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RaboDirect PRO12 PREVIEW 2013/14

Round 17: 21-23 March 2014

PREVIEW ROUND 17 Having led Leinster to the RaboDirect PRO12 title last season, coach Joe Schmidt took the RBS 6 Nations crown at the first time of asking in a tense finish to the Championship last weekend. Following on Ireland’s success it is perhaps appropriate that as the RaboDirect PRO12 returns to centre stage three of the top four teams are Irish Provinces.

Schmidt’s former team, Leinster are in action at the RDS on Friday night, they and Munster both host Italian opposition in round 17 and whilst the records seem to point in favour of two home wins, neither side can afford to slip up as they chase a top two finish.

Third placed are also in action on Friday night, their bonus point win over in their rearranged game last week has pulled them closer to the leaders as the battle for home advantage in the Play-Offs intensifies.

Ospreys, the only non-Irish side currently in the Play-Off Zone, know they have a fight on their hands to maintain that position as Warriors are just three points behind them but still have two games in hand. face fellow Welsh Region on Friday night, whereas welcome Scarlets to Scotstoun on Saturday, the Welshmen did not make up any ground on the top four in their rearranged fixture last week.

The next two weeks could be critical in any team’s aspirations of making the end of season Play-Offs as the pressure starts to build towards the season finale. ROUND 17 FIXTURES Friday 21 March

EDINBURGH RUGBY v ULSTER At Murrayfield, 7.45pm. Referee: (IRFU, 33rd competition game) Assistant Referees: Neil Paterson, Bob Nevins (both SRU) Citing Commissioner: John Kirk (SRU)

HEAD TO HEAD - RECENT RaboDirect PRO12 MEETINGS Date Venue E U Rugby scorers Ulster scorers Fri 22 Oct 10 Murrayfield 21 16 David Blair(D) Fraser McKenzie(T) Chris (P) (C/2P) Paterson(C/2P) Netani Talei(T) Ian Whitten(T) Fri 6 Jan 12 Murrayfield 20 42 Alun Walker(T) (T) Greig Dan Tuohy(T) (T) (T) Laidlaw(2C/2P) Ian Humphreys(2P) (2C/4P) (T) Fri 2 Mar 12 Ravenhill 16 38 Sep Visser(T) Phil Godman(2P) Tim Adam D'Arcy(T) Ian Humphreys(T) Chris Visser(T) Cochrane(T) Paul Marshall(T) Penalty Try(T) Ruan Pienaar(4C) Stefan Terblanche(T) Fri 2 Nov 12 20 45 Tom Brown(2T) Gregor Hunter(2C/2P) (T) (2T) Niall O'Connor(P) Penalty Try(T) Ruan Pienaar(T/6C) Roger Wilson(T) Fri 22 Mar 13 Murrayfield 14 8 Stuart McInally(T) Piers Francis(3P) (P) Andrew Trimble(T) Fri 22 Nov 13 Ravenhill Stadium 17 41 Grayson Hart(T) Dougie Fife(T) Harry Craig Gilroy(2T) James McKinney(T/5C/2P) Leonard(C) Cornell du Preez(T) Paul Marshall(T) Robbie Diack(T)

Edinburgh Rugby’s 31-25 victory over Ospreys at Meggetland in round 16 ended a three match losing run. Edinburgh have won four of their last five RaboDirect PRO12 fixtures at Murrayfield. The Scotsmen have won their last three home games against Irish provinces in all competitions. have won their last seven matches in all tournaments since their loss to Leinster at the RDS in round 11 of the PRO12. Ulster have secured bonus point victories in their last two PRO12 games, over and Scarlets. The last four matches between the two sides in the PRO12 have all been won by the home side on the day whilst the Ulstermen’s most recent victory at Edinburgh came in January 2012.

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Round 17: 21-23 March 2014

LEINSTER v At RDS , 7.15pm. Live on Referee: (FIR, 24th competition game) Assistant Referees: Kieran Barry, Andy Brace (both IRFU) Citing Commissioner: John Cole (IRFU) TMO: Kevin Beggs (IRFU)

HEAD TO HEAD - RECENT RaboDirect PRO12 MEETINGS Date Venue L Z Leinster scorers Zebre scorers Sat 1 Dec 12 Royal Dublin Society 37 7 (T) (T) Fergus Daniel Halangahu(C) (T) McFadden(2T/C/P) (T/2C/P) Sun 21 Apr 13 Stadio Citta del Tricolore 41 22 Dominic Ryan(T) Tom Denton(T) Fionn Sinoti Sinoti(T) Daniel Halangahu(T/2C/P) Carr(T) Fergus McFadden(T) Jonathan (T) Sexton(5C/2P) Isa Nacewa(T) Sun 9 Feb 14 Stadio XXV Aprile 31 8 Noel Reid(T) John Cooney(T) Darren Kelly Haimona(P) Dries van Schalkwyk(T) Hudson(T) Jimmy Gopperth(2C/P) (2C) Zane Kirchner(T)

Leinster have won their last eight matches in all competitions whilst in the RaboDirect PRO12 they have been defeated only once since round five: 6-11 at Edinburgh on 20th December. The Leinstermen are unbeaten at the RDS in any competition since Ulster were the visitors in the PRO12 on 30th March 2013. Zebre achieved their third victory of the season in their last contest at home to and are now attempting to record back to back victories for the first time. Leinster have won all three previous contests between the two sides.

OSPREYS v CARDIFF BLUES At , 7.05pm . Live on Referee: ( WRU, 106th competition game) Assistant Referees: Ian Davies, Jon Mason (both WRU) Citing Commissioner: Dennis Jones (WRU) TMO: Derek Bevan (WRU)

HEAD TO HEAD - RECENT RaboDirect PRO12 MEETINGS Date Venue O C Ospreys scorers Cardiff Blues scorers Sat 2 Apr 11 Liberty Stadium 21 21 (D/5P) (D) (2D/5P) Sun 1 Jan 12 Liberty Stadium 17 12 Dan Biggar(2P) Matthew Morgan(2P) Dan Parks(D) (3P) (T) Sat 14 Apr 12 33 12 Dan Biggar(3C/4P) Alun-Wyn Jones(T) Leigh Halfpenny(4P) Adam Jones(T) Tom Smith(T) Fri 30 Nov 12 Liberty Stadium 33 12 James King(T) Morgan Allen(T) Matthew Rhys Patchell(2P) (2P) Morgan(3C/4P) Richard Fussell(T) Sat 30 Mar 13 23 16 James King(T) Dan Biggar(2C/3P) Leigh Halfpenny(T/C/3P) Jonathan Spratt(T) Fri 20 Dec 13 Arms Park 22 19 Dan Biggar(C/D/4P) (T) (T) Leigh Halfpenny(C/4P)

Ospreys only victory in their last four RaboDirect PRO12 encounters was their record 75-7 eclipsing of Benetton Treviso at Liberty Stadium in round 14. Ospreys have won their last twelve contests with fellow Welsh regions in the PRO12 and have not lost at home to a Welsh opponent since Newport Gwent Dragons visited Liberty Stadium in October 2010. Cardiff Blues have secured only one victory in their last nine PRO12 fixtures: 21-13 at home to Dragons on New Year’s Day. The Blues are one of three sides still without an away win in the PRO12 this season and have not been victorious on their travels since defeating Edinburgh at Murrayfield on 15th February 2013. The Blues last two wins away from home at a fellow Welsh Region in the PRO12 were both against Dragons, in 2010 and 2012.

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Round 17: 21-23 March 2014

Ospreys have won their last five encounters with the Blues in the PRO12 since their 21-all draw at Liberty Stadium in 2011, the Capital side have however already beaten Ospreys at Liberty Stadium this season, but that victory was in the Anglo- Welsh Cup in November.

Saturday 22 March

GLASGOW WARRIORS v SCARLETS At , 6.30pm. Live on Referee: Alain Rolland (IRFU, 63rd competition game) Assistant Referees: Lloyd Linton , David Changleng (both SRU) Citing Commissioner: John Montgomery (SRU) TMO: Jim Yuille (SRU)

HEAD TO HEAD - RECENT RaboDirect PRO12 MEETINGS Date Venue G S Glasgow Warriors scorers Scarlets scorers Fri 22 Apr 11 Firhill Stadium 29 37 DTH van der Merwe(2T) Ruaridh Ben Morgan(T) (T) Lou Jackson(C/4P) Tom Ryder(T) Reed(T) Morgan Stoddart(2T) Stephen Jones(3C/2P) Sat 7 Jan 12 14 16 (P) (T) Scott Gareth Davies(T) (C/3P) Wight(2P) Thu 9 Feb 12 Firhill Stadium 19 9 Ruaridh Jackson(C/4P) (T) Dan Newton(3P) Fri 7 Sep 12 Scotstoun Stadium 13 18 (C) (T) Ruaridh Aaron Shingler(T) (T) Andy Jackson(2P) Fenby(T) Rhys Priestland(P) Fri 12 Apr 13 Parc y Scarlets 6 29 Ruaridh Jackson(2P) Owen Williams(2C/D/4P) (T) Liam Williams(T) Sat 5 Oct 13 Parc y Scarlets 17 12 Duncan Weir(2C/P) (T) Ryan Jordan Williams(P) Rhys Priestland(3P) Grant(T)

Glasgow Warriors’ last eight matches in all tournaments have all been very close with the vanquished on each occasion securing a losing bonus point. The Warriors 8-6 victory at home to Connacht in their most recent match at Scotstoun on 9 February ended a four game losing run in all competitions at the venue. Scarlets were defeated 13-26 at Ulster in their rearranged game on 14th March to end a three game winning run in the PRO12. Scarlets have been victorious their last three visits to Scotland. Glasgow beat Scarlets 17-12 at Parc y Scarlets in round 5 and are going for a first season’s double over the Welshmen since season 2009/10. Scarlets have won on two of their last three visits to Glasgow.

MUNSTER v BENETTON TREVISO At , 7.15pm. Live on Referee: Leighton Hodges (WRU, 37th competition game) Assistant Referees: Nigel Correll, David Connolly (both IRFU) Citing Commissioner: Murray Whyte (IRFU) TMO: Dermot Moloney (IRFU)

HEAD TO HEAD - RECENT RaboDirect PRO12 MEETINGS Date Venue M B Munster scorers Benetton Treviso scorers Sun 13 Feb 11 Stadio Monigo 18 19 Paul Warwick(C/2P) (T) Willem de Waal(C/4P) Gonzalo Padro(T) (T) Sat 7 Jan 12 Thomond Park 29 11 James Coughlan(T) (T) Ronan Kris Burton(2P) Manoa Vosawai(T) O'Gara(3C/P) (T) (T) Sat 18 Feb 12 Stadio Monigo 35 14 Danny Barnes(T) Ronan O'Gara(3C/3P) Willem de Waal(2C) (T) Johne Murphy(T) Simon Zebo(2T) Cornelius van Zyl(T)

Fri 7 Sep 12 Thomond Park 19 6 Ian Keatley(C/4P) Doug Howlett(T) Alberto di Bernardo(2P)

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Round 17: 21-23 March 2014

Sun 24 Feb 13 Stadio Monigo 10 34 Ian Keatley(C/P) Penalty Try(T) Alberto di Bernardo(3C/P) Gideon la Grange(T) Ludovico Nitoglia(T) Fabio Semenzato(T) (T) Filippo Giusti(T) Fri 20 Sep 13 Stadio Monigo 19 29 Keith Earls(T) (T) Ian Mat Berquist(2C/5P) Ludovico Nitoglia(2T) Keatley(2C) Penalty Try(T)

Munster’s five game winning run in all tournaments ended when they visited on 1st March. The Munstermen are the only side left in the RaboDirect PRO12 with a 100 per cent home winning record this season. Benetton Treviso have slipped to seven straight defeats in all tournaments since beating Zebre 20-15 at Stadio Monigo over Christmas. Treviso’s only away victory in any tournaments since December 2012 was when they visited Scarlets in round 22 of the PRO12 last season. Treviso have won their last two matches against Munster, but both games were played at Stadio Monigo. No Italian side has ever beaten Munster on their own soil.

Sunday 23 March

NEWPORT GWENT DRAGONS v CONNACHT At , 3.05pm. Live on Referee: George Clancy (IRFU, 60th competition game) Assistant Referees: Neil Hennessy, Simon Rees (both WRU) Citing Commissioner: Aurwel Morgan (WRU) TMO: Gareth Simmonds (WRU)

HEAD TO HEAD - RECENT RaboDirect PRO12 MEETINGS Date Venue N C Newport Gwent Dragons scorers Connacht scorers Thu 6 Jan 11 Rodney Parade 17 16 (2C/P) (T) Tom Ian Keatley(C/3P) Troy Nathan(T) Riley(T) Fri 23 Sep 11 Sportsground 13 17 Jason Tovey(C/2P) Nathan Williams(T) Matt Jarvis(2C) (T) Niall O'Connor(P) Eoin Griffin(T) Fri 30 Mar 12 Rodney Parade 19 27 (T) Lewis Robling(4P) Fetu'u Vainikolo(2T) Miah Nikora(C/5P) Steffan Jones(C) Fri 23 Nov 12 Rodney Parade 14 3 Pat Leach(T) Tom Prydie(3P) Dan Parks(P) Sat 5 Jan 13 Sportsground 11 30 Jonathan Evans(T) Tom Prydie(2P) Danie Poolman(T) Dan Parks(3C/D/2P) George Naoupu(T) Penalty Try(T) Sat 21 Dec 13 Sportsground 11 14 Jason Tovey(2P) Dan Evans(T) Fionn Carr(T) Dan Parks(D/2P)

Newport Gwent Dragons last six matches in the RaboDirect PRO12 have all been won by the home side on the day. The Dragons have not been defeated at Rodney Parade in the competition since Munster were the visitors in round 9. The Welshmen have lost their last six matches against Irish provinces. Connacht have won their last three PRO12 fixtures but have not won four in a row in the competition since season 2002/03. Connacht have not won successive away games in the competition since March 2005. The Men from Gwent have won only one of their last five contests with Connacht: 14-3 at Rodney Parade in November 2012.

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Round 17: 21-23 March 2014

ROUND 16 MICROCOSM FRIDAY 28 FEBRUARY (B) ULSTER (31)38 NEWPORT GWENT DRAGONS (3)8 Paddy Jackson(5C) Rhys Jones(P) Ruan Pienaar(15/P) Ross Wardle(62) Tommy Bowe(24/ 27) Att: 12,960 Penalty Try(34) Sean Doyle(46) EDINBURGH RUGBY (22)31 OSPREYS (11)25 (b) Carl Bezuidenhout(2C/4P) Dan Biggar(5P) Grayson Hart(12/ 34) Jeff Hassler(6/ 61) Sam Beard(25) Att: 3,000 SATURDAY 1 MARCH (B) CONNACHT (24)38 BENETTON TREVISO (6)6 Dan Parks(4C/P) Mat Berquist(2P) Miah Nikora(C) Att: 3,850 Fionn Carr(5) John Muldoon(13/ 63) Kieran Marmion(33) Eoin McKeon(75) LEINSTER (21)28 GLASGOW WARRIORS (15)25 (b) Ian Madigan(2C/3P) (2C/2P) Noel Reid(6) (12/ 23) Darragh Fanning(38) Nikola Matawalu(50) (63) Att: 14,400 ZEBRE (12)15 CARDIFF BLUES (3)10 (b) Kelly Haimona(C) Gareth Davies(C/P) (P) Tom Williams(50) Brendon Leonard(3) Att: 1,050 Giulio Toniolatti(22) SCARLETS (8)18 MUNSTER (13)13 (b) (P) Ian Keatley(C/2P) Aled Thomas(C/P) Gerhard van den Heever(36) Gareth Davies(27) Att: 6,487 John Barclay(51) Key: winning team shown in green, losing team in red, a draw marked in amber Note: (B) denotes a try bonus point and (b) a losing bonus point

RaboDirect PRO12 DEBUTS IN ROUND 16 (2) Stuart McCluskey (Ulster), Braam Steyn (Zebre) ROUND 14 (Rearranged) FRIDAY 14 MARCH (B) ULSTER (21)26 SCARLETS (10)13 Ruan Pienaar(3C) Olly Barkley(C/2P) Paddy Jackson(16/ 34) Gareth Davies(36) Tommy Bowe(18) Att: 14,000 (80)

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Round 17: 21-23 March 2014

HOW THEY STAND

RaboDirect PRO12 Record Points Attack Defence Pos Team P W D L TB LB Tot T C PG DG For T C PG DG Agst TB LB PD 1 Leinster (2)  16 12 1 3 6 3 59 39 33 41 1 387 26 17 34 1 269 0 4 118 2 Munster (1)  16 13 0 3 5 1 58 40 34 43 0 397 17 12 42 1 238 0 6 159 3 Ulster (3)  16 12 0 4 5 2 55 34 24 38 0 332 17 10 34 1 210 0 4 122 4 Ospreys (4)  16 9 1 6 4 4 46 42 33 40 5 411 23 18 44 2 289 0 4 122 5 Glasgow Warriors (5)  14 10 0 4 0 3 43 24 18 32 0 252 15 14 36 3 220 0 9 32 6 Scarlets (6)  16 7 1 8 1 5 36 28 21 38 0 296 32 27 35 0 319 3 3 -23 7 Newport Gwent Dragons (7)  15 6 0 9 0 4 28 21 16 36 5 260 26 23 39 3 302 3 4 -42 8 Edinburgh Rugby (8)  14 6 0 8 1 3 28 24 18 35 0 261 33 23 34 1 316 3 5 -55 9 Connacht (10)  16 5 0 11 2 5 27 24 17 29 2 247 28 23 41 1 312 2 2 -65 10 Cardiff Blues (9)  16 4 1 11 0 6 24 21 19 51 3 305 39 34 45 2 404 5 1 -99 11 Benetton Treviso (11)  15 3 1 11 0 6 20 19 19 41 0 256 47 36 24 2 385 4 1 -129 12 Zebre (12)  16 3 1 12 0 4 18 25 17 28 1 246 38 32 44 0 386 4 3 -140 TOTALS 93 90 3 90 24 46 442 341 269 452 17 3650 341 269 452 17 3650 24 46

2013/14 ABBREVIATED RULES The RaboDirect PRO12 shall consist of a league stage followed by a play-off stage. In the league stage, four league points shall be awarded for a win and two league points shall be awarded for a draw.

One bonus league point shall be awarded to a Team scoring four or more tries and one bonus league point shall be awarded to a Team losing by seven points or less.

The top four Teams in the league at the end of the season shall qualify for the play- offs which shall consist of the RaboDirect PRO12 Semi Finals and the RaboDirect PRO12 Final.

If two or more Teams finish with the same number of league points, their placings will be determined by the following criteria in descending order: number of matches won; the difference between points for and points against; the number of tries scored; the most points scored; the difference between tries for and tries against; the fewest number of red cards received; the fewest number of yellow cards received.

In the RaboDirect PRO12 Semi-Finals, the Team placed first in the league shall play the Team placed fourth and the Team placed second shall play the Team placed third. The RaboDirect PRO12 Semi-Finals shall be held at the home grounds of the first and second placed Teams respectively. The winners shall meet in the RaboDirect PRO12 Final.

The RaboDirect PRO12 Final is provisionally scheduled to take place the weekend of 31st May 2014. RaboDirect PRO12 will determine the venue for the RaboDirect PRO12 Final however the Team that finished highest in the league stage competing in the Final will be able to propose a venue within its own Union’s jurisdiction (which may include the team's own ground) to host the RaboDirect PRO12 Final, provided that the venue meets certain commercial criteria and has capacity for a minimum of 18,000 spectators.

The winner of the RaboDirect PRO12 for 2013/14 will therefore be the Team that wins the RaboDirect PRO12 Final.

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Round 17: 21-23 March 2014

THE PLAYOFF ZONE Positions by Round 2013/14

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

Blues Connacht Edinburgh Glasgow Dragons Leinster Munster Ospreys Scarlets Ulster POZ Zebre Treviso

If the Play Offs were to happen after this round they would be: 1st v 4th – Leinster v Ospreys 2nd v 3rd – Munster v Ulster

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Round 17: 21-23 March 2014

SPECSAVERS FAIRPLAY LEAGUE The Specsavers Fairplay League rewards the best disciplinary record, with the club with the fewest disciplinary points (1 point for each yellow card, and 3 points for each red card or upheld citing) at the end of the 22 week regular season given £10,000 to spend on their youth development programme.

FAIRPLAY LEAGUE YC RC PC Pts 1 Ulster 5 0 0 5 2 Connacht 7 0 0 7 3 Glasgow Warriors 8 0 0 8 4 Ospreys 9 0 0 9 4 Leinster 9 0 0 9 6 Benetton Treviso 8 0 1 11 6 Edinburgh Rugby 8 0 1 11 6 Cardiff Blues 8 0 1 11 6 Munster 11 0 0 11 10 Zebre 12 0 0 12 10 Scarlets 12 0 0 12 12 Newport Gwent Dragons 13 1 0 16 TOTALS 110 1 3 122 The above sets out a summary of certain provisions of the RaboDirect PRO12 Rules for information purposes only. As such these provisions may not be relied upon and for a full and proper understanding of the provisions and rules of the RaboDirect PRO12, reference must be made to the RaboDirect PRO12 Rules in their existing and entire form. PROVEN CITINGS (3) (Cardiff Blues v Connacht, 13 Sept). Cited for an infringement of Law 10.4(a) (Punching or striking a player), suspended for two weeks. (Benetton Treviso @ Scarlets, 14 Sept). Cited for an infringement of Law 10.4(a) (Punching or striking a player), suspended for three weeks. Aleki Lutui (Edinburgh @Ospreys 21 Sept) been cited for an infringement of Law 10.4(e) (dangerous tackling), suspended for two weeks. (note, the above is only a brief summary for purposes of the Specsavers Fairplay chart) RED CARDS (1) (Newport Gwent Dragons at Leinster, 14 Feb) suspended for a period of 10 weeks for a dangerous "tip" tackle, contrary to Law 10.4 (j). YELLOW CARDS (110) Blues (8) Robin Copeland(2), Filo Paulo(2), Macauley Cook, Pat Palmer, Rory Watts-Jones, Owen Williams Connacht (7) Rodney Ah You, Mata Fifita, Ronan Loughney, Frank Murphy, Paul O’Donohoe, Kiernan Marmion, Nathan White Dragons (13) Owen A. Evans(2), Jevon Groves(2), Andrew Coombs, Nathan Buck, Lewis Evans, , Adam Jones, Ieuan Jones, Pat Leach, Matthew Pewtner, Netani Talei Edinburgh (8) Cornell du Preez(2), Ollie Atkins, Tom Brown, , Lee Jones, WP Nel, Izak van der Westhuizen Leinster (9) Sean Cronin, , Tom Denton, Darren Hudson, , Jack McGrath, Brendan Macken, Ian Madigan, Jack O’Connell Munster (11) James Cronin(2), Stephen Archer, Keith Earls, , Paul O’Connell, Niall Ronan, Cathal Sheridan, , CJ Stander, Duncan Williams Ospreys (9) Scott Baldwin, Ashley Beck, Andrew Bishop, Aaron Jarvis, Alun-Wyn Jones, , Aisea Natoga, Marc Thomas, Justin Tipuric Scarlets (12) Rob Evans(2), Gareth Owen(2), Jacobie Adriaanse, Jake Ball, John Barclay, Gareth Davies, Mike

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Round 17: 21-23 March 2014

Poole, Aaron Shingler, Sione Timani, Treviso (8) Alberto di Bernardo(2),, , Ignacio Fernandez-Rouet, Marco Filippucci, , Michele Rizzo Ulster (5) Sean Doyle, David McIlwaine, Stuart Olding, Lewis Stevenson, Roger Wilson Warriors (8) , , Tyrone Holmes, , Moray Low, Nikola Matawalu, Richie Vernon, Jon Welsh Zebre (12) Filippo Ferrarini(2), (2), , Dion Berryman, , , Kameli Ratuvou, Luca Redolfini, Dries van Schalkwyk,

TOP RaboDirect PRO12 ACCUMULATORS TOP RaboDirect PRO12 POINTS SCORERS Rank Name Team Apps Mins Try Conv PG DG Points 1 Dan Biggar Ospreys 11 831 1 23 28 3 144 2 JJ Hanrahan Munster 8+5 667 3 21 25 0 132 3 Jason Tovey Newport Gwent 12+1 880 1 12 28 4 125 Dragons 4 Mat Berquist Benetton Treviso 11+1 825 0 13 30 0 116 5 Jimmy Gopperth Leinster 8+7 727 1 16 23 1 109 6 Paddy Jackson Ulster 11 848 3 9 23 0 102 7 Leigh Halfpenny Cardiff Blues 7 560 0 7 28 0 98 8 Ian Madigan Leinster 9+4 782 1 17 17 0 90 9 Dan Parks Connacht 11+5 892 1 15 16 2 89 10 Luciano Orquera Zebre 9+3 778 1 11 19 1 87 11 Ian Keatley Munster 9+3 689 1 13 18 0 85 12 Ruan Pienaar Ulster 8+1 658 1 10 13 0 64 13 Edinburgh Rugby 5 400 0 7 16 0 62 14 Gareth Davies Cardiff Blues 6+7 697 1 8 10 1 54 15 Aled Thomas Scarlets 7+3 615 0 13 9 0 53 16 Rhys Priestland Scarlets 7+2 606 0 3 15 0 51 Best in a PRO12 Season: 287pts by (Leinster) in 2005/06 TOP RaboDirect PRO12 TRY SCORERS TOP RaboDirect PRO12 TRY SCORERS Rank Name Team Apps Mins Tries Home Away 1st H 2nd H 1 Gareth Davies Scarlets 12+2 828 8 3 5 5 3 2 Jeff Hassler Ospreys 12+2 898 6 3 3 3 3 3 Kristian Dacey Cardiff Blues 8+4 551 5 4 1 4 1 4 Ludovico Nitoglia Benetton Treviso 15 1160 5 4 1 1 4 5 Ashley Beck Ospreys 10+1 796 4 3 1 3 1 6 Tommy Bowe Ulster 4 263 4 4 0 3 1 7 Fionn Carr Connacht 11+4 991 4 4 0 2 2 8 Darren Cave Ulster 12+3 1010 4 2 2 3 1 9 Dougie Fife Edinburgh Rugby 13 973 4 3 1 3 1 10 Jordan Williams Scarlets 9+3 799 4 2 2 2 2 11 Kieran Marmion Connacht 14+2 998 4 2 2 3 1 12 Noel Reid Leinster 10+2 769 4 1 3 2 2 13 Simon Zebo Munster 7 560 4 3 1 2 2 Best in a PRO12 Season: 14 by (Edinburgh) 2010/11

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Round 17: 21-23 March 2014

RHINO GOLDEN BOOT AWARD BEST RaboDirect PRO12 KICKERS Rank Name Team Good Att Kick% Last 10 kicks Conv PG Streak 1 JJ Hanrahan Munster 46 50 92.00% 322222/32c/2 21/22 25/28 Last 1 2 Duncan Weir Glasgow Warriors 15 17 88.24% 3333/33333c 3/4 12/13 Missed last 1 3 Steve Shingler Scarlets 14 16 87.50% 23333/32p/3c 4/5 10/11 Missed last 1 4 Gareth Davies Cardiff Blues 18 21 85.71% 323/3/2c32/32 8/9 10/12 Last 4 5 Finn Russell Glasgow Warriors 12 14 85.71% 2233p/2c323 6/7 6/7 Last 3 6 Dan Biggar Ospreys 51 60 85.00% 222/c3333c3 23/29 28/31 Last 1 7 Ian Madigan Leinster 34 40 85.00% 2222/2333c2 17/19 17/21 Last 1 8 Carl Bezuidenhout Edinburgh Rugby 10 12 83.33% 233/23c2333 4/5 6/7 Last 4 9 Alberto di Bernardo Benetton Treviso 10 12 83.33% 3332/p/32/333 2/2 8/10 Last 5 10 Matthew Morgan Ospreys 10 12 83.33% p3/33333c23 2/3 8/9 Last 2 11 Greig Laidlaw Edinburgh Rugby 23 28 82.14% 2/c33p/3233p 7/8 16/20 Missed last 1 12 Mat Berquist Benetton Treviso 43 53 81.13% p2/p3333/33p 13/13 30/40 Missed last 1 13 Leigh Halfpenny Cardiff Blues 35 44 79.55% 33/p3333pp3 7/8 28/36 Last 1 14 Rhys Priestland Scarlets 18 23 78.26% 33/33/p3p333 3/4 15/19 Last 3 15 Harry Leonard Edinburgh Rugby 16 21 76.19% 3/pc2323/cc2 6/9 10/12 Last 1 16 Aled Thomas Scarlets 22 29 75.86% 22/332c2p/32 13/17 9/12 Last 2 17 Jason Tovey Newport Gwent 40 53 75.47% 233p/cc33/32 12/16 28/37 Last 4 Dragons 18 Jimmy Gopperth Leinster 39 52 75.00% 3p2/223322p 16/20 23/32 Missed last 1 19 Ruan Pienaar Ulster 23 31 74.19% p2/22/3/222pp 10/11 13/20 Missed last 2 20 Luciano Orquera Zebre 30 41 73.17% c32/c333p/p3 11/15 19/26 Last 1 21 Ospreys 12 17 70.59% 22c22/3pcp3 8/10 4/7 Last 1 22 Rhys Patchell Cardiff Blues 12 17 70.59% p333p333/2/3 1/1 11/16 Last 5 23 Paddy Jackson Ulster 32 48 66.67% 3p/33/22222/c 9/18 23/30 Missed last 1 24 Ian Keatley Munster 31 47 65.96% 22/233c/323p 13/18 18/29 Missed last 1 25 Dan Parks Connacht 31 49 63.27% 3c22c/22322 15/20 16/29 Last 5 26 Craig Ronaldson Connacht 13 23 56.52% p3pp3/3pppc 1/2 12/21 Missed last 4 27 Ruaridh Jackson Glasgow Warriors 8 16 50.00% c22/c3ppp/p2 4/7 4/9 Last 1 28 Stuart Hogg Glasgow Warriors 5 10 50.00% 33p2/pp2p/p/3 2/2 3/8 Last 1 Qual: 10 place kicks at goal Under Streak, "Last 4" means has kicked last four place kicks in a row successfully. Under "Last 10 kicks" 3 denotes a penalty goal, 2 a conversion, p is a missed penalty and c a missed conversion, whilst separate matches are divided with forward slashes.

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Round 17: 21-23 March 2014

RaboDirect PRO12 RECORD CENTRE INDIVIDUAL GAME RECORDS All-Time Best in 2013/14 Most points 32 - Stephen Jones (Llanelli RFC @ 23 – Greig Laidlaw , 4 Oct 02) (Edinburgh v Connacht, 29 Nov) Most tries 4 - Mike Mullins (Munster @ Caerphilly, 11 2 by 24 players Sep 01) 4 - Lee Abdul (Blues v Ospreys, 25 Oct 03) 4 – Jamie Robinson (Blues v Borders, 27 Feb 04) Most conversions 9 - Brendan Laney (Edinburgh @ 6 – Sam Davies Caerphilly, 21 Sep 02) (Ospreys v Treviso, 16 Feb) Most penalty goals 9 – Luciano Orquera 6 by five players ( v Treviso, 23 Dec 11) Most drop goals 4 – Dan Parks 2 – Dan Biggar (Glasgow v Ulster, 16 Apr 10) (Ospreys @ Treviso,6 Sep) Fastest try 18 secs – Nathan Brew 2 mins – Dafydd Hewitt (Dragons @ Blues, 27 Dec 05) (Blues v Zebre, 20 Sep) Quickest 17 mins 43 secs – Tommy Bowe 34 mins – Penalty Try bonus point try (Ulster v Reivers, 12 May 06) (Ulster v Dragons, 28 Feb)

TEAM RECORDS All-Time Best in 2013/14 Most points in a home 75-7 Ospreys v Treviso 75-7 Ospreys v Treviso game (Liberty Stadium, 16 Feb 14) (Liberty Stadium, 16 Feb) Most points in an away 67-15 Ulster @ Caerphilly 43-21 Munster @ Zebre game (Virginia Park, 5 Oct 02) (Stadio XXV Aprile, 13 Sep) 43-26 Ospreys @ Connacht (Sportsgound, 28 Sep) Highest aggregate of 98pts - Caerphilly 32, Edinburgh 66 74pts – Treviso 33, Scarlets 41 points in game (Virginia Park, 21 Sep 02) (Stadio Monigo, 8 Feb) Biggest home win 68pts – Ospreys 75, Treviso 7 68pts – Ospreys 75, Treviso 7 (Liberty Stadium, 16 Feb 14) (Liberty Stadium, 16 Feb) Biggest away win 57pts – Dragons 3, Glasgow 60 23pts – Scarlets 19, Leinster 42 (Rodney Parade, 15 Feb 13) (Parc y Scarlets, 6 Sep) 23pts – Zebre 8, Leinster 31 (Stadio XXV Aprile, 9 Feb) Best attendance 50,645 – Leinster v Munster 20,646 – Munster v Leinster (regular season) (, 2 Oct 10) (Thomond Park, 5 Oct) Note: 2013/14 Season bests set or equalled this past round shown in italics.

Page 11 of 12 RaboDirect PRO12 PREVIEW 2013/14

Round 17: 21-23 March 2014

APPROACHING CAREER MILESTONES POINTS SCORING 1,500 points: - 1,000 points: Ian Keatley (900) 500 points: Ruan Pienaar (445), Duncan Weir (432), Greig Laidlaw (422) Record: 1,570 points – Dan Parks (Glasgow Warriors, Cardiff Blues & Connacht) TRY SCORING 50 tries: - 25 tries: Sean Lamont (22), Brian O’Driscoll (22), (21), Darren Cave (21) Record: 55 tries – Tommy Bowe (Ulster & Ospreys) MATCHES PLAYED 150 games: (144), (142), Robert Sidoli (139) 100 games: Lou Reed (98), Chris Czekaj (97), (97), (97), Paul Marshall (96), Darren Cave (96) Record: 177 games – Michael Swift (Connacht)

CAREER TOP TENS MOST POINTS MOST GAMES MOST MINS PLAYED MOST TRIES Dan Parks 1570 Michael Swift 177 John Muldoon 11312 Tommy Bowe 55 Dan Biggar 1084 Dan Parks 165 Dan Parks 11153 Tim Visser 50 Ronan O’Gara 940 John Muldoon 163 10610 39 Ian Keatley 900 Adam Jones 160 Michael Swift 10352 36 Felipe Contepomi 877 Phil John 159 Gavin Duffy 9791 Andrew Trimble 35 810 156 Tommy Bowe 9762 34 David Humphreys 786 Alastair Kellock 153 9760 Fionn Carr 34 Stephen Jones 741 Ceri Sweeney 151 Allan Jacobsen 9546 Aled Brew 30 Ceri Sweeney 698 Duncan Jones 151 Richard Fussell 9196 30 Paul Warwick 664 Allan Jacobsen 148 Ceri Sweeney 9167 Matthew Watkins 30 Active players in RaboDirect PRO12 marked in orange

Compiled for RaboDirect PRO12 by SFMS Ltd Tel: 0044 1455 442849 Fax: 0044 1455 442559 e-mail: [email protected]

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