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.
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.
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.
Following a meeting on Monday the countries involved in the Celtic League, Ireland, Scotland and Wales have announced that the competition’s future is confirmed until at least 2008. The next three season’s will see the League continue but as many had expected the Celtic Cup will be dropped.
The Celtic League Association has announced their plans for the future of the competion. There had been a great deal of speculation recently as to the future of the competition with the Irish and Scottish sides, apparently unhappy with the number of games to be played. The new set-up however doesn’t feature a substantial reduction in the number of games to be played.
Doubts over the continued future of the Celtic Cup and the Celtic League have emerged. Representatives of the Scottish, Irish and Welsh rugby unions have had "very preliminary discussions" over the future of the trophy and the Celtic League.
Ulster survived intense pressure in the second half to secure victory in the Celtic Cup final. Twenty one points to the good at the end of a rain soaked first half, Ulster ended hanging on for dear life before claiming the Celtic Cup on a 27-21 scoreline at rain sodden Murrayfield.
Edinburgh have named their side for the Celtic Cup final on Saturday. Edinburgh are an in form side who have recently beaten Toulouse and the Ospreys in successive games to go top of their pool in the Heineken Cup.
Coach Alan Solomons has sensationally left Ireland second row Gary Longwell out of his Ulster side, and indeed the 22-man squad, for the Celtic Cup final against Edinburgh at Murrayfield on Saturday (2.30pm).