Guinness PRO12 round-up

After four rounds of play only five points separate Guinness PRO12 leaders Ulster Rugby and Glasgow Warriors in sixth position.

An exciting start to the season has been backed up by tries with 118 scored across the first four rounds of play which is seven more than at this point last season. This exciting play is drawing in the crowds, too, with attendances for like for like games in 2015/16 also up by 24.5% during Round 4.

Only Ulster and Cardiff Blues have maintained their undefeated starts to the season and both of those teams will put their records on the line against Ospreys and Leinster Rugby, who sit in third and fourth place, respectively.

Scarlets and Benetton Treviso collected their first wins of the season last weekend  which leaves just Connacht Rugby and Zebre Rugby as the only clubs without a victory to their name so far.

What’s at Stake?

With each passing round the intensity has cranked up across the Championship and Glasgow Warriors, Scarlets, Leinster Rugby, Edinburgh Rugby and Zebre Rugby all face tricky away games in Round 5.

Newport-Gwent Dragons will be looking for their second win of the season as Glasgow Warriors aim to get back to winning ways after successive losses.

Defending champions Connacht Rugby entertain an improving Edinburgh side, who have won on two of their last four visits to Galway, while Scarlets will have to put an end to Benetton Treviso’s three-game winning streak at home to the Welsh regions.

Cardiff Blues will host Leinster Rugby on their artificial surface at BT Sport Cardiff Arms Park and the fast pitch should produce an exciting game between the sides who have combined to score 27 tries already this season.

Fixtures

Friday, Sept 30: Newport-Gwent Dragons v Glasgow Warriors (7.35pm); Connacht Rugby v Edinburgh Rugby (7.35pm).

Saturday, Oct 1: Munster Rugby v Zebre Rugby (5pm); Ulster Rugby v Ospreys (6.30pm); Cardiff Blues v Leinster Rugby (7.35pm); Benetton Treviso v Scarlets (8.05pm Italian).

Pick of the Round

Ulster Rugby have not won a Championship title since 2006 and an unbeaten start to the season will have buoyed their ambition to get to the Guinness PRO12 Final on May 27, however, Ospreys will be determined to rebound from their loss to Leinster Rugby in Round 4.

Some of the most exciting firepower in the Championship will be on display with Charles Piutau, Stuart Olding, Jared Payne (Ulster) and Josh Matavesi, Jeff Hassler and Ben John (Ospreys) all appearing in the key Opta attacking categories.

 

ULSTER RUGBY v OSPREYS RUGBY

At Kingspan Stadium, 6.30pm.

Referee: Ben Whitehouse (WRU, 29th competition game)

Assistant Referees: Sean Brickell (WRU), Paul Haycock (IRFU)

Citing Commissioner: Eddie Wigglesworth (IRFU)

TMO: Gareth Simmonds (WRU)

Overall Guinness PRO12 head to head record:

Played 26, Ulster won 13, Ospreys won 13.

Did you know? 

  • Ulster Rugby have lost just one of their last nine Guinness PRO12 matches: 18-30 to Leinster at the RDS Arena in last season’s semi-final.
  • This is Ulster’s best start to a new campaign since they set the Championship record of winning their opening 11 contests in season 2012/13.
  • Ospreys had recorded maximum league points after three rounds but were brought back down to earth with a 19-31 loss to Leinster on Friday.
  • Ospreys only victory in their last five encounters with Irish provinces was 32-11 over Connacht in Galway in round 2.
  • Things could not be more even in previous encounters between the two sides with each attaining 13 victories, however of late Ulster’s only loss to Ospreys in their last six meetings was 20-31 at Liberty Stadium in December 2014.
  • Ospreys have won just once at Kingspan Stadium since 2010: 16-12 in February 2013.

 

For more Opta statistics visit http://www.pro12rugby.com/powered-by-opta/

Guinness PRO12 Final 2017 Ticket Information: Fans can save up to 20% on selected tickets, and prices start at just €30 adults and €5 child, and be booked via www.ticketmaster.ie. For further information visit http://www.pro12rugby.com/final