Ulster Rugby vs Leinster

Managing Director, PRO12 Rugby Welcome

Welcome to Round 22 and the very first Super Saturday in the Guinness PRO12. The final day of the season always provides plenty of drama and we hope that a full slate of derby games will add to your experience, no matter what game you’re at. We’re also on course to beat last season’s attendance figure and on behalf of our clubs, our title sponsor Guinness and the team at PRO12 Rugby, I’d like to thank all of our fans for continuing to display your passion and support for your teams and the Championship. Indeed, the crowd in Dublin for Leinster v Glasgow Warriors last weekend got to witness a small piece of history for the Guinness PRO12 when Rory O’Loughlin’s try brought us to 652 tries for the season – a tally that broke the previous all-time record of 651 which was set in the 2003/04 season. By the time the final whistle went on Round 21 we were at 683 tries for the campaign and I think everyone would be confident that we’ll see try Number 700 today at Super Saturday. Of course, there’s a lot at stake for so many clubs with Leinster, Munster and Scarlets already guaranteed their places in the Guinness PRO12 Final Series and Ospreys in need of just one match-day point to ensure their place. We all know how unpredictable sport can be and Ulster still have a chance if Ospreys lose at Parc y Scarlets and Les Kiss’ team produce a spectacular result at Kingspan Stadium. Tries will be the order of the day then in Belfast and that expectation will be nothing new in the Guinness PRO12 where our Positive Play statistics makes us the most exciting tournament to watch. The latest game-play statistics from World Rugby prove that teams from our Championship produce more positive rugby than anywhere else in the Northern Hemisphere where we have the quickest rucks, the highest ball-in- play time and the most tries. The clubs, their coaches, the players and our referees all play a huge part in fostering an environment where positive play can thrive: in every Guinness PRO12 match you’re likely to see at least five tries and 43 points scored, which is as good a reason as any to watch the action in person. I’d also like to say a special thanks to Independent News & Media, Energia & Mazda who have come on board as partners of the Guinness Final Series – another sign of how the Championship is going from strength to strength on and ož the pitch. Thanks also to the part played by our television broadcast partners: Sky Sports, BBC Wales, BBC Northern Ireland, Eurosport, BBC Alba, TG4 and S4C. They are integral to telling the story of our Championship and capturing the magic and excitement that gets supporters out of their seats every weekend. We’re also less than a month away from the Guinness PRO12 Final which will be held in Dublin on May 27 and if that game lives up to the action we’ve seen so far this season, then it’s going to be a classic. It promises to be an unmissable event and ticket sales have been incredibly strong so far, but you can avoid missing out by logging onto www.ticketmaster.ie to get yours. Enjoy the game, Martin Anayi

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