It was a clean sweep for the Irish provinces in Round 2 of the Pro12, with Leinster and Ulster achieving crushing victories, while Munster and Connacht had closer games.
It’s a huge improvement on the opening weekend, when only Connacht came away victorious.
Connacht’s unbeaten run puts them at third place on the Pro 12 Table.
Leinster’s 42-12 victory against the Scarlets was a much improved performance, having recalled more of their star players.
Both Rob Kearney and Ian Madigan (playing out of position at centre) scored braces and Madigan had a great day with the boot, kicking all six conversions. Other tries were scored by Dominic Ryan and Tadgh Furlong.
Returning captain Jaimie Heaslip put in a man of the match performance in his first game of the season, but he suffered a blot on his report card when he was sent off shortly before fulltime.
The Scarlets were able to capitalise on their extra man advantage and added a second try to their earlier effort. The six tries give Leinster the bonus point, putting them at fifth place on the Table. The Scarlets are at ninth.
Ulster also managed a bonus point win, defeating Zebre 33-13. Ulster dominated on their home ground, scoring five tries in all, with Ian Humphreys converting four of the tries.
The victory move Ulster to fourth on the Table, while Zebre are eleventh.
Ulster’s victory was dampened by the news that their South African scrum-half Ruan Pienarr was injured in his country’s loss against New Zealand. Pienarr will now miss the rest of the Rugby Championship tournament, being out for eight or so weeks.
Despite beating Treviso 21-10, Munster failed to impress. They scored tries through CJ Stander and Simon Zebo, with Ian Keatley converting one try and kicking three penalties. Still, Munster were unable to capitalise on sustained pressure through great Treviso defence.
Munster have had a poor start to the Guinness Pro12, losing to Edinburgh last week and struggling against Treviso. Munster go to sixth on the Table. Treviso are dead last, twelfth on the table.
Connacht have started very well, adding to their victory over the Dragons last week by overcoming Edinburgh 14-13.
Edinburgh failed to capitalise on their great win over Munster last week and failed at their first home game of the season. Edinburgh drop to seventh place.
Still no sign of Connacht’s legendary All Black signing, Mils Muliaina, though. The New Zealand centurion is still recovering from injury, but is helping on the side-lines, importing his tremendous experience onto his new teammates.
In the other Pro12 games over the weekend, Ospreys are top of the table, having beating the Dragons 17-15. It was a close game between the two Welsh sides, both teams showing great form. The Ospreys were the superior side, though, scoring two converted tries and a penalty, to five penalties by the Dragons. The Dragons now drop to tenth on the table, yet to win a game.
The Dragons have managed to keep their losses to within seven points, though, meaning they have achieved two points, putting them higher than Treviso and Zebre on the table, neither team having managed to attain any points so far.
Glasgow currently hold second place, with a crushing 33-12 win over the Cardiff Blues. It was a dominant performance by the visitors, though their three converted tries and four penalties meant they failed to get a bonus point.
The home side could only manage four penalties. Cardiff fall to eighth place.
nickoldschool
Roar Guru
Thansk for the replies guys. Personally, having more english mates than Scottish ones I do hope the no will win. I reckon one can feel Scottish and British at the same time, same as basque, catalan, breton etc and french. obviously am no scot and completely respect their choice but I reckon its a massive risk to pull out. I guess we will know when we wake up tomorrow morning but hope common sense will prevail.
Bakkies
Guest
It shows the no vote is struggling. I can't see it happening myself.
AndyS
Guest
Can't see why it would affect the Lions, although they might have to modify the name. They've always been treated as separate countries within Rugby, so no real change. Unlikely an independent Scotland will make it to the Olympics in 2016 though...too many hoops to get through between now and then and organisations like the IOC just don't move that fast. Qualifications start next year, and no way they'd get everything organised that quickly. Frankly, there would be many, many bigger fish to fry than the Olympics if it happens anyway.
atlas
Guest
They have stated that if the referendum results in a split then Scotland will go it alone for Rio Olympics 2016 - this would mean the possibility of the Scotland Sevens team qualifying - at present there is to be 'Team GB'
Lion Down Under
Guest
Nick, David Cameron claimed in a speech that if Scotland voted 'Yes' it would mean that Scottish players would no longer be eligible for the Lions. Leaving aside the obvious jokes it completely ignored the fact that the Lions have picked players from a country independent of the UK since 1922. Massive ignorance for a Prime Minister.
Buzzard
Guest
"FREEDOM"
nickoldschool
Roar Guru
Nicd Nice write up Declan. As an aside, thats for uk based roarers or british expats down under, has the Scottish rugby federation voiced their position re tomorrow's referendum? Would a yes have any impact at rugby level (outside an even more heated Scotland v England in the 6N)?
Cadfael
Roar Guru
Go Connacht! They normally take up a tail end position.