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RaboDirect PRO12 : PREVIEW 2012/13

Round 18: 22ND & 23RD March 2013

ROUND 18 PREVIEWS With just five rounds left to decide which teams will contest the Play-Offs, there is a new leader of the RaboDirect PRO12 with Warriors taking over the mantle from Ulster, whilst for the fourth round in succession, swapped places with in the Play-Off Zone.

Three of those teams are in action on Friday night; Ulster traveling to , Ospreys hosting Welsh rivals Newport Gwent , and Scarlets in Italy to face .

Edinburgh can do their Scottish neighbours, Warriors, a favour if they can defeat Ulster however their record against the Ulstermen is not great. Meanwhile Ospreys and Scarlets must both be looking to come away with maximum points from opponents who are sitting at the wrong end of the table in their bids to reach the Play-Offs.

The leaders, , are not in action until Saturday, and are the only one of the potential Play-Off teams to face another side from the top half of the table when the visit Leinster at the RDS. Munster will also be looking for maximum points in the All-Irish clash against Connacht if they are to make a final push for the knockout stages.

With just two points separating the top three teams in the table, whilst it is even closer for the final Play Off spot, there is definitely all to play for still as the RaboDirect PRO12 enters its closing stages.

ROUND 18 FIXTURES Friday 22 March v ULSTER At Murrayfield, 7.30pm. Referee: Leighton Hodges (WRU, 26th competition game) Assistant Referees: David Changleng, Graeme Marshall (both SRU) Citing Commissioner: Paul Minto (SRU)

HEAD TO HEAD - RECENT RaboDirect PRO12 MEETINGS Date Venue E U Edinburgh Rugby scorers Ulster scorers Sun 25 Apr 10 Murrayfield 25 37 Phil Godman(2C/2P) Andrew (T) Ian Humphreys(T/2C/P) Turnbull(T) (2T) Jamie Smith(T) Niall O'Connor(C/P) (T) Ian Whitten(T) Fri 17 Sep 10 Ravenhill 21 29 Ben Cairns(T) Phil Godman(C/P) Chris (T) Niall O'Connor(C/D/3P) Paterson(2P) Tim Visser(T) (T) Ian Whitten(T) Fri 22 Oct 10 Murrayfield 21 16 David Blair(D) Fraser McKenzie(T) Chris Ian Humphreys(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) Darren Laidlaw(2C/2P) Cave(T) Ian Humphreys(2P) Ruan Pienaar(2C/4P) Andrew Trimble(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 Ravenhill 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)

Page 1 of 13 RaboDirect PRO12 : PREVIEW 2012/13

Round 18: 22ND & 23RD March 2013

Edinburgh Rugby have lost their last eleven contests in all competitions since their 24-23 victory over Connacht at the Sportsground in the RaboDirect PRO12 on 1 December- that win represents their only one over an Irish province since September 2011. Edinburgh’s sole win at Murrayfield since September was against Scarlets, 23-13, on 23 November. Ulster’s 29-all draw last time out against Treviso saw them drop off the top of the PRO12 table for the first time since September. The Ulstermen’s recent form has seen them gain just 14 points from a possible 30 over their last six matches in the competition. Edinburgh have won just one of their last eight fixtures with Ulster in all competitions since 2009: 21-16 at Murrayfield in the PRO12 on 22 October 2010.

OSPREYS v NEWPORT GWENT DRAGONS At , 7.05pm. Live on Referee: John Lacey (IRFU, 27th competition game) Assistant Referees: Ian Davies, Wayne Davies (both WRU) Citing Commissioner: Jeff Mark (WRU) TMO: Gareth Simmonds (WRU)

HEAD TO HEAD - RECENT RaboDirect PRO12 MEETINGS Date Venue O N Ospreys scorers Newport Gwent Dragons scorers Fri 7 May 10 Liberty Stadium 42 10 (T/4C/3P) (T) Jason Tovey(C/P) Wayne Evans(T) Penalty Try(T) (T) (T) Sat 30 Oct 10 Liberty Stadium 16 21 Dai Flanagan(C/2P) Gareth Owen(T/P) Toby Faletau(T) Jason Tovey(C/3P) Wayne Evans(T) Fri 15 Apr 11 28 32 Dan Biggar(2P) (T) James Jason Tovey(C/2P) (2T) Wayne Hook(2C/P) Ryan Jones(T) Nikki Evans(T) Matt Jones(2C) Ashley Smith(T) Walker(T) Fri 6 Jan 12 Rodney Parade 20 21 Dan Biggar(P) Matthew Morgan(4P) Lewis Robling(T) Jason Tovey(C/3P) Tommy Bowe(T) Martyn Thomas(T) Fri 20 Apr 12 Liberty Stadium 31 12 Dan Biggar(3C/P) Ryan Jones(T) Shane Lewis Robling(4P) Williams(T/C) Penalty Try(2T) Mon 31 Dec 12 Rodney Parade 14 3 Ashley Beck(T) Dan Biggar(2C) Eli (P) Walker(T)

Ospreys have won just one of their last three RaboDirect PRO12 encounters: 24-7 at home to Edinburgh in round 16. The Welshmen have won their last seven PRO12 contests at Liberty Stadium since Glasgow won there, 28-10, on 14 September. Ospreys have not lost a PRO12 game to a fellow Welsh region since they visited Newport on 6 January 2012, and slipped up 20-21. Newport Gwent Dragons’ last three games in the tournament have strangely all been won by the away side! Dragons have won their last two away matches in all competitions but have not won three in a row on the road since October 2004. The Men from Gwent have lost their last five PRO12 encounters against fellow Welsh regions. The two sides have already met twice at Rodney Parade this season with Ospreys winning 14-3 in the RaboDirect PRO12 on New Year’s Eve and Dragons taking the Anglo-Welsh Cup tie 18-14 on 26 January. Dragons’ only previous victory at Liberty Stadium was 21-16 on 30 October 2010.

ZEBRE v SCARLETS At Stadio XXV Aprile , 7pm local time (6pm UK & ) Live on Referee: Peter Fitzgibbon (IRFU, 45th competition game) Assistant Referees: Stefano Penne, Stefano Roscini (both FIR) Citing Commissioner: Alberto Recaldini (FIR) TMO: Carlo Damasco (FIR)

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Round 18: 22ND & 23RD March 2013

HEAD TO HEAD - RECENT RaboDirect PRO12 MEETINGS Date Venue Z S Zebre scorers Scarlets scorers Sat 3 Nov 12 Parc y Scarlets 13 22 Daniel Halangahu(C/2P) Matteo Kristian Phillips(T) Aled Thomas(C/5P) Pratichetti(T)

Zebre have lost all 23 matches they have played this season in all competitions, eight by seven points or less. Scarlets only defeat in the last four rounds of RaboDirect PRO12 play was 5-32 to Leinster in on 23 February. The Scarlets have lost their last five away games in all tournaments since beating Blues 9-6 at the Arms Park in the PRO12 on 21 December. The Welshmen have already been defeated in Italy this season, going down 20-22 at Treviso on 29 September. Scarlets won 22-13 when the two sides met in round 8 of this season’s RaboDirect PRO12.

Saturday 23 March BENETTON TREVISO v At Stadio Monigo, 7.30pm local time (6.30pm UK & Ireland). Live on Referee: Giuseppe Vivarini (FIR, 7th competition game) Assistant Referees: Claudio Passacantando, Simone Boaretto (both FIR) Citing Commissioner: Maurizio Vancini (FIR) TMO: Mauro Dordolo (FIR)

HEAD TO HEAD - RECENT RaboDirect PRO12 MEETINGS Date Venue B C Benetton Treviso scorers Cardiff Blues scorers Fri 24 Sep 10 Stadio Monigo 7 19 Tobias Botes(C) Antonio Pavanello(T) Ben Blair(T) (C/2D/2P) Thu 21 Apr 11 9 29 Willem de Waal(3P) Dan Parks(2C/5P) Xavier Rush(T) Penalty Try(T) Sun 11 Sep 11 Cardiff City Stadium 18 33 Kris Burton(2D/4P) Gareth Davies(C/3P) (T) Dafydd Hewitt(T) Tom James(T) Ceri Sweeney(C) (T) Sat 3 Mar 12 Stadio Monigo 13 20 Willem de Waal(P) Brendan Williams(T) Harry Robinson(T) Dan Parks(2C/2P) Simon Picone(T) Martyn Williams(T) Sat 22 Sep 12 Arms Park 18 34 (2T) Kris Burton(C/2P) (4C/2P) Jason Tovey(T) Dan Fish(T) Campese Ma'afu(T) (T)

Benetton Treviso are unbeaten in their last two RaboDirect PRO12 fixtures, winning against Munster 34-10 at Stadio Monigo and drawing 29-all with Ulster at Ravenhill. Treviso’s only defeat in their last five home games in all competitions was 13-14 to Leicester in the European Cup on 15 December. Cardiff Blues’ only win in their last four PRO12 matches was 17-16 over Edinburgh at Murrayfield in round 15. The Blues have won all 15 previous contests they have played against Italian opponents in all competitions. The two sides have met on five previous occasions with Blues taking five wins and Treviso gaining just one losing bonus point for a 13-20 defeat at Stadio Monigo in the PRO12 on 3 March 2012.

LEINSTER v GLASGOW WARRIORS At RDS Dublin, 7.45pm. Live on Referee: Nigel Owens (WRU, 94th competition game) Assistant Referees: Leo Colgan, B O’Connell (both IRFU) Citing Commissioner: Denis Templeton (IRFU) TMO: Dermot Moloney (IFRU)

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Round 18: 22ND & 23RD March 2013

HEAD TO HEAD - RECENT RaboDirect PRO12 MEETINGS Date Venue L G Leinster scorers Glasgow Warriors scorers Fri 3 Sep 10 Firhill Stadium 19 22 Dominic Ryan(T) (T) Fergus (C/D/P) DTH van der McFadden(2P) (P) Merwe(T) (3P) Fri 6 May 11 Royal Dublin Society 38 3 Dominic Ryan(T) Gordon D'Arcy(T) Duncan Weir(P) (T) Kevin McLaughlin(T) Fergus McFadden(3C/4P) Sat 17 Sep 11 Royal Dublin Society 19 23 (T) Isa Nacewa(C/4P) Pete Horne(T) Duncan Weir(C/2P) Nick Campbell(T) Scott Wight(C/P) Sat 25 Feb 12 Firhill Stadium 10 10 Ian Madigan(C) Isa Nacewa(P) Heinke Ruaridh Jackson(C/P) Penalty Try(T) van der Merwe(T) Sat 12 May 12 Royal Dublin Society 19 15 (T) (C/4P) Duncan Weir(P) (T) Ruaridh (SF/PO) Jackson(C) (T) Fri 23 Nov 12 6 0 Ian Madigan(2P)

The RaboDirect PRO12s top two teams on current form meet head on at the RDS, with Glasgow having dropped just one possible league point and Leinster only two over the past six rounds. Leinster remain the only side left in the PRO12 with a 100% home winning record in the competition this season. The Leinstermen’s most recent defeat was 19-27 to Ulster at Ravenhill on 21 December. Glasgow Warriors top the table in the RaboDirect PRO12 courtesy of a record run of seven straight victories in the tournament, since they lost 3-31 at Munster on 1 December. Warriors have picked up maximum points in each of their last five matches. Glasgow have not beaten Leinster in any competition since their 23-19 win at the RDS in the PRO12 on 17 September 2011.

MUNSTER v CONNACHT At Musgrave Park 5.45pm Live on Referee: Alain Rolland (IRFU, 56th competition game) Assistant Referees: Michael Black, Brian MacNeice (both IRFU) Citing Commissioner: John West (IRFU) TMO: Seamus Flannery (IRFU)

HEAD TO HEAD - RECENT RaboDirect PRO12 MEETINGS Date Venue M C Munster scorers Connacht scorers Sun 18 Apr 10 Sportsground 18 12 Paul Warwick(C/2P) Scott Deasy(T) Niall (C) Johnny O'Connor(T) Ronan(T) George Naoupu(T) Mon 27 Dec 10 Sportsground 16 12 Tom Gleeson(T) Ronan O'Gara(C/D/2P) Ian Keatley(4P) Fri 6 May 11 22 6 (T) Ronan O'Gara(2C/P) Ian Keatley(2P) (T) (T) Mon 26 Dec 11 Thomond Park 24 9 Sean Scanlon(T) Ian Keatley(C/4P) Niall O'Connor(3P) Tomas O'Leary(T) Sat 24 Mar 12 Sportsground 20 16 Ian Keatley(2C/2P) Tommy O'Donnell(T) Miah Nikora(C/3P) Ethienne Reynecke(T) Simon Zebo(T) Sat 22 Dec 12 Sportsground 16 12 Ian Keatley(C/3P) Penalty Try(T) Dan Parks(D/3P)

Munster are without a win in their last three RaboDirect PRO12 fixtures since beating Edinburgh 30-3 in on 9 February. That victory ended an unwanted run of two successive defeats at Musgrave Park to Scarlets and Cardiff Blues. The Munstermen have not welcomed a fellow Irish province to Musgrave Park since Ulster were the visitors in March 2008 and were repelled 42-6. Connacht have won four of their last five PRO12 games including victories in their last three matches against Ospreys, Blues and Zebre. Connacht have only once before won four in a row in the tournament – in September 2002. Connacht’s only away win in the competition against a fellow Irish province came when they visited Donnybrook in September 2002 and beat Leinster 26-23. Munster’s only previous defeat to Connacht in this tournament was 6-12 at the Sportsground on 28 December 2008. Connacht have not won on Munster soil since a trip to Thomond Park in the Interprovincial Championship in November 1986.

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Round 18: 22ND & 23RD March 2013

ROUND 17 MICROCOSM FRIDAY 1 MARCH CONNACHT (14)23 ZEBRE (13)19 (b) Dan Parks(2C/D/2P) Gonzalo Garcia(P) Eoin McKeon(2) Paolo Buso(C/3P) (21) (31) Att: 4,856 ULSTER (17)29 BENETTON TREVISO (10)29 (B) (2C/5P) Alberto di Bernardo(3C/P) Andrew Trimble(19) (40/ 64/ 79) Stuart Olding(33) Robert Barbieri(51) Att: 10,678 (B) GLASGOW WARRIORS (10)29 CARDIFF BLUES (13)13 Pete Horne(15) Rhys Patchell(C/2P) Nikola Matawalu(56/ 64) Josh Navidi(25) Duncan Weir(60/3C/P) Att: 3,807 (b) NEWPORT GWENT DRAGONS (9)19 LEINSTER (19)26 (B) Ieuan Jones(41) Ian Madigan(3C) Steffan Jones(79/D/2P) Sean Cronin(2/ 8) Att: 4,258 Dave Kearney(17/ 65) SCARLETS (8)14 EDINBURGH RUGBY (10)13 (b) Owen Williams(P) Harry Leonard(C/2P) Aled Thomas(2P) Dougie Fife(22) Andy Fenby(14) Att: 6,314 SATURDAY 2 MARCH MUNSTER (6)13 OSPREYS (6)13 Ronan O'Gara(C/2P) Matthew Morgan(C/2P) Damien Varley(44) (52) Att: 17,748 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 17 (1) (Cardiff Blues)

Page 5 of 13 RaboDirect PRO12 : PREVIEW 2012/13

Round 18: 22ND & 23RD March 2013

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 Glasgow Warriors (2)  17 13 0 4 7 2 61 51 32 31 0 412 22 16 29 0 229 1 3 183 2 Ulster (1)  17 13 1 3 5 2 61 46 37 47 0 445 28 19 32 2 280 3 5 165 3 Leinster (3)  17 13 0 4 7 0 59 52 43 32 1 445 34 21 23 3 290 2 4 155 4 Scarlets (5)  17 11 0 6 3 3 50 30 19 40 2 314 29 23 42 2 323 2 5 -9 5 Ospreys (4)  17 11 1 5 1 2 49 31 27 39 2 332 13 10 48 1 232 0 3 100 6 Munster (6)  17 9 1 7 3 2 43 31 27 38 2 329 23 16 36 2 261 1 3 68 7 Benetton Treviso (8)  17 7 1 9 3 2 35 34 23 23 2 291 35 30 38 2 355 3 4 -64 8 Cardiff Blues (7)  17 7 0 10 1 4 33 21 14 45 0 268 39 29 36 1 364 3 4 -96 9 Connacht (9)  17 7 0 10 1 3 32 26 19 33 5 282 31 21 34 0 299 3 2 -17 10 Edinburgh Rugby (10)  17 4 0 13 1 7 24 30 22 37 2 311 41 30 43 3 403 3 2 -92 11 Newport Gwent Dragons (11)  17 5 0 12 1 2 23 21 13 38 5 260 51 39 29 1 423 7 1 -163 12 Zebre (12)  17 0 0 17 1 7 8 20 15 28 0 214 47 37 41 4 444 6 0 -230 TOTALS 102 100 2 100 34 36 478 393 291 431 21 3903 393 291 431 21 3903 34 36

2012/13 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 25th May 2013. 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 2012/13 will therefore be the Team that wins the RaboDirect PRO12 Final.

Page 6 of 13 RaboDirect PRO12 : PREVIEW 2012/13

Round 18: 22ND & 23RD March 2013

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

THE RUN-IN

Team Pts Round 18 Round 19 Round 20 Round 21 Round 22 Pos Play-Offs Final 3 May (7.45pm) 1 Glasgow Warriors 61 23/3: Leinster 29/3: MUNSTER 12/4: Scarlets 19/4: OSPREYS Connacht 1st 2 Ulster 61 22/3: Edinburgh 30/3: Leinster 12/4: DRAGONS 19/4: Connacht BLUES 2nd v v 3 Leinster 59 23/3: GLASGOW 30/3: ULSTER 13/4: Munster 21/4: Zebre OSPREYS 3rd 4 Scarlets 50 22/3: Zebre 30/3: Dragons 12/4: GLASGOW 20/4: BLUES TREVISO 4th 5 Ospreys 49 22/3: DRAGONS 30/3: Blues 13/4: TREVISO 19/4: Glasgow Leinster 10/11 May 25 May 6 Munster 43 23/3: CONNACHT 29/3: Glasgow 13/4: LEINSTER 19/4: Dragons Zebre 16:45 7 Benetton Treviso 35 23/3: BLUES 30/3: CONNACHT 13/4: Ospreys 19/4: EDINBURGH Scarlets 8 Cardiff Blues 33 23/3: Treviso 30/3: OSPREYS 13/4: ZEBRE 20/4: Scarlets Ulster Key: 9 Connacht 32 23/3: Munster 30/3: Treviso 12/4: Edinburgh 19/4: ULSTER GLASGOW Versus top 4 team 10 Edinburgh Rugby 24 22/3: ULSTER 29/3: Zebre 12/4: CONNACHT 19/4: Treviso DRAGONS Versus middle 4 team 11 Dragons 23 22/3: Ospreys 30/3: SCARLETS 12/4: Ulster 19/4: MUNSTER Edinburgh Versus bottom 4 team 12 Zebre 8 22/3: SCARLETS 29/3: EDINBURGH 13/4: Blues 21/4: LEINSTER MUNSTER Home games in CAPS Of the top two Glasgow have the seemingly tougher run-in, playing two fellow top four sides, and two more from the middle of the table in the last five rounds. Conversely, Ulster have to play just one encounter with another top four side, whilst three other contests are with sides currently residing in the bottom four. Sixth placed Munster still have an excellent shot of making the Play-Offs as they too have to face three bottom four sides in their last five matches, although the other two fixtures are against teams currently occupying the 1st and 3rd spots.

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Round 18: 22ND & 23RD March 2013

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 Cardiff Blues 6 0 0 6 3 Connacht 9 0 0 9 3 Leinster 6 0 1 9 5 Glasgow Warriors 10 0 0 10 6 Newport Gwent Dragons 8 1 0 11 7 Edinburgh Rugby 10 1 0 13 8 Munster 11 1 0 14 9 Benetton Treviso 10 1 1 16 10 Zebre 18 0 0 18 11 Ospreys 8 1 3 20 11 Scarlets 11 2 1 20 TOTALS 112 7 6 151 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 (6) (Scarlets @Munster, 25 Nov) infringement of Law 10.4(k) (charging into a ruck or maul without binding onto a player in the ruck or maul) suspended for 2 weeks. (Ospreys @ Scarlets, 26 Dec) cited for foul play contrary to Law 10.4(b). Suspended for 1 week, (Benetton Treviso @ Glasgow Warriors, 4 Jan) cited under Law 10.4(a), kneeing a player. Suspended for 2 weeks. Tom Denton (Leinster @ Cardiff Blues, 8 Feb) cited for dangerous tackle Law 10.4(j). Suspended for 6 weeks. Joe Bearman (Ospreys @ Connacht, 15 Feb) cited for foul play, suspended for 4 weeks Ross Jones (Ospreys @ Connacht 15 Feb) cited for foul play, suspended for 3 weeks (note, the above is only a brief summary for purposes of the Specsavers Fairplay chart) RED CARDS (7) (Ospreys @ Benetton Treviso, 31 Aug) a result of receiving two yellow cards in the match. Warned as to future conduct. Damien Varley (Munster @ Ospreys, 29 Sep) - Warned as to future conduct. Will Harries (Newport Gwent Dragons @ Benetton Treviso, 1 Dec) a result of receiving two yellow cards in the match. Warned as to future conduct. Rob McCusker (Scarlets @ Ospreys, 26 Dec) foul play contrary to Law 10.4(b) no further sanction should apply. Gareth Owen (Scarlets @ Ospreys, 26 Dec) act of foul play, Law 10.4(i), suspended for three weeks. (Benetton Treviso @ Glasgow Warriors, 4 Jan) dangerous tackle contrary to Law 10.4(e), suspended for three weeks. Nick de Luca (Edinburgh @ Ospreys, 22 Feb) dangerous tackle contrary to Law 10.4(j), suspended for thirteen weeks. YELLOW CARDS (112) Blues (6) Josh Navidi(2), Scott Andrews, Robin Copeland, , Nathan Trevett Connacht (9) Jason Harris-Wright(3), Dave Gannon(2), Rodney Ah You, Andrew Browne, Ronan Loughney, Tiernan O’Halloran Dragons (8) Nathan Buck, , Jonathan Evans, Lewis Evans, Steve Jones, , Dan Way, Nathan Williams

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Round 18: 22ND & 23RD March 2013

Edinburgh (10) Sean Cox(2), Ben Atiga, , Dougie Fife, Allan Jacobsen, WP Nel, , Greig Tonks, John Yapp Leinster (6) Leo Auva’a, Tom Denton, , Brendan Macken, Ian Madigan, Kevin McLaughlin Munster (11) Tommy O’Donnell(2), Mike Sherry(2), , BJ Botha, Sean Dougall, James Downey, Donncha O’Callaghan, Ronan O’Gara, Damien Varley Ospreys (8) Sam Lewis(2), Morgan Allen, Duncan Jones, James King, Jonathan Thomas, Rhys Webb, Owen Williams Scarlets (11) George Earle(2), Aled Thomas(2)Gareth Davies, , Rob McCusker, , Gareth Owen, , Owen Williams Treviso (10) Robert Barbieri, Dean Budd, , , Ignacio Fernandez-Rouyet, Tommaso Iannone, Christian Loamanu, Giovanni Maistri, , Ulster (5) Rory Best, , Paul Marshall, Lewis Stevenson, Dan Tuohy Warriors (10) (2), James Eddie, Ofa Fainga’anuku, Chris Fusaro, Dougie Hall, , , Tom Ryder, Zebre (18) (3), Filippo Ferrarini(2), (2), (2), Alberto Benettin, Alberto Chillon, Filippo Cristiano, Carlo Fazzari, , Luca Redolfini, Samuele Pace, , Dries van Schalkwyk

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Round 18: 22ND & 23RD March 2013

TOP RaboDirect PRO12 ACCUMULATORS TOP RaboDirect PRO12 POINTS SCORERS Rank Name Team Apps Mins Try Conv PG DG Points 1 Ian Madigan Leinster 13+4 1096 5 21 20 0 127 2 Tom Prydie Dragons 14+1 1089 3 11 29 0 124 3 Ian Keatley Munster 12+5 1032 2 14 23 2 113 4 Dan Biggar Ospreys 9+1 735 2 15 21 0 103 5 Dan Parks Connacht 12 916 0 11 21 5 100 6 Rhys Patchell Cardiff Blues 10+2 848 0 8 26 0 94 7 Ruan Pienaar Ulster 8 589 2 19 13 0 87 8 Paddy Jackson Ulster 9+2 652 0 13 20 0 86 9 Matthew Morgan Ospreys 9+5 710 1 12 18 1 86 10 Aled Thomas Scarlets 11+2 789 0 10 21 0 83 11 Jonathan Sexton Leinster 6 428 3 19 9 1 83 12 Edinburgh Rugby 9 714 0 14 16 1 79 13 Alberto di Bernardo Benetton Treviso 11+3 970 0 17 12 0 70 14 Ronan O'Gara Munster 8+2 625 0 13 14 0 68 15 Duncan Weir Glasgow Warriors 5+4 389 1 13 9 0 58 16 Steffan Jones Dragons 9+2 718 4 0 7 5 56 17 Tim Visser Edinburgh Rugby 10 768 11 0 0 0 55 18 Daniel Halangahu Zebre 10+1 798 1 9 10 0 53 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 Tim Visser Edinburgh Rugby 10 768 11 8 3 7 4 2 Andy Fenby Scarlets 13 1000 8 3 5 5 3 3 DTH van der Merwe Glasgow Warriors 12 870 8 6 2 5 3 4 Robert Barbieri Benetton Treviso 9+1 575 7 2 5 2 5 5 Scarlets 9 690 7 3 4 2 5 6 Tommy Seymour Glasgow Warriors 9 655 7 4 3 2 5 7 Andrew Trimble Ulster 12+1 972 6 3 3 2 4 8 Nick Williams Ulster 10+1 749 6 3 3 3 3 9 Ian Madigan Leinster 13+4 1096 5 3 2 3 2 10 Nikola Matawalu Glasgow Warriors 7+4 597 5 4 1 1 4 11 Jared Payne Ulster 9+1 733 5 3 2 1 4 12 Danie Poolman Connacht 10+1 849 5 3 2 3 2 13 Sean Cronin Leinster 7+5 638 4 2 2 4 0 14 Dan Evans Dragons 14 1088 4 2 2 2 2 15 Peter Murchie Glasgow Warriors 14+1 1071 4 3 1 2 2 16 WP Nel Edinburgh Rugby 12+3 973 4 3 1 1 3 17 Tommy O'Donnell Munster 9+5 733 4 2 2 2 2 18 Steffan Jones Dragons 9+2 718 4 3 1 2 2 19 Tim Swinson Glasgow Warriors 11+3 806 4 2 2 2 2 20 Tito Tebaldi Zebre 7+4 580 4 2 2 2 2 21 Dries van Schalkwyk Zebre 15+1 1157 4 4 0 1 3 Best in a PRO12 Season: 14 by Tim Visser (Edinburgh) 2010/11

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Round 18: 22ND & 23RD March 2013

RHINO GOLDEN BOOT AWARD BEST RaboDirect PRO12 KICKERS Rank Name Team Good Att Kick% Last 10 kicks Conv PG Streak 1 Ian Keatley Munster 37 43 86.05% 333332c/p32 14/16 23/27 Last 2 2 Matthew Morgan Ospreys 30 35 85.71% 3/22pp32/332 12/12 18/23 Last 5 3 Ian Madigan Leinster 41 50 82.00% 22/2p22/2c22 21/24 20/26 Last 2 4 Ronan O'Gara Munster 27 33 81.82% 33/pp3p2/332 13/15 14/18 Last 4 5 Cardiff Blues 9 11 81.82% 3323/3p/3c22 3/4 6/7 Last 2 6 Duncan Weir Glasgow Warriors 22 27 81.48% 23222/p2322 13/14 9/13 Last 4 7 Ruan Pienaar Ulster 32 40 80.00% 2c22/p33p3c 19/22 13/18 Missed last 1 8 Jonathan Sexton Leinster 28 35 80.00% c/322/3p2222 19/22 9/13 Last 4 9 Miah Nikora Connacht 17 22 77.27% c3/2/2/c233c3 6/9 11/13 Last 1 10 Greig Laidlaw Edinburgh Rugby 30 39 76.92% 33c3/3p22/33 14/20 16/19 Last 4 11 Kris Burton Benetton Treviso 16 21 76.19% c/p23p/3232/2 6/8 10/13 Last 5 12 Paddy Jackson Ulster 33 44 75.00% 2/p2323p333 13/16 20/28 Last 3 13 Tom Prydie Dragons 40 54 74.07% 3/33c/3223/3p 11/16 29/38 Missed last 1 14 Zebre 11 15 73.33% 23/3233/3p/3p 3/3 8/12 Missed last 1 15 Dan Biggar Ospreys 36 50 72.00% c/2pp2/33p32 15/19 21/31 Last 2 16 Ceri Sweeney Cardiff Blues 10 14 71.43% 23c/c3p33/33 2/4 8/10 Last 4 17 Dan Parks Connacht 32 45 71.11% 32p333/2233 11/15 21/30 Last 7 18 Rhys Patchell Cardiff Blues 34 48 70.83% cp33pc3/233 8/12 26/36 Last 4 19 Gregor Hunter Edinburgh Rugby 13 19 68.42% 33p3/pp3p32 3/4 10/15 Last 2 20 Harry Leonard Edinburgh Rugby 14 21 66.67% 33/3/p2p/32p3 4/5 10/16 Last 1 21 Owen Williams Scarlets 13 20 65.00% 3p33/pc/ppp3 1/2 12/18 Last 1 22 Ruaridh Jackson Glasgow Warriors 14 22 63.64% p/p333/33222 6/8 8/14 Last 8 23 Scott Wight Glasgow Warriors 15 24 62.50% 2/p/223/2c2/cp 10/16 5/8 Missed last 2 24 Aled Thomas Scarlets 31 50 62.00% pp/3p/3p2/3c3 10/13 21/37 Last 1 25 Niall O'Connor Ulster 16 26 61.54% c32/323p3/p3 3/5 13/21 Last 1 26 Alberto di Bernardo Benetton Treviso 29 49 59.18% c23c2/3222c 17/25 12/24 Missed last 1 27 Daniel Halangahu Zebre 19 33 57.58% p2/223p3p/p3 9/12 10/21 Last 1 28 Scarlets 13 29 44.83% pp2/p223/3c/3 6/12 7/17 Last 1 29 Pete Horne Glasgow Warriors 10 23 43.48% cc33c/pcccc 1/10 9/13 Missed last 6 30 Steffan Jones Dragons 7 20 35.00% 3pp3c3/33cc 0/3 7/17 Missed last 2 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 18: 22ND & 23RD March 2013

RaboDirect PRO12 RECORD CENTRE INDIVIDUAL GAME RECORDS All-Time Best in 2012/13 Most points 32 - Stephen Jones ( RFC @ 24 – Dan Biggar Swansea, 4 Oct 02) (Ospreys @ Zebre, 5 Oct) Most tries 4 - Mike Mullins (Munster @ Caerphilly, 11 3 – Tim Visser Sep 01) (Edinburgh v Munster, 1 Sep) 4 - Lee Abdul 3 – Dominic Ryan (Blues v Ospreys, 25 Oct 03) (Leinster v Treviso, 16 Feb) 4 – Jamie Robinson (Blues v Borders, 27 Feb 04) Most conversions 9 - Brendan Laney (Edinburgh @ 7 – Jonathan Sexton Caerphilly, 21 Sep 02) (Leinster v Blues, 27 Oct) Most penalty goals 9 – Luciano Orquera 7 – Harry Leonard ( v Treviso, 23 Dec 11) (Edinburgh v Scarlets, 26 Oct) Most drop goals 4 – Dan Parks 3 – Stefan Jones (Glasgow v Ulster, 16 Apr 10) (Dragons v Edinburgh, 28 Sep) Fastest try 18 secs – Nathan Brew 30 secs – Danie Poolman (Dragons @ Blues, 27 Dec 05) (Connacht @ Scarlets, 8 Feb) Quickest 17 mins 43 secs – Tommy Bowe 26 mins – Dave Kearney bonus point try (Ulster v Reivers, 12 May 06) (Leinster v Blues, 27 Oct)

TEAM RECORDS All-Time Best in 2012/13 Most points in a home 63-17 Ulster v Reivers 59-22 Leinster v Blues game (Ravenhill, 12 May 06) (RDS, 27 Oct) Most points in an away 67-15 Ulster @ Caerphilly 60-3 Glasgow @ Dragons game (Virginia Park, 5 Oct 02) (Rodney Parade, 15 Feb) Highest aggregate of 98pts - Caerphilly 32, Edinburgh 66 81pts – Leinster 59, Blues 22 points in game (Virginia Park, 21 Sep 02) (RDS, 27 Oct) Biggest home win 62pts - Connacht 62, Caerphilly 0 37pts – Leinster 59, Blues 22 (, 16 Sep 01) (RDS, 27 Oct) Biggest away win 57pts – Dragons 3, Glasgow 60 57pts – Dragons 3, Glasgow 60 (Rodney Parade, 15 Feb 13) (Rodney Parade, 15 Feb) Best attendance 50,645 – Leinster v Munster 46,280 – Leinster v Munster (regular season) (, 2 Oct 10) (Aviva Stadium, 6 Oct) Note: 2012/13 Season bests set or equalled this past round shown in italics.

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Round 18: 22ND & 23RD March 2013

APPROACHING CAREER MILESTONES POINTS SCORING 1,500 points: Dan Parks (1441) 1,000 points: Ronan O’Gara (926), Dan Biggar (875), Ian Keatley (786) 500 points: Jason Tovey (435) Record: 1,441 points – Dan Parks (Glasgow Warrior, Cardiff Blues & Connacht) TRY SCORING 50 tries: Tommy Bowe (48), Tim Visser (48) 25 tries: Gordon D’Arcy (24), DTH van der Merwe (23), (22), Doug Howlett (21), Jonathan Davies (21), Brian O’Driscoll (21) Record: 48 tries – Tommy Bowe (Ulster & Ospreys) and Tim Visser (Edinburgh) MATCHES PLAYED 150 games: Ceri Sweeney (147), John Muldoon (145), Dan Parks (144), (143), Allan Jacobsen (143), Dougie Hall (140) 100 games: (97), Nick de Luca (95), Roger Wilson (94), Greig Laidlaw (94), Ronan Loughney (94), Rory Best (93), Johnny O’Connor (93) Record: 160 games – Michael Swift (Connacht)

CAREER TOP TENS MOST POINTS MOST GAMES MOST MINS PLAYED MOST TRIES Dan Parks 1441 Michael Swift 160 John Muldoon 10108 Tommy Bowe 48 Ronan O’Gara 926 Adam Jones 151 Alastair Kellock 9951 Tim Visser 48 Felipe Contepomi 877 Ceri Sweeney 147 Dan Parks 9919 Shane Horgan 39 Dan Biggar 875 John Muldoon 145 Graeme Morrison 9683 Nikki Walker 36 810 Dan Parks 144 Michael Swift 9431 34 David Humphreys 786 Alastair Kellock 143 Allan Jacobsen 9177 Simon Danielli 30 Ian Keatley 786 Allan Jacobsen 143 Tommy Bowe 9126 Matthew Watkins 30 Stephen Jones 741 Dougie Hall 140 Ceri Sweeney 9012 Aled Brew 30 Ceri Sweeney 691 Deiniol Jones 139 Mick O’Driscoll 8857 Andrew Trimble 30 Paul Warwick 664 Phil John 138 Gavin Duffy 8695 Three players 29 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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