# 2002–03 Celtic League

The 2002–03 Celtic League was the second season of the Celtic League, a rugby union tournament involving teams from Ireland, Scotland and Wales.

## Teams

| ConnachtLeinsterMunsterUlsterEdinburghGlasgowThe BordersSouth Wales: see map at rightclass=notpageimage| Location of 2002–03 Celtic League teams in Scotland and Ireland. | BridgendCaerphillyCardiffEbbw ValeLlanelliNeathNewportPontypriddSwanseaclass=notpageimage| Location of 2002–03 Celtic League teams in Wales. |
| Pool A; Pool B. ||
| Team | Stadium | Capacity | City, Area |
| Borders | Netherdale | 6,000 | Galashiels, Scotland |
| Bridgend | Brewery Field | 6,000 | Bridgend, Wales |
| Caerphilly | Virginia Park | 5,000 | Caerphilly, Wales |
| Cardiff | Cardiff Arms Park | 12,500 | Cardiff, Wales |
| Connacht | Galway Sportsgrounds | 6,000 | Galway, Republic of Ireland |
| Ebbw Vale | Eugene Cross Park | 8,000 | Ebbw Vale, Wales |
| Edinburgh | Meadowbank Stadium | 16,500 | Edinburgh, Scotland |
| Glasgow | Hughenden Stadium | 6,000 | Glasgow, Scotland |
| Leinster | Donnybrook Stadium | 6,000 | Dublin, Republic of Ireland |
| Llanelli | Stradey Park | 10,800 | Llanelli, Wales |
| Munster | Thomond Park Musgrave Park | 13,200 8,500 | Limerick, Republic of Ireland Cork, Republic of Ireland |
| Neath | The Gnoll | 6,000 | Neath, Wales |
| Newport | Rodney Parade | 11,676 | Newport, Wales |
| Pontypridd | Sardis Road | 7,861 | Pontypridd, Wales |
| Swansea | St Helen's | 4,500 | Swansea, Wales |
| Ulster | Ravenhill | 12,300 | Belfast, Northern Ireland |

## Pool stage

The teams were split into two pools and the pool stage consisted of a single round-robin; each team played the others in its pool once only.

### Pool A Table

| | Team | Pld | W | D | L | PF | PA | PD | TF | TA | Try bonus | Losing bonus | Pts |
| 1 | Munster | 7 | 6 | 0 | 1 | 227 | 129 | +98 | 25 | 12 | 4 | 0 | 28 |
| 2 | Edinburgh | 7 | 6 | 0 | 1 | 231 | 145 | +86 | 24 | 13 | 2 | 1 | 27 |
| 3 | Ulster | 7 | 5 | 0 | 2 | 173 | 111 | +62 | 15 | 9 | 1 | 1 | 22 |
| 4 | Neath | 7 | 4 | 0 | 3 | 153 | 121 | +32 | 15 | 12 | 1 | 1 | 18 |
| 5 | Llanelli | 7 | 3 | 0 | 4 | 191 | 168 | +23 | 23 | 16 | 3 | 2 | 17 |
| 6 | Swansea | 7 | 3 | 0 | 4 | 177 | 212 | −35 | 18 | 22 | 3 | 1 | 16 |
| 7 | Ebbw Vale | 7 | 1 | 0 | 6 | 140 | 226 | −86 | 16 | 27 | 1 | 0 | 5 |
| 8 | Caerphilly | 7 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 144 | 324 | −180 | 17 | 42 | 2 | 1 | 3 |
| 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) ||||||||||||||
| Green background (rows 1 to 4) qualify for the knock-out stage. Source: RaboDirect PRO12 ||||||||||||||

### Pool A Fixtures

* 30 August 2002 19:00
| Neath | 25–6 | Caerphilly |
| | Report | |
* The Gnoll Attendance: 3,000
* 30 August 2002 19:15
| Ebbw Vale | 0–19 | Ulster |
| | Report | Try: Wallace Con: Humphreys Pen: Humphreys (4) |
* Eugene Cross Park Referee: Dave Pearson
* 30 August 2002 19:30
| Edinburgh | 30–20 | Swansea |
| | Report | |
* Meadowbank Attendance: 3,141
* 31 August 2002 19:05
| Llanelli | 13–20 | Munster |
| | Report | |
* Stradey Park
* 6 September 2002 19:05
| Swansea | 16–20 | Neath |
| | Report | |
* St Helen's Attendance: 4,000
* 6 September 2002 19:30
| Ulster | 18–19 | Edinburgh |
| Pen: Wallace (6) | Report | Try: Laney Con: Laney Pen: Laney (3) Drop: Hodge |
* Ravenhill Attendance: 7,500
* 6 September 2002 19:35
| Munster | 48–23 | Ebbw Vale |
| | Report | |
* Musgrave Park Attendance: 3,500
* 7 September 2002 14:30
| Caerphilly | 34–43 | Llanelli |
| | Report | |
* Virginia Park Attendance: 1,300
* 13 September 2002 19:30
| Edinburgh | 21–28 | Munster |
| | Report | |
* Meadowbank Attendance: 4,500
* 14 September 2002 14:30
| Ebbw Vale | 45–25 | Caerphilly |
| | Report | |
* Eugene Cross Park Attendance: 1,000
* 14 September 2002 14:30
| Swansea | 38–10 | Ulster |
| Try: K. Morgan Robinson Gibbs Payne Con: A. Thomas (3) Pen: A. Thomas (4) | Report | Try: Howe Con: Humphreys Pen: Humphreys |
* St Helen's Attendance: 2,500
* 14 September 2002 17:30
| Neath | 29–13 | Llanelli |
| | Report | |
* The Gnoll Attendance: 6,000
* 20 September 2002 19:30
| Ulster | 17–13 | Neath |
| Try: B. Cunningham Howe Con: Doak (2) Pen: Doak | Report | Try: S. Williams Con: Jarvis Pen: Jarvis (2) |
* Ravenhill Attendance: 9,500
* 20 September 2002 19:35
| Munster | 38–27 | Swansea |
| | Report | |
* Musgrave Park Attendance: 8,000
* 21 September 2002 14:30
| Caerphilly | 32–66 | Edinburgh |
| | Report | |
* Virginia Park Attendance: 800
* 21 September 2002 14:30
| Llanelli | 37–25 | Ebbw Vale |
| | Report | |
* Stradey Park Attendance: 3,000
* 27 September 2002 19:05
| Neath | 34–7 | Ebbw Vale |
| | Report | |
* The Gnoll Attendance: 3,500
* 27 September 2002 19:30
| Edinburgh | 38–14 | Llanelli |
| | Report | |
* Meadowbank Attendance: 3,890
* 27 September 2002 19:35
| Ulster | 26–17 | Munster |
| Try: Doak (2) Con: Doak (2) Pen: Doak (2) | Report | Try: Lawler Pen: Staunton (2) Drop: Staunton Holland |
* Ravenhill Attendance: 6,000 Referee: P. Adams
* 28 September 2002 14:30
| Swansea | 37–32 | Caerphilly |
| | Report | |
* St Helen's Attendance: 2,500
* 4 October 2002 19:05
| Llanelli | 62–6 | Swansea |
| | Report | |
* Stradey Park Attendance: 6,883 Referee: David McHugh (Ireland)
* 5 October 2002 14:30
| Caerphilly | 15–67 | Ulster |
| Try: Chiltern (2) Con: McLaughlin Pen: McLaughlin | Report | Try: Neil Best (2) Howe Brosnihan McWhirter Stewart Bell Sexton Con: Humphreys (6) Pen: Humphreys (5) |
* Virginia Park Attendance: 750
* 5 October 2002 14:30
| Ebbw Vale | 20–30 | Edinburgh |
| | Report | |
* Eugene Cross Park
* 5 October 2002 17:30
| Neath | 19–35 | Munster |
| | Report | |
* The Gnoll Attendance: 4,000
* 25 October 2002 19:30
| Edinburgh | 27–13 | Neath |
| | Report | |
* Meadowbank Attendance: 3,171
* 25 October 2002 19:30
| Munster | 41–0 | Caerphilly |
| | Report | |
* Thomond Park Attendance: 2,532
* 25 October 2002 19:35
| Ulster | 16–9 | Llanelli |
| Try: Doak Con: Humphreys Pen: Humphreys Drop: Humphreys | Report | Pen: Jones (3) |
* Ravenhill Attendance: 10,500 Referee: John Hogg
* 26 October 2002 14:30
| Swansea | 33–20 | Ebbw Vale |
| | Report | |
* St Helen's Attendance: 2,000

### Pool B Table

| | Team | Pld | W | D | L | PF | PA | PD | TF | TA | Try bonus | Losing bonus | Pts |
| 1 | Pontypridd | 7 | 6 | 0 | 1 | 182 | 120 | +62 | 15 | 12 | 2 | 0 | 26 |
| 2 | Glasgow | 7 | 5 | 0 | 2 | 216 | 166 | +50 | 22 | 20 | 2 | 1 | 23 |
| 3 | Cardiff | 7 | 4 | 0 | 3 | 178 | 151 | +27 | 17 | 12 | 2 | 2 | 20 |
| 4 | Connacht | 7 | 5 | 0 | 2 | 126 | 176 | −50 | 11 | 17 | 0 | 0 | 20 |
| 5 | Leinster | 7 | 3 | 0 | 4 | 191 | 154 | +37 | 22 | 14 | 3 | 3 | 18 |
| 6 | Borders | 7 | 2 | 0 | 5 | 142 | 169 | −27 | 15 | 11 | 1 | 3 | 12 |
| 7 | Bridgend | 7 | 2 | 0 | 5 | 127 | 187 | −60 | 11 | 20 | 1 | 1 | 10 |
| 8 | Newport | 7 | 1 | 0 | 6 | 121 | 160 | −39 | 9 | 16 | 0 | 4 | 8 |
| 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) ||||||||||||||
| Green background (rows 1 to 4) qualify for the knock-out stage. Source: RaboDirect PRO12 ||||||||||||||

### Pool B Fixtures

* 30 August 2002 19:05
| Newport | 5–13 | Bridgend |
| | Report | |
* Rodney Parade Attendance: 6,165
* 30 August 2002 19:30
| Borders | 27–28 | Connacht |
| | Report | |
* Philiphaugh Attendance: 3,000
* 30 August 2002 19:35
| Leinster | 31–18 | Pontypridd |
| | Report | |
* Donnybrook Attendance: 4,500
* 31 August 2002 14:30
| Cardiff | 35–44 | Glasgow |
| | Report | |
* Cardiff Arms Park Attendance: 7,000
* 6 September 2002 18:00
| Connacht | 23–22 | Cardiff |
| | Report | |
* Sportsground Attendance: 2,500
* 6 September 2002 19:30
| Glasgow | 25–21 | Leinster |
| | Report | |
* Hughenden Attendance: 4,250
* 7 September 2002 14:30
| Bridgend | 41–9 | Borders |
| | Report | |
* Brewery Field Attendance: 3,000
* 7 September 2002 19:05
| Pontypridd | 21–16 | Newport |
| | Report | |
* Sardis Road Attendance: 5,800
* 13 September 2002 19:05
| Bridgend | 9–26 | Pontypridd |
| | Report | |
* Brewery Field Attendance: 4,500
* 13 September 2002 19:30
| Borders | 15–18 | Cardiff |
| | Report | |
* Mansfield Park Attendance: 4,213
* 13 September 2002 19:35
| Leinster | 23–26 | Connacht |
| | Report | |
* Donnybrook Attendance: 6,000
* 14 September 2002 14:30
| Newport | 25–31 | Glasgow |
| | Report | |
* Rodney Parade Attendance: 4,500
* 20 September 2002 17:45
| Connacht | 18–12 | Newport |
| | Report | |
* Sportsground Attendance: 3,000
* 20 September 2002 19:05
| Pontypridd | 28–27 | Borders |
| | Report | |
* Sardis Road Attendance: 4,600
* 20 September 2002 19:30
| Glasgow | 47–11 | Bridgend |
| | Report | |
* Hughenden Attendance: 4,500
* 21 September 2002 17:30
| Cardiff | 30–17 | Leinster |
| | Report | |
* Cardiff Arms Park Attendance: 6,500
* 27 September 2002 19:30
| Borders | 23–18 | Leinster |
| | Report | |
* Netherdale Attendance: 4,000
* 28 September 2002 14:30
| Bridgend | 23–24 | Connacht |
| | Report | |
* Brewery Field Attendance: 2,000
* 28 September 2002 14:30
| Pontypridd | 34–28 | Glasgow |
| | Report | |
* Sardis Road Attendance: 5,500
* 28 September 2002 17:30
| Newport | 25–27 | Cardiff |
| | Report | |
* Rodney Parade Attendance: 8,118
* 4 October 2002 19:30
| Borders | 33–12 | Glasgow |
| | Report | |
* Netherdale Attendance: 5,500
* 4 October 2002 19:35
| Leinster | 42–14 | Newport |
| | Report | |
* Donnybrook Attendance: 6,000
* 5 October 2002 14:30
| Cardiff | 37–12 | Bridgend |
| | Report | |
* Cardiff Arms Park Attendance: 7,500
* 5 October 2002 15:00
| Connacht | 0–40 | Pontypridd |
| | Report | |
* Sportsground Attendance: 3,000
* 25 October 2002 19:30
| Glasgow | 29–7 | Connacht |
| | Report | |
* Hughenden Attendance: 3,250
* 26 October 2002 14:30
| Bridgend | 18–39 | Leinster |
| | Report | |
* Brewery Field Attendance: 1,000
* 26 October 2002 14:30
| Newport | 24–8 | Borders |
| | Report | |
* Rodney Parade Attendance: 5,700
* 26 October 2002 17:30
| Pontypridd | 15–9 | Cardiff |
| | Report | |
* Sardis Road Attendance: 7,500

## Knockout stages

| Quarter-finals | Quarter-finals | Semi-finals | Semi-finals | | Final | Final |
| 29 November 2002 – Musgrave Park | 29 November 2002 – Musgrave Park | | | |
| Munster | 33 | | | |
| Munster | 33 | 3 January 2003 – Thomond Park | 3 January 2003 – Thomond Park | | |
| Connacht | 3 | 3 January 2003 – Thomond Park | 3 January 2003 – Thomond Park | |
| Connacht | 3 | Munster | 42 | |
| 30 November 2002 – Hughenden | 30 November 2002 – Hughenden | | Munster | 42 | |
| 30 November 2002 – Hughenden | 30 November 2002 – Hughenden | Ulster | 10 | |
| Glasgow | 17 | Ulster | 10 | |
| Glasgow | 17 | | | | 1 February 2003 – Millennium Stadium | 1 February 2003 – Millennium Stadium |
| Ulster | 20 | | | | 1 February 2003 – Millennium Stadium | 1 February 2003 – Millennium Stadium |
| Ulster | 20 | | | | Munster | 37 |
| 29 November 2002 – Sardis Road | 29 November 2002 – Sardis Road | | | | | Munster | 37 |
| 29 November 2002 – Sardis Road | 29 November 2002 – Sardis Road | | | | Neath | 17 |
| Pontypridd | 12 | | | | Neath | 17 |
| Pontypridd | 12 | 4 January 2003 – The Gnoll | 4 January 2003 – The Gnoll | | | |
| Neath | 13 | 4 January 2003 – The Gnoll | 4 January 2003 – The Gnoll | | | |
| Neath | 13 | Neath | 32 | | | |
| 30 November 2002 – Meadowbank | 30 November 2002 – Meadowbank | | Neath | 32 | | | |
| 30 November 2002 – Meadowbank | 30 November 2002 – Meadowbank | Cardiff | 10 | |
| Edinburgh | 22 | Cardiff | 10 | |
| Cardiff | 26 | | | |

### Quarter finals

* 29 November 2002 19:05
| Pontypridd | 12–13 | Neath |
| | Report | |
* Sardis Road Attendance: 6,000
* 29 November 2002 19:35
| Munster | 33–3 | Connacht |
| | Report | |
* Musgrave Park Attendance: 8,000
* 30 November 2002 14:45
| Glasgow | 17–20 | Ulster |
| Try: Steel Pen: Hayes (4) | Report | Try: Shields Ward Con: Humphreys (2) Pen: Humphreys (2) |
* Hughenden Attendance: 5,346
* 30 November 2002 17:30
| Edinburgh | 22–26 | Cardiff |
| | Report | |
* Meadowbank Attendance: 3,918

### Semi finals

* 3 January 2003 19:35
| Munster | 42–10 | Ulster |
| Try: Hayes Quinlan Kelly Mullins Galwey Con: O'Gara (3) Keane Pen: O'Gara (3) | Report | Try: Humphreys Con: Humphreys Pen: Humphreys |
* Thomond Park Attendance: 12,000
* 4 January 2003 17:30
| Neath | 32–10 | Cardiff |
| | Report | |
* The Gnoll Attendance: 6,471

## Final

* 1 February 2003 14:45
| Munster | 37–17 | Neath |
| Try: Alan Quinlan Marcus Horan Rob Henderson Con: Jeremy Staunton (2) Pen: Jeremy Staunton (2) Ronan O'Gara (4) | Report | Try: Adam Jones Pen: Lee Jarvis (3) Drop: Lee Jarvis |
* Millennium Stadium, Cardiff Attendance: 30,076 Referee: Chris White (England)
| | 15 | Jeremy Staunton |
| | 14 | John Kelly |
| | 13 | Mike Mullins |
| | 12 | Jason Holland |
| | 11 | Mossie Lawlor |
| | 10 | Ronan O'Gara |
| | 9 | Peter Stringer |
| | 8 | Anthony Foley |
| | 7 | Alan Quinlan |
| | 6 | Jim Williams (c) |
| | 5 | Mick O'Driscoll |
| | 4 | Donncha O'Callaghan |
| | 3 | John Hayes |
| | 2 | Frankie Sheahan |
| | 1 | Marcus Horan |
| Replacements: ||
| | 16 | James Blaney |
| | 17 | Martin Cahill |
| | 18 | Mick Galwey |
| | 19 | Denis Leamy |
| | 20 | Mike Prendergast |
| | 21 | Rob Henderson |
| | 22 | Killian Keane |
| Coach: ||
| Alan Gaffney ||
| | 15 | Adrian Durston |
| | 14 | Gareth Morris |
| | 13 | James Storey |
| | 12 | Tevita Tiueti |
| | 11 | Shane Williams |
| | 10 | Lee Jarvis |
| | 9 | Andy Moore |
| | 8 | Nathan Bonner-Evans |
| | 7 | Brett Sinkinson |
| | 6 | Alivereti 'Alfi' Mocelutu |
| | 5 | Gareth Llewellyn (c) |
| | 4 | Andy Newman |
| | 3 | Adam Jones |
| | 2 | Barry Williams |
| | 1 | Duncan Jones |
| Replacements: ||
| | 16 | Allan Bateman |
| | 17 | Shaun Connor |
| | 18 | Steve Tandy |
| | 19 | Adam Matthews |
| | 20 | Rowland Phillips |
| | 21 | Lyndon Bateman |
| | 22 | Andrew Millward |
| Coach: ||
| Lyn Jones ||

## 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.