Ulster Rugby vs Llanelli Scarlets

Welcome to Round 15 of the Guinness PRO12 championship and as we race towards the last quarter of the season, it is still unclear who will make it to the Play-Offs in April, as well as automatic qualification for Europe. Ulster and Connacht sit at the top of the table tied on 45 points apiece, only separated by points difference on their matches played. Leinster and Scarlets occupy third and fourth and are also on equal footing with each other on 44 points, but the Irishmen have a game in hand. Further down the table, but still in contention for a coveted Play-Off spot, seven points split Edinburgh in fifth (37 points) from eighth placed Glasgow (30 points) and the defending Guinness PRO12 champions have two games in hand. Munster are just one point behind Edinburgh, with a game in hand, and Ospreys are in seventh on 34 points. Cardiff Blues (ninth, 28 points) may rue the loss last weekend to Benetton Treviso, whilst they can still mathematically make the final stages of the championship they will be relying on other results to go their way to climb up the standings. Bottom-of-the-table Benetton Treviso, face another Welsh club this weekend when they host Newport Gwent Dragons (ninth, 22 points) and a back-to-back win would put them within seven points of tenth placed Zebre and challenge for the Italian qualification spot for next season’s Champions Cup. It is a credit to the unions, clubs, coaches and players that our championship is as competitive as it is and many of the talented players that compete in the Guinness PRO12 have been on international duty. Many of you got behind our #GUINNESSPRO12Hero campaign over the start of the RBS 6 Nations. If you want to be in with a chance of winning tickets and hospitality to the Guinness PRO12 Final at Murrayfield on the 28 May, then use the hashtag #GUINNESSPRO12Hero when a player from our championship scores a try in the tournament. I would like to take this opportunity to wish all the teams, players and officials all the very best for their games this weekend and thank you, the fans, for your continued support. Enjoy the game.