Magners League: Round 12 Review
There are new leaders of the Magners League table for the first time since the end of round 8, in early December. Both Munster and Leinster claimed wins to remain in the play-off hunt, while Ulster drew with the Dragons and Connacht picked up a losing bonus point at the Ospreys.
The Ospreys took over at the top after their nail-biting 19-17 win over Connacht in the last game of round 12. It is the first time the 2006/07 champions have topped the tables after a complete round of games this season.
If the much-anticipated play-offs took place now, it would be the Ospreys (1st) v Munster (4th) and Glasgow Warriors (2nd) v Leinster (3rd).
Ulster, Munster and Leinster each maintained their individual unbeaten home records, but in the case of Ulster it was courtesy of a 22-22 draw with the Newport Gwent Dragons.
The Cardiff Blues pulled off perhaps the surprise result of the round, putting an end to their disappointing record against Glasgow Warriors by defeating the leaders 30-7.
2009/10 MAGNERS LEAGUE – AFTER ROUND 12:
TOP TRY SCORERS –
5 – Simon Danielli (Ulster), Tom James (Cardiff Blues)
4 – Aled Brew (Newport Gwent Dragons), Tommy Bowe (Ospreys), Fionn Carr (Connacht), Thom Evans (Glasgow Warriors), Nick Williams (Munster), Nikki Walker (Ospreys)
TOP POINTS SCORERS –
138 – Dan Parks (Glasgow Warriors) (9 conversions, 36 penalty goals and 4 drop goals)
115 – Chris Paterson (Edinburgh) (2 tries, 15 conversions and 25 penalty goals)
105 – Ben Blair (Cardiff Blues) (1 try, 14 conversions and 24 penalty goals)
95 – Ian Humphreys (Ulster) (2 tries, 11 conversions and 21 penalty goals)
93 – Jonathan Sexton (Leinster) (1 try, 8 conversions, 23 penalty goals and 1 drop goal)
90 – Dan Biggar (Ospreys) (1 try, 11 conversions, 17 penalty goals and 4 drop goals)
82 – Ian Keatley (Connacht) (2 conversions, 25 penalty goals and 1 drop goal)
BEST PLACE-KICKERS –
88.89% – Chris Paterson (Edinburgh) (40 successful kicks from 45 attempts)
83.78% – Jonathan Sexton (Leinster) (31/37)
83.33% – Jason Tovey (Newport Gwent Dragons) (10/12)
74.51% – Ben Blair (Cardiff Blues) (38/51)
72.58% – Dan Parks (Glasgow Warriors) (45/62)
Qual: 10 place-kicks at goal
RESULTS ROUND-UP –
Friday, February 19, 2010 at Ravenhill
Ulster (17) 22: Paddy Wallace(T), Simon Danielli(T), Ian Humphreys(4P)
Newport Gwent Dragons (12) 22: Steve Jones(T), Jason Tovey(C/4P/D)
Attendance: 7,909
Ulster v Newport Gwent Dragons Match Report
Friday, February 19, 2010 at Firhill Arena
Glasgow Warriors (0) 7: Max Evans(T), Colin Gregor(C)
Cardiff Blues (9) 30: Gareth Cooper(T), Casey Laulala(T), Tom James(T), Ben Blair(3C/3P)
Attendance: 2,754
Friday, February 19, 2010 at Musgrave Park
Munster (8) 19: Scott Deasy(T/3P), Marcus Horan(T)
Edinburgh (9) 12: David Blair(3P/D)
Attendance: 8,500
Munster v Edinburgh Match Report
Saturday, February 20, 2010 at the RDS
Leinster (13) 27: Jonathan Sexton(T/C/5P), Isa Nacewa(T))
Scarlets (11) 14: Ken Owens(T), Rhys Priestland(3P)
Attendance: 13,890
Leinster v Scarlets Match Report
Shane Jennings Post-Match Interview; Michael Cheika Post-Match Interview
Sunday, February 21, 2010 at the Liberty Stadium
Ospreys (11) 19: Dan Biggar(T/3P), Gareth Owen(T)
Connacht (6) 17: Sean Cronin(T), Ian Keatley(4P)
Attendance: 5,053
Ospreys v Connacht Match Report