The 2005–06 Celtic League was the fifth Celtic League season, and the third following the introduction of regional rugby in Wales. Eleven teams, from three countries participated. The final table was dominated by the Irish, with the top three spots taken by Ulster, Leinster and Munster respectively. The 2005–06 season was the first (and last) season for which the "free weekend" was awarded points for. Due to the odd number of teams participating, for every round of fixtures, one team has a so-called "free weekend". Each time this occurred, the team was awarded four points, so although at the end of the season it did not alter the positions (each team has a guaranteed 8 points), the table is skewed during the season according to the fixtures.
| 2005–06 Celtic League | |
|---|---|
| Countries |  Ireland Scotland Wales |
| Champions | Ulster (1st title) |
| Runners-up | Leinster |
| Matches played | 110 |
| Attendance | 571,331 (average 5,194 per match) |
| Tries scored | 484 (average 4.4 per match) |
| Top point scorer | Felipe Contepomi (Leinster) (287 points)[1] |
| Top try scorer | Tommy Bowe (Ulster) Jason Forster (Newport Gwent Dragons) (10 tries)[2] |
| Official website | |
| www | |
Teams
edit
 Location of 2005–06 Celtic League teams in Great Britain and Ireland. | |
 Winners;  2nd–4th place;  Other teams.
| |
| Team | Stadium | Capacity | City, Area |
|---|---|---|---|
| Border Reivers
|
Netherdale | 6,000 | Galashiels, Scotland |
| Cardiff Blues
|
Cardiff Arms Park[a] | 12,500 | Cardiff, Wales |
| Connacht
|
Galway Sportsgrounds | 5,500 | Galway, Republic of Ireland |
| Edinburgh Gunners
|
Murrayfield Stadium | 67,800[b] | Edinburgh, Scotland |
| Glasgow Warriors
|
Firhill Stadium Hughenden Stadium[c] |
10,887 6,000 |
Glasgow, Scotland |
| Leinster
|
Donnybrook Stadium[d] | 6,500 | Dublin, Republic of Ireland |
| Llanelli Scarlets
|
Stradey Park[e] | 10,800 | Llanelli, Wales |
| Munster
|
Thomond Park Musgrave Park |
13,200 8,300 |
Limerick, Republic of Ireland Cork, Republic of Ireland |
| Newport Gwent Dragons
|
Rodney Parade | 12,000 | Newport, Wales |
| Ospreys
|
Liberty Stadium | 20,500 | Swansea, Wales |
| Ulster
|
Ravenhill | 12,800 | Belfast, Northern Ireland |
Table
edit| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | PF | PA | PD | TF | TA | TBP | LBP | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ulster
|
20 | 15 | 1 | 4 | 510 | 347 | +163 | 49 | 31 | 3 | 2 | 75 |
| 2 | Leinster
|
20 | 14 | 0 | 6 | 545 | 427 | +118 | 59 | 45 | 8 | 2 | 74 |
| 3 | Munster
|
20 | 12 | 0 | 8 | 439 | 372 | +67 | 49 | 42 | 7 | 3 | 66 |
| 4 | Cardiff Blues
|
20 | 11 | 0 | 9 | 475 | 389 | +86 | 51 | 38 | 6 | 5 | 63 |
| 5 | Edinburgh Gunners
|
20 | 11 | 0 | 9 | 418 | 415 | +3 | 48 | 45 | 5 | 3 | 60 |
| 6 | Llanelli Scarlets
|
20 | 10 | 1 | 9 | 418 | 402 | +16 | 49 | 37 | 3 | 4 | 57 |
| 7 | Ospreys
|
20 | 11 | 0 | 9 | 381 | 409 | −28 | 33 | 38 | 1 | 2 | 55 |
| 8 | Newport Gwent Dragons
|
20 | 7 | 0 | 13 | 355 | 456 | −101 | 40 | 51 | 2 | 7 | 45 |
| 9 | Border Reivers
|
20 | 7 | 0 | 13 | 386 | 501 | −115 | 39 | 59 | 1 | 7 | 44 |
| 10 | Connacht
|
20 | 6 | 0 | 14 | 325 | 466 | −141 | 28 | 51 | 1 | 4 | 37 |
| 11 | Glasgow Warriors
|
20 | 5 | 0 | 15 | 371 | 439 | −68 | 39 | 47 | 2 | 7 | 37 |
|
Under the standard bonus point system, points are awarded as follows:
| |||||||||||||
|
Due to the uneven number of participating teams, each team had two free weekends and were awarded 4 match points each time. | |||||||||||||
| Source: RaboDirect PRO12 Archived 22 November 2013 at the Wayback Machine | |||||||||||||
Results
editRound 1
editRound 2
edit| 9 September 2005 19:10 |
| Cardiff Blues | 22–25 | Ulster |
| Try: Morgan Con: Robinson Pen: Robinson (5) | Report[3] | Try: Bowe Con: David Humphreys Pen: David Humphreys (5) Drop: David Humphreys |
| Cardiff Arms Park Attendance: 5,784 Referee: Rob Dickson |
Welsh Round 1
edit- All-Welsh Round 5 matches played mid-week to allow Welsh teams to play in the Anglo-Welsh Cup.
Round 3
edit| 16 September 2005 19:30 |
| Ulster | 30–23 | Edinburgh Gunners |
| Try: Bowe Trimble Con: Humphreys Pen: Humphreys (6) | Report[4] | Try: Dewey Leonelli Con: Paterson (2) Pen: Paterson (2) Drop: Paterson |
| Ravenhill Attendance: 7,799 Referee: Phil Fear |
Round 4
edit| 24 September 2005 17:30 |
| Newport Gwent Dragons | 19–22 | Ulster |
| Try: Gough Con: Warlow Pen: Warlow (3) Drop: Warlow | Report[5] | Try: N. Best (2) Trimble Con: Wallace (2) Pen: Wallace |
| Rodney Parade Attendance: 5,112 |
Round 5
edit| 1 October 2005 17:30 |
| Leinster | 30–23 | Ulster |
| Try: Hickie Potts Con: Contemomi Pen: Contemomi (6) | Report[6] | Try: Wallace Best Con: David Humphreys (2) Pen: David Humphreys (3) |
| Donnybrook Attendance: 6,500 Referee: Olan Trevor |
Round 6
edit| 7 October 2005 19:10 |
| Ulster | 36–10 | Connacht |
| Try: R. Best Bowe Topping McCullough Trimble Con: Humphreys (2) Cunningham Wallace Pen: Cunningham | Report[7] | Try: Matthews Con: Robinson Pen: Warwick |
| Ravenhill Attendance: 9,546 Referee: Alain Rolland |
Round 7
edit| 15 October 2005 19:30 |
| Border Reivers | 0–27 | Ulster |
| Report[8] | Try: Topping N. Best Boss Con: Humphreys (3) Pen: Humphreys (2) |
| Netherdale Attendance: 1,857 Referee: Phil Fear |
Round 8
edit| 4 November 2005 19:10 |
| Ulster | 12–20 | Ospreys |
| Pen: Steinmetz (4) | Report[9] | Try: Spice Pen: Connor (4) Drop: Connor |
| Ravenhill Attendance: 9,310 Referee: Ian Heard |
Round 9
edit| 3 December 2005 19:10 |
| Munster | 17–20 | Ulster |
| Try: D. Wallace Flannery Con: O'Gara (2) Drop: O'Gara | Report[10] | Try: Bowe Andrew Trimble Con: Humphreys (2) Pen: Humphreys (2) |
| Musgrave Park Attendance: 6,000 Referee: Alain Rolland |
Welsh Round 2
edit- All-Welsh Round 9 matches postponed to allow Welsh teams to play in the Anglo-Welsh Cup.
| 23 December 2005 19:10 |
| Newport Gwent Dragons | 16–28 | Llanelli Scarlets |
| Report |
| Rodney Parade Attendance: 5,763 |
Round 10
edit| 26 December 2005 17:00 |
| Ulster | 19–24 | Leinster |
| Try: Bowe Con: Humphreys Pen: Humphreys (4) | Report[11] | Try: D'Arcy Dempsey Con: Contepomi Pen: Contepomi (4) |
| Ravenhill Attendance: 12,300 Referee: George Clancy |
| 27 December 2005 16:10 |
| Cardiff Blues | 41–23 | Newport Gwent Dragons |
| Report |
| Cardiff Arms Park Attendance: 12,488 |
Round 11
edit| 31 December 2005 14:00 |
| Connacht | 22–12 | Ulster |
| Try: Slemen Lacey McPhillips Con: Slemen (2) Pen: Slemen | Report[12] | Pen: Humphreys (4) |
| Sportsground Attendance: 2,100 Referee: Alan Lewis |
Round 12
edit| 7 January 2006 15:30 |
| Ulster | 25–23 | Glasgow Warriors |
| Try: Humphreys Con: Humphreys Pen: Humphreys (6) | Report[13] | Try: Hamilton Morrison Con: Parks (2) Pen: Parks (3) |
| Ravenhill Attendance: 6,487 Referee: Phil Fear |
Round 13
edit| 27 January 2006 19:30 |
| Ulster | 30–13 | Llanelli Scarlets |
| Try: Howe Maxwell Con: Steinmetz Pen: Steinmetz (6) | Report[14] | Try: James Con: Davies (2) |
| Ravenhill Attendance: 7,986 Referee: Peter Allan |
Round 14
edit| 17 February 2006 19:30 |
| Edinburgh Gunners | 23–31 | Ulster |
| Try: Hodge Penalty try Con: Hodge (2) Pen: Hodge (3) | Report[15] | Try: Maxwell (2) Boss Con: Humphreys (2) Pen: Humphreys (4) |
| Murrayfield Attendance: 3,559 Referee: Nigel Whitehouse |
Round 15
edit| 3 March 2006 19:35 |
| Ulster | 27–3 | Munster |
| Try: Bowe Steinmetz McMillan Wilson Harrison Con: Humphreys | Report[16] | Pen: Burke |
| Ravenhill Attendance: 12,300 Referee: Alain Rolland |
Round 16
edit| 25 March 2006 15:30 |
| Ulster | 24–17 | Newport Gwent Dragons |
| Try: Bowe Humphreys Cunningham Con: Humphreys (3) Pen: Humphreys | Report[17] | Try: Jones Luscombe Con: Warlow (2) Pen: Warlow |
| Ravenhill Attendance: 7,546 |
Round 10 rescheduled match
editRound 17
editRound 18
edit| 15 April 2006 17:30 |
| Glasgow Warriors | 18–27 | Ulster |
| Try: Beattie O'Hare Con: Parks Pen: Parks (2) | Report[18] | Try: Harrison Boss Con: Humphreys Pen: Humphreys (5) |
| Firhill Attendance: 2,240 Referee: Tim Hayes |
Welsh Round 3
edit- All-Welsh Round 6 matches played mid-week to allow Welsh teams to play in the Anglo-Welsh Cup.
Round 15 rescheduled match
edit- This match was postponed from the weekend of 4 March to allow Llanelli Scarlets to play in the Anglo-Welsh Cup semi-final.
Round 19
editRound 20
edit| 5 May 2006 21:00 |
| Ulster | 26–17 | Cardiff Blues |
| Try: Wilson Penalty try Con: Humphreys (2) Pen: Humphreys (4) | Report[19] | Try: Robinson Pen: Macleod (4) |
| Ravenhill Attendance: 9,617 Referee: Andy Ireland |
Round 16 rescheduled match
editRound 21
edit| 12 May 2006 19:30 |
| Ulster | 63–17 | Border Reivers |
| Try: Bowe (2) Wallace Maxwell (2) Wilson Trimble (2) Ferris Con: Humphreys (6) Pen: Humphreys (2) | Report[20] | Try: Moffat Danielli Con: MacRae (2) Pen: MacRae |
| Ravenhill Attendance: 8,932 Referee: James Jones |
Round 17 rescheduled match
edit- This match was postponed from the weekend of 9 April to allow Llanelli Scarlets to play in the Anglo-Welsh Cup Final.
| 19 May 2006 19:10 |
| Llanelli Scarlets | 12–12 | Ulster |
| Try: John (2) Con: Evans | Report[21] | Try: Bowe Maxwell Con: Humphreys |
| Stradey Park Attendance: 6,425 Referee: Graeme Hannah |
Round 22
editLeading scorers
editNote: 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.
Top points scorersedit
|
Top try scorersedit
|
Notes
edit- ^ Cardiff Blues played their final home game of the season in the Millennium Stadium.
- ^ 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.
- ^ Glasgow Warriors also played one home game at Old Anniesland.
- ^ Leinster also played two of the home games in the RDS Arena and another two in Lansdowne Road.
- ^ Llanelli Scarlets played one of their home games at the Racecourse Ground in Wrexham.
External links
editReferences
edit- ^ a b "Leading Points-Scorers". RaboDirect PRO12. Archived from the original on 17 December 2013. Retrieved 29 October 2013.
- ^ a b "Leading Try-Scorers". RaboDirect PRO12. Archived from the original on 17 December 2013. Retrieved 29 October 2013.
- ^ "Ulster end woeful away form with win", Pro12 Rugby, 7 September 2005
- ^ "Ulster go top as the Gunners stumble", Pro12 Rugby, 15 September 2005
- ^ "Ulster turn up the heat to douse Dragons", Pro12 Rugby, 20 September 2005
- ^ "Hickie try sinks Ulster", Pro12 Rugby, 1 October 2005
- ^ "Ulster win to go top", Pro12 Rugby, 7 October 2005
- ^ "Ulster ease to comfortable win", Pro12 Rugby, 15 October 2005
- ^ "Ospreys end Ulster's home record", Pro12 Rugby, 4 November 2005
- ^ "Ulster hold on for win", Pro12 Rugby, 3 December 2005
- ^ "O'Driscoll returns in Leinster victory", Pro12 Rugby, 26 December 2005
- ^ "Connacht outshine lacklustre Ulster", Pro12 Rugby, 31 December 2005
- ^ "Ulster edge out Glasgow Warriors", Pro12 Rugby, 7 January 2006
- ^ "Ulster cement top four spot", Pro12 Rugby, 27 January 2006
- ^ "Experienced Ulster take the points", Pro12 Rugby, 17 February 2006
- ^ "Bonus point win sees Ulster go top", Pro12 Rugby, 3 March 2006
- ^ "Ulster win takes them back to the top", Pro12 Rugby, 25 March 2006
- ^ "Ulster maintain title push", Pro12 Rugby, 15 April 2006
- ^ "Ulster maintain title push", Pro12 Rugby, 5 May 2006
- ^ "Ulster smash Reivers and go top", Pro12 Rugby, 12 May 2006
- ^ "Ulster denied glory at Stradey Park", Pro12 Rugby, 19 May 2006
- ^ "Humphreys drop snatches title for Ulster", Pro12 Rugby, 26 May 2006