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Managing Director, PRO12 Rugby
Welcome
Time has flown by since our first-ever Big Weekend kicked o
in Round 6 with our stars from the Guinness PRO12 making
their mark in European and International rugby since then.
At the same time, the race to reach the Guinness PRO12 Final at Dublin’s
Aviva Stadium on May 27 has lost none of its intensity. Just one point
separates Munster Rugby, Leinster Rugby and Ospreys Rugby in the top
three while Scarlets have made an incredible charge into fourth position on
the back of seven wins in a row.
After the men from Llanelli pushed Toulon so hard in France it was so
gratifying to see them pull o a result at Parc y Scarlets last weekend and
it’s great to say it was not the only big result for a Guinness PRO12 club in
Round 4 of Europe.
It seems like all of our clubs in the Champions Cup had had their moments
as they have helped to turn the tide in favour Guinness PRO12 when it
comes to taking on the best in Europe. The flags of the Celtic nations
are flying high with Glasgow Warriors, Munster Rugby, Leinster Rugby,
Ulster Rugby and Connacht Rugby all enjoying great victories over their
opponents from England and France.
Connacht’s incredible win over Wasps in Galway last weekend was just one
of the many highlights our teams have produced in Europe while it can’t go
overlooked how impressive Ospreys, Cardi Blues, Edinburgh Rugby and
Newport-Gwent Dragons have been in the Challenge Cup.
Bennetton Rugby Treviso have got in on the act, too, with back-to-back
wins over Bayonne and I am sure they will take great confidence from
those performances into the Big Weekends. It feels like there is always an
extra bit of magic around rugby over the Christmas period and with two
‘Big Weekends’ chocked full of derby games I know that intensity will some
spice to the Festive Season.
You can probably count on a feast of tries, too, with our clubs producing 316
already which has us on course for a record-setting season in the Guinness
PRO12. What’s also really encouraging is the record low number of points
scored from penalties which shows that our coaches and players are more
interested in tries than pointing to the posts.
We’ve also seen a rise in broadcast viewers and attendances so never forget
that your support is invaluable. Behind the scenes at all 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.
If you don’t get everything you want for Christmas you can make up for
that by booking your ticket to the Guinness PRO12 Final in Dublin’s Aviva
Stadium on May 27, 2017. Children’s tickets are just €5 and you can save
up to 20 per cent with our Early Bird rates on
www.ticketmaster.ie but you
better move quickly as the oer ends on January 2, 2017.
Enjoy the game,
Martin Anayi