Amidst the gloom of the Rugby World Cup, the Magners League gave cause for a bright outlook as all four provinces recorded wins in their opening games of the competition.
Cardiff may be setting the early pace in the Magners League with three wins from three and 14 points on the board but the Irish provinces took full marks from their opening home games as the crowds came out for a winning weekend.
Connacht go proceedings underway on Friday night at the Sportsground with an emphatic 22-7 win over Newport Gwent Dragons. Out-half Tim Donnelly, a summer signing from Brive, contributed 17 points with four penalties, a drop goal and a conversion of prop Robbie Morris’ try.
Ireland Under-20 hero Aidan Wynne impressed throughout, posing a good attacking threat and constantly testing the Dragons’ defensive line.
Match Report from MagnersLeague.com – click here
The clash of the champions at Ravenhill saw last season’s winners Ospreys pipped by a late penalty from Ulster’s Niall O’Connor. An aggressive start by Ulster with breaks from Roger Wilson saw them set the pace in the first half.
New signing Simon Danielli rounded off a move he started to score a try on 60 minutes but it was O’Connor’s boot that saved the day, having earlier been charged down to allow Ospreys into a 16-14 lead.
Match Report from MagnersLeague.com – click here
A winning start at the RDS for Leinster with tries from Luke Fitzgerald, Gary Brown and Jonathan Sexton showing the strength in depth that the Leinster back-line has.
Just under 10,000 spectators packed into the RDS for the province’s first competitive game of the season against an Edinburgh team containing former Leinster player Ben Gissing.
Leinster’s line was only breached late in the game as a strong second half took them from 8-3 up to the final tally of 23-8.
Match Report from MagnersLeague.com – click here
Former Connacht player Paul Warwick got his Munster career off to a flying start at Musgrave Park on Saturday with a personal haul of 21 points – a try, two conversions and four penalties. Winger Anthony Horgan contributed the other try in a comprehensive win over the Welsh side.
10-6 up at the break, Munster strengthened their lead when Rua Tipoki teed up Horgan for his try, early in the second half. Munster chased a four-try bonus point but some impressive play by Scarlets brought them close to a losing bonus. Still, Warwick kept Munster out in front with a late brace of penalties.
Match Report from MagnersLeague.com – click here
All told, a good start to the league for the Irish provinces and some impressive showings by some of the newcomers and youngsters.
Magers League table – click here
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