Ulster Rugby vs Cardiff Blues

Managing Director, PRO12 Rugby Welcome

It’s the season that keeps on giving and after a thrilling weekend of European rugby the focus turns back to the Guinness PRO12 where only a few precious rounds remain in the chase for glory. Firstly, I must pass on my congratulations to Leinster Rugby and Munster Rugby for reaching the semi-finals of the Champions Cup after their ferocious and free- flowing performances against Wasps and Toulouse, respectively. As a supporter of a team in the Guinness PRO12 it should not surprise you that we have two teams in the final four of the Champions Cup. The latest game play statistics from World Rugby prove that teams from our Championship produce more positive rugby than anywhere else in the Northern Hemisphere, where we have the quickest rucks, the highest ball-in-play time and the most tries. That is a huge credit to our clubs, their coaches, our players and our referees who all play a huge part in fostering an environment where positive play can thrive. Speaking of which, you should expect to see the 600th try of the season in Round 19. We are currently at 584 tries scored as we close in on breaking the all-time record of 651 which was set in 2003/04. In terms of entertainment it means that in every Guinness PRO12 match you’re likely to see at least five tries and 43 points scored, which is as good a reason as any to watch the action in person. That attacking intent has been backed up by a positive approach by our teams. Out of the 4,687 points scored so far only 18% have come from penalties which indicates that our clubs are more interested in kicking to the corner than pointing to the posts. I also cannot let it go unmentioned about the e—orts of Cardi— Blues, Edinburgh Rugby, Ospreys Rugby and Glasgow Warriors who performed admirably in their respective Challenge Cup and Champions Cup knock-out games. In particular, it was wonderful to see the colour that the travelling Warriors support brought to London for the game against Saracens. That type of atmosphere and sense of pageantry is what makes our competitions so vibrant and I trust that fans of all our clubs will be even more visible with their colours now that the sun is shining more often. You also have a lot to be excited about as the Championship gets set to write the closing chapters of the 2016/17 season. Not only do we have two Big Weekends left on the calendar but we will discover who will reach the Final Series, who makes the cut when it comes to the Champions Cup and which of our teams will make it into the European play-o—s. The first of those Big Weekends in Round 20 will play host to Judgement Day, with over 45,000 tickets sold already. Then in Round 22 we will witness our first- ever 'Super Saturday' where the tribal intensity of our derby games will make it even tougher for those trying to reach the Guinness PRO12 Final Series and secure European qualification. Of course, the pinnacle for all of our clubs is to reach the Guinness PRO12 Final which will be held in Dublin on May 27th and if that game lives up to the action we’ve seen so far this season, then it’s going to be a classic. It promises to be an unmissable event and ticket sales have been incredibly strong so far, but you can avoid missing out by logging onto www.ticketmaster.ie to get yours. Enjoy the game, Martin Anayi

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