 3-7 Ulster
After a yellow card to Glasgow second row Jonny Gray, Chris Henry touches down after a rolling maul. As it stands, Munster would host Glasgow!.
Edinburgh 10-17 Leinster
Ian Madigan plays a part in another Leinster score, this time linking with Dave Kearney to put replacement Jack Conan over for a score.
Glasgow 6-7 Ulster
Another Russell penalty reduces the gap to the minimum right on half time.
Glasgow 6-10 Ulster
But Ian Humphreys puts the lead back to four almost immediately with a penalty of his own.
Ospreys were just denied their fourth try but the TMO. They have a home semi-final as it stands and it just depends on who they will host.
TRY! Munster 33-10 Dragons
It what could be his last ever game at Musgrave Park, Paul O’Connell crashes over at the back of the maul, which has been a potent weapon for Munster in the first half.
We have now reached half time in the final round of the Pro12. Here are the scores:
Connact 0-24 Ospreys
Munster 33-10 Dragons
Edinburgh 10-17 Leinster
Glasgow 6-10 Ulster
Treviso 13-3 Scarlets.
Munster 38-10 Dragons
Munster are putting on a real show in their regular season finale. Keith Earls has scored their sixth try at the start of the second half.
Connacht 3-24 Ospreys
Jack Carty kicks a penalty from straight in front, and then runs back to halfway like Steven Gerrard in Istanbul in 2005!
Pat Lam obviously did his best Joe Kernan impression at half time, throwing his Challenge Cup registration sheet against the wall at half time!
Edinburgh 13-17 Leinster
Things get a little more nervous for Connacht as Hidalgo-Clyne narrows the gap for Edinburgh.
Munster 40-17 Dragons
Denis Hurley and Jason Tovey swap tries in what is a very entertaining game in Cork.
Connacht 6-24 Ospreys
Connacht kick another penalty with 30 minutes to go. Can they do the unthinkable?
It’s all Connacht at the moment!
Edinburgh 13-22 Leinster
Once again, Madigan is the creator as Zane Kirchner touches down.
TRY! Connacht 11-24 Ospreys
Eoghan Masterson goes over at the back of a maul. Game on in Galway! If Connacht can somehow get the win, they will be in the Champions Cup – as things stand.
Edinburgh 18-22 Leinster
Pressure back on Connacht as Tim Visser reduces the gap with a try.
Connacht 13-24 Ospreys
Glasgow 11-10 Ulster
Carty nailed the touchline conversion in Galway while Stuart Hogg has given Glasgow the lead after gathering a grubber kick to score.
Edinburgh 20-22 Leinster
Hidalgo-Clyne converted the tricky kick and now Edinburgh are a score away from putting Connacht into the Challenge Cup… although they are a few scores away from putting themselves into the Champions Cup. Permutations!
TRY! Treviso 13-8 Scarlets
Big score for the Welsh side as Liam Williams touches down in Italy. A losing bonus point would be enough for that last Champions Cup place.
Treviso 13-10 Scarlets
Glasgow 18-10 Ulster
Priestland converts Williams’ try while Finn Russell goes over for Glasgow.
Munster 45-17 Dragons
Conor Murray completes his hat-trick as Munster edge towards the half century. They host Ulster, as it stands.
Edinburgh 23-22 Leinster
Hidalgo-Clyne puts Edinburgh in front with another penalty. Unless Leinster score or Connacht complete their comeback, they will be in the Challenge Cup.
TRY! Treviso 13-15 Scarlets
Steff Evans crosses for the Welsh side, who look to have secured Champions Cup rugby for next season.
Edinburgh’s kickoff goes out on the full and Leinster have a scrum on halfway. Connacht will be praying that they can milk a penalty…
TRY! Edinburgh 23-27 Leinster
They did much better than that as Jordi Murphy scores a try that puts Connacht back into the Champions Cup playoff place!
TRY! Glasgow 25-10 Ulster
Another Finn Russell dart from close-range yields another Glasgow try. If Glasgow score another try, they will host Ulster in the semi-finals, with the Ospreys travelling to Munster.
TRY! Glasgow 32-10 Ulster
The Scottish side have secured a home semi-final and unless the Ospreys score a fourth try, they will host Ulster in a rematch next weekend.
FT Edinburgh 23-29 Leinster
Leinster end their season with a win, which means that Connacht will play away to Gloucester in the Champions Cup playoff semi-final.
TRY! Connacht 20-24 Ospreys
Denis Buckley dives over for a consolation score for the home side as the clock strikes 80.
FT Connacht 20-24 Ospreys
The Ospreys had three tries at half time but their inability to score a fourth cost them a home playoff game. They will visit Munster next Saturday.
FT Munster 50-27 Dragons
A dominant Munster display means they earn the right to host the Ospreys next Saturday evening in what should be a cracker. The Welsh side won at Thomond Park earlier in the season.
no Conway is the man. fast can tackle & safe hands under a high ball
@john fleming: shtop.
@john fleming: Ha ha ha
He’s too dangerous a finisher to take off the wing. I’d like to see Stockdale-Lowe-Larmour next season
@Rudiger McMonihan: Lowe is qualified?
@Rudiger McMonihan: that would be a ridiculous backline
@Rudiger McMonihan: oh Jesus Christ !!!!
@Bluepoolroad: after the world cup
I think it’s November 2020 before he qualifies
@Rudiger McMonihan: Keith Earls won’t be pushed out that easily.
@Rudiger McMonihan: Jesus did earl’s steal your wife or something
@Padraic Burke: Earls isn’t half the player that Lowe is.
Earl’s is much older and in a years time it is unlikely that he will still be the best winger. If he is then fair play to him. I hope I’m proven wrong!
@Baz Dunne: your right. He’s twice the player.
@Anthony:
For Leinster the qualification of Jamison Gibson-Park at the end of 2019 will mean J Lowe should become a regular because that 2 into 3 problem will be gone. But it will not be till next year that he could qualifie (if he wants to go for a place in the Ireland setup)
A fine player but Earls is the man !!
@Baz Dunne: And you’re clearly not half the expert you think you are.
@Bluepoolroad: yes Lowe can play I. Next 6nations I think … has to be in the mix as does Adam Byrne I think if he keeps progressing post the Kearney, Earls era
Is there anything to be said for Simon Zebo?
@southside: No
@southside: if he comes back then absolutely
@Rudiger McMonihan: Zebo shouldn’t have to come back to qualify. He is 1/2 French and has chosen to experience that culture. Should that restrict his eligibility?? NO
Bad example but Imagine telling Irish soccer players plying their trade in England you need to play in the league of Ireland.
Zebo record try scorer for Munster
Was on shortlist in his 1 season for Top 14 player of the year. Of course he should be considered.
@southside: yeah get lost Simon
@T Meister: yes it most certainly should restrict it. We need to protect our provincial game because at the moment it’s working. Look at how bad the French team are because they have no control over french club players
@T Meister: I can’t believe we’re STILL having the Zebo conversation.
@Anthony:
So should Sexton have been dropped too?
@The Great Unwashed:
Different times my friend and all gone over many many times .
@Anthony: FREEDOM of choice for ALL.
Best players who qualify for this country should be considered. Provinces should stand on their own merits encourage Irish players to stay but not the detriment of the National Side being able to choose The Best 15.
@Martin Quinn:
Not different times at all. The ‘rule’ applied to players before Sexton and after Sexton, so why didn’t it apply to Sexton himself?
You can’t have a policy and then choose to disregard it when it’s inconvenient – either it’s the policy or it isn’t.
@The Great Unwashed: maybe you should change your name to the great uneducated, this was enforced because of sexton.
@Chris Mc:
What does that even mean? The policy was there long before Sexton moved to Racing, so why wasn’t it applied to him as it was applied to other players who moved overseas?
@The Great Unwashed: I know the reason as you certainly do by the question you asked and for THIS reply to be published this is all I can say.
No.
His a winger.
Stick to players playing in there natural position. Instead of fannying about.
@Paddy Waggon: played u20 at full back and pretty impressive at that
@Kevin Donnelly: why was he moved to the wing so .
@Paddy Waggon: To get game time in a position which is not as challenging for a young inexperienced player. He will be Ulster’s 15 for years to come imo
Even though his defence has improved over the past 12 months, it remains the weakest part of his game. At 15 he could be exposed by all of the open ground as opposed to being able to use the touchline as an extra defender. It could improve for pro14 level but I don’t think he could manage international.
@Declan Snow: It’s his defensive positioning and reads that have let him down, rather than his tackle technique. At 15 he’ll only really be needed to shut someone down when they break the line and he has the speed to do it. Would really like to see him there.
The thoughts of a Stockdale, Lowe, Larmour back 3 going into the next world cup cycle is mouth watering!
I’d prefer to see Larmour getting some serious game time back there!
He needs to be given a few games on the run
@Aaron Tynan: In what aspect(s) of his game is Jordan better than Jacob?
@Bluepoolroad: actually grounding the ball for one
@John Keenan: savage
@John Keenan: that was harsh now in fairness.
@Stephen Foster: funny tho
@Bluepoolroad:
Knowing when to pass.
I think everyone is forgetting about Addison. I think he will have a say in that back 3 over the next 4 – 8 years.
Stockdale can’t / won’t pass.
You need a 15 that can pass.
@Bungee Aky: so Rob Lyttle got the ball by telepathy on Friday night?
@Ian Frizzell: you said it
@Bungee Aky: Rob “Straightens the line” Kearney never saw a ball he couldnt run into the first chaser with
@Bungee Aky: Kearney is knowing for his passing rather than his running into contact ;-)
@Bungee Aky: also a dodgy defender
@Kevin Donnelly: In what alternate universe is that true?
I never feel confident that he will catch a high contested ball in game.
The question is, who will be fb come world cup
Henshaw is our best natural fullback, I hope Joe sticks with him in the warm ups.
@Rochelle: showed against england he has almost no positional sense to defend the chip over the top. If he isnt playing 15 for leinster (he wont be) its a non runner for Ire
@Rochelle: He is in his hoop
@Kazoochka: bovine excrement! He covered as well as anyone would have with that defensive set up. Even with the tweaks that followed RK with all his experience was caught several times v Italy. Give players that much time to look up and pick and choose their kicks and with nobody else dropping into the backfield the best 15 in the world would have struggled. England just out gunned us tactically and broke our defence down, I wouldn’t go pointing the finger at any one player.
@Kazoochka: both Earls and Stockdale made horrible calls in the game and expecting an full back to read those is a bit much.
Larmour is prob next in line, he still has a lot of learning to do in my opinion. There are a lot of times in games where his decision making with ball in hand gets him (team) in trouble. No doubting his ability but sometimes he should just take the direct line of contact and get go forward rather than trying to jink statically around guys and then get pushed back a few meters
Well itd be interesting. Hes a tall lad so fielding wouldnt be an issue. In terms of speed hes very quick as well. But is he too tqll that hes an easier target?
Worth a try at least.
I’d much rather keep him on the wing. It’s a pity Haley has taken the fullback position at Munster as I believe Conway is our best all rounded fullback in the country. While larmour and Addison have still to add to their game, I believe Conway has all the right attributes to make a top quality fullback at international level.
@Anthony O Connell: Conway has never really claimed the Munster 15 shirt and always seems to be injured when the internationals come around. He’s no spring chicken either.
You shut up.
I’m Eoin McLove.
I can do what I lie!