The Pro 12 returned after a three week break with all four Irish Provinces in action. Munster notched up six tries in defeating Connacht. Ulster turned over Cardiff Blues at the Kingspan Stadium while Leinster and Glasgow Warriors served up an absolute treat of a game drawing 34 all. Here is the review of the Irish Provinces after Week 18 of the Guinness Pro 12.
Munster:
Munster saw off Connacht by 22 points at Thomond Park in an entertaining match played in blustery conditions. In truth the scoreline flattered the home side and it was only in the final quarter of the game that Anthony Foley’s side took control.
Keith Earls and Simon Zebo scored second half tries and were shining lights for Munster and were a constant threat to the Connacht defence. Their tries were added to by Denis Hurley, Billy Holland, Duncan Casey and Andrew Smith. Ian Keatley and JJ Hanrahan added three conversions each.
Munster face a trip to Scotland in their next game where they take on Edinburgh where a win is needed to keep up their hopes of a home semi-final. Paul O’Connell, Conor Murray and Peter O’Mahony will come back into contention for this game and with them back in the side Munster should come away with the win.
Connacht:
Pat Lam and his Connacht squad will be extremely disappointed with how the Munster game turned out especially in the second half. Connacht’s game plan frustrated Munster in the first half but went into half time four points down, despite having the aid of a very strong wind.
Denis Buckley was their star player and was a constant annoyance to Munster at the breakdown. He was ably assisted by Eoghan Masterson, Mick Kearney, Jack Carty and as always their inspirational leader John Muldoon.
Connacht’s next Pro 12 game is a must win tie against Ulster. The race for the coveted sixth place in the table is now reaching fever pitch after Edinburgh went level on points with Connacht after defeating the Scarlets. Connacht play Gloucester in the Challenge Cup quarter final at Kingsholm this Friday.
Ulster:
Ulster kept on to second place in the table thanks to a 36-17 win over the Cardiff Blues. Two tries in either half securing the try bonus point. Chris Henry also boosted the home crowd when he made his comeback after a career threatening health scare.
The home side looked to be heading for an easy win leading comfortably at half time thanks to tries from Craig Gilroy and Louis Ludik. The Blues responded in the second half and scored 17 unanswered point. The home side rallied to win comfortably in the end with Ludik scoring his second try and Paul Marshall touching down to seal the 19 point win.
There was some bad news for Ulster with the news that Stuart Olding has been ruled out for at least nine months after suffering an anterior cruciate ligament injury during the game. Olding was only returning to the team for the first time in over two months following an elbow injury.
Leinster:
At half time in this game it looked like Leinster were in almighty trouble as they trailed by 20 points to Pro 12 table toppers Glasgow Warriors. Two Isaac Boss tries and a fantastic Jordi Murphy solo effort looked to have secured an unbelievable comeback win but the Warriors fought back to get a draw.
Leinster coach Matt O’Connor is currently under severe pressure and Leinster’s fightback will have given him great solace going into the Champions Cup quarter final against Bath this weekend. A win in that game could save his job.
When they return from Champions Cup action, Leinster travel to Wales and will play the Newport Gwent Dragons. This is a must win game for the Boys in Blue as they have now dropped out of the top 4 despite the draw against Glasgow.
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