RaboDirect PRO12 :PREVIEW 2012/13

Round Eleven : 21 & 22 December 2012

ROUND 11 PREVIEWS

After their forays into Europe, this weekend sees the start of the festive derby fixtures for the RaboDirect PRO12 teams.

Ulster still lead the way with a perfect ten out of ten in this competition, a full nine points clear of their nearest rivals, , and are one of three Irish Provinces currently in the Play-Off Zone. They welcome Leinster to Ravenhill on Friday night, a victory for the visitors would close the gap between themselves and the leaders to single figures, a loss could, put their own top four place into jeopardy.

The other all Irish fixture is on Saturday when fourth placed Munster travel to the Sportsground to play Connacht, who are looking for a clean sweep over the three other Irish Provinces in this season. Munster have been in the top five of the table all season, but any slipup in Galway could let or take over their coveted Play-Off spot.

There is only one all Welsh derby before Christmas as the round 11 game between Newport Gwent and Ospreys has been held back until New Year’s Eve, so the focus on Friday night will be in where second placed Scarlets are the visitors at the Arms Park. Scarlets need to be aware of the teams both above and below them in the table; whilst they will be anxious to close the gap on the leaders, they must be aware that any slip up could see them lose the home Play-Off berth they currently hold.

The remaining game on Friday night is the first of the Glasgow Warriors v Rugby double header. Honours were even in the first game last Christmas, with Warriors going on to take the second leg, and with the home team still very much in the running for a top four spot, there is guaranteed to be a capacity crowd at Scotstoun for this encounter.

The only remaining game before Christmas will be in on Saturday, with the first ever local derby between and Benetton Treviso. The hosts are still looking for their inaugural win in the competition, but Treviso, who were minutes away from pulling off the shock of the last round of European games, will be a hard team to beat.

The RaboDirect PRO12 Previews for Round 12 will be updated on 23 December. ROUND 11 FIXTURES Friday 21 December

CARDIFF BLUES v SCARLETS At , 7.05pm. Live on Referee: Ian Davies (WRU, 2nd competition game) Assistant Referees: James Jones, Sean Brickell (both WRU) Citing Commissioner: Gwyn Bowden (WRU) TMO: Gareth Simmonds (WRU)

HEAD TO HEAD - RECENT RaboDirect PRO12 MEETINGS Date Venue C S scorers Scarlets scorers Sat 26 Sep 09 19 15 Ben Blair(C/4P) Paul Tito(T) Jonathan Davies(T) David Lyons(T) (C/P) Sat 17 Apr 10 39 16 Ben Blair(4C/2P) Deiniol Jones(T) Richie Regan King(T) Stephen Jones(C/D/2P) Rees(T) Taufa'ao Filise(T) (2T) Fri 22 Oct 10 Cardiff City Stadium 10 16 Ceri Sweeney(T/C/P) (T/3P) Stephen Jones(C) Fri 6 May 11 Parc y Scarlets 23 38 Chris Czekaj(T) Dafydd Hewitt(T) Dan Ben Morgan(T) (T) Sean Parks(2C/D/2P) Lamont(2T) Rhys Priestland(C/2P) Stephen Jones(2C/2P) Sat 24 Mar 12 Cardiff City Stadium 14 26 (T) Ceri Sweeney(2C) Gareth Davies(T) Dom Day(T) Andy Casey Laulala(T) Fenby(2T) (3C)

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Round Eleven : 21 & 22 December 2012

Sat 5 May 12 Parc y Scarlets 20 29 Harry Robinson(T) Andries Pretorius(T) Gareth Davies(2T) Penalty Try(T) Rhys Alex Cuthbert(T) Dan Parks(P) Ceri Priestland(3C/P) Liam Williams(T) Sweeney(C) Cardiff Blues have won just one of their last six matches in the RaboDirect PRO12: 14-7 at struggling Zebre on 25 November. The Blues are the only side in the tournament who have tallied more league points on the road this season than they have accumulated at home! Scarlets four game winning run in the PRO12 came to a halt last time out with their 12-19 defeat to table-topping Ulster at Parc y Scarlets. The West region are the second best away team in the tournament behind Ulster, and have lost just one of their last eleven fixtures against fellow Welsh regions. Scarlets have won their last six encounters with the Blues in all competitions, whilst they have not visited the Arms Park since May 2008.

GLASGOW WARRIORS v At , 7.35pm. Live on Referee: Jerome Garces (FFR, 4th competition game) Assistant Referees: Andrew McMenemy, Bob Nevins (both SRU) Citing Commissioner: John Kirk (SRU) TMO: Jim Yuille (SRU)

HEAD TO HEAD - RECENT RaboDirect PRO12 MEETINGS Date Venue G E Glasgow Warriors scorers Edinburgh Rugby scorers Sun 27 Dec 09 Firhill Stadium 25 12 Dan Parks(C/D/5P) (T) (4P) Sat 2 Jan 10 Murrayfield 22 15 DTH van der Merwe(T) Bernardo Chris Paterson(5P) Stortoni(T) Dan Parks(D/3P) Mon 27 Dec 10 Firhill Stadium 30 18 DTH van der Merwe(T) (T) David Blair(6P) (3C/3P) Hefin O'Hare(T) Sun 2 Jan 11 Murrayfield 17 28 Rob Harley(T) Colin Gregor(2P) Ruaridh David Blair(2C/3P) Jim Thompson(T) Tim Jackson(2P) Visser(T) Netani Talei(T) Mon 26 Dec 11 Murrayfield 23 23 Duncan Weir(C/2P) Ruaridh Jackson(T) (C/2P) (T) Tim (T) Colin Shaw(T) Visser(2T) Sun 1 Jan 12 Firhill Stadium 17 12 Duncan Weir(3P) (T) Scott Phil Godman(D/3P) Wight(P)

Glasgow Warriors have slipped to four straight defeats in all competitions but were so close to claiming a notable scalp with their visit to Top-14 powerhouse Castres on Sunday, only slipping to an 8-10 defeat inside the last ten minutes. The Warriors have won three of their last four RaboDirect PRO12 contests at Scotstoun. Edinburgh Rugby have won their last two PRO12 fixtures against Ospreys and Connacht but have not won three in succession in the tournament since October 2010. Edinburgh’s only away win since September was 24-23 in Galway on 1 December. Glasgow currently hold the 1872 trophy having gained a win and a draw from last season’s festive fixtures with Edinburgh.

ULSTER v LEINSTER At Ravenhill, 7.05pm. Live on Referee: George Clancy (IRFU, 48th competition game) Assistant Referees: Peter Fitzgibbon, Olly Hodges (both IFRU) Citing Commissioner: John Cole (IRFU) TMO: Dermot Moloney (IRFU)

HEAD TO HEAD - RECENT RaboDirect PRO12 MEETINGS Date Venue U L Ulster scorers Leinster scorers Sat 26 Dec 09 Royal Society 3 15 Niall O'Connor(P) (T) Shaun Berne(C/P) (T) Mon 27 Dec 10 Ravenhill 13 30 (T) Niall O'Connor(C/2P) (T) Sean O'Brien(2T) Isa Nacewa(3C/3P)

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Round Eleven : 21 & 22 December 2012

Sat 16 Apr 11 Royal Dublin Society 26 34 Craig Gilroy(T) (3P) Ruan (T) Shane Horgan(2T) Pienaar(2C/P) Pedrie Wannenburg(T) (3C/P) Richardt Strauss(T) Heinke van der Merwe(T) Fri 13 May 11 Royal Dublin Society (SF) 3 18 (P) Luke Fitzgerald(T) Fergus McFadden(T/C) Jonathan Sexton(2P) Mon 26 Dec 11 Royal Dublin Society 13 42 James McKinney(C/2P) Chris Leo Auva'a(T) Fionn Carr(T) Sean Cochrane(T) Cronin(T) Jamie Hagan(T) Ian Madigan(T) Fergus McFadden(6C) Penalty Try(T) Fri 20 Apr 12 Ravenhill 8 16 Johann Muller(T) Ruan Pienaar(P) Kevin McLaughlin(T) Jonathan Sexton(C/D/2P)

Ulster have made the best start to a RaboDirect PRO12 season since the tournament went “home and away” in 2003/04, whilst the only opposing team to triumph at Ravenhill in this competition since October 2011 were Leinster themselves in April. Leinster have lost just one of their last five PRO12 encounters: 10-19 away at Ospreys on 4 November. The Leinstermen have lost just one of their last nine fixtures against fellow Irish provinces. Ulster’s only win over Leinster in their last 18 clashes since 2004 was 16-14 at Ravenhill in the PRO12 on 24 October 2009.

Saturday 22 December

CONNACHT v MUNSTER At Sportsground, 5.15pm. Live on Referee: Dudley Phillips (IRFU, 26th competition game) Assistant Referees: David Wilkinson, Simon McDowell (both IRFU) Citing Commissioner: Murray White (IRFU) TMO: Marshall Kilgore (IRFU)

HEAD TO HEAD - RECENT RaboDirect PRO12 MEETINGS Date Venue C M Connacht scorers Munster scorers Sat 26 Dec 09 3 35 Ian Keatley(P) Paul Warwick(T/C/P) Ian Dowling(T) Ronan O'Gara(2C/2P) Damien Varley(T) Jean de Villiers(T) Sun 18 Apr 10 Sportsground 12 18 Ian Keatley(C) Johnny O'Connor(T) Paul Warwick(C/2P) Scott Deasy(T) Niall George Naoupu(T) Ronan(T) Mon 27 Dec 10 Sportsground 12 16 Ian Keatley(4P) Tom Gleeson(T) Ronan O'Gara(C/D/2P) Fri 6 May 11 Thomond Park 6 22 Ian Keatley(2P) Doug Howlett(T) Ronan O'Gara(2C/P) Alan Quinlan(T) (T) Mon 26 Dec 11 Thomond Park 9 24 Niall O'Connor(3P) Sean Scanlon(T) Ian Keatley(C/4P) Tomas O'Leary(T) Sat 24 Mar 12 Sportsground 16 20 Miah Nikora(C/3P) Ethienne Reynecke(T) Ian Keatley(2C/2P) Tommy O'Donnell(T) Simon Zebo(T)

Connacht have won just one of their last five RaboDirect PRO12 matches: 18-3 at home to Benetton Treviso on 3 November. Connacht have won two of their last three encounters with fellow Irish provinces, and are going for a clean sweep of victories against the three other provinces in Galway this season. Munster have won three of their last four PRO12 games, whilst the Munstermen’s solitary away victory since the opening weekend was 24-18 at Cardiff Blues on 2 November. Munster have won just one of their last four games against fellow Irish provinces in the PRO12. Connacht’s only win over Munster since 1986 was 12-6 at the Sportsground on 28 December 2008.

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Round Eleven : 21 & 22 December 2012

ZEBRE v BENETTON TREVISO Stadio XXV Aprile, 3pm. Live on Referee: Laurent Cardona ( FFR, 2nd competition game) Assistant Referees: Giuseppe Vivarini, Stefano Roscini (both FIR) Citing Commissioner: Maurizio Vancini (FIR) TMO: Mauro Dordolo (FIR)

Zebre are still seeking a maiden victory in any competition, and have gained just four bonus points so far in the RaboDirect PRO12. Benetton Treviso came within three minutes of gaining a notable victory over Tigers in the European Cup at Stadio Monigo on Saturday, eventually losing out by the closest of margins, 13-14. Treviso’s only win on the road this season was 27-22 at Edinburgh in round six. This is a first ever meeting between the two teams. ROUND 12 Wednesday 26 December

CARDIFF BLUES v NEWPORT GWENT DRAGONS At Cardiff Arms Park , 2.05pm. Live on Referee: Leighton Hodges (17th competition game) Assistant Referees: Ian Davies, Wayne Davies (both WRU) Citing Commissioner: John Charles (WRU) TMO: Tony Rowlands (WRU)

HEAD TO HEAD - RECENT RaboDirect PRO12 MEETINGS Date Venue C N Cardiff Blues scorers Newport Gwent Dragons scorers Fri 23 Apr 10 20 14 Ben Blair(2C/2P) Gavin Evans(T) Ceri Ben Castle(T) James Arlidge(3P) Sweeney(T) Sat 18 Sep 10 Cardiff City Stadium 43 21 Ben Blair(4C/5P) Xavier Rush(T) T.Rhys Will Harries(T) Adam Hughes(T) Matt Thomas(2T) (T) Jones(C/3P) Fri 29 Apr 11 Rodney Parade 15 28 Dan Parks(C/P) Xavier Rush(T) Sam Jason Tovey(2C/P) (T) Andrew Warburton(T) Coombs(T) Wayne Evans(D) Steffan Jones(T/P) Fri 23 Dec 11 Cardiff City Stadium 28 9 Alex Cuthbert(2T) (T) Jason Tovey(3P) Leigh Halfpenny(2C/3P) Thu 15 Mar 12 Rodney Parade 14 18 Ben Blair(P) Tom James(T) Dan Parks(2P) Lewis Robling(C/2P) Tondi Chavhanga(T) Jevon Groves(T) Sat 15 Sep 12 Rodney Parade 16 5 (C/3P) Alex Cuthbert(T) Steffan Jones(T)

OSPREYS v SCARLETS At , 5.30pm. Live on Referee: Nigel Owens (WRU, 87th competition game) Assistant Referees: Gwyn Morris, Jon Mason (both WRU) Citing Commissioner: Ray Wilton (WRU) TMO: Derek Bevan (WRU)

HEAD TO HEAD - RECENT RaboDirect PRO12 MEETINGS Date Venue O S Ospreys scorers Scarlets scorers Fri 2 Apr 10 Liberty Stadium 27 19 (C/2D/3P) (2T) Jonathan Davies(T) Stephen Jones(C/4P) Sat 2 Oct 10 Parc y Scarlets 21 18 Dan Biggar(C/D/2P) Richard Fussell(T) Stephen Jones(6P) Alun-(T)

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Round Eleven : 21 & 22 December 2012

Mon 27 Dec 10 Liberty Stadium 60 17 Dan Biggar(T/3C/5P) Tommy Bowe(T) Gareth Maule(T) Jonny Fa'amatuainu(T) Richard Fussell(T) (T/2C) Rhys Priestland(2C/P) (T) Jamie Nutbrown(T) (T) Sat 5 Nov 11 Liberty Stadium 9 9 Dan Biggar(3P) Stephen Jones(3P) Mon 26 Dec 11 Parc y Scarlets 14 22 Dan Biggar(3P) Barry Davies(T) Rhys Priestland(C/5P) Rhys M. Thomas(T) Fri 21 Sep 12 Parc y Scarlets 23 16 Dan Biggar(2C/3P) Hanno Dirksen(T) (T) Rhys Priestland(C/3P) (T)

Saturday 29 December

BENETTON TREVISO v ZEBRE At Stadio Monigo , 3pm. Live on Referee: Matteo Liperini (FIR, 2nd competition game) Assistant Referees: Alan Falzone, Andrea Spadoni (both FIR) Citing Commissioner: Alberto Recaldini (FIR) TMO: Carlo Damasco (FIR)

EDINBURGH RUGBY v GLASGOW WARRIORS At Murrayfield, 4.05pm. Live on Referee: Neil Paterson (SRU, 41st competition game) Assistant Referees: Andy Macpherson, Adrian Graves (both SRU) Citing Commissioner: Douglas Hunter TMO: TBC

LEINSTER v CONNACHT At RDS Dublin, 7.45pm. Live on Referee: (IRFU, 22nd competition game) Assistant Referees: Leo Colgan, Mark Patton (both IRFU) Citing Commissioner: Dennis Templeton (IRFU) TMO: Jude Quinn (IRFU)

HEAD TO HEAD - RECENT RaboDirect PRO12 MEETINGS Date Venue L C Leinster scorers Connacht scorers Wed 21 Apr 10 Sportsground 13 27 Shaun Berne(C/2P) Penalty Try(T) Ian Keatley(C/P) Michael Swift(T) Troy Nathan(T) Miah Nikora(2C/D) Brian Tuohy(T) Sat 23 Oct 10 Sportsground 18 6 Dominic Ryan(T) Jonathan Sexton(C/2P) Ian Keatley(2P) Isa Nacewa(T) Sat 1 Jan 11 Royal Dublin Society 30 8 Dave Kearney(2T) Niall Morris(T) Fergus Eoin Griffin(T) Ian Keatley(P) McFadden(T/C) Isa Nacewa(C/2P) Sat 8 Oct 11 Royal Dublin Society 30 20 Luke Fitzgerald(T) Ian Madigan(D/P) Niall O'Connor(2C/2P) Ray Ofisa Devin Toner(T) Isa Nacewa(C/4P) Treviranus(T) Brian Tuohy(T) Sun 1 Jan 12 Sportsground 15 13 Isa Nacewa(5P) Tiernan O'Halloran(T) Matthew Jarvis(P) Ethienne Reynecke(T) Fri 28 Sep 12 Sportsground 6 34 Ian Madigan(2P) Tiernan O'Halloran(T) David McSharry(T) Fetu'u Vainikolo(T) Dan Parks(2C/P) Ronan Loughney(T) George Naoupu(T) Miah Nikora(C)

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Round Eleven : 21 & 22 December 2012

MUNSTER v ULSTER At Thomond Park, 7.05pm. Live on Referee: Alain Rolland (IRFU, 53rd competition game) Assistant Referees: Dudley Phillips, Sean Gallagher (both IRFU) Citing Commissioner: Tom McCormack (IRFU) TMO: Kevin Beggs (IRFU)

HEAD TO HEAD - RECENT RaboDirect PRO12 MEETINGS Date Venue M U Munster scorers Ulster scorers Sat 2 Jan 10 Ravenhill 10 15 Paul Warwick(C/P) Jean de Villiers(T) Ian Humphreys(C/P) (2T) Fri 29 Oct 10 Ravenhill 16 6 Ivan Dineen(T) Paul Warwick(C/3P) Ruan Pienaar(2P) Sat 1 Jan 11 Thomond Park 35 10 Paul Warwick(3C/3P) Denis Hurley(T) TJ Anderson(T) (C/P) Barry Murphy(T) Lifeimi Mafi(T) Tommy O'Donnell(T) Fri 30 Dec 11 Ravenhill 17 33 Luke O'Dea(T) Ian Keatley(2C/P) Johne John Afoa(T) Ian Humphreys(T/2C/2P) Murphy(T) Ruan Pienaar(T/P) Stefan Terblanche(T) Sat 5 May 12 Thomond Park 36 8 Declan Cusack(C) Peter O'Mahony(T) Paddy Jackson(P) Iain Henderson(T) Stephen Archer(T) Scott Deasy(3C/P) Mike Sherry(T) Tommy O'Donnell(T) Simon Zebo(T) Fri 14 Sep 12 Ravenhill 19 20 (T) Ian Keatley(C/2D/2P) Paddy Jackson(5P) Jared Payne(T)

ROUND 11 Monday 31 December NEWPORT GWENT DRAGONS v OSPREYS At Rodney Parade, 4.15pm Live on Referee: Nigel Owens (WRU, 88th competition game) Assistant Referees: Neil Hennessy, Rhys Thomas (both WRU) Citing Commissioner: Jeff Mark (WRU) TMO: Paul Adams (WRU)

HEAD TO HEAD - RECENT RaboDirect PRO12 MEETINGS Date Venue N O Newport Gwent Dragons scorers Ospreys scorers Sat 27 Mar 10 Rodney Parade 28 20 Will Harries(T) Jason Tovey(2C/3P) Aled Dan Biggar(C/2P) Andrew Bishop(T) Brew(T) Matthew Watkins(T) James Hook(T/C) Fri 7 May 10 Liberty Stadium 10 42 Jason Tovey(C/P) Wayne Evans(T) Dan Biggar(T/4C/3P) Ryan Jones(T) Penalty Try(T) (T) (T) Sat 30 Oct 10 Liberty Stadium 21 16 Toby Faletau(T) Jason Tovey(C/3P) Dai Flanagan(C/2P) Gareth Owen(T/P) Wayne Evans(T) Fri 15 Apr 11 Rodney Parade 32 28 Jason Tovey(C/2P) Aled Brew(2T) Wayne Dan Biggar(2P) Tommy Bowe(T) James Evans(T) Matt Jones(2C) Ashley Smith(T) Hook(2C/P) Ryan Jones(T) Nikki Walker(T) Fri 6 Jan 12 Rodney Parade 21 20 Lewis Robling(T) Jason Tovey(C/3P) Dan Biggar(P) Matthew Morgan(4P) Martyn Thomas(T) Tommy Bowe(T) Fri 20 Apr 12 Liberty Stadium 12 31 Lewis Robling(4P) Dan Biggar(3C/P) Ryan Jones(T) (T/C) Penalty Try(2T)

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Round Eleven : 21 & 22 December 2012

ROUND 10 MICROCOSM FRIDAY 30 NOVEMBER OSPREYS (16)33 CARDIFF BLUES (6)12 Matthew Morgan(3C/4P) Rhys Patchell(2P) James King(12) Ceri Sweeney(2P) Richard Fussell(42) Att: 8,169 Morgan Allen(79) SATURDAY 1 DECEMBER (b) CONNACHT (13)23 EDINBURGH RUGBY (17)24 Dan Parks(2C/3P) Greig Laidlaw(3C/P) Jason Harris-Wright(12) (5) Danie Poolman(69) Matt Scott(35) Att: 4,930 Stuart McInally(65) (B) LEINSTER (17)37 ZEBRE (0)7 Andrew Conway(26) Daniel Halangahu(C) Jonathan Sexton(34/2C/P) (48) Fergus McFadden(59/ 78/C/P) Att: 15,894 (69) (B) MUNSTER (24)31 GLASGOW WARRIORS (3)3 Ronan O'Gara(4C/P) Duncan Weir(P) CJ Stander(8/ 38) Att: 15,138 Tommy O'Donnell(23) Penalty Try(74) (B) BENETTON TREVISO (20)32 NEWPORT GWENT DRAGONS (6)13 Alberto di Bernardo(2C/P) (52/C/2P) Edoardo Gori(9) Att: 3,600 Christian Loamanu(25/ 42) Luke McLean(39) Tobias Botes(72) SUNDAY 2 DECEMBER (b) SCARLETS (3)12 ULSTER (13)19 Aled Thomas(4P) Paddy Jackson(C/4P) Att: 7,089 (28) 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 10 (4) JP Cooney, Danny Qualter (Connacht), Michael Bent (Leinster), Dimtri Arhip (Ospreys)

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Round Eleven : 21 & 22 December 2012

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 Ulster (1)  10 10 0 0 3 0 43 30 23 28 0 280 13 9 21 2 152 1 5 128 2 Scarlets (2)  10 7 0 3 3 3 34 25 16 21 1 223 13 11 27 0 168 0 3 55 3 Leinster (4)  10 7 0 3 3 0 31 29 23 20 1 254 25 17 15 1 207 2 3 47 4 Munster (5)  10 6 0 4 3 2 29 22 19 22 2 220 14 9 22 0 154 0 2 66 5 Glasgow Warriors (3)  10 6 0 4 2 2 28 19 12 21 0 182 14 10 17 0 141 1 1 41 6 Ospreys (6)  10 6 0 4 1 2 27 19 17 25 1 207 8 6 35 0 157 0 1 50 7 Edinburgh Rugby (8)  10 4 0 6 1 4 21 23 16 25 1 225 24 21 24 3 243 2 2 -18 8 Benetton Treviso (10)  10 4 0 6 1 2 19 18 11 18 0 166 17 14 24 2 191 1 3 -25 9 Cardiff Blues (7)  10 4 0 6 1 2 19 14 11 26 0 170 28 21 19 1 242 2 2 -72 10 Connacht (9)  10 3 0 7 1 2 15 15 11 19 0 154 22 15 13 0 179 3 0 -25 11 Newport Gwent Dragons (11)  10 3 0 7 1 0 13 14 10 25 4 177 31 21 19 0 254 5 0 -77 12 Zebre (12)  10 0 0 10 1 3 4 12 9 15 0 123 31 24 29 1 293 4 0 -170 TOTALS 60 60 0 60 21 22 283 240 178 265 10 2381 240 178 265 10 2381 21 22

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.

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Round Eleven : 21 & 22 December 2012

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

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Round Eleven : 21 & 22 December 2012

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 1 0 0 1 2 Leinster 4 0 0 4 3 Cardiff Blues 6 0 0 6 3 Connacht 6 0 0 6 3 Benetton Treviso 6 0 0 6 3 Edinburgh Rugby 6 0 0 6 7 Newport Gwent Dragons 5 1 0 8 7 Scarlets 5 0 1 8 7 Glasgow Warriors 8 0 0 8 10 Ospreys 6 1 0 9 10 Munster 6 1 0 9 12 Zebre 11 0 0 11 TOTALS 70 3 1 82

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 (1) (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 two weeks, Ball will be free to play from Monday, 10 December 2012. RED CARDS (3) (Ospreys @ Benetton Treviso, 31 Aug) Damien Varley (Munster @ Ospreys, 29 Sep) Will Harries (Newport Gwent Dragons @ Benetton Treviso, 1 Dec) YELLOW CARDS (70) Blues (6) (2), Scott Andrews, Robin Copeland, Bradley Davies, Nathan Trevett Connacht (6) Dave Gannon(2), Rodney Ah You, Andrew Browne, Jason Harris-Wright, Tiernan O’Halloran Dragons (5) Jonathan Evans, Lewis Evans, Steve Jones, Dan Way, Nathan Williams Edinburgh (6) Sean Cox(2), WP Nel, Ross Rennie, Greig Tonks, John Yapp Leinster (4) Leo Auva’a, Brendan Macken, Ian Madigan, Kevin McLaughlin Munster (6) Sean Dougall, Donncha O’Callaghan, Tommy O’Donnell, Ronan O’Gara, Mike Sherry, Damien Varley Ospreys (6) Sam Lewis(2), Duncan Jones, Jonathan Thomas, , Owen Williams Scarlets (5) Gareth Davies, Rob McCusker, , Gareth Owen, Treviso (6) Robert Barbieri, Dean Budd, , Ignacio Fernandez-Rouyet, Alberto Sgarbi, Ulster (1) Dan Tuohy Warriors (8) Tim Swinson(2), James Eddie, Ofa Fainga’anuku, Chris Fusaro, , Tom Ryder, Tommy Seymour Zebre (11) (2), (2), , Alberto Chillon, Filippo Cristiano, Filippo Ferrarini, Luca Redolfini, Samuele Pace, Tito Tebaldi

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Round Eleven : 21 & 22 December 2012

TOP RaboDirect PRO12 ACCUMULATORS TOP RaboDirect PRO12 POINTS SCORERS Rank Name Team Apps Mins Try Conv PG DG Points 1 Tom Prydie Dragons 10 765 2 9 23 0 97 2 Dan Biggar Ospreys 6+1 495 1 11 14 0 69 3 Ian Keatley Munster 7+3 603 2 8 12 2 68 4 Jonathan Sexton Leinster 5 348 2 15 8 1 67 5 Aled Thomas Scarlets 6+1 429 0 9 14 0 60 6 Paddy Jackson Ulster 5+2 357 0 9 14 0 60 7 Ian Madigan Leinster 8+2 657 3 6 11 0 60 8 Greig Laidlaw Edinburgh Rugby 6 480 0 12 10 1 57 9 Matthew Morgan Ospreys 4+4 320 1 6 11 1 53 10 Tim Visser Edinburgh Rugby 7 560 10 0 0 0 50 11 Ronan O'Gara Munster 5+1 356 0 11 9 0 49 12 Alberto di Bernardo Benetton Treviso 7+1 626 0 8 9 0 43 13 Niall O'Connor Ulster 3+2 310 0 3 12 0 42 14 Dan Parks Connacht 6 457 0 5 10 0 40 15 Daniel Halangahu Zebre 8 640 1 6 7 0 38 16 Ruan Pienaar Ulster 2 150 2 11 2 0 38 17 Rhys Priestland Scarlets 4+3 371 0 6 7 1 36 Best in a PRO12 Season: 287pts by Felipe Contepomi (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 7 560 10 7 3 7 3 2 George North Scarlets 6 466 7 3 4 2 5 3 Robert Barbieri Benetton Treviso 5+1 376 6 2 4 2 4 4 Andy Fenby Scarlets 8 600 6 2 4 3 3 5 Jared Payne Ulster 8+1 653 5 3 2 1 4 6 Tommy Seymour Glasgow Warriors 7 525 5 2 3 0 5 7 DTH van der Merwe Glasgow Warriors 6 421 5 3 2 2 3 8 Dan Evans Dragons 9 720 4 2 2 2 2 9 Tommy O'Donnell Munster 3+4 278 4 2 2 2 2 10 Nick Williams Ulster 8+1 622 4 1 3 3 1 11 Tom Brown Edinburgh Rugby 5+1 421 3 0 3 3 0 12 Alex Cuthbert Cardiff Blues 4 295 3 1 2 0 3 13 Richard Fussell Ospreys 10 765 3 2 1 2 1 14 Brendan Macken Leinster 5+2 499 3 3 0 0 3 15 Ian Madigan Leinster 8+2 657 3 2 1 2 1 16 Andrew Trimble Ulster 6+1 492 3 0 3 1 2 17 Dries van Schalkwyk Zebre 9 692 3 3 0 0 3 Best in a PRO12 Season: 14 by Tim Visser (Edinburgh) 2010/11

Page 11 of 14 RaboDirect PRO12 :PREVIEW 2012/13

Round Eleven : 21 & 22 December 2012

RHINO GOLDEN BOOT AWARD BEST RaboDirect PRO12 KICKERS Rank Name Team Good Att Kick% Last 10 kicks Conv PG Streak 1 Ian Keatley Munster 20 23 86.96% 2/3/2/p3222c/3 8/9 12/14 Last 1 2 Ronan O'Gara Munster 20 23 86.96% p/2322/22322 11/13 9/10 Last 9 3 Matthew Morgan Ospreys 17 20 85.00% 32/32p33232 6/6 11/14 Last 5 4 Leigh Halfpenny Cardiff Blues 9 11 81.82% 3323/3p/3c22 3/4 6/7 Last 2 5 Zebre 9 11 81.82% 33/p223/3233 3/3 6/8 Last 7 6 Ruan Pienaar Ulster 13 16 81.25% 3222/222222 11/12 2/4 Last 11 7 Miah Nikora Connacht 12 15 80.00% 323322/3c3/2 4/5 8/10 Last 2 8 Jonathan Sexton Leinster 23 29 79.31% 222c22c/322 15/18 8/11 Last 3 9 Ian Madigan Leinster 17 22 77.27% 33p/32pp/3p3 6/7 11/15 Last 1 10 Gregor Hunter Edinburgh Rugby 10 13 76.92% 3/3cp3333p3 2/3 8/10 Last 1 11 Paddy Jackson Ulster 23 30 76.67% 3223/p32333 9/12 14/18 Last 5 12 Greig Laidlaw Edinburgh Rugby 22 29 75.86% 2/p32c2/2322 12/17 10/12 Last 5 13 Tom Prydie Dragons 32 43 74.42% 33/3pc33/332 9/13 23/30 Last 5 14 Dan Biggar Ospreys 25 34 73.53% 2c332/2c2p2 11/13 14/21 Last 1 15 Ceri Sweeney Cardiff Blues 10 14 71.43% 23c/c3p33/33 2/4 8/10 Last 4 16 Rhys Patchell Cardiff Blues 12 17 70.59% p32p2322/33 5/5 7/12 Last 6 17 Pete Horne Glasgow Warriors 7 10 70.00% 3/333333p/pp 0/0 7/10 Missed last 3 18 Duncan Weir Glasgow Warriors 7 10 70.00% 3/p2/cp3232/3 3/4 4/6 Last 5 19 Harry Leonard Edinburgh Rugby 9 13 69.23% c/23333p333 2/3 7/10 Last 3 20 Kris Burton Benetton Treviso 11 16 68.75% 2/323c/c/p23p 3/5 8/11 Missed last 1 21 Dan Parks Connacht 15 22 68.18% 2pc/3p/23332 5/8 10/14 Last 5 22 Aled Thomas Scarlets 23 36 63.89% 2pp/p3p33p3 9/11 14/25 Last 1 23 Niall O'Connor Ulster 15 24 62.50% 33c32/323p3 3/5 12/19 Last 1 24 Scott Wight Glasgow Warriors 10 16 62.50% 2c/3223cc2/p 6/10 4/6 Missed last 1 25 Alberto di Bernardo Benetton Treviso 17 28 60.71% 3cpp/23cc2c 8/13 9/15 Missed last 1 26 Daniel Halangahu Zebre 13 23 56.52% 2/c3cpc2/2/p2 6/9 7/14 Last 1 27 Ruaridh Jackson Glasgow Warriors 9 17 52.94% c/p2c2p/p333 3/5 6/12 Last 3 28 Rhys Priestland Scarlets 13 29 44.83% pp2/p223/3c/3 6/12 7/17 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.

Page 12 of 14 RaboDirect PRO12 :PREVIEW 2012/13

Round Eleven : 21 & 22 December 2012

RaboDirect PRO12 RECORD CENTRE INDIVIDUAL GAME RECORDS All-Time Best in 2012/13 Most points 32 - Stephen Jones ( RFC @ 24 – Dan Biggar , 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 (Blues v Ospreys, 25 Oct 03) 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 2 mins – Ian Keatley (Dragons @ Blues, 27 Dec 05) (Munster v Dragons, 22 Sep) 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 48-19 Ulster @ Blues game (Virginia Park, 5 Oct 02) (Arms Park, 28 Sep) 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 (Galway, 16 Sep 01) (RDS, 27 Oct) Biggest away win 52pts - Ulster 67 @ Caerphilly 15 29pts – Blues 19, Ulster 48 (Virginia Park, 5 Oct 02) (Arms Park, 28 Sep) 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 Eleven : 21 & 22 December 2012

APPROACHING CAREER MILESTONES POINTS SCORING 1,500 points: Dan Parks (1381) 1,000 points: Ronan O’Gara (907), Dan Biggar (841), Ian Keatley (741) 500 points: Jason Tovey (430) Record: 1,381 points – Dan Parks (Glasgow Warrior, Cardiff Blues & Connacht) TRY SCORING 50 tries: Tommy Bowe (48), Tim Visser (47) 25 tries: Gordon D’Arcy (23), (22), Doug Howlett (21), Jonathan Davies (21), Brian O’Driscoll (21) Record: 48 tries – Tommy Bowe (Ulster & Ospreys) MATCHES PLAYED 150 games: Ceri Sweeney (145), Adam Jones (145), John Muldoon (141) 100 games: Ronan O’Gara (99), John Barclay (99), Wayne Evans(99), Ryan Jones (98), Jamie Heaslip (98) 50 games: Jon Welsh (49), (48), Tommy O’Donnell (47), Scott Andrews (47), Tom Ryder (47), Aled Thomas (47), (47) Record: 154 games – Michael Swift (Connacht)

CAREER TOP TENS MOST POINTS MOST GAMES MOST MINS PLAYED MOST TRIES Dan Parks 1381 Michael Swift 154 John Muldoon 9841 Tommy Bowe 48 Ronan O’Gara 907 Ceri Sweeney 145 Alastair Kellock 9685 Tim Visser 47 Felipe Contepomi 877 Adam Jones 145 9468 Shane Horgan 39 Dan Biggar 841 John Muldoon 141 Dan Parks 9460 Nikki Walker 36 Chris Paterson 810 Deiniol Jones 139 Tommy Bowe 9126 Shane Williams 34 David Humphreys 786 Alastair Kellock 139 Michael Swift 9037 Simon Danielli 30 Stephen Jones 741 Dan Parks 138 Ceri Sweeney 9006 Matthew Watkins 30 Ian Keatley 741 Dougie Hall 137 Allan Jacobsen 8929 Aled Brew 30 Ceri Sweeney 691 Steve Jones 137 Mick O’Driscoll 8857 Three players 29 Paul Warwick 664 Allan Jacobsen 137 Gareth Wyatt 8587 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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