Ulster Rugby vs Connacht

Managing Director, PRO12 Rugby Welcome

Time has flown by since our first-ever Big Weekend kicked o in Round 6 with our stars from the Guinness PRO12 making their mark in European and International rugby since then. At the same time, the race to reach the Guinness PRO12 Final at Dublin’s Aviva Stadium on May 27 has lost none of its intensity. Just one point separates Munster Rugby, Leinster Rugby and Ospreys Rugby in the top three while Scarlets have made an incredible charge into fourth position on the back of seven wins in a row. After the men from Llanelli pushed Toulon so hard in France it was so gratifying to see them pull oƒ a result at Parc y Scarlets last weekend and it’s great to say it was not the only big result for a Guinness PRO12 club in Round 4 of Europe. It seems like all of our clubs in the Champions Cup had had their moments as they have helped to turn the tide in favour Guinness PRO12 when it comes to taking on the best in Europe. The flags of the Celtic nations are flying high with Glasgow Warriors, Munster Rugby, Leinster Rugby, Ulster Rugby and Connacht Rugby all enjoying great victories over their opponents from England and France. Connacht’s incredible win over Wasps in Galway last weekend was just one of the many highlights our teams have produced in Europe while it can’t go overlooked how impressive Ospreys, Cardiƒ Blues, Edinburgh Rugby and Newport-Gwent Dragons have been in the Challenge Cup. Bennetton Rugby Treviso have got in on the act, too, with back-to-back wins over Bayonne and I am sure they will take great confidence from those performances into the Big Weekends. It feels like there is always an extra bit of magic around rugby over the Christmas period and with two ‘Big Weekends’ chocked full of derby games I know that intensity will some spice to the Festive Season. You can probably count on a feast of tries, too, with our clubs producing 316 already which has us on course for a record-setting season in the Guinness PRO12. What’s also really encouraging is the record low number of points scored from penalties which shows that our coaches and players are more interested in tries than pointing to the posts. We’ve also seen a rise in broadcast viewers and attendances so never forget that your support is invaluable. Behind the scenes at all our clubs and within our own team at PRO12 Rugby we are all working hard to make sure you enjoy a great day out every time you come to a game. If you don’t get everything you want for Christmas you can make up for that by booking your ticket to the Guinness PRO12 Final in Dublin’s Aviva Stadium on May 27, 2017. Children’s tickets are just €5 and you can save up to 20 per cent with our Early Bird rates on www.ticketmaster.ie but you better move quickly as the oƒer ends on January 2, 2017. Enjoy the game, Martin Anayi