The Pro14 finally resumed this past weekend. Here we take a look at some of the biggest results to come out of a round full of derbies.
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Leinster pip Munster in Irish blockbuster
Unbeaten Leinster picked up their 14th win of the tournament – and 22nd straight in all competitions – by dispatching Munster 27-25 in Dublin on Saturday. The match was full of quality despite neither side having played since March, with the plethora of internationals on display delivering one of the games of the season. While speeding up their phase play towards the end of the encounter did trouble Leinster, it was a case of too little too late for Munster as the defending champions got home in the end. The loss was the Red Army’s seventh in their last eight contests between the two.
The match also marked the debuts of Damian de Allende and RG Snyman in red, though the latter hobbled off with a seemingly serious knee injury early on.
Edinburgh see off Warriors to wrap up Conference B
Edinburgh ensured they will finish top of Conference B as they claimed a 30-15 win over fierce rivals Glasgow at Murrayfield. Richard Cockerill’s men, still in search of a first championship title, were helped in large part by former Lion Jaco van der Walt’s 15-point tally which continually kept them in control of the contest. The loss also marked the end of Glasgow’s title hopes with last four qualification now an impossibility for them.
Edinburgh look most likely to challenge Leinster for the title, though they must still negotiate a return round against Glasgow before their semi-final.
Just one more semi-final berth to play for
With Leinster, Ulster and Edinburgh all having confirmed their places in the semi-finals to be played in a fortnight, Munster and Scarlets will scrap it out for the final spot this weekend. A win for Munster over Connacht will see them through as they lead Scarlets by four points on the Conference B standings. However, if Scarlets pick up a big win over the Dragons in the final round-robin clash and Munster lose without collecting a bonus-point, it will be the Welsh side heading to the last four.
Still plenty to play for then in the final round.
Round 14 results
Benetton 13-17 Zebre
Scarlets 32-12 Cardiff Blues
Glasgow Warriors 15-30 Edinburgh
Leinster 27-25 Munster
Ospreys 20-20 Dragons
Connacht 26-20 Ulster
