RaboDirect PRO12 : PREVIEW 2012/13

Round 22, 3rd May 2013

ROUND 22 PREVIEW With just four points separating the top three teams who have already qualified for the RaboDirect PRO12 Play-Offs, no-one can yet be certain of their position in the table. With all six games being played on Friday night, the focus of attention will be in , as Warriors face Connacht at the Sportsground in , whilst Ulster welcome to Ravenhill. A win for Ulster will put them well clear at the top of the table, anything less and they have to start looking over their shoulders at what their nearest rivals are doing.

Glasgow Warriors are the only one of the top three playing away from home, and carry the added disadvantage of having won one game less than the two team who are above them, so must go all out for a win and see what happens elsewhere to secure home advantage in the knockout stage.

The pick of the final round of this RaboDirect PRO12 campaign must be the repeat of last season’s final, when Leinster host at the RDS in . Leinster have already secured a Play-Off spot, the question is whether it will be home or away, whilst Ospreys must win, and other results go their way, if they are to snatch the fourth and final Play-Off place from Welsh neighbours, .

Scarlets, four points clear of Ospreys and one win to the better of their rivals, have the added advantage of playing their last regular season game at home, but even so must be wary as they lost to Benetton Treviso in the reverse of this fixture earlier in the season.

Comes 10pm on Friday night, all the questions should answered.

ROUND 22 FIXTURES Friday 3 May CONNACHT v At Sportsground, 7.45pm. Live on Referee: George Clancy (IRFU, 55th competition game) Assistant Referees: Paul Haycock, John Carvill (both IRFU) Citing Commissioner: John Cole (IRFU) TMO: Seamus Flannery (IRFU)

HEAD TO HEAD - RECENT RaboDirect PRO12 MEETINGS Date Venue C G Connacht scorers Glasgow Warriors scorers Fri 5 Mar 10 Sportsground 19 19 (T) Ian Keatley(C/4P) DTH van der Merwe(T) James Eddie(T) (3P) Fri 17 Sep 10 Firhill Stadium 19 17 Fionn Carr(T) Ian Keatley(C/4P) Ruaridh Jackson(4P) (T) Fri 18 Feb 11 Sportsground 37 8 Fionn Carr(T) Gavin Duffy(T) Ian Ruaridh Jackson(P) Hefin O'Hare(T) Keatley(3C/2P) Penalty Try(T) Brian Tuohy(2T) Sat 18 Feb 12 Sportsground 13 13 Tiernan O'Halloran(T) Niall (P) Ruaridh Jackson(C/P) O'Connor(C/2P) (T) Sat 5 May 12 Firhill Stadium 3 24 Miah Nikora(P) Duncan Weir(4P) John Barclay(T) DTH van der Merwe(T) Ruaridh Jackson(C) Fri 21 Sep 12 Scotstoun Stadium 17 27 Matthew Jarvis(2C/P) Mark McCrea(T) DTH van der Merwe(2T) (T) Nathan White(T) Peter Murchie(T) Scott Wight(2C/P)

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Round 22, 3rd May 2013

Connacht currently occupy 8th place in the RaboDirect PRO12 table, and are aiming to equal their best ever finish which they achieved last year. The Irishmen have won just one of their last four games, whilst their 23-24 loss to at the Sportsground in December ended a six game unbeaten run against Scottish opponents in Galway. Glasgow Warriors have already qualified for the Play-Offs , but will probably need to win to give themselves any chance of gaining home advantage. The Warriors last six fixtures have all been won by the home side on the day, and they have not tasted victory on the road since beating Newport Gwent 60-3 at in February. Glasgow’s only win in Ireland since 2009 came against Leinster at RDS in September 2011. The Warriors are unbeaten in their last three contests with Connacht, whilst they have not been victorious at the Sportsground since April 2007.

EDINBURGH RUGBY v NEWPORT GWENT DRAGONS At Murrayfield , 7.45pm. Referee: Marius Mitrea (FIR, 17th competition game) Assistant Referees: Andy Macpherson, David Changleng (both SRU) Citing Commissioner: Paul Minto (SRU)

HEAD TO HEAD - RECENT RaboDirect PRO12 MEETINGS Date Venue E N scorers Newport Gwent Dragons scorers Sun 18 Apr 10 Rodney Parade 28 49 Ben Cairns(T) (T) Phil Will Harries(3T) Wayne Evans(T/C) Godman(4C) Alan MacDonald(T) Richard Fussell(T) James Arlidge(3C/2P) Penalty Try(T) Ashley Smith(T) Martyn Thomas(T) Sat 12 Feb 11 Rodney Parade 22 30 (T) Lee Jones(T) Chris (T/C/P) Andrew Coombs(T) Paterson(2C/P) (T) Lewis Evans(T) Ashley Smith(T) (T) Fri 22 Apr 11 Murrayfield 27 15 (T) Chris Adam Hughes(T) Jason Tovey(C/P) Aled Paterson(T/3C/2P) Tim Visser(T) Brew(T) Sat 18 Feb 12 Rodney Parade 10 21 Gregor Hunter(C) (T) Phil Jason Tovey(C/3P) Joe Bedford(T) Aled Godman(P) Brew(T) Fri 23 Mar 12 Murrayfield 15 29 Harry Leonard(5P) Lewis Robling(2P) Tondi Chavhanga(2T) Steffan Jones(2C/3P) Fri 28 Sep 12 Rodney Parade 12 32 Tom Brown(T) Harry Leonard(C) Tim (6P) Steffan Jones(3D) Phil Visser(T) Price(T)

Edinburgh Rugby have slipped to successive defeats in the RaboDirect PRO12, to Connacht and Treviso, whilst they have won just one of their last six fixtures at Murrayfield in all competitions. Newport Gwent Dragons’ 30-24 victory over Munster last time out ended a four match losing run in the competition. The Dragons have not won back to back fixtures in the PRO12 since March 2012. The Men from Gwent’s only away win this season in the tournament came on a visit to in February. Edinburgh’s only victory over the Dragons in their last seven meetings was 22-15 at Murrayfield on 22 April 2011.

LEINSTER v OSPREYS At RDS , 7.45pm. Live on Referee: Nigel Owens (WRU, 98th competition game) Assistant Referees: Mark Patton, Stuart Gaffikin (both IRFU) Citing Commissioner: Eugene Ryan (IRFU) TMO: Alan Rogan (IRFU)

HEAD TO HEAD - RECENT RaboDirect PRO12 MEETINGS Date Venue L O Leinster scorers Ospreys scorers Sun 28 Nov 10 Liberty Stadium 15 19 (T) Isa Nacewa(T/C/P) (C/4P) Penalty Try(T) Fri 7 Jan 11 Royal Dublin Society 15 10 (5P) Dan Biggar(C/P) (T) Fri 2 Sep 11 Liberty Stadium 3 27 Mat Berquist(P) Dan Biggar(3C/D/P) Justin Tipuric(T) Hanno Dirksen(T) (T) Fri 23 Mar 12 Royal Dublin Society 22 23 (T) Fergus McFadden(C/5P) Dan Biggar(2C/3P) (T) George Stowers(T)

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Round 22, 3rd May 2013

Sun 27 May 12 Royal Dublin Society (TF) 30" 31 Sean Cronin(T) Jonathan Sexton(3C/3P) Ashley Beck(T) Dan Biggar(2C/4P) Shane Isa Nacewa(2T) Williams(2T) Sun 4 Nov 12 Liberty Stadium 10 19 Leo Auva'a(T) Ian Madigan(C/P) Matthew Morgan(C/D/3P) (T)

Leinster must win to ensure home advantage in the Play-Offs. Leinster’s only defeat in their last 14 contests in all competitions was 18-22 at home to Ulster in the RaboDirect PRO12 on 30th March. The Leinstermen have lost just once to a Welsh region in any competition this season: 10-19 at the Ospreys in round 8 of the PRO12. Ospreys also must win to give themselves any chance of taking the 4th Play-Off spot away from the Scarlets. Ospreys five match unbeaten run in the PRO12 ended in the last round with their 17-35 reversal in Glasgow. Leinster have won just one of their last seven contests with Ospreys: 15-10 at the RDS in January 2011.

SCARLETS v BENETTON TREVISO At , 7.45pm. Live on Referee: Dudley Phillips (IRFU, 32nd competition game) Assistant Referees: Neil Hennessy, Tim Hayes (both WRU) Citing Commissioner: Richard Gwynn (WRU) TMO: Huw Lewis (WRU)

HEAD TO HEAD - RECENT RaboDirect PRO12 MEETINGS Date Venue S B Scarlets scorers Benetton Treviso scorers Sat 4 Sep 10 Stadio Monigo 28 34 (2T) Rhys Tommaso Benvenuti(T) Tobias Priestland(T/2C/3P) Botes(T/2C/4P) Kris Burton(D) Ezio Galon(T) Sun 27 Mar 11 Parc y Scarlets 22 16 (T) Jonathan Davies(T) Jon Tobias Botes(T) Kris Burton(C/D/2P) Edwards(T) Stephen Jones(2C/P) Sat 1 Oct 11 Stadio Monigo 10 20 Dan Newton(C/P) Liam Williams(T) Kris Burton(2C/2P) Brendan Williams(T) Ludovico Nitoglia(T) Thu 23 Feb 12 Parc y Scarlets 34 20 Liam Davies(T) Deacon Manu(T) Aled Valerio Bernabo(T) Willem de Thomas(4C/2P) Liam Williams(T) Josh Waal(2C/2P) Ludovico Nitoglia(T) Turnbull(T) Sat 29 Sep 12 Stadio Monigo 20 22 Andy Fenby(2T) (2C/D/P) (T) Alberto di Bernardo(2C/P) (T) (T)

Scarlets’ require two match points to secure fourth place and a trip to the number 1 seeds in the Play-Offs. Scarlets only defeat in their last nine matches in all competitions was to Leinster at the RDS on 23rd February. The Welshmen have won their last six encounters at Parc y Scarlets since Clermont Auvergne were succesful there in the European Cup in January. Benetton Treviso have lost just one of their last six RaboDirect PRO12 contests: 3-28 to Ospreys in on 13th April. The Italians have a won four, lost three record against the Welsh regions in the PRO12 this season, with all seven games being won by the home side on the day. They are attempting to achieve only a second season’s double over a Welsh opponent emulating their success home and away over the Dragons last year.

ULSTER v At Ravenhill, 7.45pm. Live on Referee: Neil Paterson (SRU, 51st competition game) Assistant Referees: Sean Gallagher, Nigel Correll (both IRFU) Citing Commissioner: Peter Ferguson (IRFU) TMO: Seamus McDowell (IRFU)

HEAD TO HEAD - RECENT RaboDirect PRO12 MEETINGS Date Venue U C Ulster scorers Cardiff Blues scorers Sat 3 Apr 10 Ravenhill 24 33 (T) Chris Henry(T) Ian Dafydd Hewitt(T) (2C) Humphreys(C) Niall O'Connor(4P) (T) Xavier Rush(T) (C/4P)

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Round 22, 3rd May 2013

Sun 21 Nov 10 Cardiff City Stadium 37 15 Craig Gilroy(2T) Adam D'Arcy(T) Willie Tom James(T) Ceri Sweeney(C/P) Casey Faloon(T) Ian Humphreys(3C/2P) Paddy Laulala(T) Wallace(T) Fri 25 Feb 11 Ravenhill 32 13 Craig Gilroy(T) Luke Marshall(T) Ian Dan Fish(T) Ceri Sweeney(C/2P) Humphreys(3C/2P) Ruan Pienaar(T) (T) Fri 16 Sep 11 Ravenhill 20 3 (P) (2T) Ian Ceri Sweeney(P) Humphreys(2C/P) Fri 17 Feb 12 Arms Park 14 21 Ruan Pienaar(3P) Robbie Diack(T) Tom James(T) (T/C/3P) Fri 28 Sep 12 Arms Park 48 19 Paddy Jackson(5C/P) Mike Allen(T) Harry Robinson(T) Gareth Davies(C/P) (2T) (T) Nick Jason Tovey(3P) Williams(2T) Andrew Trimble(T)

Ulster require three more match points to ensure that they finish at the top of the table. The Ulsterman have won their last three RaboDirect PRO12 matches and have lost just once at Ravenhill in the competition all season: 12-16 to Ospreys in February. Cardiff Blues have secured just six league points from their last half a dozen PRO12 encounters and have lost their last three away games in the competition. The Blues only two victories over Irish provinces this season have strangely both been away from home - in Connacht in round 1 and Munster round 13. Cardiff Blues’ only victory over Ulster in their last five fixtures was 21-14 at the Arms Park on 17th February 2012.

ZEBRE v MUNSTER At Stadio XXV Aprile, 7.45pm local time Live on Referee: Andrew McMenemy (SRU, 21st competition game) Assistant Referees: Matteo Liperini, Stefano Roscini (both FIR) Citing Commissioner: Roberto Carra (FIR) TMO: Carlo Damasco (FIR)

HEAD TO HEAD - RECENT RaboDirect PRO12 MEETINGS Date Venue Z M Zebre scorers Munster scorers Fri 26 Oct 12 Thomond Park 3 29 Daniel Halangahu(P) Luke O'Dea(T) JJ Hanrahan(2T) Felix Jones(T) Ian Keatley(3C/P)

This is the last chance this campaign for Zebre to claim that elusive first ever win in the RaboDirect PRO12, although they have picked up nine bonus points during the season. Munster have won just one of their last seven RaboDirect PRO12 matches: 22-0 at home to Connacht on 23rd March. The Munstermen have not won away from home in the competition in 2013 and have lost on their last two visits to Italy. Munster won 29-3 at Thomond Park when the two sides met in round 7.

RaboDirect PRO12 PLAY-OFFS Friday 10th May 2013 (kick-off 7.45pm) Saturday 11th May 2013 (kick-off 7.35pm)

RaboDirect PRO12 FINAL Saturday 25th May 2013 (kick-off 4.45pm)

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Round 22, 3rd May 2013

ROUND 21 MICROCOSM FRIDAY 19 APRIL CONNACHT (15)18 ULSTER (22)34 (B) Dan Parks(C/P) Ruan Pienaar(3C/P) Miah Nikora(P) Stuart Olding(9) George Naoupu(3) Andrew Trimble(11) Fetu'u Vainikolo(17) (32) Att: 6,463 Tommy Bowe(71) Jared Payne(74) BENETTON TREVISO (13)30 EDINBURGH RUGBY (10)10 Alberto di Bernardo(3C/3P) Greig Laidlaw(C/P) (40) (13) (60) Att: 3,200 (80) (B) GLASGOW WARRIORS (22)35 OSPREYS (3)17 Pete Horne(P) Dan Biggar(2C/P) Duncan Weir(2C/P) Cai Griffiths(47) (11/ 30) Sam Lewis(61) (17) Att: 6,642 Nikola Matawalu(56) DTH van der Merwe(80) NEWPORT GWENT DRAGONS (19)30 MUNSTER (5)24 (B/b) Tom Prydie(C/5P) Ian Keatley(2C) Steffan Jones(19/D) Paddy Butler(13) Ross Wardle(75) Ronan O'Mahony(58) Att: 7,523 CJ Stander(65) Johne Murphy(72) SATURDAY 20 APRIL SCARLETS (10)24 CARDIFF BLUES (6)6 Owen Williams(2C/P) Leigh Halfpenny(2P) Rhys Priestland(C) Att: 10,426 Jonathan Davies(25/ 58) Liam Williams(66) SUNDAY 21 APRIL ZEBRE (17)22 LEINSTER (17)41 (B) Sinoti Sinoti(25) Jonathan Sexton(5C/2P) Daniel Halangahu(40/2C/P) Tom Denton(10) (73) Fergus McFadden(15) Att: 4,700 Fionn Carr(46) Dominic Ryan(59) Isa Nacewa(61) 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

FRIDAY 26 APRIL BENETTON TREVISO (3)23 CONNACHT (10)23 Alberto di Bernardo(2C/3P) Dan Parks(2C/3P) (48) Fetu'u Vainikolo(18) Penalty Try(72) Paul O'Donohoe(80) Att: 4,850

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Round 22, 3rd May 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 Ulster (1)  21 16 1 4 7 3 76 58 44 54 0 540 32 20 43 2 335 3 6 205 2 Leinster (2)  21 16 0 5 8 1 73 59 50 50 1 548 43 25 31 3 367 2 6 181 3 Glasgow Warriors (3)  21 15 0 6 9 3 72 64 42 39 0 521 30 24 40 1 321 1 3 200 4 Scarlets (5)  21 15 0 6 3 3 66 40 27 52 3 419 33 25 48 2 365 2 5 54 5 Ospreys (4)  21 14 1 6 2 2 62 45 40 47 2 452 21 13 57 1 305 1 4 147 6 Munster (6)  21 10 1 10 4 4 50 43 34 42 2 415 32 24 49 3 364 2 3 51 7 Benetton Treviso (7)  21 9 2 10 3 2 45 41 30 34 2 373 43 37 46 2 433 3 4 -60 8 Connacht (9)  21 8 1 12 1 3 38 32 24 43 6 355 41 28 47 0 402 4 2 -47 9 Cardiff Blues (8)  21 8 0 13 1 5 38 27 19 54 0 335 47 37 46 1 450 3 4 -115 10 Edinburgh Rugby (10)  21 6 0 15 1 7 32 32 23 52 2 368 48 36 52 4 480 3 4 -112 11 Newport Gwent Dragons (11)  21 6 0 15 1 2 27 28 16 48 6 334 69 54 34 1 558 10 2 -224 12 Zebre (12)  21 0 0 21 1 8 9 27 19 31 0 266 57 45 53 4 546 7 0 -280 TOTALS 126 123 3 123 41 43 588 496 368 546 24 4926 496 368 546 24 4926 41 43

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.

The positions of the Clubs in the league will be based on the following, in order:  the number of League Points awarded to each Club;  if unresolved, the number of Matches won by each Club in the League Stage;  if unresolved, the difference between the total points scored and the total points conceded on the field of play for each Club in all Matches in the League Stage;  if unresolved, the number of tries scored by each Club in all Matches in the League Stage;  if unresolved, the number of points scored on the field of play by each Club in all Matches in the League Stage;  if unresolved, the difference between the number of tries scored and the number of tries conceded by each Club in all Matches in the League Stage;  if unresolved, the number of Players suspended by a Disciplinary Committee or Appeal Committee for incidents taking place in the League Stage;  if unresolved, the number of yellow cards received by Players for each Club in all Matches in the League Stage;  if unresolved, the toss of a coin or as otherwise determined by Celtic Rugby in its absolute discretion. For the purposes of this clause 2.2.2, what qualifies as a yellow card will be determined by Celtic Rugby in its absolute discretion.

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 22, 3rd May 2013

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

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.

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Round 22, 3rd May 2013

FAIRPLAY LEAGUE YC RC PC Pts 1 Ulster 6 0 0 6 2 Cardiff Blues 8 0 0 8 3 Leinster 6 0 1 9 4 Glasgow Warriors 11 0 0 11 5 Connacht 12 0 0 12 6 Newport Gwent Dragons 10 1 0 13 7 Edinburgh Rugby 11 1 0 14 8 Munster 13 1 0 16 9 Benetton Treviso 13 1 1 19 10 Zebre 20 0 0 20 11 Scarlets 12 2 1 21 12 Ospreys 10 1 3 22 TOTALS 132 7 6 171 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. Rhys Webb (Ospreys @ Scarlets, 26 Dec) cited for foul play contrary to Law 10.4(b). Suspended for 1 week, Simone Favaro (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. Manoa Vosawai (Benetton Treviso @ Glasgow Warriors, 4 Jan) dangerous tackle contrary to Law 10.4(e), suspended for three weeks. (Edinburgh @ Ospreys, 22 Feb) dangerous tackle contrary to Law 10.4(j), suspended for thirteen weeks reduced to seven on appeal. YELLOW CARDS (132) Blues (8) Scott Andrews(2), (2), Robin Copeland, , Mike Paterson, Nathan Trevett Connacht (12) Jason Harris-Wright(3), Dave Gannon(2), Ronan Loughney(2), Rodney Ah You, Andrew Browne, Mick Kearney, Tiernan O’Halloran, Dan Parks Dragons (10) Nathan Buck, , , Jonathan Evans, Lewis Evans, Toby Faletau, Steve Jones, Phil Price, Dan Way, Nathan Williams Edinburgh (11) Sean Cox(2), Ben Atiga, Tom Brown, , Dougie Fife, Allan Jacobsen, WP Nel, , Greig Tonks, John Yapp Leinster (6) Leo Auva’a, Tom Denton, , Brendan Macken, Ian Madigan, Kevin McLaughlin Munster (13) Tommy O’Donnell(2), Mike Sherry(2), Damien Varley(2), Stephen Archer, BJ Botha, Paddy Butler, Sean Dougall, James Downey, Donncha O’Callaghan, Ronan O’Gara

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Round 22, 3rd May 2013

Ospreys (10) Sam Lewis(2), Morgan Allen, Dimitri Arhip, Adam Jones, Duncan Jones, James King, , Rhys Webb, Owen Williams Scarlets (12) George Earle(2), (2), (2)Gareth Davies, Tavis Knoyle, Rob McCusker, , Gareth Owen, Owen Williams Treviso (13) Ignacio Fernandez-Rouyet(2), Robert Barbieri, , Leonardo Ghiraldini, Edoardo Gori, , Tommaso Iannone, Christian Loamanu, Giovanni Maistri, Jacobus Roux, , Ulster (6) Rory Best, , Paul Marshall, Jared Payne, Lewis Stevenson, Warriors (11) (2), James Eddie, Ofa Fainga’anuku, Chris Fusaro, Ryan Grant, , , Graeme Morrison, Tom Ryder, Zebre (20) (3), Filippo Ferrarini(2), (2), (2), Alberto Benettin, Alberto Chillon, Filippo Cristiano, Carlo Fazzari, Carlo Festuccia, , Luca Redolfini, Samuele Pace, , , Dries van Schalkwyk

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Round 22, 3rd May 2013

TOP RaboDirect PRO12 ACCUMULATORS TOP RaboDirect PRO12 POINTS SCORERS Rank Name Team Apps Mins Try Conv PG DG Points 1 Ian Madigan Leinster 16+4 1336 6 23 36 0 184 2 Dan Biggar Ospreys 13+1 1047 4 26 29 0 159 3 Tom Prydie Dragons 17+1 1329 4 14 36 0 156 4 Dan Parks Connacht 16 1178 0 16 29 6 137 5 Ian Keatley Munster 14+7 1226 3 17 25 2 130 6 Ruan Pienaar Ulster 11 824 2 26 19 0 119 7 Greig Laidlaw Edinburgh Rugby 12 914 0 15 28 1 117 8 Alberto di Bernardo Benetton Treviso 14+4 1223 0 24 22 0 114 9 Cardiff Blues 13+2 1068 1 8 26 0 99 10 Jonathan Sexton Leinster 7 493 3 24 11 1 99 11 Owen Williams Scarlets 7+1 549 0 8 24 2 94 12 Matthew Morgan Ospreys 9+8 733 1 14 18 1 90 13 Paddy Jackson Ulster 12+2 892 0 13 21 0 89 14 Aled Thomas Scarlets 11+5 804 0 10 21 0 83 15 Ronan O'Gara Munster 10+2 763 0 17 16 0 82 16 Duncan Weir Glasgow Warriors 7+6 569 1 19 11 0 76 17 Steffan Jones Dragons 11+4 889 5 0 10 6 73 18 Daniel Halangahu Zebre 12+1 948 2 11 13 0 71 19 Ruaridh Jackson Glasgow Warriors 10+3 669 2 10 13 0 69 20 Leigh Halfpenny Cardiff Blues 6+1 450 2 6 14 0 64 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 13+1 1021 11 8 3 7 4 2 George North Scarlets 12 915 9 3 6 3 6 3 DTH van der Merwe Glasgow Warriors 15+1 1122 9 7 2 5 4 4 Andy Fenby Scarlets 16 1190 8 3 5 5 3 5 Andrew Trimble Ulster 15+1 1204 8 3 5 3 5 6 Robert Barbieri Benetton Treviso 10+1 627 7 2 5 2 5 7 Nikola Matawalu Glasgow Warriors 10+5 823 7 6 1 2 5 8 Tommy Seymour Glasgow Warriors 10 711 7 4 3 2 5 9 Dan Evans Dragons 17 1318 6 3 3 2 4 10 Ian Madigan Leinster 16+4 1336 6 4 2 3 3 11 Jared Payne Ulster 12+1 968 6 3 3 1 5 12 Dries van Schalkwyk Zebre 18+1 1318 6 6 0 3 3 13 Nick Williams Ulster 13+2 986 6 3 3 3 3 14 Danie Poolman Connacht 14+1 1147 5 3 2 3 2 15 Steffan Jones Dragons 11+4 889 5 4 1 3 2 Best in a PRO12 Season: 14 by Tim Visser (Edinburgh) 2010/11

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Round 22, 3rd May 2013

RHINO GOLDEN BOOT AWARD BEST RaboDirect PRO12 KICKERS Rank Name Team Good Att Kick% Last 10 kicks Conv PG Streak 1 Leigh Halfpenny Cardiff Blues 20 23 86.96% 33/3233c2/33 6/8 14/15 Last 3 2 Ian Madigan Leinster 59 68 86.76% 3333/333332 23/26 36/42 Last 20 3 Matthew Morgan Ospreys 32 37 86.49% 2pp32/332/22 14/14 18/23 Last 7 4 Jonathan Sexton Leinster 35 42 83.33% 222/3223222 24/27 11/15 Last 11 5 Ronan O'Gara Munster 33 40 82.50% 332/2c32/223 17/20 16/20 Last 5 6 Ian Keatley Munster 42 53 79.25% 2/cc33/cpc22 17/23 25/30 Last 2 7 Miah Nikora Connacht 18 23 78.26% 3/2/2/c233c3/3 6/9 12/14 Last 2 8 Greig Laidlaw Edinburgh Rugby 43 55 78.18% 3333p333/32 15/21 28/34 Last 5 9 Ruan Pienaar Ulster 45 59 76.27% 22/p2c32p2c 26/33 19/26 Missed last 1 10 Kris Burton Benetton Treviso 16 21 76.19% c/p23p/3232/2 6/8 10/13 Last 5 11 Tom Prydie Dragons 50 66 75.76% 32/p/33233c3 14/20 36/46 Last 1 12 Dan Biggar Ospreys 55 73 75.34% p333c22/322 26/31 29/42 Last 5 13 Ruaridh Jackson Glasgow Warriors 23 31 74.19% 2/2233232/33 10/12 13/19 Last 17 14 Duncan Weir Glasgow Warriors 30 41 73.17% 2/p/pp2cp23c 19/22 11/19 Missed last 1 15 Dan Parks Connacht 45 62 72.58% c23/p2p3332 16/21 29/41 Last 4 16 Rhys Patchell Cardiff Blues 34 48 70.83% cp33pc3/233 8/12 26/36 Last 4 17 Paddy Jackson Ulster 34 49 69.39% 3p333/3pppc 13/17 21/32 Missed last 4 18 Owen Williams Scarlets 32 47 68.09% 2p233/p2p32 8/11 24/36 Last 2 19 Harry Leonard Edinburgh Rugby 14 21 66.67% 33/3/p2p/32p3 4/5 10/16 Last 1 20 Alberto di Bernardo Benetton Treviso 46 71 64.79% 2p322/33232 24/32 22/39 Last 8 21 Scott Wight Glasgow Warriors 15 24 62.50% 2/p/223/2c2/cp 10/16 5/8 Missed last 2 22 Aled Thomas Scarlets 31 50 62.00% pp/3p/3p2/3c3 10/13 21/37 Last 1 23 Daniel Halangahu Zebre 24 39 61.54% 3p/p3/33p/322 11/14 13/25 Last 3 24 Niall O'Connor Ulster 16 26 61.54% c32/323p3/p3 3/5 13/21 Last 1 25 Rhys Priestland Scarlets 14 30 46.67% p2/p223/3c/3/2 7/13 7/17 Last 2 26 Pete Horne Glasgow Warriors 11 26 42.31% 3c/pcccc/3pc 1/11 10/15 Missed last 2 27 Steffan Jones Dragons 10 27 37.04% 3cc/3p3c3p/c 0/5 10/22 Missed last 2 Qual: 20 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 22, 3rd May 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) 24 – Greig Laidlaw (Edinburgh v Connacht, 12 Apr) 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 – 8 – Greig Laidlaw ( v Treviso, 23 Dec 11) (Edinburgh v Connacht, 12 Apr) 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 25 secs – Sean Maitland (Dragons @ Blues, 27 Dec 05) (Glasgow v Munster, 29 Mar) Quickest 17 mins 43 secs – Tommy Bowe 26 mins – 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 (Galway, 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) (Aviva Stadium, 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 22, 3rd May 2013

APPROACHING CAREER MILESTONES POINTS SCORING 1,500 points: Dan Parks (1478) 1,000 points: Ronan O’Gara (940), Dan Biggar (931), Ian Keatley (803) 500 points: Jason Tovey (435) Record: 1,478 points – Dan Parks (Glasgow Warrior, Cardiff Blues & Connacht) TRY SCORING 50 tries: Tim Visser (48) 25 tries: Gordon D’Arcy (24), DTH van der Merwe (24), Jonathan Davies (24), Sean Lamont (22), Doug Howlett (22), Brian O’Driscoll (22) Record: 50 tries – Tommy Bowe (Ulster & Ospreys) and Tim Visser (Edinburgh) MATCHES PLAYED 150 games: John Muldoon (149), Dan Parks (148), (147), Allan Jacobsen (147), Dougie Hall (144) 100 games: Ronan Loughney (98), Ian Keatley (97), Greig Laidlaw (97), Nick de Luca (96), Rory Best (96), Roger Wilson (95), Alun Wyn-Jones (95) Record: 163 games – Michael Swift (Connacht)

CAREER TOP TENS MOST POINTS MOST GAMES MOST MINS PLAYED MOST TRIES Dan Parks 1478 Michael Swift 163 John Muldoon 10347 Tommy Bowe 50 Ronan O’Gara 940 Adam Jones 154 Alastair Kellock 10271 Tim Visser 48 Dan Biggar 931 Ceri Sweeney 150 Dan Parks 10181 39 Felipe Contepomi 877 John Muldoon 149 Graeme Morrison 9760 Nikki Walker 36 810 Dan Parks 148 Michael Swift 9665 34 Ian Keatley 803 Alastair Kellock 147 Allan Jacobsen 9466 Andrew Trimble 32 David Humphreys 786 Allan Jacobsen 147 Tommy Bowe 9270 Matthew Watkins 30 Stephen Jones 741 Dougie Hall 144 Ceri Sweeney 9127 30 Ceri Sweeney 698 Phil John 142 Gavin Duffy 9015 30 Paul Warwick 664 Deiniol Jones 139 Mick O’Driscoll 8857 Fionn Carr 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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