2008–09 Celtic League

The 2008–09 Celtic League (known as the 2008–09 Magners League for sponsorship reasons) was the eighth Celtic League season and the third with Magners as title sponsor. The season began in September 2008 and ended in May 2009. Ten teams played each other on a home-and-away basis, with teams earning four points for a win, and a bonus point for scoring four or more tries in a match. Losing teams also earned a bonus point if they lost by seven points or less.

2008–09 Celtic League
CountriesIreland Ireland
 Scotland
 Wales
ChampionsIreland Munster (2nd title)
Runners-upScotland Edinburgh
Matches played90
Attendance731,328
(average 8,126 per match)
Tries scored352
(average 3.9 per match)
Top point scorerFelipe Contepomi (Leinster)
James Hook (Ospreys)
(161 points)[1]
Top try scorerThom Evans (Glasgow)
(9 tries)[2]
Official website
www.rabodirectpro12.com

The ten competing teams consisted of the four Irish provinces, Munster, Leinster, Connacht and Ulster; two Scottish regions, Edinburgh Rugby and Glasgow Warriors; and four Welsh regions, Cardiff Blues, Newport Gwent Dragons, Ospreys and Scarlets. The Scarlets were originally known as the "Llanelli Scarlets", but renamed themselves at the start of the season, in order to reflect their regional identity.[3]

Munster were crowned champions on 30 April 2009 after the Ospreys beat the Newport Gwent Dragons 27–18 but failed to claim a bonus point.[4]

Teams

Location of 2008–09 Celtic League teams in Great Britain and Ireland.
Winners; 2nd–4th place; Other teams.
Team Stadium Capacity City, Area
Wales Cardiff Blues Cardiff Arms Park 12,500 Cardiff, Wales
Ireland Connacht Galway Sportsgrounds 5,500 Galway, Republic of Ireland
Scotland Edinburgh Murrayfield Stadium 12,464[lower-alpha 1] Edinburgh, Scotland
Scotland Glasgow Warriors Firhill Stadium 10,887 Glasgow, Scotland
Ireland Leinster RDS Arena 18,500 Dublin, Republic of Ireland
Ireland Munster Thomond Park
Musgrave Park
26,500
8,300
Limerick, Republic of Ireland
Cork, Republic of Ireland
Wales Newport Gwent Dragons Rodney Parade 12,000 Newport, Wales
Wales Ospreys Liberty Stadium 20,500 Swansea, Wales
Wales Scarlets Parc y Scarlets
Stradey Park
14,870
10,800
Llanelli, Wales
Ireland Ulster Ravenhill 12,800 Belfast, Northern Ireland

Table

Team Pld W D L PF PA PD TF TA Try bonus Losing bonus Pts
1Ireland Munster 181404405257+14849236163
2Scotland Edinburgh 181107416296+12040306555
3Ireland Leinster 181116401270+13138204252
4Wales Ospreys 181107397319+7839283552
5Wales Scarlets 18909376395−1941463140
6Wales Cardiff Blues 18819322361−3931362238
7Scotland Glasgow Warriors 187011349375−2636414537
8Ireland Ulster 187011298331−3330332636
9Wales Newport Gwent Dragons 187011305429−12426391433
10Ireland Connacht 184014224460−23620541320
Under the standard bonus point system, points are awarded as follows:
  • 4 points for a win
  • 2 points for a draw
  • 1 bonus point for scoring 4 tries (or more) (Try bonus)
  • 1 bonus point for losing by 7 points (or fewer) (Losing bonus)
Source: RaboDirect PRO12 Archived 22 November 2013 at the Wayback Machine

Results

Round 1

5 September 2008
18:30
Connacht Ireland3–16Wales Ospreys
Report
Sportsground
Attendance: 829
5 September 2008
19:05
Newport Gwent Dragons Wales6–12Scotland Glasgow Warriors
Report
Rodney Parade
Attendance: 4,113
5 September 2008
19:30
Edinburgh Scotland15–20Ireland Munster
Report
Murrayfield
Attendance: 5,443
5 September 2008
19:30
Ulster Ireland9–16Wales Scarlets
Report
Ravenhill
Attendance: 7,368
6 September 2008
18:30
Cardiff Blues Wales16–16Ireland Leinster
Report
Cardiff City Stadium
Attendance: 8,017

Welsh Round 1

  • All-Welsh Round 5 matches played mid-week to allow Welsh teams to play in the Anglo-Welsh Cup.
9 September 2008
19:35
Ospreys Wales32–10Wales Cardiff Blues
Report
Liberty Stadium
Attendance: 8,499
10 September 2008
19:05
Newport Gwent Dragons Wales25–27Wales Scarlets
Report
Rodney Parade
Attendance: 5,057

Round 2

12 September 2008
19:05
Cardiff Blues Wales16–15Ireland Ulster
Report
Cardiff City Stadium
Attendance: 8,619
12 September 2008
19:30
Glasgow Warriors Scotland18–21Wales Ospreys
Report
Firhill Stadium
Attendance: 2,651
12 September 2008
19:30
Leinster Ireland52–6Scotland Edinburgh
Report
RDS Arena
Attendance: 14,840
13 September 2008
17:30
Scarlets Wales45–3Ireland Connacht
Report
Stradey Park
Attendance: 6,041
14 September 2008
18:00
Munster Ireland50–6Wales Newport Gwent Dragons
Report
Musgrave Park
Attendance: 8,685

Round 3

19 September 2008
18:30
Connacht Ireland15–8Scotland Glasgow Warriors
Report
Sportsground
Attendance: 1,252
19 September 2008
19:30
Edinburgh Scotland32–12Wales Scarlets
Report
Murrayfield
Attendance: 2,655
19 September 2008
19:30
Ulster Ireland14–16Wales Newport Gwent Dragons
Report
Ravenhill
Attendance: 7,885
19 September 2008
19:35
Leinster Ireland19–13Wales Ospreys
Report
RDS Arena
Attendance: 15,140
20 September 2008
19:30
Munster Ireland28–20Wales Cardiff Blues
Report
Musgrave Park
Attendance: 8,685

Round 4

26 September 2008
19:05
Cardiff Blues Wales58–0Ireland Connacht
Report
Cardiff City Stadium
Attendance: 7,542
26 September 2008
19:30
Glasgow Warriors Scotland34–20Wales Scarlets
Report
Firhill Stadium
Attendance: 2,450
26 September 2008
19:30
Newport Gwent Dragons Wales11–9Scotland Edinburgh
Report
Rodney Parade
Attendance: 4,676
27 September 2008
17:30
Ospreys Wales43–0Ireland Ulster
Report
Liberty Stadium
Attendance: 7,225
28 September 2008
19:00
Leinster Ireland0–18Ireland Munster
Report
RDS Arena
Attendance: 18,500

Round 5

3 October 2008
19:30
Ulster Ireland13–9Scotland Edinburgh
Report
Ravenhill
Attendance: 8,418
4 October 2008
19:00
Munster Ireland25–17Scotland Glasgow Warriors
Report
Thomond Park Stadium
Attendance: 22,885
5 October 2008
18:00
Connacht Ireland19–18Ireland Leinster
Report
Sportsground
Attendance: 2,820

Round 6

24 October 2008
18:30
Connacht Ireland14–27Scotland Edinburgh
Report
Sportsground
Attendance: 1,868
24 October 2008
19:30
Glasgow Warriors Scotland15–12Ireland Leinster
Report
Firhill Stadium
Attendance: 2,523
25 October 2008
19:30
Ulster Ireland22–6Ireland Munster
Report
Ravenhill
Attendance: 10,058

Round 7

28 November 2008
19:05
Scarlets Wales16–18Ireland Munster
Report
Parc y Scarlets
Attendance: 8,435
28 November 2008
19:30
Edinburgh Scotland32–16Wales Ospreys
Report
Murrayfield
Attendance: 2,670
Referee: John Lacey (Ireland)[5]
28 November 2008
19:30
Glasgow Warriors Scotland28–0Wales Cardiff Blues
Report
Firhill Stadium
Attendance: 2,364
28 November 2008
19:30
Ulster Ireland53–13Ireland Connacht
Report
Ravenhill
Attendance: 8,841
29 November 2008
17:30
Leinster Ireland29–13Wales Newport Gwent Dragons
Report
RDS Arena
Attendance: 15,240

Welsh Round 2

  • All-Welsh Round 6 matches played mid-week to allow Welsh teams to play in the Anglo-Welsh Cup.
19 December 2008
19:35
Newport Gwent Dragons Wales30–24Wales Ospreys
Report
Rodney Parade
Attendance: 7,138
20 December 2008
17:30
Scarlets Wales27–13Wales Cardiff Blues
Report
Parc y Scarlets
Attendance: 7,610

Round 8

26 December 2008
14:05
Newport Gwent Dragons Wales19–21Wales Cardiff Blues
Report
Rodney Parade
Attendance: 10,180
27 December 2008
17:30
Ospreys Wales20–6Wales Scarlets
Report
Liberty Stadium
Attendance: 20,520
27 December 2008
19:30
Ulster Ireland13–21Ireland Leinster
Report
Ravenhill
Attendance: 13,500
28 December 2008
18:00
Connacht Ireland12–6Ireland Munster
Report
Sportsground
Attendance: 5,000

1872 Cup 1st round

26 December 2008
19:30
Edinburgh Scotland39–6Scotland Glasgow Warriors
Report
Murrayfield
Attendance: 12,534

Round 9

31 December 2008
14:05
Cardiff Blues Wales12–16Wales Ospreys
Report
Cardiff City Stadium
Attendance: 12,813
1 January 2009
17:15
Scarlets Wales29–24Wales Newport Gwent Dragons
Report
Parc y Scarlets
Attendance: 7,050
2 January 2009
19:30
Leinster Ireland26–18Ireland Connacht
Report
RDS Arena
Attendance: 16,350
3 January 2009
19:30
Munster Ireland11–37Ireland Ulster
Report
Thomond Park Stadium
Attendance: 25,623

1872 Cup 2nd round

2 January 2009
15:00
Glasgow Warriors Scotland25–20Scotland Edinburgh
Report
Firhill Stadium
Attendance: 6,665

Round 10

9 January 2009
18:30
Connacht Ireland14–17Wales Scarlets
Report
Sportsground
Attendance: 2,063
9 January 2009
19:05
Ospreys Wales21–25Ireland Munster
Report
Liberty Stadium
Attendance: 9,003
9 January 2009
19:30
Glasgow Warriors Scotland20–25Wales Newport Gwent Dragons
Report
Firhill Stadium
Attendance: 2,217
9 January 2009
19:45
Edinburgh Scotland21–15Ireland Ulster
Report
Murrayfield
Attendance: 3,393
10 January 2009
19:30
Leinster Ireland21–20Wales Cardiff Blues
Report
RDS Arena
Attendance: 14,470

Round 11

20 February 2009
19:05
Cardiff Blues Wales34–30Scotland Glasgow Warriors
Report
Cardiff City Stadium
Attendance: 7,603
21 February 2009
17:30
Scarlets Wales17–31Ireland Leinster
Report
Parc y Scarlets
Attendance: 6,436
21 February 2009
19:30
Munster Ireland28–14Scotland Edinburgh
Report
Musgrave Park
Attendance: 8,685
22 February 2009
14:15
Ospreys Wales22–10Ireland Connacht
Report
Liberty Stadium
Attendance: 6,127
22 February 2009
16:10
Newport Gwent Dragons Wales26–16Ireland Ulster
Report
Rodney Parade
Attendance: 6,112

Round 12

6 March 2009
18:30
Connacht Ireland14–19Wales Cardiff Blues
Report
Sportsground
Attendance: 1,373
6 March 2009
19:05
Ospreys Wales8–13Ireland Leinster
Report
Liberty Stadium
Attendance: 8,046
7 March 2009
17:30
Newport Gwent Dragons Wales9–20Ireland Munster
Report
Rodney Parade
Attendance: 6,865
7 March 2009
19:30
Ulster Ireland12–0Scotland Glasgow Warriors
Report
Ravenhill
Attendance: 8,286
8 March 2009
16:10
Scarlets Wales13–6Scotland Edinburgh
Report
Parc y Scarlets
Attendance: 6,302

Round 13

27 March 2009
19:30
Edinburgh Scotland32–5Ireland Connacht
Report
Murrayfield
Attendance: 2,208
27 March 2009
19:45
Glasgow Warriors Scotland13–26Ireland Munster
Report
Firhill Stadium
Attendance: 3,615
29 March 2009
17:30
Leinster Ireland32–6Ireland Ulster
Report
RDS Arena
Attendance: 15,940

Round 14

3 April 2009
18:30
Connacht Ireland39–17Wales Newport Gwent Dragons
Report
Sportsground
Attendance: 1,272
3 April 2009
19:30
Edinburgh Scotland16–3Wales Cardiff Blues
Report
Murrayfield
Attendance: 2,540
3 April 2009
19:35
Ulster Ireland13–16Wales Ospreys
Report
Ravenhill
Attendance: 9,600
4 April 2009
17:30
Scarlets Wales21–38Scotland Glasgow Warriors
Report
Parc y Scarlets
Attendance: 6,103
4 April 2009
19:30
Munster Ireland22–5Ireland Leinster
Report
Thomond Park Stadium
Attendance: 26,043

Round 15

17 April 2009
19:30
Glasgow Warriors Scotland19–20Ireland Ulster
Report
Firhill Stadium
Attendance: 2,960
17 April 2009
19:45
Edinburgh Scotland27–16Ireland Leinster
Report
Murrayfield
Attendance: 2,747
18 April 2009
17:30
Scarlets Wales19–28Wales Ospreys
Report
Parc y Scarlets
Attendance: 11,444
18 April 2009
19:30
Munster Ireland25–10Ireland Connacht
Report
Thomond Park Stadium
Attendance: 26,043

Round 16

24 April 2009
19:30
Ulster Ireland9–11Wales Cardiff Blues
Report
Ravenhill
Attendance: 7,809
24 April 2009
19:35
Munster Ireland29–10Wales Scarlets
Report
Musgrave Park
Attendance: 8,685
25 April 2009
19:30
Ospreys Wales30–32Scotland Edinburgh
Report
Liberty Stadium
Attendance: 6,015
25 April 2009
19:35
Leinster Ireland36–13Scotland Glasgow Warriors
Report
RDS Arena
Attendance: 10,910
26 April 2009
17:05
Newport Gwent Dragons Wales27–14Ireland Connacht
Report
Rodney Parade
Attendance: 5,233

Rearranged fixtures

30 April 2009
19:05
Ospreys Wales27–18Wales Newport Gwent Dragons
Report
Liberty Stadium
Attendance: 5,010
6 May 2009
19:05
Cardiff Blues Wales26–12Wales Newport Gwent Dragons
Report
Cardiff City Stadium
Attendance: 6,608

Round 17

8 May 2009
19:00
Connacht Ireland12–14Ireland Ulster
Report
Sportsground
Attendance: 1,425
8 May 2009
19:45
Leinster Ireland45–8Wales Scarlets
Report
RDS Arena
Attendance: 11,160
9 May 2009
14:30
Edinburgh Scotland43–3Wales Newport Gwent Dragons
Report
Murrayfield
Attendance: 2,105
10 May 2009
14:35
Ospreys Wales34–23Scotland Glasgow Warriors
Report
Liberty Stadium
Attendance: 5,204
10 May 2009
16:35
Cardiff Blues Wales20–12Ireland Munster
Report
Cardiff City Stadium
Attendance: 7,428

Rearranged fixture

13 May 2009
19:35
Cardiff Blues Wales9–30Wales Scarlets
Report
Cardiff City Stadium
Attendance: 8,212

Round 18

15 May 2009
19:45
Glasgow Warriors Scotland30–9Ireland Connacht
Report
Firhill Stadium
Attendance: 1,851
15 May 2009
19:45
Munster Ireland36–10Wales Ospreys
Report
Thomond Park Stadium
Attendance: 26,043
16 May 2009
17:30
Newport Gwent Dragons Wales18–9Ireland Leinster
Report
Rodney Parade
Attendance: 5,426
16 May 2009
19:30
Scarlets Wales43–17Ireland Ulster
Report
Parc y Scarlets
Attendance: 6,219
17 May 2009
15:35
Cardiff Blues Wales14–36Scotland Edinburgh
Report
Cardiff City Stadium
Attendance: 11,212

Leading scorers

Note: Flags to the left of player names indicate national team as has been defined under IRB eligibility rules, or primary nationality for players who have not yet earned international senior caps. Players may hold one or more non-IRB nationalities.

Broadcast rights

Television rights for the league are split between three broadcasters, BBC Wales, S4C and Setanta Sports. BBC Wales and S4C continues to cover the Pro12.[6]

Notes

  1. Although Murrayfield's full capacity is 67,800, only the lower section of the West Stand, with a capacity of 12,464, is generally opened for Edinburgh fixtures.

References

  1. "Leading Points-Scorers". RaboDirect PRO12. Archived from the original on 29 October 2013. Retrieved 25 October 2013.
  2. "Leading Try-Scorers". RaboDirect PRO12. Archived from the original on 4 November 2013. Retrieved 25 October 2013.
  3. "Scarlets drop Llanelli from name". BBC Sport. 11 September 2008. Retrieved 11 September 2008.
  4. "Ospreys 27-18 Dragons". BBC Sport. 30 April 2009. Archived from the original on 1 May 2009. Retrieved 30 April 2009.
  5. "John Lacey". www.pro14rugby.org. 23 October 2017. Archived from the original on 16 December 2018. Retrieved 4 January 2018.
  6. BBC extends Welsh rugby contract
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