Irish Provinces Pro 12 Run In
So the Pro 12 is on the home straight after 20 rounds we know 3 of the 4 teams that will make the play offs , Leinster , Glasgow , Munster and one other team which could be Ulster depending on their next two results against Leinster and next week against Munster. So after Irish disappointment in Europe it is back to domestic matters this week, where Munster in particular will want to keep their hopes of a home semi alive after being beaten in Marseilles by Toulon.
Ulster will also want to put their best foot forward after the manner of their defeat in Europe at the hands of Saracens. With Leinster already assured of a home Semi it is up to the other teams to put themselves in with a shout of the other home Semi Final.
Munster will be driven by fear of failing at another semi final this year after not making the place offs last season. The players will also want to make their mark on the season and also Rob Penney will want at least one trophy to show for his time at Munster before he moves to pastures new for the coming season. With a number of players leaving Munster at the end of the season , they will want to help the Province to at least make the Grand Final.
Leinster will of course also want a trophy after being beaten in the Heineken Cup quarter finals by Toulon. They will want to give Brian O Driscoll to perfect send off and home final and a win in that final.
So it is all to play for at the sharpe end of the season for 3 of the Irish Provinces and lets hope they take a leaf from the national teams book and never say die in their quest for honours in The Pro 12. My Finalists at this point would be Munster and Leinster not to rule Glasgow out or the team that grabs 4th spot but you just feel after their respective seasons that Munster and Leinster are destined to meet in this decider and who wouldn’t want those two sides back in a major final after 2011!!
By
Cian Mc Gibney
02/05/2014.
