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2007–08 Celtic League

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2007–08 Celtic League
A maul between Edinburgh Rugby and Munster
CountriesIreland Ireland
 Scotland
 Wales
ChampionsIreland Leinster (2nd title)
Runners-upWales Cardiff Blues
Matches played90
Attendance609,015
(average 6,767 per match)
Tries scored341
(average 3.8 per match)
Top point scorerDan Parks (Glasgow)
(159 points)[1]
Top try scorerTom James (Cardiff Blues)
(9 tries)[2]
Official website
www.rabodirectpro12.com
Dragons vs Leinster Welsh try Celtic League 9 May 2008

The 2007–08 Celtic League (known as the 2007–08 Magners League for sponsorship reasons) was the seventh Celtic League season and the second with Magners as title sponsor. The season began on 31 August 2007 and finished on the weekend beginning 10 May 2008. Some disruption to fixtures occurred as a result of the 2007 Rugby World Cup, which took place during September and October 2007.

The teams competing were the same as the previous season with one exception; only two Scottish teams participated, as the Scottish Rugby Union scrapped the Border Reivers region at the end of the 2006–07 season.[3] As in previous seasons, the league was played 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. The losing team may also earn a bonus point if they lose by seven points or less. The losing bonus point system is intended to ensure that both teams compete fully in all matches.[citation needed]

The ten teams competing were the four Irish provinces: Munster, Leinster, Connacht and Ulster; two Scottish regions: Edinburgh Rugby and Glasgow Warriors; and four Welsh regions: Llanelli Scarlets, Cardiff Blues, Ospreys and Newport Gwent Dragons.

Teams

[edit]
Location of 2007–08 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[a] Edinburgh, Scotland
Scotland Glasgow Warriors Firhill Stadium 10,887 Glasgow, Scotland
Ireland Leinster RDS Arena 18,500 Dublin, Republic of Ireland
Wales Llanelli Scarlets Stradey Park 10,800 Llanelli, Wales
Ireland Munster Musgrave Park 8,300 Cork, Republic of Ireland
Wales Newport Gwent Dragons Rodney Parade 12,000 Newport, Wales
Wales Ospreys Liberty Stadium 20,500 Swansea, Wales
Ireland Ulster Ravenhill 12,800 Belfast, Northern Ireland

Pre-season

[edit]

Following the end of the 2006–07 Celtic League season, a number of controversial events occurred in Celtic rugby. Mike Phillips moved from the Cardiff Blues to the Ospreys, in a move that would earn him £180,000 a year. The Border Reivers was officially closed as a rugby club, and Edinburgh Rugby were almost expelled from the competition, because of a row with the Scottish Rugby Union.

As a result of increased revenue from governing bodies and TV rights, most clubs were able to expand their squads with the signing of several new players.

Table

[edit]
Team Pld W D L PF PA PD TF TA Try bonus Losing bonus Pts
Ireland Leinster 18 13 1 4 428 283 +145 44 30 4 3 61
Wales Cardiff Blues 18 12 0 6 395 315 +80 48 31 6 2 56
Ireland Munster 18 10 1 7 330 258 +72 33 26 2 4 48
Scotland Edinburgh 18 9 3 6 313 285 +28 35 29 3 3 48
Scotland Glasgow Warriors 18 10 1 7 340 349 −9 31 38 1 3 46
Wales Llanelli Scarlets 18 7 0 11 403 362 +41 45 38 6 5 39
Wales Ospreys 18 6 1 11 321 255 +66 24 24 2 9 37
Wales Newport Gwent Dragons 18 7 1 10 282 394 −112 31 44 1 3 34
Ireland Ulster 18 6 1 11 278 407 −129 33 41 2 1 29
Ireland Connacht 18 5 1 12 214 396 −182 16 39 0 2 24

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

Results

[edit]

A provisional fixture list was released on 23 July 2007, with the opening game featuring Cardiff Blues and the Ospreys.

Welsh Round 1

[edit]
  • All-Welsh Round 5 matches played early to allow Welsh teams to play in the Anglo-Welsh Cup.
31 Aug 2007
19:40
Cardiff Blues Wales17–15Wales Ospreys
Report
Cardiff Arms Park
Attendance: 9,187
1 September 2007
17:30
Llanelli Scarlets Wales23–30Wales Newport Gwent Dragons
Report
Stradey Park
Attendance: 5,923

Welsh Round 2

[edit]
  • All-Welsh Round 6 matches played early to allow Welsh teams to play in the Anglo-Welsh Cup.
7 September 2007
18:10
Newport Gwent Dragons Wales13–40Wales Cardiff Blues
Report
Rodney Parade
Attendance: 5,673
11 September 2007
19:35
Ospreys Wales9–14Wales Llanelli Scarlets
Report
Liberty Stadium
Attendance: 10,143

Round 1

[edit]
21 September 2007
18:00
Connacht Ireland22–7Wales Newport Gwent Dragons
Report
Sportsground
Attendance: 1,141
21 September 2007
18:10
Cardiff Blues Wales32–16Scotland Glasgow Warriors
Report
Cardiff Arms Park
Attendance: 5,425
21 September 2007
18:30
Ulster Ireland17–16Wales Ospreys
Report
Ravenhill
Attendance: 8,142
22 September 2007
17:30
Leinster Ireland23–8Scotland Edinburgh
Report
Royal Dublin Society
Attendance: 9,630
22 September 2007
17:30
Munster Ireland26–16Wales Llanelli Scarlets
Report
Musgrave Park
Attendance: 3,400

Round 2

[edit]
28 September 2007
18:10
Newport Gwent Dragons Wales16–26Ireland Munster
Report
Rodney Parade
Attendance: 4,537
28 September 2007
19:10
Llanelli Scarlets Wales34–11Ireland Connacht
Report
Stradey Park
Attendance: 6,560
28 September 2007
19:30
Cardiff Blues Wales19–30Ireland Leinster
Report
Cardiff Arms Park
Attendance: 5,991
28 September 2007
19:30
Edinburgh Scotland24–10Ireland Ulster
Report
Murrayfield
Attendance: 1,389
30 September 2007
15:00
Ospreys Wales37–23Scotland Glasgow Warriors
Report
Liberty Stadium
Attendance: 5,417

Round 3

[edit]
5 October 2007
19:10
Leinster Ireland23–52Wales Llanelli Scarlets
Report
Royal Dublin Society
Attendance: 9,439
5 October 2007
19:30
Edinburgh Scotland13–13Wales Ospreys
Report
Murrayfield
Attendance: 1,326
5 October 2007
19:30
Glasgow Warriors Scotland16–15Ireland Connacht
Report
Firhill Stadium
Attendance: 1,226
5 October 2007
19:30
Munster Ireland17–19Wales Cardiff Blues
Report
Musgrave Park
Attendance: 6,075
6 October 2007
17:30
Newport Gwent Dragons Wales31–11Ireland Ulster
Report
Rodney Parade
Attendance: 4,139

Round 4

[edit]
12 October 2007
19:10
Llanelli Scarlets Wales32–8Ireland Ulster
Report
Stradey Park
Attendance: 6,480
12 October 2007
19:30
Cardiff Blues Wales30–16Ireland Connacht
Report
Cardiff Arms Park
Attendance: 6,921
12 October 2007
19:30
Edinburgh Scotland13–19Wales Newport Gwent Dragons
Report
Murrayfield
Attendance: 1,412
12 October 2007
19:30
Glasgow Warriors Scotland21–17Ireland Leinster
Report
Firhill Stadium
Attendance: 1,580
14 October 2007
16:10
Ospreys Wales16–3Ireland Munster
Report
Liberty Stadium
Attendance: 7,740

Round 5

[edit]
26 October 2007
18:30
Connacht Ireland14–14Scotland Edinburgh
Report
Sportsground
Attendance: 1,690
26 October 2007
19:30
Glasgow Warriors Scotland11–11Ireland Munster
Report
Firhill Stadium
Attendance: 1,829
26 October 2007
19:30
Ulster Ireland16–16Ireland Leinster
Report
Ravenhill
Attendance: 13,132

Round 6

[edit]
2 November 2007
19:30
Glasgow Warriors Scotland25–6Ireland Ulster
Report
Firhill Stadium
Attendance: 2,631
2 November 2007
19:30
Leinster Ireland29–9Ireland Connacht
Report
Royal Dublin Society
Attendance: 16,753
3 November 2007
19:30
Munster Ireland19–16Scotland Edinburgh
Report
Musgrave Park
Attendance: 8,300

Round 7

[edit]
23 November 2007
19:10
Ospreys Wales19–26Ireland Leinster
Report
Liberty Stadium
Attendance: 6,097
23 November 2007
19:30
Connacht Ireland13–30Ireland Ulster
Report
Sportsground
Attendance: 2,541
23 November 2007
19:30
Glasgow Warriors Scotland17–5Wales Cardiff Blues
Report
Firhill Stadium
Attendance: 1,638
24 November 2007
19:30
Munster Ireland45–19Wales Newport Gwent Dragons
Report
Musgrave Park
Attendance: 8,250
25 November 2007
16:10
Edinburgh Scotland27–17Wales Llanelli Scarlets
Report
Murrayfield
Attendance: 1,638

Round 8

[edit]
30 November 2007
18:30
Connacht Ireland10–6Scotland Glasgow Warriors
Report
Sportsground
Attendance: 1,145
30 November 2007
19:30
Munster Ireland3–10Ireland Leinster
Report
Musgrave Park
Attendance: 8,300
30 November 2007
19:30
Ulster Ireland14–20Scotland Edinburgh
Report
Ravenhill
Attendance: 9,750

Round 9

[edit]
26 December 2007
14:05
Cardiff Blues Wales11–6Wales Newport Gwent Dragons
Report
Cardiff Arms Park
Attendance: 12,532
26 December 2007
15:00
Leinster Ireland29–0Ireland Ulster
Report
Royal Dublin Society
Attendance: 18,230
27 December 2007
19:30
Munster Ireland17–0Ireland Connacht
Report
Musgrave Park
Attendance: 6,125
27 December 2007
19:35
Llanelli Scarlets Wales17–12Wales Ospreys
Report
Stradey Park
Attendance: 10,739

1872 Cup 1st round

[edit]
28 December 2007
19:30
Edinburgh Scotland35–31Scotland Glasgow Warriors
Report
Murrayfield
Attendance: 6,225

Welsh Round 3

[edit]
  • All-Welsh Round 8 matches rescheduled to allow Welsh teams to play in the Anglo-Welsh Cup.
31 December 2007
14:05
Ospreys Wales22–3Wales Cardiff Blues
Report
Liberty Stadium
Attendance: 16,509
1 January 2008
16:10
Newport Gwent Dragons Wales15–13Wales Llanelli Scarlets
Report
Rodney Parade
Attendance: 6,782

Round 10

[edit]
4 January 2008
18:30
Connacht Ireland20–18Wales Llanelli Scarlets
Report
Sportsground
Attendance: 1,681
4 January 2008
19:10
Cardiff Blues Wales10–11Scotland Edinburgh
Report
Cardiff Arms Park
Attendance: 6,125
4 January 2008
19:30
Glasgow Warriors Scotland16–18Wales Newport Gwent Dragons
Report
Firhill Stadium
Attendance: 1,798
5 January 2008
19:30
Leinster Ireland26–15Wales Ospreys
Report
Royal Dublin Society
Attendance: 13,385

Round 11

[edit]
15 February 2008
19:10
Llanelli Scarlets Wales30–7Scotland Glasgow Warriors
Report
Stradey Park
Attendance: 6,190
15 February 2008
19:30
Edinburgh Scotland7–11Ireland Munster
Report
Murrayfield
Attendance: 4,100
15 February 2008
19:30
Ulster Ireland38–13Wales Newport Gwent Dragons
Report
Ravenhill
Attendance: 9,246
16 February 2008
17:30
Ospreys Wales37–7Ireland Connacht
Report
Liberty Stadium
Attendance: 7,396
16 February 2008
19:30
Leinster Ireland24–17Wales Cardiff Blues
Report
Royal Dublin Society
Attendance: 14,322

Round 12

[edit]
29 February 2008
19:10
Newport Gwent Dragons Wales10–10Scotland Edinburgh
Report
Rodney Parade
Attendance: 4,734
29 February 2008
19:30
Connacht Ireland10–16Ireland Leinster
Report
Sportsground
Attendance: 3,851
29 February 2008
19:30
Glasgow Warriors Scotland9–6Wales Ospreys
Report
Firhill Stadium
Attendance: 2,058
29 February 2008
19:30
Ulster Ireland20–8Wales Llanelli Scarlets
Report
Ravenhill
Attendance: 8,869
1 March 2008
17:30
Cardiff Blues Wales25–22Ireland Munster
Report
Cardiff Arms Park
Attendance: 11,269

Round 13

[edit]
21 March 2008
19:10
Llanelli Scarlets Wales35–17Wales Cardiff Blues
Report
Stradey Park
Attendance: 8,045
21 March 2008
19:30
Edinburgh Scotland38–8Ireland Connacht
Report
Murrayfield
Attendance: 2,506
21 March 2008
19:30
Leinster Ireland34–18Scotland Glasgow Warriors
Report
Royal Dublin Society
Attendance: 11,730
22 March 2008
19:30
Munster Ireland42–6Ireland Ulster
Report
Musgrave Park
Attendance: 7,500

Round 14

[edit]
28 March 2008
19:10
Ospreys Wales32–7Ireland Ulster
Report
Liberty Stadium
Attendance: 9,087
28 March 2008
19:30
Connacht Ireland5–16Ireland Munster
Report
Sportsground
Attendance: 5,368
28 March 2008
19:30
Edinburgh Scotland0–20Wales Cardiff Blues
Report
Murrayfield
Attendance: 2,395
29 March 2008
17:30
Llanelli Scarlets Wales10–24Ireland Leinster
Report
Stradey Park
Attendance: 7,407
30 March 2008
16:05
Newport Gwent Dragons Wales14–20Scotland Glasgow Warriors
Report
Rodney Parade
Attendance: 5,949

Round 15

[edit]
11 April 2008
18:30
Ulster Ireland18–6Ireland Connacht
Report
Ravenhill
Attendance: 9,248
11 April 2008
19:10
Cardiff Blues Wales35–26Wales Llanelli Scarlets
Report
Cardiff Arms Park
Attendance: 10,216
12 April 2008
18:30
Leinster Ireland21–12Ireland Munster
Report
Royal Dublin Society
Attendance: 18,500

1872 Cup 2nd round

[edit]
11 April 2008
20:00
Glasgow Warriors Scotland23–14Scotland Edinburgh
Report
Firhill Stadium
Attendance: 4,731

Round 16

[edit]
18 April 2008
19:10
Newport Gwent Dragons Wales11–13Ireland Connacht
Report
Rodney Parade
Attendance: 5,748
18 April 2008
19:30
Edinburgh Scotland15–13Ireland Leinster
Report
Murrayfield
Attendance: 3,138
18 April 2008
19:30
Glasgow Warriors Scotland25–23Wales Llanelli Scarlets
Report
Firhill Stadium
Attendance: 2,012
19 April 2008
17:30
Cardiff Blues Wales30–17Ireland Ulster
Report
Cardiff Arms Park
Attendance: 6,500
19 April 2008
19:30
Munster Ireland9–8Wales Ospreys
Report
Musgrave Park
Attendance: 7,500

Rearranged fixtures

[edit]
25 April 2008
19:35
Ospreys Wales16–3Wales Newport Gwent Dragons
Report
Liberty Stadium
Attendance: 9,166
  • Round 10 match postponed from 4 January because of adverse weather conditions at Ravenhill.
30 April 2008
19:30
Ulster Ireland19–9Ireland Munster
Report
Ravenhill
Attendance: 12,300

Round 17

[edit]
2 May 2008
18:30
Connacht Ireland11–39Wales Cardiff Blues
Report
Sportsground
Attendance: 1,463
2 May 2008
19:10
Ospreys Wales18–19Scotland Edinburgh
Report
Liberty Stadium
Attendance: 7,625
3 May 2008
14:45
Llanelli Scarlets Wales23–24Ireland Munster
Report
Stradey Park
Attendance: 7,020
3 May 2008
15:00
Ulster Ireland24–35Scotland Glasgow Warriors
Report
Ravenhill
Attendance: 6,592
3 May 2008
18:00
Leinster Ireland41–8Wales Newport Gwent Dragons
Report
Royal Dublin Society
Attendance: 17,260

Rearranged fixture

[edit]
  • Round 15 match postponed from 12 April because of the Ospreys' participation in the Anglo-Welsh Cup final.
6 May 2008
19:35
Newport Gwent Dragons Wales18–10Wales Ospreys
Report
Rodney Parade
Attendance: 6,308

Round 18

[edit]
9 May 2008
18:30
Connacht Ireland24–20Wales Ospreys
Report
Sportsground
Attendance: 1,463
9 May 2008
19:10
Newport Gwent Dragons Wales31–26Ireland Leinster
Report
Rodney Parade
Attendance: 5,112
9 May 2008
19:30
Ulster Ireland17–26Wales Cardiff Blues
Report
Ravenhill
Attendance: 9,672
10 May 2008
17:00
Munster Ireland18–21Scotland Glasgow Warriors
Report
Musgrave Park
Attendance: 5,360
10 May 2008
17:30
Llanelli Scarlets Wales12–29Scotland Edinburgh
Report
Stradey Park
Attendance: 7,338

Leading scorers

[edit]

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

[edit]

Television rights for the league were split between three broadcasters: BBC Wales, S4C and Setanta Sports. BBC Wales and S4C continued to cover the Celtic League until the end of the 2009–10 season.[4]

Notes

[edit]
  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

[edit]
  1. ^ a b "Leading Points-Scorers". RaboDirect PRO12. Archived from the original on 29 October 2013. Retrieved 25 October 2013.
  2. ^ a b "Leading Try-Scorers". RaboDirect PRO12. Archived from the original on 2 November 2013. Retrieved 25 October 2013.
  3. ^ "Scottish union axes Borders team". BBC. 27 March 2007. Retrieved 25 October 2013.
  4. ^ "BBC extends Welsh rugby contract". BBC Sport. 30 August 2006. Retrieved 25 October 2013.