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Munster top of the table after defeating Cardiff Blues
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Ospreys claim first win of the season
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Scarlets maintain 100 per cent record
Friday 16th October
Connacht 34-15 Zebre
Glasgow Warriors 29-15 Newport Gwent Dragons
Scarlets 25-14 Leinster
Edinburgh 16-10 Ulster
Saturday 17th October
Munster 35-27 Cardiff Blues
Benetton Treviso 22-25 Ospreys
Connacht 34-15 Zebre
Connacht eased past Zebre to move up to fourth in the division thanks to a dominant display from their back line as they recorded five tries, with Matt Healy claiming the first after just seven minutes.
Zebre failed to trouble the Irish team and took some gloss off the scoreline after 78 minutes when Johan Myer went over. The Italians remain bottom of the division.
Kieran Marmion, Eoin McKeown, Craig Ronaldson and Denis Buckley all scored tries for the home side who dominated from the off. It was Healy who stole the headlines though as he marked his 50th Connacht appearance with an early try as his side maintained their 100 per cent record against Zebre.
Glasgow Warriors 29-15 Newport Gwent Dragons
A late try by debutant Simone Favaro secured Glasgow Warriors a bonus point and a third consecutive Guinness Pro12 win as they saw off Newport Gwent Dragons 29-15. After doing the double over their Welsh opponents last term, it was the Dragons who scored the first try of the game when Rynard Landman touched down, and Jason Tovey converted.
Glasgow threatened to run away with it after the break as Zander Fagerson, and Junior Bulumakau went over, but Ashton Hewitt’s try for Newport gave them hope. However, that optimism was extinguished with a minute left as Favaro went over to wrap up the win and secure Glasgow Warriors a bonus point in the process.
Scarlets 25-14 Leinster
DTH van der Merwe enjoyed a dream debut as Scarlets continued their perfect start to the Guinness Pro12 season with a 25-14 victory over Leinster. The Canadian, who shone in this year’s World Cup was making his debut after moving from Glasgow Warriors and really caught the eye, scoring two tries for his new side.
He picked a pass and ran the distance to claim his first try before he scampered over from short range down the left for his second and the team’s third try. James Davis scored the first after eight minutes while Isa Nacewa and James Tracy touched down tries for Leinster.
Edinburgh 16-10 Ulster
Edinburgh edged past Ulster to maintain their 100 per cent start to the season and move them up to third place in the table. Hamish Watson was the star of the show for the home side, crossing for the decisive second-half try and then claimed two superb turnovers in the closing stages of the match as the visitors pressed for a winning score.
Two Greig Tonks penalties and one from Peter Nelson sent the home side in 6-3 ahead at the break before the game opened up after the interval. Sean Reidy went over for Ulster, but Watson’s score and a third penalty from Tonks put them six points clear, and they held off a late Ulster storm to claim the win.
Munster 35-27 Cardiff Blues
An enthralling game at Musgrave Park saw Munster overcome Welsh side Cardiff Blues and leapfrog the Scarlets in the table into first place. Two tries from Mike Sherry and a brilliant performance from Ian Keatley ensured their side the victory after scores from Tavis Knoyle, Richard Smith and Tom Isaacs had put the win in doubt.
A late yellow card for Jevon Groves compounded Cardiff Blues and put the hosts on the brink and, despite some late pressure, they held the visitors at bay and sealed a well-earned win. Jordan Coghlan and Andrew Conway both scored to help seal the win for the home side.
Benetton Treviso 22-25 Ospreys
Sam Davies overcame a mixed day from the kicking tee to lead Ospreys to their first win of the Guinness Pro 12 season with a 25-22 victory at Benetton Treviso. Dan Evans scored the Ospreys’ first try of the season while James Ambrosini replied with an excellent solo score of his own before Ben John’s try sent the Welsh side into the break with a 12-8 lead.
After the interval, Davies crossed for the Ospreys’ third try but the Italians refused to buckle as Davies – who missed three penalties and a conversion in all – kept them interested. Jayden Hayward finished off a superb counter-attack to close the gap back to seven, Davies then kicked a penalty to stretch the lead back out but with the clock in the red Luca Bigi went over to seal a deserved losing bonus point at the Stadio Monigo.