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Saturday 3 June 2023 Dublin: 10°C

# Pro12

Last month
May 2023
# Looking Back
Mack Hansen at odds with Connacht's greatest day
The Irish winger’s memory of the historic Pro12 success in 2016 was limited.
All time
# Thanks
'I've had such an amazing career' - Former Connacht man Eoin McKeon retires
The 29-year-old helped his native province to their Pro12 title in 2016.
# rugby quiz
Quiz: How much do you remember about Celtic League finals?
The tournament has gone by a few names over the decade, but the Guinness Pro14 final was due to be played today.
# best in the west
Connacht's 2016 day in the sun 'a celebration' that began long before kick-off
The western province were magnificent in Murrayfield.
# sweet 2016
Quiz: How well do you remember Connacht's title-winning season?
The western province set the Pro12 alight before shocking Leinster in a thrilling final performance.
# RISE UP
'Connacht as champions, the weeks that followed were just unbelievable'
Second row Aly Muldowney will retire from professional rugby this summer.
# Comeback
'It was a very calm half time, it wasn’t mysterious what was happening'
Les Kiss says tactical changes helped turn the tide against Munster.
# Departure
Connacht release Marnitz Boshoff on compassionate leave following the death of his father
Boshoff requested to return home in order to be closer to his family after the sudden passing of his father.
# Salvatore
Michael Bradley appointed Head Coach of Zebre after recommendation by Conor O'Shea
The 54-year-old Cork man has been named head coach by the Italian Rugby Federation.
# AD to the squad
Connacht set to sign promising Australian out-half Deegan
The Randwick product will battle Jack Carty and Steve Crosbie for the number 10 shirt.
# Money Teams
South African expansion will see a serious sum of money injected into Pro12
The South Africans have pledged to contribute a whopping sum to the league across six years.
# LOVELY BIT OF KIT
Munster today unveiled a stunning new red and gold home jersey for the 2017/18 season
The province makes a return to an all-red home kit, as it aims for Pro12 and Champions Cup success next season.
# Done Deal
Cheetahs CEO all but confirms team's addition to PRO12 rugby
Harold Verster says we could hear an announcement regarding the PRO12′s mooted expansion as soon as Saturday.
# pro14
Pro12-linked Cheetahs and Kings officially cut from Super Rugby and ready for a new international competition
Who’s ready to follow your province to Bloemfontein?
# new digs
'I'm not here as a retirement project, I'm here to sharpen the tools': Keane on the ambition that took him to Connacht
The outgoing Chiefs attack coach used the Super Rugby down weeks to fly north and help Connacht prepare for the new season.
# hit-out
Wasps to kick off Connacht's pre-season schedule before Pat Lam returns to Galway
New coach Kieran Keane should be at the wheel in time for two matches in the space of three days.
# beirne's boom
A year on from deciding to have 'one more crack' at rugby, Beirne revels as a champion
‘I wanted to get game-time. I didn’t think I would be coming to Scarlets to become a Pro12 champion!’
# Looking Up
'You can only progress so much in a year. It will only come with time'
Rassie Erasmus knows Munster aren’t where they need to be but he’s positive they will grow.
AS IT HAPPENED
Munster v Scarlets, Pro12 Final
We went to the Aviva Stadium as Munster tried to claim their first silverware since 2011.
# final hurdle
'I've never been in a Munster jersey that's won a trophy. It's a huge goal'
Peter O’Mahony is looking to lift his first silverware with the province tomorrow against Scarlets.
# Team news
Saili starts ahead of Taute with Munster and Scarlets unchanged for Pro12 final
The Welsh side are completely unchanged from last weekend’s semi-final win over Leinster.
# best seat in the house
'Our invitations were copies of PRO12 final tickets and we entered the reception wearing our jerseys'
Engage!
# mindset
'We can be too critical of ourselves, overly humble': Munster take confidence from their journey
Niall Scannell looks back to the ‘worst weeks of the year’ when he and his team-mates had nothing to train for.
# natural 7
Wales' omission of 'world class' James Davies increasingly baffling
Rassie Erasmus will have to contend with multiple threats to his ruck this weekend.
# forewarned is forearmed
Rassie ready to correct 'stupid' team-talk during Scarlets' comeback win in Thomond Park
The former Springbok back row wasn’t sidestepping anything in the lead up to Saturday’s Pro12 final.
# tyler
Brilliant Bleyendaal typifies Munster attitude in most tragic season
‘As a rugby team, we had the responsibility and privilege to galvanise the town.’
# Red Alert
'Everybody looks fit,' says Rassie as Munster wind up for final push
The South African has no new injury concerns as he looks forward to a return to the Aviva Stadium to face Scarlets.
# Pics of the Week
It's Sunday so here are 10 of our favourite images from the sporting week
From the final day of the Premier League, to the opening weekend of the Championship, to the Guinness Pro12 semi-finals it was a mighty week of sporting action.
# Emotional
'It's sad to lose guys like that' - Ryan and Saili bid farewell to Thomond Park
Donnacha Ryan and Francis Saili finished their time at the Limerick stadium in style.
# finalists
Scintillating Zebo try helps Munster into Pro12 final against Scarlets
Rassie Erasmus’ men scored three tries in their semi-final victory at Thomond Park.
LIVE
Munster v Ospreys, Pro12 semi-final
We went minute-by-minute as Munster looked to book a place against Scarlets in next week’s Pro12 final in Dublin.
May 20th 2017, 8:10 PM FULL-TIME: Munster 23 Ospreys 3 Keelan Giles just forced out of touch as he hares towards the right corner. A toe in touch before he takes off to acrobatically finish means his try is chalked off.
May 20th 2017, 8:01 PM TRY! Munster 23 Ospreys 3 ( Conway ’73)
May 20th 2017, 7:42 PM TRY! Munster 13 Ospreys 3 (Zebo ’61)
LIVE
Northampton Saints v Connacht, Champions Cup play-off semi-final
We went minute-by-minute as Connacht tried to extend their season and hope of playing in the Champions Cup next season.
May 20th 2017, 5:47 PM Carty is smashed behind the gainline. Saints pour in after the breakdown AND WIN THE TURNOVER. FULL-TIME! Northampton 21 Connacht 15
May 20th 2017, 5:35 PM PENALTY! Northampton 21 Connacht 15 (Mallinder ’70)
May 20th 2017, 5:25 PM TRY! Northampton 18 Connacht 15 (Heffernan ’61)
# SUAF
Quinlan: Munster will never forget Rassie for delivering fantastic campaign in a traumatic season
The South African director of rugby has pushed his team to excel in impossible circumstances since Anthony Foley’s death.
# Upset
Stunning Scarlets shock dire Leinster to make Pro12 history at the RDS
The Welsh region were entirely deserving of their victory in Dublin.
AS IT HAPPENED
Leinster v Scarlets, Pro12 semi-final
The Pro12 is down to just four teams. Can Leinster keep up their perfect semi-final record? Or will the Scarlets be the first ever away team to progress to the grand final?
# Final Four
QUIZ: Test your Pro12 semi-final knowledge as Leinster and Munster go into knockout mode
Leinster and Munster host the eighth edition of the Pro12 semi-finals this weekend. Have you studied the form book?
# Pro12
'I'm allowed go after a ruck if I see it': Tadhg Beirne out to turn over his native province in Pro12 semi
James Davies will not be the only jackal Leinster have to worry about during tomorrow’s semi-final at the RDS.
# True Blue
'We've been made feel at home': Triggs happy to make emotional Leinster goodbye a long one
The Kiwi second row will run out at the RDS for the last time on Friday.
# just outside the pride
Ringrose remaining calm after Gatland's latest reminder of how close he is to Lions squad
‘Six months ago I made my debut for Ireland, which I wouldn’t have dreamed of doing before then. I appreciate the opportunities.’
# Hooked
Sean Cronin's neck makes him a serious doubt for Leinster's Pro12 semi against Scarlets
Sean O’Brien and Robbie Henshaw will return to training today in the hope of proving their fitness for Friday’s clash with Scarlets.