The Rabo Round-Up: Round 2

The RaboDirect PRO12 continued this weekend with Round 2. What promised to be another weekend of superb rugby, delivered and then some. Munster continued their 100% record with a fantastic second-half comeback versus Zebre- denying the Italian side their first ever win in the PRO12. Leinster played out a scintillating 29 all draw with Ospreys thanks to an injury time effort from Dan Biggar at the RDS. In the other games it was wins for two Scottish and two Welsh sides with Cardiff defeating Connacht and Scarlets defeating Treviso, while Edinburgh defeated Newport and Ulster were handed a shock defeat at home at the hands of Glasgow.

Cardiff Blues 21 – 10 Connacht Rugby

Rhys Patchell kicked Cardiff Blues to their first RaboDirect PRO12 victory of the season and got life on their new artificial pitch off to the perfect start with a 21-10 win against Connacht on Friday night.

Ulster Rugby 12 – 13 Glasgow Warriors

Flanker Eddie had replaced Rob Harley with 12 minutes left on the clock and it was left for Stuart Hogg – who also nailed two penalties – to kick the extras and take the win.

 

Zebre 21 – 43 Munster Rugby

Zebre’s long wait for a RaboDirect PRO12 victory goes on after Munster came from behind to record a 43-21 bonus-point victory at the Stadio XXV Aprile

The Irish province had trailed at the break to Luciano Orquera’s impish strike and a wonderful break and touch down from hooker Andrea Macini.

But second half scores from Paddy Butler, a brace for CJ Stander and the nerveless kicking of JJ Hanrahan gave Munster the lead and they held on to make it two wins from two this season.

 

Edinburgh Rugby 16 – 13 Newport Gwent Dragons

Harry Leonard’s late penalty secured Edinburgh’s first RaboDirect PRO12 win of the season as they overcame a resolute Newport Gwent Dragons outfit 16-13.

Leonard, who finished with 11 points in total, held his nerve from 20 metres with the last kick of the game after Edinburgh’s forwards, dominant throughout, won a vital penalty from the scrum.

 

Leinster Rugby 29 – 29 Ospreys

Dan Biggar’s boot came to the rescue to earn Ospreys a 29-29 draw, after they threw away the lead and a man advantage at Leinster in the RaboDirect PRO12.

Two quickfire second-half Ospreys tries for Joe Bearman and Ashley Beck had looked to have the visitors in control, after Richardt Strauss had given the Leinster the advantage.

But, despite Sean Cronin’s sin bin, the hosts roared back into the contest and Jack McGrath’s try was topped off by a Jimmy Gopperth penalty in the final five minutes – but Biggar struck in added time to draw level.

 

Scarlets 26 – 10 Benetton Treviso

Scrum-half Gareth Davies scored two quick-fire tries to lay the foundations for an impressive 26-10 Scarlets win over Benetton Treviso.

Davies showed incredible poise to pounce twice in the first 15 minutes, while Steven Shingler was also on fire with his kicking as he struck with four penalties and two conversions.