Ulster Rugby v Benetton Rugby

As the Guinness PRO14 kicks back into gear this weekend in Ireland, Scotland, South Africa and Wales, it is great to see the Championship in such a healthy position. With Europe’s pool stages complete, we are immensely proud to see five of our clubs in the draw for the Champions Cup Quarter-Finals and to have Connacht in the Challenge Cup knock-outs, too. It is the first time since 2012 that we have had so many teams in the knock-out stages of the Champions Cup and that is reflective of not only the talent on the pitch but the coaching teams and the structures of the clubs off it. To see two Scottish clubs in the Quarter-Finals is a terrific achievement and a sure sign of where the game in Scotland is at. The national team and the clubs are performing consistently under the direction of Scottish Rugby and in particular the work that has been going on at Edinburgh under Richard Cockerill has added to the strength of their professional game. In Ireland, Leinster and Munster continue to roll as they have in previous years and now Ulster have returned to the knock-outs as they regain their momentum under Dan McFarland this season, and you wouldn’t bet against them reaching the Guinness PRO14 Final Series either. It’s also rewarding to see Connacht reach the Quarter-Finals in the Challenge Cup because of the positive rugby Andy Friend has them playing, and a very honourable mention for Benetton Rugby. Although they didn’t reach the knock-outs, they came close on 20 points and also scored wins over Harlequins, Grenoble and Agen so there is certainly something sparking in Treviso right now. Naturally, a lot of debate has been sparked about which competition rules the roost when it comes to club rugby in the northern hemisphere with many differing opinions. To have five teams from the Guinness PRO14 present is a great accomplishment, as is our win ratio against teams from outside of our Championship over the past number of seasons. But it is important to understand that the Guinness PRO14 is a very different proposition to the domestic tournaments in England and France. For starters, those leagues are based upon private ownership; in our Championship we are led more by the unions who are shareholders in the tournament. Our metrics for success include performances in Europe and also how our shareholder unions perform in the Test arena, the exciting brand of rugby we produce in the Guinness PRO14 and the litany of Next Generation talent that so quickly establishes brand new stars of the world game. The talent of coaching in the Guinness PRO14 is also at an extremely high level with many coaches stepping up to take roles at international level based of their work in our Championship. That relies on technical expertise, shrewd recruitment and the ability to accelerate young players into front-line talent all while getting the best out their international stars. On these fronts we are delivering and that drive interest in the tournament through sponsorship and commercial activity which is already evidenced by our record broadcast deals that came into effect this season. As the games kick-off this weekend I want all supporters to know that the Guinness PRO14 is going from strength-to-strength and that the Championship has not yet reached the peak. It is an exciting journey and one that we know you will be on every step of the way. With upwards of 10 teams still in contention for the knock-out stages, the Guinness PRO14 Final is coming up into view at Celtic Park on May 25. Without even making a tackle you can guarantee your place by going direct to bit.ly/glasgow2019 to get your tickets. The Guinness PRO14 Final has become a great event for supporters of all our clubs and if you fancy treating yourself, or perhaps surprising that passionate rugby fan in your life, then a trip to Celtic Park on May 25 should do the trick! Enjoy the game, Martin Anayi Chief Executive Officer