Tonight saw two of the Irish provinces in action in the Celtic Cup. Munster played host to Edinburgh, while Ulster travelled to meet the Ospreys. Ulster lost out in the end, despite keeping within striking range of The Ospreys for the vast majority of the match. In the Munster match, the lead changed hands a number of times, but in the end Munster ran out victors in an extremely close match.
The Celtic Cup kicked off this evening with an exciting match between Leinster and Glasgow. Leinster managed to go into a commanding 21 points to 3 lead in the first half, but some excellent counter attacking early in the second half saw Glasgow come back to level terms of 21 - 21. Leinster then managed, thanks to man of the match Gordon D’Arcy to score another try to put Glasgow away.
Connacht’s season ended in defeat today when they crashed out of the European Challenge Cup after losing by 59 points to 9. Connacht went into the tie knowing they would have to win by at least 7 points to win on aggregate, but in the end the third placed side in the Zurich Premiership proved too strong.
With the IRFU finally agreeing to using the Celtic League as a basis for qualification for Europe and the restructuring of the league so as not to run on International weekends, things were looking good that the competition could put its rocky past behind it and work toward the future. However the WRU have set their sights on taking part in an Anglo-Welsh Cup, which means they want to move some of the fixtures putting the IRFU’s commitment to using the league as a basis for Heineken Cup qualification in doubt.
The Celtic League organisers have announced the line-up for the Celtic Cup semi-finals. The open draw means that the winner of the Munster V Edinburgh game will travel to play the winner of Leinster V Glasgow away.
Last night saw the final round of this year’s Celtic League and the results for both Leinster and Munster see them playing the same teams again in the first round of the Celtic Cup. Ulster have also qualified for the Celtic Cup and also the third Irish Heineken Cup spot.
The GAA have voted to open Croke Park to pave the way for Ireland’s internationals to be played in Croke Park while Landsdowne Road is redeveloped.
Ulster beat the Llanelli Scarlets by 16 points to 3 to seal eight spot in the Celtic League and more importantly guarentee themselved Heineken Cup Rugby next season.
Today continued to be a busy news day with the announcement from Leinster that they would be signing England and Wasps prop Will Green. The signing is clearly intended to strengthen up Leinster’s front five which has come in for a lot of critism recently.
This weekend is crucial for Connacht and Ulster with regard to their Heineken Cup chances and both sides seem to be prepared for that. Ulster look like they are well on their way to having a big crowd at their game V Llanelli. Should Ulster win they will be certain of a Heineken Cup place next season, but if they lose, it is quite possible that they could miss out on the Heineken Cup. Coach Mark McCall has named a side that is unchanged from the one that lost last weekend to Cardiff.