Munster claim top spot after a bonus point win over Glasgow

Home advantage proved key in Round 16 with five wins out of six for the hosts as the Ospreys drew their encounter with Leinster. Zebre achieved their third win of the season against the Dragons as Connacht extended their grip over the much-coveted sixth place in the table.

Ospreys 9 – 9 Leinster Rugby

Three penalties apiece were all these two could muster in an attritional slugfest in the Liberty Stadium on Friday night. The game was of huge significance for both sides as they chase a play-off place. Jimmy Gopperth was Leinster’s saving grace as the Kiwi out-half slotted a late penalty to rescue a draw for the Irish side. The game was far from exhilarating, as both teams looked to bludgeon the other into submission. Leinster will feel the slightly happier of the two sides but both Matt O’Connor and Steve Tandy won’t be best pleased with their respective teams performances.

Ulster Rugby 25 – 20 Scarlets

Ulster are on some what of a role with four wins in a row in the Pro 12 as they battled back from a first half deficit to record the win over the Scarlets. They trailed 13-6 at the break thanks largely to an intercept pass thrown by Ian Humphries, who was celebrating his 100th appearance, into the grateful arms of Steve Shingler. The second half was lit up by a beautiful bit of skill from the dancing feet of Craig Gilroy as he crossed for a try. Ruan Pienaar and Luke Marshall added one more apiece as Ulster failed to secure a bonus point clinching fourth try. Scarlets bagged a losing bonus late on thanks to a score from Kristian Phillips.


Munster Rugby 22 – 10 Glasgow Warriors

Munster put down a huge marker with a resounding bonus point victory over table toppers Glasgow in Cork. Two tries in either half was more than enough for the men in red to see of a disappointing display from the traveling Scots. Keith Earls continues to look sharp after his long lay off through injury as he collected a deft kick through by Ian Keatley to bag himself a try. The result sees Munster leapfrog the Warriors and move to the top of the table. Only a solitary point separates the top two and Ulster in third.


Cardiff Blues    21 - 15    Edinburgh Rugby

Three losses on the bounce and a humiliating routing by Treviso meant a reaction was required from Cardiff in this one and a reaction is exactly what the home fans got. A 14-0 half time lead for the Blues should have meant a reasonably comfortable second forty but Edinburgh never gave up and pushed hard to steal the win. The difference of six points would prove to be enough in the end. I can’t help but think that with three tries to their name this was an opportunity missed for Cardiff to claim the maximum. That is two defeats in a row for Edinburgh, which sees them slip eight points behind sixth place Connacht.

    
Connacht Rugby 53 – 5 Benetton Treviso

Connacht finally returned to Galway for their first home game in six weeks and they eventually put Treviso to the sword. A 13-5 score line at half-time looked to have banished the notion of stereotypical displays from traveling Italian contingents but the second half was a whitewash as Connacht notched up thirty-nine unanswered points. The result meant Treviso returned to Italy with their tails between their legs. The Connacht coaching staff would have expected a confident Italian side to roll into town given their hammering of the Blues the week before but the reality was far different as seven tries to one told summed it up.

Zebre 23 – 17 Newport Gwent Dragons

Home advantage was once again crucial in this round of games as Zebre won the battle at the bottom and over turned a six game losing run. The Dragons outscored the home team three tries to one but two missed conversions and a wayward penalty from Tom Pyride would prove decisive in the end. Another loss for the Dragons and with high-flying Ulster traveling to Rodney Parade on Sunday it doesn’t get any easier for the Welsh side.

Round 17
Cardiff Blues v Connacht Rugby

Both teams recorded home wins last time out with the win for Cardiff most significant as it ended their run of three defeats in a row. Connacht have a chance of making it three wins in succession, a feat they managed in the opening three rounds of this year’s competition. The previous meeting in October ended in a draw at the Sportsground and with Cardiff enjoying home comforts this time it looks just too close to call.

     
Glasgow Warriors v Zebre

Glasgow couldn’t have wished for a better fixture to cleanse the soul after a harrowing defeat away to Munster. The Warriors will be itching to get back to winning ways before they travel to the RDS Arena to take on Leinster in round 18. They have a intimidating record at the Scotstoun Stadium and even a confident Zebre side buoyed by their win against Dragons stand little, if no hope of leaving with anything. Expect to see Glasgow vent their frustration and dominate from start to finish.

Ospreys v Munster Rugby    

Munster were the last team to win at the Liberty Stadium and given how poor the Ospreys recent run of form has been, one win in five, I wouldn’t put it passed the them winning again. The Welsh side have slipped to fifth in the table and are now two points behind forth placed Leinster. They did however record a 19-14 win in Limerick in round 4 so they have the capacity to stop Munster’s winning run of four games.

Scarlets v Leinster Rugby    

Two sides looking for some form with both experiencing a mixed bag of results over the last few rounds. Leinster may have only lost one of their last seven in all competitions but their performances have been far from champion-like and fans will be keen to see major improvements. The returning international contingent should help bolster their side as they seek to end the Scarlets impressive home record.


Benetton Treviso v Edinburgh Rugby

Treviso flattered to deceive in the last two rounds as they trounced Cardiff at home and were then on the end of a trouncing away to Connacht. Edinburgh have lost their last two and travel to Treviso with only one away win in their last seven attempts. The game was hugely one sided when Treviso traveled to Murrayfield earlier in the year as Edinburgh ran out 48-0 winners on the day. This one will be a much tighter affair.
    
Newport Gwent Dragons v Ulster Rugby

These two are on opposite sides of the form guide for 2015. Ulster are four from four since their loss to Leinster on January 3rd and are firmly in the play-off places at the top. The Dragons on the other hand have only one win in five and their home record is far from impressive. They have only won two of the last seven in Rodney Parade and this game looks like going the way of the visitors.