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Managing Director, PRO12 Rugby
Welcome
What a compelling first four rounds we’ve enjoyed
so far with six teams already in the hunt to reach
the third ‘Destination Final’ in Dublin’s Aviva Stadium
on May 27, and that makes for some mouth-watering
clashes this weekend.
Only Ulster Rugby and Cardi Blues remain unbeaten in the
Guinness PRO12 and that is a great credit to their respective
coaches and players, but with just five points separating first place
from sixth, it could all change this weekend.
The last two teams to lift the Guinness PRO12 trophy – Connacht
Rugby and Glasgow Warriors – were first-time winners and
already Cardi Blues are putting forward a good case to join our
circle of champions.
Ulster Rugby, Leinster Rugby, Munster Rugby, Ospreys and
Glasgow Warriors are all former title winners who have set the
standards for others to follow and with so much at stake in every
fixture across the Championship, we are watching some great
rugby right now.
Already we have seen more tries scored across the first four rounds
when compared to last season, which is a great advertisement for
the adventurous rugby the Guinness PRO12 is built on.
The top four are all in action against each other this weekend,
but I’m really looking forward towatching how Connacht Rugby
rebound as they host Edinburgh Rugby at the Sportsground in
Galway. I’m also keen to see how Newport-Gwent Dragons’ young
team perform against Glasgow Warriors, while Benetton Treviso
and Scarlets should put together a tasty encounter after both clubs
picked up their first wins of the season last weekend.
DespiteZebreRugby’s narrow loss to Cardi Blues, it was
encouraging to see Carlo Canna receive the Guinness Man of
the Match award to make it an Italian double asTommasoAllan
also received the player of the game medal for his display against
Newport-Gwent Dragons.
Of course, we are just one week away from our first ‘Big Weekend’
where our Irish and Welsh clubs will all be involved in derby games
as the Italians and the Scottish teams also take each other on.
Enjoy the game,
Martin Anayi