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Managing Director, PRO12 Rugby
Welcome
With two rounds of Guinness PRO12 action and a host
of autumn internationals already played, it’s fair to say
November has delivered a feast of rugby. But it’s not over
yet and this weekend promises even more drama.
Firstly, I must congratulate the Irish and Italian teams for creating
history with their first-ever victories over New Zealand and South
Africa, respectively, and it was a great advert for our Championship to
see that 43 of the 46 players involved in those Tests ply their trade in the
Guinness PRO12.
Scotland’s win over World Cup semi-finalists, Argentina, cannot go
unnoticed either, with 19 of their match-day squad all based in the
Guinness PRO12.
As always, international windows present new opportunities for the
countless rising talents that emerge every season in the Guinness
PRO12 and the past few weeks have been no dierent.
Magnus Bradbury (Edinburgh Rugby/Scotland), Joey Carberry (Leinster
Rugby/Ireland), Sam Davies (Ospreys Rugby/Wales) and Giorgio
Bronzini (Benetton Rugby Treviso/Italy) have all won their first caps for
their countries and great credit goes to their coaches, their clubs and to
the players themselves.
I’m also delighted to welcome Eurosport on board as broadcast partner
in Italy. Eurosport are one of the leading sports broadcasters in Europe
and Asia and the Eurosport Player is evidence of how they have
embraced new technology to oer fans new ways to watch the games
that they love.
As for the Championship, the entertainment continues to flow with our
clubs scoring more tries at this point in the season than ever before.
Across the first eight rounds we’ve seen 247 tries scored which averages
out at least five tries per game.
In addition, fans like you are responding to action on the pitch by
attending more games and watching our broadcasts as all those
numbers are on the rise. Your support is invaluable and behind the
scenes at all of our clubs and within our own team at PRO12 Rugby we
are all working hard to make sure you enjoy a great day out every time
you come to a game.
The intense competition hasn’t let up either with nine points
separating the top six teams – all of whom are previous winners of the
Championship – and whoever reaches the Guinness PRO12 Final on
May 27 will have beaten some very tough teams to get there.
Enjoy the game,
Martin Anayi