Pro 12, Round 18: Internationals Return

Tries a plenty in Round 18 as the Pro 12 delivers hugely entertaining games a week on from Super Six Nations Saturday.

Leinster Rugby 34 – 34 Glasgow Warriors

The game seemed all but lost for Leinster after a dominate performance from the visitors saw them head into the break 27-7 behind. Three tries to one made for grim viewing for the home crowd. A stirring second half performance however from Leinster spearheaded by two-try substitute Isaac Boss saw them drag themselves back into contention and almost escape with the win.

The game had more than a whiff of the 2011 Heineken Cup final when Leinster overturned a large deficit at the break but they couldn’t quite match those heroics this time round. Glasgow fought to the very end and Glenn Bryce took the plaudits as his late try allowed Peter Horne add the extra two to leave it all square at the final whistle. Four tries each meant they earned three points apiece for all their effort. Leinster will be kicking themselves with lose pace on the top four as they prepare for the visit of Bath in the Champions Cup this weekend. Glasgow remain top of the table.

Ulster Rugby 36 – 17 Cardiff Blues

Ulster continued their push for a home semi-final with a well-earned bonus point win over the Blues. They were looking to rectify the poor showing from their last game which ended in a defeat to the Dragons and get back to winning ways. Craig Gilroy continued his fine try-scoring run when he crossed in the 3rd minute for a try.

The home side went on to lead 18-0 at half time. Cardiff rallied in the second half with two trys of their own and got within four points but Ulster held firm and a late try from Paul Marshall sealed the bonus point win for the Ulstermen. The win sees them narrow the gap at the top of the table to just two points as both Munster and themselves chase down leaders Glasgow.

Scarlets 15 – 26 Edinburgh

Edinburugh did what so many sides have failed to do this season and won at the Parc y Scarlets to bring to an end the Scarlets impressive home record. December 2013 was the last time they had suffered a home defeat and a lack of tries was to be their downfall this time around. Both sides were hugely competitive as both sides strive to claim a sixth place finish in the table.

Edinburgh enjoyed a narrow two point lead at half-time and a complete shut-out of the home side in the second half and a perfect kicking record from Sam Hidalgo-Clyne saw the record crucial win to leap-frog their league rivals.

The highlight of the game came from a length of the field try in the early stages from Phil Burleigh. Illdiscipline was riff from both sides and it reached boiling point when Scarlets replacement scrum-half Gareth Davies was red carded for a head-butt on the 59th minute. The mountain for Scarlets to climb was just too great after this.

Munster Rugby 42 – 20 Connacht

?Munster bided their time before the floodgates opened and the Red Army marched to an emphatic six try win over their local rivals. Six tries in the last fifteen minutes meant this game was far from fizzling out as the final whistle closed in.

Connacht were close at half-time only trailing by four points but Duncan Casey’s score on the 56th minute pushed the home side into a lead they never looked like relinquishing. The win means Munster are neck and neck with Ulster in second and Connacht have the same situation with Edinburgh as they both sit on forty-three points in joint sixth place.

Ospreys 53 – 22 Zebre

Ospreys were afforded the luxury of playing basement boys Zebre at home in this round after three consecutive games against their top of the table rivals. Seven tries to the home side meant the visitors were dispatched with minimal fuss. Dan Baker crossed for two of his own as young Sam Davis put in a man of the match performance as the Ospreys strechted their advanatge over Leinster to four points in the table.

With only one game from the five remaining against those pushing to reach the semi-final, Ospreys have a great chance of adding to their four previous titles.

Zebre managed three tries of their own and didn’t complete roll over but it was case of same old same old for the Italians on the road.

Benetton Treviso 17 – 32 Newport Gwent Dragons

The Dragons raced into a 17 point lead in the first half  thanks to tries from Jonathan Evans and Hallam Amos and looked on course to cruise to comfortable win away in Italy. Treviso refused to roll over and clawed their way back into the game in the second half with two converted tries of their own.

Tom Prydie saved the Welsh sides blushed by racing in for two scores at the end to see them escape from the Stadio Monigo with all five points. Treviso look likely to be locked in a dual with fellow Italian’s Zebre for the battle for Champions Cup qualification.

The Dragons leapfrogged the Blue with their win and may fancy their chances of reeling in those further up the table.