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.

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

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[lower-alpha 1] 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

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

Team Pld W D L PF PA PD TF TA Try bonus Losing bonus Pts
Ireland Leinster 181314428283+14544304361
Wales Cardiff Blues 181206395315+8048316256
Ireland Munster 181017330258+7233262448
Scotland Edinburgh 18936313285+2835293348
Scotland Glasgow Warriors 181017340349−931381346
Wales Llanelli Scarlets 187011403362+4145386539
Wales Ospreys 186111321255+6624242937
Wales Newport Gwent Dragons 187110282394−11231441334
Ireland Ulster 186111278407−12933412129
Ireland Connacht 185112214396−18216390224

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

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

Welsh Round 1

  • 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 Wales1715Wales Ospreys
Report
Cardiff Arms Park
Attendance: 9,187
1 September 2007
17:30
Llanelli Scarlets Wales2330Wales Newport Gwent Dragons
Report
Stradey Park
Attendance: 5,923

Welsh Round 2

  • 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 Wales1340Wales Cardiff Blues
Report
Rodney Parade
Attendance: 5,673
11 September 2007
19:35
Ospreys Wales914Wales Llanelli Scarlets
Report
Liberty Stadium
Attendance: 10,143

Round 1

21 September 2007
18:00
Connacht Ireland227Wales Newport Gwent Dragons
Report
Sportsground
Attendance: 1,141
21 September 2007
18:10
Cardiff Blues Wales3216Scotland Glasgow Warriors
Report
Cardiff Arms Park
Attendance: 5,425
21 September 2007
18:30
Ulster Ireland1716Wales Ospreys
Report
Ravenhill
Attendance: 8,142
22 September 2007
17:30
Leinster Ireland238Scotland Edinburgh
Report
Royal Dublin Society
Attendance: 9,630
22 September 2007
17:30
Munster Ireland2616Wales Llanelli Scarlets
Report
Musgrave Park
Attendance: 3,400

Round 2

28 September 2007
18:10
Newport Gwent Dragons Wales1626Ireland Munster
Report
Rodney Parade
Attendance: 4,537
28 September 2007
19:10
Llanelli Scarlets Wales3411Ireland Connacht
Report
Stradey Park
Attendance: 6,560
28 September 2007
19:30
Cardiff Blues Wales1930Ireland Leinster
Report
Cardiff Arms Park
Attendance: 5,991
28 September 2007
19:30
Edinburgh Scotland2410Ireland Ulster
Report
Murrayfield
Attendance: 1,389
30 September 2007
15:00
Ospreys Wales3723Scotland Glasgow Warriors
Report
Liberty Stadium
Attendance: 5,417

Round 3

5 October 2007
19:10
Leinster Ireland2352Wales Llanelli Scarlets
Report
Royal Dublin Society
Attendance: 9,439
5 October 2007
19:30
Edinburgh Scotland1313Wales Ospreys
Report
Murrayfield
Attendance: 1,326
5 October 2007
19:30
Glasgow Warriors Scotland1615Ireland Connacht
Report
Firhill Stadium
Attendance: 1,226
5 October 2007
19:30
Munster Ireland1719Wales Cardiff Blues
Report
Musgrave Park
Attendance: 6,075
6 October 2007
17:30
Newport Gwent Dragons Wales3111Ireland Ulster
Report
Rodney Parade
Attendance: 4,139

Round 4

12 October 2007
19:10
Llanelli Scarlets Wales328Ireland Ulster
Report
Stradey Park
Attendance: 6,480
12 October 2007
19:30
Cardiff Blues Wales3016Ireland Connacht
Report
Cardiff Arms Park
Attendance: 6,921
12 October 2007
19:30
Edinburgh Scotland1319Wales Newport Gwent Dragons
Report
Murrayfield
Attendance: 1,412
12 October 2007
19:30
Glasgow Warriors Scotland2117Ireland Leinster
Report
Firhill Stadium
Attendance: 1,580
14 October 2007
16:10
Ospreys Wales163Ireland Munster
Report
Liberty Stadium
Attendance: 7,740

Round 5

26 October 2007
18:30
Connacht Ireland1414Scotland Edinburgh
Report
Sportsground
Attendance: 1,690
26 October 2007
19:30
Glasgow Warriors Scotland1111Ireland Munster
Report
Firhill Stadium
Attendance: 1,829
26 October 2007
19:30
Ulster Ireland1616Ireland Leinster
Report
Ravenhill
Attendance: 13,132

Round 6

2 November 2007
19:30
Glasgow Warriors Scotland256Ireland Ulster
Report
Firhill Stadium
Attendance: 2,631
2 November 2007
19:30
Leinster Ireland299Ireland Connacht
Report
Royal Dublin Society
Attendance: 16,753
3 November 2007
19:30
Munster Ireland1916Scotland Edinburgh
Report
Musgrave Park
Attendance: 8,300

Round 7

23 November 2007
19:10
Ospreys Wales1926Ireland Leinster
Report
Liberty Stadium
Attendance: 6,097
23 November 2007
19:30
Connacht Ireland1330Ireland Ulster
Report
Sportsground
Attendance: 2,541
23 November 2007
19:30
Glasgow Warriors Scotland175Wales Cardiff Blues
Report
Firhill Stadium
Attendance: 1,638
24 November 2007
19:30
Munster Ireland4519Wales Newport Gwent Dragons
Report
Musgrave Park
Attendance: 8,250
25 November 2007
16:10
Edinburgh Scotland2717Wales Llanelli Scarlets
Report
Murrayfield
Attendance: 1,638

Round 8

30 November 2007
18:30
Connacht Ireland106Scotland Glasgow Warriors
Report
Sportsground
Attendance: 1,145
30 November 2007
19:30
Munster Ireland310Ireland Leinster
Report
Musgrave Park
Attendance: 8,300
30 November 2007
19:30
Ulster Ireland1420Scotland Edinburgh
Report
Ravenhill
Attendance: 9,750

Round 9

26 December 2007
14:05
Cardiff Blues Wales116Wales Newport Gwent Dragons
Report
Cardiff Arms Park
Attendance: 12,532
26 December 2007
15:00
Leinster Ireland290Ireland Ulster
Report
Royal Dublin Society
Attendance: 18,230
27 December 2007
19:30
Munster Ireland170Ireland Connacht
Report
Musgrave Park
Attendance: 6,125
27 December 2007
19:35
Llanelli Scarlets Wales1712Wales Ospreys
Report
Stradey Park
Attendance: 10,739

1872 Cup 1st round

28 December 2007
19:30
Edinburgh Scotland3531Scotland Glasgow Warriors
Report
Murrayfield
Attendance: 6,225

Welsh Round 3

  • All-Welsh Round 8 matches rescheduled to allow Welsh teams to play in the Anglo-Welsh Cup.
31 December 2007
14:05
Ospreys Wales223Wales Cardiff Blues
Report
Liberty Stadium
Attendance: 16,509
1 January 2008
16:10
Newport Gwent Dragons Wales1513Wales Llanelli Scarlets
Report
Rodney Parade
Attendance: 6,782

Round 10

4 January 2008
18:30
Connacht Ireland2018Wales Llanelli Scarlets
Report
Sportsground
Attendance: 1,681
4 January 2008
19:10
Cardiff Blues Wales1011Scotland Edinburgh
Report
Cardiff Arms Park
Attendance: 6,125
4 January 2008
19:30
Glasgow Warriors Scotland1618Wales Newport Gwent Dragons
Report
Firhill Stadium
Attendance: 1,798
5 January 2008
19:30
Leinster Ireland2615Wales Ospreys
Report
Royal Dublin Society
Attendance: 13,385

Round 11

15 February 2008
19:10
Llanelli Scarlets Wales307Scotland Glasgow Warriors
Report
Stradey Park
Attendance: 6,190
15 February 2008
19:30
Edinburgh Scotland711Ireland Munster
Report
Murrayfield
Attendance: 4,100
15 February 2008
19:30
Ulster Ireland3813Wales Newport Gwent Dragons
Report
Ravenhill
Attendance: 9,246
16 February 2008
17:30
Ospreys Wales377Ireland Connacht
Report
Liberty Stadium
Attendance: 7,396
16 February 2008
19:30
Leinster Ireland2417Wales Cardiff Blues
Report
Royal Dublin Society
Attendance: 14,322

Round 12

29 February 2008
19:10
Newport Gwent Dragons Wales1010Scotland Edinburgh
Report
Rodney Parade
Attendance: 4,734
29 February 2008
19:30
Connacht Ireland1016Ireland Leinster
Report
Sportsground
Attendance: 3,851
29 February 2008
19:30
Glasgow Warriors Scotland96Wales Ospreys
Report
Firhill Stadium
Attendance: 2,058
29 February 2008
19:30
Ulster Ireland208Wales Llanelli Scarlets
Report
Ravenhill
Attendance: 8,869
1 March 2008
17:30
Cardiff Blues Wales2522Ireland Munster
Report
Cardiff Arms Park
Attendance: 11,269

Round 13

21 March 2008
19:10
Llanelli Scarlets Wales3517Wales Cardiff Blues
Report
Stradey Park
Attendance: 8,045
21 March 2008
19:30
Edinburgh Scotland388Ireland Connacht
Report
Murrayfield
Attendance: 2,506
21 March 2008
19:30
Leinster Ireland3418Scotland Glasgow Warriors
Report
Royal Dublin Society
Attendance: 11,730
22 March 2008
19:30
Munster Ireland426Ireland Ulster
Report
Musgrave Park
Attendance: 7,500

Round 14

28 March 2008
19:10
Ospreys Wales327Ireland Ulster
Report
Liberty Stadium
Attendance: 9,087
28 March 2008
19:30
Connacht Ireland516Ireland Munster
Report
Sportsground
Attendance: 5,368
28 March 2008
19:30
Edinburgh Scotland020Wales Cardiff Blues
Report
Murrayfield
Attendance: 2,395
29 March 2008
17:30
Llanelli Scarlets Wales1024Ireland Leinster
Report
Stradey Park
Attendance: 7,407
30 March 2008
16:05
Newport Gwent Dragons Wales1420Scotland Glasgow Warriors
Report
Rodney Parade
Attendance: 5,949

Round 15

11 April 2008
18:30
Ulster Ireland186Ireland Connacht
Report
Ravenhill
Attendance: 9,248
11 April 2008
19:10
Cardiff Blues Wales3526Wales Llanelli Scarlets
Report
Cardiff Arms Park
Attendance: 10,216
12 April 2008
18:30
Leinster Ireland2112Ireland Munster
Report
Royal Dublin Society
Attendance: 18,500

1872 Cup 2nd round

11 April 2008
20:00
Glasgow Warriors Scotland2314Scotland Edinburgh
Report
Firhill Stadium
Attendance: 4,731

Round 16

18 April 2008
19:10
Newport Gwent Dragons Wales1113Ireland Connacht
Report
Rodney Parade
Attendance: 5,748
18 April 2008
19:30
Edinburgh Scotland1513Ireland Leinster
Report
Murrayfield
Attendance: 3,138
18 April 2008
19:30
Glasgow Warriors Scotland2523Wales Llanelli Scarlets
Report
Firhill Stadium
Attendance: 2,012
19 April 2008
17:30
Cardiff Blues Wales3017Ireland Ulster
Report
Cardiff Arms Park
Attendance: 6,500
19 April 2008
19:30
Munster Ireland98Wales Ospreys
Report
Musgrave Park
Attendance: 7,500

Rearranged fixtures

25 April 2008
19:35
Ospreys Wales163Wales 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 Ireland199Ireland Munster
Report
Ravenhill
Attendance: 12,300

Round 17

2 May 2008
18:30
Connacht Ireland1139Wales Cardiff Blues
Report
Sportsground
Attendance: 1,463
2 May 2008
19:10
Ospreys Wales1819Scotland Edinburgh
Report
Liberty Stadium
Attendance: 7,625
3 May 2008
14:45
Llanelli Scarlets Wales2324Ireland Munster
Report
Stradey Park
Attendance: 7,020
3 May 2008
15:00
Ulster Ireland2435Scotland Glasgow Warriors
Report
Ravenhill
Attendance: 6,592
3 May 2008
18:00
Leinster Ireland418Wales Newport Gwent Dragons
Report
Royal Dublin Society
Attendance: 17,260

Rearranged fixture

  • 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 Wales1810Wales Ospreys
Report
Rodney Parade
Attendance: 6,308

Round 18

9 May 2008
18:30
Connacht Ireland2420Wales Ospreys
Report
Sportsground
Attendance: 1,463
9 May 2008
19:10
Newport Gwent Dragons Wales3126Ireland Leinster
Report
Rodney Parade
Attendance: 5,112
9 May 2008
19:30
Ulster Ireland1726Wales Cardiff Blues
Report
Ravenhill
Attendance: 9,672
10 May 2008
17:00
Munster Ireland1821Scotland Glasgow Warriors
Report
Musgrave Park
Attendance: 5,360
10 May 2008
17:30
Llanelli Scarlets Wales1229Scotland Edinburgh
Report
Stradey Park
Attendance: 7,338

Leading scorers

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

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

  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

  1. 1 2 "Leading Points-Scorers". RaboDirect PRO12. Archived from the original on 29 October 2013. Retrieved 25 October 2013.
  2. 1 2 "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.
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