Scarlets squander lead for a draw in Treviso: Benetton Treviso 20 – 20 Scarlets
The Scarlets came tantalisingly close to a memorable victory over Benetton out in Treviso. With just two minutes to go, they led 20-15 thanks to a superb solo try from teenage centre Macs Page and a lineout maul touchdown from South African flanker Jarrod Taylor.
But, after incessant pressure from the hosts in the dying minutes, Fijian wing Onisi Ratave crossed for his second try, which presented fly-half Jacob Umaga with the opportunity to win the game. Umaga’s touchline conversion went to the left of the posts and it was honours even at 20-20, with a draw being the least Dwayne Peel’s Scarlets deserved for their stirring effort.
Cullen ‘Delighted’ with Leinster’s opening win: Edinburgh Rugby 31 – 33 Leinster Rugby
Leinster boss Leo Cullen was a happy man as his team began their URC season in very different fashion to a year ago. It was five tries apiece at the Hive Stadium, but it was the visitors who came out on top, defeating Edinburgh 33-31.
“Overall, we are delighted,” said Cullen. This time last year, we went to Glasgow in Round 1 and came away with nothing, so now we have five points. We were away from home against a very experienced Edinburgh team in front of a packed house, so we are pleased to get a win.
“There were some good moments and some frustrating ones as well. It was a little bit of a mixed bag. Edinburgh overpowered us a little bit at the start when we were probably a bit second to the punch, but as the game wore on we looked okay and put a lot of pressure on them from a defensive point of view.
“We had some young guys in there, so it was a great experience for them. It’s exciting. It’s great to be up and running.”
Edinburgh coach Sean Everitt said: “It was frustrating for us. Leinster won the kicking game battle, no doubt about it. That cost us. We ended up with 37 per cent territory.
“With the little possession we had in the right areas of the field, we still managed to score five tries, so we will take that as a positive and we managed to get two points out of the game at the end, but we’re obviously not happy with the result.
“I can’t fault the effort of the guys, but certainly our kicking game, which has been our strength, let us down.”
10 Try Thriller Lights up Limerick: Munster Rugby 35 – 33 Connacht Rugby
It was a game which swung one way and then the other with the lead changing hands on a number of occasions. Both teams crossed five times amid some sparkling rugby, with scrum-half Ben Murphy claiming a brace for Connacht.
But the contest was ultimately decided by the boot of Munster’s replacement fly-half Tony Butler, with the 22-year-old super sub landing two testing conversions in the closing stages to seal the outcome.
Former Ireland wing Simon Zebo, who was commentating for Premier Sports, said: “It was a hell of a game, incredible. Fair play to them, both teams came out and fired their shots. Munster will be very happy with the result.”
PLAYER OF THE WEEKEND (as chosen by URC)
Jamison Gibson-Park (Leinster)
The Ireland scrum-half is one of the most influential players in the game and he confirmed as much with a try-scoring Man of the Match display in Leinster’s 33-31 victory away to Edinburgh. His speed of thought and deed, along with his decision-making and control, were once again there for all to see.
Speaking after the game, he said: “It was very tough. It was by no means a one-sided affair. Edinburgh are a team we have got a lot of respect for, so we were pretty happy to get over the line. We’ve got to march on again now.”