Celtic League – Three Sides Going For the Title
Llanelli Scarlets carved out a hard-earned 18-15 victory over Neath-Swansea Ospreys to leave themselves one victory away from lifting the Celtic League trophy.
Llanelli Scarlets carved out a hard-earned 18-15 victory over Neath-Swansea Ospreys yesterday to leave themselves one victory away from lifting the Celtic League trophy.
The side standing in their way is Alan Solomon’s Ulster who travel to Stradey Park next Friday with hopes of adding the League title to the Cup trophy they have already stashed away in the Ulster trophy cabinet.
Scarlets lead the way on 72 points just one ahead of Ulster but least anyone think that a draw will suffice for Scarlets it might be remembered that Mike Riddock’s Gwent Dragons are in third also on 71 points. If it ended in a draw in Stradey and the Dragons win in Lansdowne Road then Declan Kidney will inherit a Celtic champion side.
If Ulster were to win in Stradey without a bonus point and the Dragons took a maximum haul in Dublin, then the trophy would end up in Rodney Parade.
So it’s all to play for on Friday for the top three while the interest below centres on jockeying for position for places in Europe next year.
The Scarlets, Dragons and Celtic Warriors
are all assured a place in the Heineken Cup next season with The Ospreys and Cardiff Blues vying for the final Welsh spot.
As things stand Ospreys are in pole position, in fifth place on 53 points, four clear of Cardiff Blues in sixth.
The Ospreys head to Scotland and a game with Glasgow knowing they must take a minimum two points to keep Cardiff at bay.
The Blues are at home to an Edinburgh side who are assured of a place in the Heineken and Cardiff will be going right from the off to secure not just a win but the bonus point as well. With a points difference of +73, if the Ospreys lose in Scotland and Cardiff (+70) earn a bonus point victory at the Arms Park then Cardiff will edge the Ospreys out of the Heineken Cup.