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2019–20 Pro14

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2019–20 Pro14
CountriesIreland Ireland
Italy Italy
Scotland Scotland
South Africa South Africa
Wales Wales
Date27 September 2019 – 12 September 2020
ChampionsLeinster (7th title)
Runners-upUlster
Matches played89
Attendance652,443
(average 7,331 per match)
Highest attendance27,437
Edinburgh v Glasgow (28 December 2019)
Lowest attendance1,500
Southern Kings v Connacht (1 March 2020)
Top point scorerIreland JJ Hanrahan
(Munster)
101 points
Top try scorerSouth Africa Rhyno Smith
(Cheetahs)
10 tries
Official website
www.pro14rugby.org

The 2019–20 PRO14 (also known as the Guinness PRO14 for sponsorship reasons) was the nineteenth season of the professional rugby union competition originally known as the Celtic League. It was the third season to be referred to as the PRO14 (the competition was named the Pro12 immediately prior to the addition of two South African teams).[1][2]

Fourteen teams competed in this season — four Irish teams: Connacht, Leinster, Munster and Ulster; two Italian teams: Benetton and Zebre; two Scottish teams: Edinburgh and Glasgow Warriors; two South African teams: Cheetahs and the Southern Kings; and four Welsh teams: Cardiff Blues, Dragons, Ospreys and Scarlets.

On 12 March 2020, the season was suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[3] It restarted on 22 August in a truncated format.

It was won by Leinster, their third consecutive Pro14 title, and the second occasion on which they had achieved a Perfect season by winning every match - a feat achieved by no other team in the competition's history.[4] [5]

Teams

[edit]
Location of Irish, Scottish and Welsh teams:
Location of Italian teams:

Location of South African teams:

Conference A; Conference B.
Team Coach /
Director of Rugby 		Captain Stadium/

Stadia

Capacity
Italy Benetton New Zealand Kieran Crowley Italy Dean Budd Stadio Comunale di Monigo, Treviso 6,700
Wales Cardiff Blues Australia John Mulvihill Wales Ellis Jenkins Cardiff Arms Park[a] 12,125
South Africa Cheetahs South Africa Franco Smith
South Africa Hawies Fourie 		South Africa Tian Meyer Free State Stadium 48,000
Ireland Connacht Australia Andy Friend Australia Jarrad Butler Galway Sportsgrounds[b] 8,129
Wales Dragons England Dean Ryan Wales Cory Hill Rodney Parade 8,700
Scotland Edinburgh England Richard Cockerill Scotland Stuart McInally Murrayfield Stadium 67,144[c]
Scotland Glasgow Warriors New Zealand Dave Rennie New Zealand Callum Gibbins
Scotland Ryan Wilson 		Scotstoun Stadium[d] 7,351
Ireland Leinster Ireland Leo Cullen Ireland Johnny Sexton RDS Arena
Aviva Stadium 		18,500
51,700
Ireland Munster South Africa Johann van Graan Ireland Peter O'Mahony Thomond Park
Irish Independent Park[e] 		25,600[f]
8,008
Wales Ospreys Ireland Allen Clarke Wales Justin Tipuric Liberty Stadium[g] 20,827
Wales Scarlets New Zealand Brad Mooar
New Zealand Glenn Delaney 		Wales Ken Owens Parc y Scarlets 14,870
South Africa Southern Kings South Africa Robbi Kempson (interim) South Africa JC Astle Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium 48,459
Ireland Ulster England Dan McFarland Ireland Iain Henderson Kingspan Stadium[h] 18,196
Italy Zebre Ireland Michael Bradley Italy Tommaso Castello Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi[i] 5,000

Competition format

[edit]
League Stage

The fourteen teams are split into two conferences of seven teams, with each conference featuring two teams from Ireland and Wales plus one team from Italy, Scotland and South Africa.[6] To ensure a competitive balance, the teams are distributed approximately evenly between the conferences based upon their performance in the previous season.[7]

The regular season was due to be made up of 21 rounds. The original schedule was planned as follows –
6 home and 6 away games against each team in their own conference
7 games, either home or away, against the teams in the other conference
2 additional regional derbies[8][9]

  • Each Irish team plays the two Irish teams in the other conference, one at home and one away
  • Each Welsh team plays the two Welsh teams in the other conference, one at home and one away
  • The two Italian teams play each other twice, home and away
  • The two Scottish teams play each other twice, home and away
  • The two South African teams play each other twice, home and away

Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic

[edit]

All teams played their normal schedule until round 13 after which an additional two rounds of derby matches were played by the 12 European teams.[10] The Southern Kings announced in August 2020 that they had voluntarily withdrawn from the league for the remainder of 2020 and therefore there will not be South African derbies.[11]

League Play-Offs

The first and second placed teams in each conferences will meet in the semi-finals. The winners of the semi-finals will then meet in the grand final.[12]

Champions Cup Qualification

The top four eligible European teams in both conferences automatically qualify for the 2020–21 European Rugby Champions Cup. (The South African teams do not compete in the Champions Cup.) Qualification is based on league position after round 13.

Team changes

[edit]
See also: List of 2019–20 Pro14 transfers

Ireland

[edit]

Connacht underwent a rebranding during the off-season, updating their team crest in the process.[13] During the course of the season, the planned redevelopment of the Sportsground was boosted by the commitment of €20 million from the Irish government.[14]

Leinster's highest profile departure in the off-season was Seán O'Brien, who made over 100 appearances and was the side's former vice-captain.[15] With captain Johnny Sexton and vice-captain Rhys Ruddock missing the start of the season due to the World Cup,[16] Scott Fardy served as team captain in the opening rounds.[17]

Munster's backs coach Felix Jones and forwards coach Jerry Flannery left the province when their contracts expired in June 2019.[18] Former attack coach for the Australian national team, Stephen Larkham, was signed by the province as a senior coach ahead of the season,[19] while Graham Rowntree joined as their new forwards coach after the completion of his duties with Georgia at the World Cup.[20] The team's regular captain, Peter O'Mahony, missed the opening rounds of the tournament due to the World Cup,[16] during which time Billy Holland captained the side.[21]

Long-serving Ulster captain Rory Best announced in April 2019 that he would retire from rugby after the 2019 Rugby World Cup.[22] Iain Henderson replaced Best as captain.[23] With Henderson unavailable in the opening rounds due to the World Cup,[16] the side was captained by Rob Herring.[24] Herring was later called up to the World Cup as an injury replacement,[25] and the captaincy went to Billy Burns.[26]

Italy

[edit]

Scotland

[edit]

South Africa

[edit]

Cheetahs announced in June 2019 that Hawies Fourie had replaced Franco Smith as their head coach.[27]

Wales

[edit]

Then-Crusaders assistant coach Brad Mooar was confirmed as Wayne Pivac's replacement as Scarlets head coach in December 2018, with Pivac leaving the region to take over from Warren Gatland as Wales' head coach after the 2019 Rugby World Cup.[28] Scarlets also appointed then-Highlanders defence coach and former London Irish head coach Glenn Delaney as their new defence coach, replacing the outgoing Byron Hayward.[29]

Dragons announced the departure of head coach Bernard Jackman in December 2018, with Ceri Jones replacing Jackman on an interim basis for the remainder of the 2018–19 season, before the region confirmed in May 2019 that Dean Ryan would join in the newly created director of rugby position.[30]

Table

[edit]
2019–20 Pro14 table view · watch · edit · discuss
Conference A
Team P W D L PF PA PD TF TA TBP LBP PTS
1 Ireland Leinster (CH) 15 15 0 0 531 216 +315 74 28 9 0 69
2 Ireland Ulster (RU) 15 8 1 6 385 306 +79 50 40 7 3 44[j]
3 Scotland Glasgow Warriors 15 8 0 7 364 329 +35 53 42 5 1 38
4 South Africa Cheetahs 13 6 0 7 342 280 +62 48 32 5 2 32
5 Wales Dragons 15 5 1 9 283 415 –132 32 49 1 1 24
6 Italy Zebre 15 3 1 11 230 399 –169 29 56 4 3 21
7 Wales Ospreys 15 2 2 11 205 375 –170 21 45 1 4 17
Conference B
Team P W D L PF PA PD TF TA TBP LBP PTS
1 Scotland Edinburgh (SF) 15 11 0 4 391 225 +166 47 27 5 2 51
2 Ireland Munster (SF) 15 10 0 5 426 255 +171 53 26 8 3 51
3 Wales Scarlets 15 10 0 5 354 274 +80 46 34 5 2 47
4 Ireland Connacht 15 8 0 7 302 360 –58 41 48 7 1 40
5 Italy Benetton 15 6 1 8 309 350 –41 35 42 5 5 36
6 Wales Cardiff Blues 15 7 0 8 283 327 –44 30 38 3 2 33
7 South Africa Southern Kings 13 1 0 12 204 498 –294 23 75 0 3 7
If teams are level at any stage, tiebreakers are applied in the following order -[32]
  1. number of matches won
  2. the difference between points for and points against
  3. the number of tries scored
  4. the most points scored
  5. the difference between tries for and tries against
  6. the fewest red cards received
  7. the fewest yellow cards received
Green background indicates teams that compete in the Pro14 play-offs, and also earn a place in the 2020–21 European Champions Cup

Blue background indicates teams outside the play-off places that earn a place in the 2020–21 European Champions Cup
Red background indicates teams ineligible for European cup tournaments
Plain background indicates teams that earn a place in the 2020–21 European Rugby Challenge Cup.
(CH) Champions. (RU) Runners-up. (SF) Losing semi-finalists. (Q) Qualified for Pro14 play-off semi-finals. (e) Cannot reach play-offs.

  1. ^ Cardiff Blues will also play a home game at Rodney Parade.
  2. ^ Connacht will also play a home game at the Aviva Stadium
  3. ^ Although Murrayfield's full capacity is 67,144, only the lower section of the East Stand, with a capacity of 12,464, is generally opened for Edinburgh fixtures.
  4. ^ Glasgow Warriors will also play a home game at Murrayfield.
  5. ^ Munster will also play a home game at the Aviva Stadium
  6. ^ Thomond Park's official capacity is 25,600 but can be expanded up to 26,276 with temporary seating.
  7. ^ Osprey's would also play several games at the 6,000 capacity The Gnoll in Neath.
  8. ^ Ulster will also play a home game at the Aviva Stadium
  9. ^ Zebre would also play a game at the 5,000 capacity Stadio Giovanni Mari in Legnano.
  10. ^ Ulster deducted 1 point for administration error regarding Ian Madigan. [31]

Match summary

[edit]

Conference Rounds 1 to 13

[edit]

All times are local.

Round 1

[edit]
27 September 2019
19:05
(1 BP) Cheetahs South Africa48–14Scotland Glasgow Warriors
Try: Pienaar 5' c
Dweba 20' c, 33' c
Small-Smith 52' c, 63' c
Pokomela 60' m
Koen 69' m
Con: Pienaar (5/7) 6', 21', 34', 53', 64'
Pen: Pienaar (1/1) 9'		ReportTry: Frisby 28' c
Nairn 50' c
Con: Thompson (2/2) 29', 50'
Free State Stadium
Attendance: 4,528
Referee: Daniel Jones
27 September 2019
19:35
(1 BP) Ulster Ireland38–14Wales Ospreys
Try: Gilroy 13' c, 50' c
Jones 30' c
Faddes 39' c
Penalty Try 71'
Con: Cooney (4/4) 14', 31' 40+1, 51'
Pen: Cooney (1/1) 46'		ReportTry: Evans 7' m
Pen: Price (3/3) 4', 22', 37'
Kingspan Stadium
Attendance: 12,408
Referee: Marius Mitrea
28 September 2019
15:00
(1 BP) Munster Ireland39–9Wales Dragons
Report
Thomond Park
Attendance: 10,878
Referee: Ben Blain
28 September 2019
16:00
(1 BP) Southern Kings South Africa27–31Wales Cardiff Blues (1 BP)
Report
Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium
Attendance: 2,077
Referee: Mike Adamson
28 September 2019
17:15
Scarlets Wales18–10Ireland Connacht
Report
Parc y Scarlets
Attendance: 6,415
Referee: Stuart Berry
28 September 2019
17:35
(1 BP) Benetton Italy27–32Ireland Leinster (1BP)
Report
Stadio Comunale di Monigo
Attendance: 3,695
Referee: Ben Whitehouse
28 September 2019
19:35
(1 BP) Edinburgh Scotland50–15Italy Zebre
Report
Murrayfield Stadium
Attendance: 4,221
Referee: George Clancy

Round 2

[edit]
4 October 2019
19:35
(1 BP) Glasgow Warriors Scotland21–25Wales Scarlets
Report
Scotstoun Stadium
Attendance: 6,897
Referee: George Clancy
4 October 2019
19:35
(1 BP) Leinster Ireland53–5Wales Ospreys
Report
RDS Arena
Attendance: 11,259
Referee: Stuart Berry
5 October 2019
15:00
Southern Kings South Africa20–31Ireland Munster (1 BP)
Report
Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium
Attendance: 3,115
Referee: Daniel Jones
5 October 2019
17:35
Cardiff Blues Wales11–19Scotland Edinburgh
Report
Cardiff Arms Park
Attendance: 5,190
Referee: Frank Murphy
5 October 2019
17:00
(1 BP) Zebre Italy28–52Wales Dragons (1 BP)
Report
Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi
Attendance: 2,100
Referee: Sean Gallagher
5 October 2019
17:15
(1 BP) Cheetahs South Africa63–26Ireland Ulster (1 BP)
Try: Volmink (3) 8' c 21' c 42' c
Smith (2) 27' c 45' c
Dweba 36' c
Fouche 49' c
Venter 68' c
Con: Pienaar (6) 9' 22' 29' 38' 43' 46'
Schoeman 50' 69'		Report
Highlights		Try: Carter 25' c
Hume 58' c
Shanahan 63'
Gilroy 79' c
Con: Cooney 26'
Johnston (2) 58' 80'
Free State Stadium
Attendance: 4,582
Referee: Ian Davies
5 October 2019
19:35
(1 BP) Connacht Ireland41–5Italy Benetton
Report
Galway Sportsgrounds
Attendance: 4,839
Referee: Rasta Rasivhenge

Round 3

[edit]
11 October 2019
18:15
(1 BP) Cheetahs South Africa40–16Ireland Munster
Report
Free State Stadium
Attendance: 4,814
Referee: Mike Adamson
11 October 2019
19:35
Dragons Wales14–38Ireland Connacht (1 BP)
Report
Rodney Parade
Attendance: 3,257
Referee: Marius Mitrea
11 October 2019
19:35
(1 BP) Leinster Ireland40–14Scotland Edinburgh
Report
RDS Arena
Attendance: 12,712
Referee: Ben Whitehouse
12 October 2019
15:00
(1 BP) Scarlets Wales54–10Italy Zebre
Report
Parc y Scarlets
Attendance: 6,424
Referee: Rasta Rasivhenge
12 October 2019
15:00
Southern Kings South Africa17–42Ireland Ulster (1 BP)
Try: Kruger 37' c
Fortuin 68' c
Con: Catrakilis 37'
Jackson 68'
Pen: Catrakilis 7'		Report
Highlights		Try: Cooney (2) 1' c 31' c
Marshall 13' c
Herring 16' c
Faddes 29' c
Reidy 58' c
Con: Cooney (6) 2' 14' 17' 30' 32' 59'
Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium
Attendance: 2,807
Referee: Craig Evans
12 October 2019
19:35
Glasgow Warriors Scotland17–13Wales Cardiff Blues (1 BP)
Report
Scotstoun Stadium
Attendance: 6,708
Referee: Sean Gallagher
12 October 2019
19:35
(1 BP) Ospreys Wales24–20Italy Benetton (1 BP)
Report
Liberty Stadium
Attendance: 5,670
Referee: Frank Murphy

Round 4

[edit]
25 October 2019
19:35
(1 BP) Munster Ireland28–12Wales Ospreys
Report
Irish Independent Park
Attendance: 7,311
Referee: Stuart Berry
25 October 2019
19:35
Ulster Ireland23–14Wales Cardiff Blues
Try: Marshall 2' c
Burns 19'c
Con: Cooney (2) 3' 20'
Pen: Cooney (3) 8' 45' 62'		Report
Highlights		Try: Summerhill 42' c
Boyde 56' c
Con: Evans (2) 43' 57'
Kingspan Stadium
Attendance: 12,250
Referee: Mike Adamson
26 October 2019
15:00
Dragons Wales18–5Scotland Glasgow Warriors
Report
Rodney Parade
Attendance: 3,673
Referee: George Clancy
26 October 2019
15:00
(1 BP) Benetton Italy36–30South Africa Southern Kings (1 BP)
Report
Stadio Comunale di Monigo
Attendance: 3,694
Referee: Daniel Jones
26 October 2019
17:15
(1 BP) Connacht Ireland24–22South Africa Cheetahs (1 BP)
Report
Galway Sportsgrounds
Attendance: 4,945
Referee: Ben Whitehouse
26 October 2019
17:15
(1 BP) Zebre Italy0–3Ireland Leinster
Report
Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi
Attendance: 2,500
Referee: Craig Evans
26 October 2019
19:35
(1 BP) Edinburgh Scotland46–7Wales Scarlets
Report
Murrayfield Stadium
Attendance: 5,191
Referee: Frank Murphy

Round 5

[edit]
1 November 2019
19:35
(1 BP) Glasgow Warriors Scotland50–0South Africa Southern Kings
Report
Scotstoun Stadium
Attendance: 6,789
Referee: Joy Neville
1 November 2019
19:35
(1 BP) Leinster Ireland50–15Wales Dragons
Report
RDS Arena
Attendance: 10,568
Referee: Andrewa Piardi
1 November 2019
19:35
Ulster Ireland22–7Italy Zebre
Try: Shanahan 20' c
Penalty try 51'
Lyttle 70'
Con: Johnston 21'
Pen: Johnston 32'		Report
Highlights		Try: Bellini 1' c
Con: Canna 2'
Kingspan Stadium
Attendance: 10,975
Referee: Sam Grove-White
2 November 2019
15:00
Scarlets Wales17–13South Africa Cheetahs (1 BP)
Report
Parc y Scarlets
Attendance: 6,341
Referee: Mike Adamson
2 November 2019
17:15
Ospreys Wales10–20Ireland Connacht
Report
Liberty Stadium
Attendance: 5,726
Referee: Marius Mitrea
2 November 2019
17:15
Benetton Italy18–16Scotland Edinburgh (1 BP)
Report
Stadio Comunale di Monigo
Attendance: 3,676
Referee: Ben Whitehouse
2 November 2019
19:35
Cardiff Blues Wales23–33Ireland Munster (1 BP)
Report
Cardiff Arms Park
Attendance: 5,256
Referee: Stuart Berry

Round 6

[edit]
8 November 2019
19:35
Connacht Ireland11–42Ireland Leinster (1 BP)
Report
Galway Sportsgrounds
Attendance: 8,129
Referee: Sean Gallagher
8 November 2019
19:35
Edinburgh Scotland20–7Wales Dragons
Report
Murrayfield Stadium
Attendance: 5,762
Referee: George Clancy
9 November 2019
15:00
(1 BP) Ospreys Wales14–16South Africa Southern Kings
Report
Liberty Stadium
Attendance: 5,240
Referee: Andrea Piardi
9 November 2019
15:00
Zebre Italy7–31Scotland Glasgow Warriors (1 BP)
Report
Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi
Attendance: 2,000
Referee: Ian Davies
9 November 2019
17:15
Cardiff Blues Wales30–17South Africa Cheetahs
Report
Cardiff Arms Park
Attendance: 5,698
Referee: Ben Blain
9 November 2019
17:15
Munster Ireland22–16Ireland Ulster (1 BP)
Try: Stander 14' c
Scannell 35'
Conway 64' c
Con: Hanrahan 14'
Bleyendaal 66'
Pen: Hanrahan 25'		Report
Highlights		Try: Herring 49' c
Con: Cooney 51'
Pen: Cooney (3) 3' 19' 57'
Thomond Park
Attendance: 14,436
Referee: Frank Murphy
9 November 2019
Scarlets Wales20–17Italy Benetton (1 BP)
Report
Parc y Scarlets
Attendance: 6,147
Referee: Andrew Brace

Round 7

[edit]
29 November 2019
19:35
(1 BP) Munster Ireland16–18Scotland Edinburgh
Report
Irish Independent Park
Attendance: 7,580
Referee: Marius Mitrea
29 November 2019
19:35
(1 BP) Ulster Ireland29–5Wales Scarlets
Try: Faddes (2) 4' 78'
Cooney 8' c
Rea 16' c
Baloucoune 27'
Con: Cooney (2) 8' 17'		Report
Highlights		Try: Morgan 74'
Kingspan Stadium
Attendance: 12,319
Referee: Sam Grove-White
30 November 2019
15:00
(2 BP) Benetton Italy28–31Wales Cardiff Blues (1 BP)
Report
Stadio Comunale di Monigo
Attendance: 4,131
Referee: Andy Brace
30 November 2019
17:15
(1 BP) Connacht Ireland24–12South Africa Southern Kings
Report
Galway Sportsgrounds
Attendance: 5,146
Referee: Ben Whitehouse
30 November 2019
17:15
Dragons Wales12–39Italy Zebre (1 BP)
Report
Rodney Parade
Attendance: 3,332
Referee: George Clancy
30 November 2019
19:35
Glasgow Warriors Scotland10–23Ireland Leinster
Report
Scotstoun Stadium
Attendance: 7,351
Referee: Craig Evans
30 November 2019
19:35
(1 BP) Ospreys Wales13–18South Africa Cheetahs
Report
The Gnoll, Neath
Attendance: 2,347
Referee: Joy Neville

Round 8

[edit]
20 December 2019
19:35
(1 BP) Leinster Ireland54–42Ireland Ulster (1 BP)
Try: Deegan (2) 2' c 62' c
Penny (2) 15' c 22' c
Henshaw 27' c
McFadden 39'
Kearney 44' c
Kelleher 48' c
Con: Byrne (7) 3' 16' 23' 28' 45' 49' 62'		Report
Highlights		Try: Kernohan 8' c
Faddes 35' c
Gilroy 57' c
Jones (2) 64' v 72' c
Stewart 80+2'
Con: Johnston (6) 10' 37' 58' 65' 73' 80+2'
RDS Arena
Attendance: 16,375
Referee: George Clancy
21 December 2019
15:00
(1 BP) Zebre Italy8–13Italy Benetton
Report
Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi
Attendance: 4,000
Referee: Marius Mitrea
21 December 2019
17:15
(1 BP) Connacht Ireland14–19Ireland Munster
Report
Galway Sportsgrounds
Attendance: 8,129
Referee: Andy Brace
21 December 2019
17:15
Dragons Wales22–20Wales Scarlets (1 BP)
Report
Rodney Parade
Attendance: 5,517
Referee: Ben Whitehouse
21 December 2019
19:35
(1 BP) Ospreys Wales16–19Wales Cardiff Blues
Report
Liberty Stadium
Attendance: 6,664
Referee: Daniel Jones

1872 Cup 1st round

[edit]
21 December 2019
17:45
Glasgow Warriors Scotland20–16Scotland Edinburgh (1 BP)
Report
Scotstoun Stadium
Attendance: 7,351
Referee: Ben Blain

Round 9

[edit]
26 December 2019
15:00
Cardiff Blues Wales16–12Wales Dragons (1 BP)
Report
Cardiff Arms Park
Attendance: 12,125
Referee: Nigel Owens
26 December 2019
17:15
(1 BP) Scarlets Wales44–0Wales Ospreys
Report
Parc y Scarlets
Attendance: 13,682
Referee: Craig Evans
27 December 2019
19:35
(1 BP) Ulster Ireland35–3Ireland Connacht
Try: O'Connor 17' c
Burns 22' c
Baloucoune 43' c
Herring 49' c
Timoney 76' c
Con: Cooney (4) 18' 23' 44' 50'
Johnston 77'		Report
Highlights		Pen: Fitzgerald
Kingspan Stadium
Attendance: 17,483
Referee: Sean Gallagher
28 December 2019
13:00
(1 BP) Benetton Italy36–25Italy Zebre (1 BP)
Report
Stadio Comunale di Monigo
Attendance: 5,000
Referee: Andrea Piardi
28 December 2019
18:00
(1 BP) Munster Ireland6–13Ireland Leinster
Report
Thomond Park
Attendance: 26,267
Referee: Frank Murphy

1872 Cup 2nd round

[edit]
28 December 2019
15:00
Edinburgh Scotland29–19Scotland Glasgow Warriors
Report
Murrayfield Stadium
Attendance: 27,437
Referee: Mike Adamson

Round 10

[edit]
3 January 2020
19:35
(1 BP) Cardiff Blues Wales14–16Wales Scarlets
Report
Cardiff Arms Park
Attendance: 12,125
Referee: Frank Murphy
3 January 2020
19:35
(1 BP) Ulster Ireland38–17Ireland Munster
Try: Cooney 17. c
Baloucoune 34' c
Rea 42' c
McCloskey 57' c
Stockdale 61' c
Con: Cooney (5) 18' 35' 43' 58' 62'
Pen: Cooney 14'		Report
Highlights		Try: Daly 9' c
Scannell 65' c
Con: Carbery (2) 10' 65'
Pen: Carbery 39'
Kingspan Stadium
Attendance: 17,461
Referee: Daniel Jones
4 January 2020
13:00
Benetton Italy19–38Scotland Glasgow Warriors (1 BP)
Report
Stadio Comunale di Monigo
Attendance: 4,667
Referee: Nigel Owens
4 January 2020
15:00
Dragons Wales25–18Wales Ospreys (1 BP)
Report
Rodney Parade
Attendance: 6,421
Referee: Andy Brace
4 January 2020
15:00
(1 BP) Zebre Italy41–13South Africa Cheetahs
Report
Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi
Attendance: 2,200
Referee: Sam Grove-White
4 January 2020
17:30
(1 BP) Leinster Ireland54–7Ireland Connacht
Report
RDS Arena
Attendance: 18,300
Referee: Mike Adamson
4 January 2020
19:45
(1 BP) Edinburgh Scotland61–13South Africa Southern Kings
Report
Murrayfield Stadium
Attendance: 4,873
Referee: Joy Neville

Round 8 (South Africa)

[edit]
25 January 2020
15:30
(1 BP) Southern Kings South Africa30–31South Africa Cheetahs (1 BP)
Report
Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium
Attendance: 4,316
Referee: Stuart Berry

Round 9 (South Africa)

[edit]
1 February 2020
17:00
(1 BP) Cheetahs South Africa45–0South Africa Southern Kings
Report
Free State Stadium
Attendance: 7,832
Referee: Divan Uys

Round 11

[edit]
14 February 2020
19:35
(1 BP) Glasgow Warriors Scotland56–24Italy Zebre
Report
Scotstoun Stadium
Attendance: 6,692
Referee: Joy Neville
14 February 2020
19:35
(1 BP) Munster Ireland68–3South Africa Southern Kings
Report
Irish Independent Park
Attendance: 6,854
Referee: Nikoloz Amashukeli
15 February 2020
14:30
(1 BP) Leinster Ireland36–12South Africa Cheetahs
Report
RDS Arena
Attendance: 7,967
Referee: Ben Whitehouse
15 February 2020
15:00
(1 BP) Scarlets Wales9–14Scotland Edinburgh
Report
Parc y Scarlets
Attendance: 5,639
Referee: Frank Murphy
15 February 2020
19:15
Dragons WalesP–PItaly Benetton
Rodney Parade
  • Postponed due to bad weather. Game to be rescheduled for 6 March 2020.[33]
15 February 2020
17:15
Ospreys Wales26–24Ireland Ulster (1 BP)
Try: Watkin 15' c
Otten (2) 24' 47'
Con: Price 16'
Pen: Price (3) 4' 28' 75'		Report
Highlights		Try: Baloucoune 9' c
Faddes 59' c
McCloskey 67' c
Con: Burns 10'
Johnston (2) 60' 69'
Pen: Burns 35'
Liberty Stadium
Attendance: 5,868
Referee: Marius Mitrea
15 February 2020
19:35
(1 BP) Connacht Ireland29–0Wales Cardiff Blues
Report
Galway Sportsgrounds
Attendance: 4,512
Referee: Stuart Berry

Round 12

[edit]
21 February 2020
19:35
(1 BP) Edinburgh Scotland41–14Ireland Connacht
Report
BT Murrayfield Stadium
Attendance: 5,367
Referee: Marius Mitrea
21 February 2020
19:35
Ospreys Wales13–21Ireland Leinster
Report
The Gnoll, Neath
Attendance: 3,164
Referee: Stuart Berry
21 February 2020
19:35
Zebre Italy0–28Ireland Munster (1 BP)
Report
Stadio Giovanni Mari, Legnano
Attendance: 3,300
Referee: Daniel Jones
22 February 2020
19:35
(1 BP) Glasgow Warriors Scotland34–19Wales Dragons
Report
Scotstoun Stadium
Attendance: 6,203
Referee: Sean Gallagher
22 February 2020
19:35
Ulster Ireland20–10South Africa Cheetahs
Try: O'Toole 7' c
Baloucoune 45' c
Con: Johnston (2) 8' 47'
Pen: Johnston (2) 35' 59'		Report
Highlights		Try: Blommetjies 65' c
Con: Pienaar 67'
Pen: Pienaar 38'
Kingspan Stadium
Attendance: 13,829
Referee: Mike Adamson
23 February 2020
17:15
(1 BP) Cardiff Blues Wales34–24Italy Benetton (1 BP)
Report
Cardiff Arms Park
Attendance: 5,808
Referee: Frank Murphy
23 February 2020
17:15
(1 BP) Scarlets Wales36–17South Africa Southern Kings
Report
Parc y Scarlets
Attendance: 5,965
Referee: Andy Brace

Round 13

[edit]
28 February 2020
19:35
Edinburgh Scotland14–6Wales Cardiff Blues
Report
BT Murrayfield Stadium
Attendance: 5,678
Referee: George Clancy
28 February 2020
19:35
(1 BP) Leinster Ireland55–19Scotland Glasgow Warriors
Report
RDS Arena
Attendance: 13,250
Referee: Nigel Owens
29 February 2020
13:00
Zebre ItalyP–PWales Ospreys
Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi
  • Postponed due to coronavirus fears. Awarded as a 0–0 draw
29 February 2020
15:00
Benetton ItalyP–PIreland Ulster
Stadio Comunale di Monigo
  • Postponed due to coronavirus fears. Awarded as a 0–0 draw
29 February 2020
17:00
(1 BP) Munster Ireland29–10Wales Scarlets
Report
Thomond Park
Attendance: 13,554
Referee: Mike Adamson
29 February 2020
17:15
Dragons Wales13–10South Africa Cheetahs (1 BP)
Report
Rodney Parade
Attendance: 4,102
Referee: Andrew Brace
1 March 2020
13:00
Southern Kings South Africa19–29Ireland Connacht (1 BP)
Report
Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium
Attendance: 1,500
Referee: Cwengile Jadezweni

Round 11 (rescheduled game)

[edit]
6 March 2020
19:35
Dragons Wales25–37Italy Benetton (1 BP)
Report
Rodney Parade
Attendance: 1,857
Referee: George Clancy
  • Rescheduled from 15 February 2020.

Additional Derby Rounds

[edit]

Round 14

[edit]
21 August 2020
20:00
(1 BP) Benetton Italy13–17Italy Zebre
Report
Stadio Comunale di Monigo
Referee: Andrea Piardi
22 August 2020
15:00
(1 BP) Scarlets Wales32–12Wales Cardiff Blues
Report
Parc y Scarlets
Referee: Nigel Owens
22 August 2020
19:35
Leinster Ireland27–25Ireland Munster (1 BP)
Report
Aviva Stadium
Referee: Andrew Brace
23 August 2020
14:15
Ospreys Wales20–20Wales Dragons
Report
Liberty Stadium
Referee: Adam Jones
23 August 2020
16:30
(1 BP) Connacht Ireland26–20Ireland Ulster (1 BP)
Try: Porch 11' c
Marmion 22' c
Aki 54' c
Aungier 78'
Con: Carty (3) 11' 23' 55'		Report
Highlights		Try: Stockdale 48' c
Timoney 61' c
Con: Burns 49'
Madigan 62'
Pen: Cooney (2) 5' 20'
Aviva Stadium
Referee: Frank Murphy

1872 Cup 3rd round

[edit]
22 August 2020
17:15
Glasgow Warriors Scotland15–30Scotland Edinburgh
Report
Murrayfield
Referee: Mike Adamson

Round 15

[edit]
28 August 2020
19:35
Edinburgh Scotland3–15Scotland Glasgow Warriors
Report
Murrayfield
Attendance: 700
Referee: Ben Blain
29 August 2020
19:35
Ulster Ireland10–28Ireland Leinster
Try: Herring 53' c
Con: Cooney 54'
Pen: Cooney 67'		Report
Highlights		Try: E. Byrne 2' c
Penny 72'
H. Byrne 77'
Con: R. Byrne 4'
H. Byrne 79'
Pen: R. Byrne (3) 14' 20' 44'
Aviva Stadium
Referee: George Clancy
30 August 2020
15:00
(1 BP) Munster Ireland49–12Ireland Connacht
Report
Aviva Stadium
Referee: Frank Murphy
30 August 2020
20:00
(1 BP) Zebre Italy9-16Italy Benetton
Report
Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi
Referee: Gianluca Gnecchi

Judgement Day

[edit]
Main article: Judgement Day (rugby union)
29 August 2020
17:15
Dragons Wales20–41Wales Scarlets (1 BP)
Report
Rodney Parade
Referee: Craig Evans
30 August
17:00
Cardiff Blues Wales29-20Wales Ospreys
Report
Rodney Parade
Referee: Adam Jones

Play-offs

[edit]

In a change to the normal format, the top two sides from each of the two conferences met in the two semi-finals to determine the finalists. The quarter-finals featuring the second and third teams in each conference were scrapped for the 2019–20 season.

 
Semi-finalsFinal
 
      
 
4 September 2020
 
 
Ireland Leinster (A1)13
 
12 September 2020
 
Ireland Munster (B2)3
 
Ireland Leinster27
 
5 September 2020
 
Ireland Ulster5
 
Scotland Edinburgh (B1)19
 
 
Ireland Ulster (A2) 22
 

Semi-finals

[edit]
4 September 2020
19:35
Leinster Ireland13–3Ireland Munster
Try: Kelleher 27' c
Con: Sexton (1/1) 28'
Pen: Sexton (2/3) 40', 67'		ReportPen: Hanrahan (1/3) 5'
Aviva Stadium
Attendance: 0
Referee: Andrew Brace (Ireland)


5 September 2020
19:35
Edinburgh Scotland19–22Ireland Ulster
Try: McInally 14'
Graham 46'
Dean 57'
Con: Van der Walt (2/3) 47', 59'		ReportTry: Lyttle 54'
Herring 62'
Andrew 75'
Con: Burns (1/2) 55'
Madigan (1/1) 76'
Pen: Madigan (1/1) 80'
Murrayfield Stadium
Attendance: 0
Referee: Frank Murphy (Ireland)

Final

[edit]
Main article: 2020 Pro14 Grand Final
12 September 2020
19:35
Leinster Ireland27–5Ireland Ulster
Try: Lowe 12' c
Henshaw 45' c
Doris 71' c
Con: R. Byrne (2/2) 14', 47'
Sexton (1/1) 72'
Pen: R. Byrne (2/2) 26', 44'		ReportTry: Hume 3' m
Aviva Stadium
Attendance: 0
Referee: Andrew Brace (Ireland)

Referees

[edit]

Attendances by club

[edit]
  • Includes quarter-finals and semi-finals – the final is not included as it is held at a neutral venue. Due to the Conference A & B structure of 21 rounds in the Pro14, some teams played 10 league home games during the league stage, while others played 11. Does not include European Champions Cup play-off game.
Club Home
games 		Total Average Highest Lowest % Capacity
Italy Benetton 6 24,863 4,144 5,000 3,676 62%
Wales Cardiff Blues 6 46,202 7,700 12,125 5,190 64%
South Africa Cheetahs 4 21,756 5,439 7,832 4,528 12%
Ireland Connacht 6 35,700 5,950 8,129 4,512 73%
Wales Dragons 7 28,159 4,023 6,421 1,857 46%
Scotland Edinburgh 7 58,529 8,361 27,437 4,221 12%
Scotland Glasgow Warriors 7 47,991 6,856 7,351 6,203 93%
Ireland Leinster 7 90,431 12,919 18,300 7,967 70%
Ireland Munster 7 86,880 12,411 26,267 6,854 75%
Wales Ospreys 7 34,679 4,954 6,664 2,347 33%
Wales Scarlets 7 50,613 7,230 13,682 5,639 49%
South Africa Southern Kings 5 13,815 2,763 4,316 1,500 6%
Ireland Ulster 7 96,725 13,818 17,483 10,975 76%
Italy Zebre 6 16,100 2,683 4,000 2,000 54%

Highest attendances

[edit]
Date Game Stadium Attendance
28 December 2019 Edinburgh (H) v Glasgow Warriors Murrayfield Stadium 27,437
28 December 2019 Munster (H) v Leinster Thomond Park 26,267
4 January 2020 Leinster (H) v Connacht RDS Arena 18,300
27 December 2019 Ulster (H) v Connacht Ravenhill Stadium 17,483
4 January 2020 Ulster (H) v Munster Ravenhill Stadium 17,461
20 December 2019 Leinster (H) v Ulster RDS Arena 16,375
9 November 2019 Munster (H) v Ulster Thomond Park 14,436
22 February 2020 Ulster (H) v Cheetahs Ravenhill Stadium 13,829
26 December 2019 Scarlets (H) v Ospreys Parc y Scarlets 13,682
29 February 2020 Munster (H) v Scarlets Thomond Park 13,554

End of Season Awards

[edit]

PRO14 Dream Team

[edit]

The 2019–20 Pro14 Dream Team is:[34]

Pos Player Team
FB 15 Scotland Blair Kinghorn Scotland Edinburgh
RW 14 Australia Monty Ioane Italy Benetton
OC 13 Samoa Rey Lee-Lo Wales Cardiff Blues
IC 12 Ireland Stuart McCloskey Ireland Ulster
LW 11 South Africa Duhan van der Merwe Scotland Edinburgh
FH 10 South Africa Jaco van der Walt Scotland Edinburgh
SH 9 Ireland John Cooney Ireland Ulster
N8 8 Fiji Viliame Mata Scotland Edinburgh
OF 7 Ireland Will Connors Ireland Leinster
BF 6 Ireland Max Deegan Ireland Leinster
RL 5 Scotland Grant Gilchrist Scotland Edinburgh
LL 4 Australia Scott Fardy Ireland Leinster
TP 3 Wales Leon Brown Wales Dragons
HK 2 South Africa Joseph Dweba South Africa Cheetahs
LP 1 South Africa Pierre Schoeman Scotland Edinburgh

Award winners

[edit]

The 2019–20 Pro14 season award winners are:[35]

Award Winner
Players' Player of the Season South Africa Duhan van der Merwe (Edinburgh)
Young Player of the Season Ireland Caelan Doris (Leinster)
Coach of the Season England Richard Cockerill (Edinburgh)
Golden Boot Ireland JJ Hanrahan (Munster)
Top Try Scorer South Africa Rhyno Smith (Cheetahs)
Tackle Machine Ireland Paul Boyle (Connacht)
Turnover King Wales Josh Macleod (Scarlets)
Iron Man Wales Matthew Screech (Dragons)

Leading scorers

[edit]

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

Notes

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "RaboDirect to pull sponsorship of Pro12". The Score. 23 August 2013. Archived from the original on 14 July 2014. Retrieved 5 June 2014.
  2. ^ "Pro12: Guinness named as league's new sponsor". BBC. 10 July 2014. Retrieved 10 July 2014.
  3. ^ "Coronavirus: Guinness PRO14 season suspended until further notice". Sky Sports. Sky UK. Retrieved 12 March 2020.
  4. ^ "Pro14 final: Leinster beat Ulster 27-5 to win third straight title". BBC Sport. 12 September 2020. Retrieved 14 September 2020.
  5. ^ Skippers, David (29 August 2020). "Incredible Leinster complete perfect season in PRO14". PlanetRugby. Retrieved 8 January 2023.
  6. ^ "Pro14: Who's in? How will conferences work? What about derby matches?". BBC Sport. 1 August 2017. Retrieved 2 August 2017.
  7. ^ "Guinness PRO14 Championship Q&A". Pro14Rugby.org. 1 August 2017. Retrieved 30 May 2018.
  8. ^ Lloyd, Matt; Griffiths, Gareth (30 June 2017). "South African sides Cheetahs and Southern Kings set to join Pro12". BBC Sport Wales. Retrieved 5 July 2017.
  9. ^ Cummiskey, Gavin (7 July 2017). "Pro12 will be expanded to include two South African teams". The Irish Times. Retrieved 12 July 2017.
  10. ^ "Pro14 to return in August with derbies". BBC Sport. 18 June 2020. Retrieved 19 June 2020.
  11. ^ "Statement: Southern Kings". www.pro14.rugby. Archived from the original on 12 September 2020. Retrieved 26 August 2020.
  12. ^ "Explained: how the 2017/18 Guinness Pro14 championship will actually work". Irish Independent. 2 August 2017. Retrieved 2 August 2017.
  13. ^ "Connacht launch new club crest and jersey for 2019/20 season". The42. 5 July 2019. Retrieved 6 September 2020.
  14. ^ "Sportsground redevelopment awarded €20 million in government funding". Galway Daily. 10 January 2020. Retrieved 6 September 2020.
  15. ^ "Ireland back row Sean O'Brien to join London Irish after World Cup". The42. 11 February 2019.
  16. ^ a b c "Ireland's Rugby World Cup Squad Is Announced". irishrugby.ie. Irish Rugby Football Union. 2 September 2019. Retrieved 2 September 2019.
  17. ^ "Three Changes as Cullen Names 23 to Face Edinburgh". Leinster Rugby. 10 October 2019. Retrieved 6 September 2020.
  18. ^ "Coaching Duo To Leave The Province". Munster Rugby. 7 May 2019. Retrieved 17 May 2019.
  19. ^ "Stephen Larkham To Join Munster Rugby". Munster Rugby. 14 June 2019. Retrieved 14 June 2019.
  20. ^ "Graham Rowntree To Join Munster Rugby". Munster Rugby. 4 June 2019. Retrieved 4 June 2019.
  21. ^ "All You Need To Know | Munster v Dragons". Munster Rugby. 27 September 2019. Retrieved 6 September 2020.
  22. ^ "Ireland captain Rory Best to retire from rugby after the World Cup". The42. 18 April 2019. Retrieved 9 May 2019.
  23. ^ "Henderson announced as Ulster captain". Ulster Rugby. 25 July 2019. Retrieved 26 July 2019.
  24. ^ "Jack McGrath one of three debutants selected for Ulster's Pro14 opener". The42. 26 September 2019. Retrieved 6 September 2020.
  25. ^ "Herring set to join Ireland's World Cup squad as Cronin suffers injury". The42. 16 October 2019. Retrieved 16 October 2019.
  26. ^ "Match Day Guide: Ulster v Cardiff". Ulster Rugby. 24 October 2019. Retrieved 6 September 2020.
  27. ^ "Hawies Fourie named new Cheetahs coach". Sport24. 27 June 2019. Retrieved 30 June 2019.
  28. ^ "Brad Mooar: Scarlets name Crusaders assistant as next head coach". BBC Sport. 3 December 2018. Retrieved 21 May 2019.
  29. ^ "Glenn Delaney: New Zealander named as Scarlets defence coach". BBC Sport. 21 May 2019. Retrieved 21 May 2019.
  30. ^ "Dean Ryan departs RFU to take up DOR role with Dragons". The42. 14 May 2019. Retrieved 14 May 2019.
  31. ^ "Ulster docked point over Madigan mishap". BBC Sport. Retrieved 27 September 2020.
  32. ^ Competition Rule 3.5 "Summary of Key Rules". Pro14. Retrieved 22 February 2013.
  33. ^ "BENETTON GUINNESS PRO14 FIXTURE POSTPONED". Dragons Rugby. 15 February 2020. Retrieved 16 February 2020.
  34. ^ "Awards 2020: Guinness 19/20 Dream Team". GuinnessPro14. 9 September 2020. Retrieved 9 September 2020.
  35. ^ "Edinburgh Scoop Double in Guinness PRO14 Awards". GuinnessPro14. 10 September 2020. Archived from the original on 18 April 2021. Retrieved 11 September 2020.
  36. ^ a b "Players". Pro14. 14 September 2020.
[edit]
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