Ospreys take top spot in the Pro12 table

The Ospreys have moved to the top spot of the Pro12 table, after defeating Munster 19-14 in a close contest.

The win puts them at equal points with Glasgow (who beat Connacht 39-21) at 18 apiece, but the Ospreys take the premier position due to their higher points difference.

The Ospreys and Glasgow are the only teams that still retain a 100 per cent record in the Pro12 tournament.

It was Munster’s second defeat of the season, and second in their home stadium of Thomond Park. Though the Irish province started the match as the stronger of the two sides, scoring the first try, they were unable to maintain their lead for long.

The Ospreys quickly responded with their own try, which was converted, and a penalty put the Welsh side even further ahead. Munster took back the lead in the early stages of the second half, but the Ospreys proved the stronger and finished the match with a well-deserved victory.

Glasgow handed Connacht their first loss of the season with a 39-21 victory. The Scottish side achieved a try-bonus point, scoring five tries in all. Connacht showed very good form though, and scored three tries of their own (the most tries Glasgow have conceded so far this season).

It was a very good performance by Connacht, who have developed a strong running game in recent seasons. Unfortunately, Glasgow proved too much for them in the end.

Leinster recovered from last week’s loss to Connacht to overcome Cardiff 37-23. It was a much improved performance by the Irish side, who have had a tough start to the season. This was only Leinster’s second victory in four games.

Cardiff made them fight for the win, though, scoring two tries and never letting-up. Leinster had looked to have run away with it, been 27-9 up at one point in the game. But Cardiff soon responded, scoring two tries in quick succession and soon it was 27-23. Leinster finished stronger though, and added another 10 points to emerge as victors.

Zebre managed their first win of the season by overcoming Ulster 13-6. It was quite a shock win, as the Irish province had been undefeated in their first three games (two wins and a draw).

Ulster weren’t helped by the controversial sending off of prop Declan Fitzpatrick in the first 10 minutes. Still, Zebre managed to capitalise on having a one-man advantage for most of the game and had the better of the Irish province.

It was a great comeback from Zebre. The two teams had actually met earlier in the season, with Ulster putting in a comprehensive 33-13 win over Zebre only a fortnight ago. Zebre should hopefully be buoyed by this win but remain in 11th, while Ulster take third.

In the other games of the weekend Edinburgh held The Scarlets to a 20-all draw. Edinburgh had lost their last two matches, while the Scarlets were coming off a strong win against Treviso. The two teams were evenly matched throughout.

The Scarlets were the first to put points on the board but Edinburgh stayed in the game. They looked to have the game sown up in the final period but had a man sent off and Edinburgh were able to capitalise and draw the match.

The Dragons achieved their first win of the season by beating Treviso 33-15, also scoring four tries. Treviso have had a very hard time, losing all four games, sometimes heavily. They made the Dragons work for their victory though, achieving their highest points total of the season so far.

It’s only the early stages of the competition but the strongest teams are starting to establish themselves. The Ospreys and Glasgow have a strong lead, five points ahead of their nearest rivals (Ulster).

The two sides will be difficult to overthrow from their poll positions. Leinster have had a slow start to the season but are starting to find their form. As the season progresses, these four teams should be battling over the top spots.