# 2008–09 Celtic League

The 2008–09 Celtic League (known as the 2008–09 Magners League for sponsorship reasons) was the eighth Celtic League season and the third with Magners as title sponsor. The season began in September 2008 and ended in May 2009. Ten teams played each other 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. Losing teams also earned a bonus point if they lost by seven points or less.
The ten competing teams consisted of the four Irish provinces, Munster, Leinster, Connacht and Ulster; two Scottish regions, Edinburgh Rugby and Glasgow Warriors; and four Welsh regions, Cardiff Blues, Newport Gwent Dragons, Ospreys and Scarlets. The Scarlets were originally known as the "Llanelli Scarlets", but renamed themselves at the start of the season, in order to reflect their regional identity.
Munster were crowned champions on 30 April 2009 after the Ospreys beat the Newport Gwent Dragons 27–18 but failed to claim a bonus point.

## Teams

* ConnachtLeinsterMunsterUlsterEdinburghGlasgow WarriorsBluesDragonsOspreysScarletsclass=notpageimage| Location of 2008–09 Celtic League teams in Great Britain and Ireland.
* Winners; 2nd–4th place; Other teams.
| Team | Stadium | Capacity | City, Area |
| Cardiff Blues | Cardiff Arms Park | 12,500 | Cardiff, Wales |
| Connacht | Galway Sportsgrounds | 5,500 | Galway, Republic of Ireland |
| Edinburgh | Murrayfield Stadium | 12,464 | Edinburgh, Scotland |
| Glasgow Warriors | Firhill Stadium | 10,887 | Glasgow, Scotland |
| Leinster | RDS Arena | 18,500 | Dublin, Republic of Ireland |
| Munster | Thomond Park Musgrave Park | 26,500 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 |
| Scarlets | Parc y Scarlets Stradey Park | 14,870 10,800 | Llanelli, Wales |
| Ulster | Ravenhill | 12,800 | Belfast, Northern Ireland |

## Table

| | Team | Pld | W | D | L | PF | PA | PD | TF | TA | Try bonus | Losing bonus | Pts |
| 1 | Munster | 18 | 14 | 0 | 4 | 405 | 257 | +148 | 49 | 23 | 6 | 1 | 63 |
| 2 | Edinburgh | 18 | 11 | 0 | 7 | 416 | 296 | +120 | 40 | 30 | 6 | 5 | 55 |
| 3 | Leinster | 18 | 11 | 1 | 6 | 401 | 270 | +131 | 38 | 20 | 4 | 2 | 52 |
| 4 | Ospreys | 18 | 11 | 0 | 7 | 397 | 319 | +78 | 39 | 28 | 3 | 5 | 52 |
| 5 | Scarlets | 18 | 9 | 0 | 9 | 376 | 395 | −19 | 41 | 46 | 3 | 1 | 40 |
| 6 | Cardiff Blues | 18 | 8 | 1 | 9 | 322 | 361 | −39 | 31 | 36 | 2 | 2 | 38 |
| 7 | Glasgow Warriors | 18 | 7 | 0 | 11 | 349 | 375 | −26 | 36 | 41 | 4 | 5 | 37 |
| 8 | Ulster | 18 | 7 | 0 | 11 | 298 | 331 | −33 | 30 | 33 | 2 | 6 | 36 |
| 9 | Newport Gwent Dragons | 18 | 7 | 0 | 11 | 305 | 429 | −124 | 26 | 39 | 1 | 4 | 33 |
| 10 | Connacht | 18 | 4 | 0 | 14 | 224 | 460 | −236 | 20 | 54 | 1 | 3 | 20 |
| 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 Archived 22 November 2013 at the Wayback Machine ||||||||||||||

## Results
### Round 1

* 5 September 2008 18:30
| Connacht | 3–16 | Ospreys |
| | Report | |
* Sportsground Attendance: 829
* 5 September 2008 19:05
| Newport Gwent Dragons | 6–12 | Glasgow Warriors |
| | Report | |
* Rodney Parade Attendance: 4,113
* 5 September 2008 19:30
| Edinburgh | 15–20 | Munster |
| | Report | |
* Murrayfield Attendance: 5,443
* 5 September 2008 19:30
| Ulster | 9–16 | Scarlets |
| | Report | |
* Ravenhill Attendance: 7,368
* 6 September 2008 18:30
| Cardiff Blues | 16–16 | Leinster |
| | Report | |
* Cardiff City Stadium Attendance: 8,017

### Welsh Round 1

* All-Welsh Round 5 matches played mid-week to allow Welsh teams to play in the Anglo-Welsh Cup.
* 9 September 2008 19:35
| Ospreys | 32–10 | Cardiff Blues |
| | Report | |
* Liberty Stadium Attendance: 8,499
* 10 September 2008 19:05
| Newport Gwent Dragons | 25–27 | Scarlets |
| | Report | |
* Rodney Parade Attendance: 5,057

### Round 2

* 12 September 2008 19:05
| Cardiff Blues | 16–15 | Ulster |
| | Report | |
* Cardiff City Stadium Attendance: 8,619
* 12 September 2008 19:30
| Glasgow Warriors | 18–21 | Ospreys |
| | Report | |
* Firhill Stadium Attendance: 2,651
* 12 September 2008 19:30
| Leinster | 52–6 | Edinburgh |
| | Report | |
* RDS Arena Attendance: 14,840
* 13 September 2008 17:30
| Scarlets | 45–3 | Connacht |
| | Report | |
* Stradey Park Attendance: 6,041
* 14 September 2008 18:00
| Munster | 50–6 | Newport Gwent Dragons |
| | Report | |
* Musgrave Park Attendance: 8,685

### Round 3

* 19 September 2008 18:30
| Connacht | 15–8 | Glasgow Warriors |
| | Report | |
* Sportsground Attendance: 1,252
* 19 September 2008 19:30
| Edinburgh | 32–12 | Scarlets |
| | Report | |
* Murrayfield Attendance: 2,655
* 19 September 2008 19:30
| Ulster | 14–16 | Newport Gwent Dragons |
| | Report | |
* Ravenhill Attendance: 7,885
* 19 September 2008 19:35
| Leinster | 19–13 | Ospreys |
| | Report | |
* RDS Arena Attendance: 15,140
* 20 September 2008 19:30
| Munster | 28–20 | Cardiff Blues |
| | Report | |
* Musgrave Park Attendance: 8,685

### Round 4

* 26 September 2008 19:05
| Cardiff Blues | 58–0 | Connacht |
| | Report | |
* Cardiff City Stadium Attendance: 7,542
* 26 September 2008 19:30
| Glasgow Warriors | 34–20 | Scarlets |
| | Report | |
* Firhill Stadium Attendance: 2,450
* 26 September 2008 19:30
| Newport Gwent Dragons | 11–9 | Edinburgh |
| | Report | |
* Rodney Parade Attendance: 4,676
* 27 September 2008 17:30
| Ospreys | 43–0 | Ulster |
| | Report | |
* Liberty Stadium Attendance: 7,225
* 28 September 2008 19:00
| Leinster | 0–18 | Munster |
| | Report | |
* RDS Arena Attendance: 18,500

### Round 5

* 3 October 2008 19:30
| Ulster | 13–9 | Edinburgh |
| | Report | |
* Ravenhill Attendance: 8,418
* 4 October 2008 19:00
| Munster | 25–17 | Glasgow Warriors |
| | Report | |
* Thomond Park Stadium Attendance: 22,885
* 5 October 2008 18:00
| Connacht | 19–18 | Leinster |
| | Report | |
* Sportsground Attendance: 2,820

### Round 6

* 24 October 2008 18:30
| Connacht | 14–27 | Edinburgh |
| | Report | |
* Sportsground Attendance: 1,868
* 24 October 2008 19:30
| Glasgow Warriors | 15–12 | Leinster |
| | Report | |
* Firhill Stadium Attendance: 2,523
* 25 October 2008 19:30
| Ulster | 22–6 | Munster |
| | Report | |
* Ravenhill Attendance: 10,058

### Round 7

* 28 November 2008 19:05
| Scarlets | 16–18 | Munster |
| | Report | |
* Parc y Scarlets Attendance: 8,435
* 28 November 2008 19:30
| Edinburgh | 32–16 | Ospreys |
| | Report | |
* Murrayfield Attendance: 2,670 Referee: John Lacey (Ireland)
* 28 November 2008 19:30
| Glasgow Warriors | 28–0 | Cardiff Blues |
| | Report | |
* Firhill Stadium Attendance: 2,364
* 28 November 2008 19:30
| Ulster | 53–13 | Connacht |
| | Report | |
* Ravenhill Attendance: 8,841
* 29 November 2008 17:30
| Leinster | 29–13 | Newport Gwent Dragons |
| | Report | |
* RDS Arena Attendance: 15,240

### Welsh Round 2

* All-Welsh Round 6 matches played mid-week to allow Welsh teams to play in the Anglo-Welsh Cup.
* 19 December 2008 19:35
| Newport Gwent Dragons | 30–24 | Ospreys |
| | Report | |
* Rodney Parade Attendance: 7,138
* 20 December 2008 17:30
| Scarlets | 27–13 | Cardiff Blues |
| | Report | |
* Parc y Scarlets Attendance: 7,610

### Round 8

* 26 December 2008 14:05
| Newport Gwent Dragons | 19–21 | Cardiff Blues |
| | Report | |
* Rodney Parade Attendance: 10,180
* 27 December 2008 17:30
| Ospreys | 20–6 | Scarlets |
| | Report | |
* Liberty Stadium Attendance: 20,520
* 27 December 2008 19:30
| Ulster | 13–21 | Leinster |
| | Report | |
* Ravenhill Attendance: 13,500
* 28 December 2008 18:00
| Connacht | 12–6 | Munster |
| | Report | |
* Sportsground Attendance: 5,000

#### 1872 Cup 1st round

* 26 December 2008 19:30
| Edinburgh | 39–6 | Glasgow Warriors |
| | Report | |
* Murrayfield Attendance: 12,534

### Round 9

* 31 December 2008 14:05
| Cardiff Blues | 12–16 | Ospreys |
| | Report | |
* Cardiff City Stadium Attendance: 12,813
* 1 January 2009 17:15
| Scarlets | 29–24 | Newport Gwent Dragons |
| | Report | |
* Parc y Scarlets Attendance: 7,050
* 2 January 2009 19:30
| Leinster | 26–18 | Connacht |
| | Report | |
* RDS Arena Attendance: 16,350
* 3 January 2009 19:30
| Munster | 11–37 | Ulster |
| | Report | |
* Thomond Park Stadium Attendance: 25,623

#### 1872 Cup 2nd round

* 2 January 2009 15:00
| Glasgow Warriors | 25–20 | Edinburgh |
| | Report | |
* Firhill Stadium Attendance: 6,665

### Round 10

* 9 January 2009 18:30
| Connacht | 14–17 | Scarlets |
| | Report | |
* Sportsground Attendance: 2,063
* 9 January 2009 19:05
| Ospreys | 21–25 | Munster |
| | Report | |
* Liberty Stadium Attendance: 9,003
* 9 January 2009 19:30
| Glasgow Warriors | 20–25 | Newport Gwent Dragons |
| | Report | |
* Firhill Stadium Attendance: 2,217
* 9 January 2009 19:45
| Edinburgh | 21–15 | Ulster |
| | Report | |
* Murrayfield Attendance: 3,393
* 10 January 2009 19:30
| Leinster | 21–20 | Cardiff Blues |
| | Report | |
* RDS Arena Attendance: 14,470

### Round 11

* 20 February 2009 19:05
| Cardiff Blues | 34–30 | Glasgow Warriors |
| | Report | |
* Cardiff City Stadium Attendance: 7,603
* 21 February 2009 17:30
| Scarlets | 17–31 | Leinster |
| | Report | |
* Parc y Scarlets Attendance: 6,436
* 21 February 2009 19:30
| Munster | 28–14 | Edinburgh |
| | Report | |
* Musgrave Park Attendance: 8,685
* 22 February 2009 14:15
| Ospreys | 22–10 | Connacht |
| | Report | |
* Liberty Stadium Attendance: 6,127
* 22 February 2009 16:10
| Newport Gwent Dragons | 26–16 | Ulster |
| | Report | |
* Rodney Parade Attendance: 6,112

### Round 12

* 6 March 2009 18:30
| Connacht | 14–19 | Cardiff Blues |
| | Report | |
* Sportsground Attendance: 1,373
* 6 March 2009 19:05
| Ospreys | 8–13 | Leinster |
| | Report | |
* Liberty Stadium Attendance: 8,046
* 7 March 2009 17:30
| Newport Gwent Dragons | 9–20 | Munster |
| | Report | |
* Rodney Parade Attendance: 6,865
* 7 March 2009 19:30
| Ulster | 12–0 | Glasgow Warriors |
| | Report | |
* Ravenhill Attendance: 8,286
* 8 March 2009 16:10
| Scarlets | 13–6 | Edinburgh |
| | Report | |
* Parc y Scarlets Attendance: 6,302

### Round 13

* 27 March 2009 19:30
| Edinburgh | 32–5 | Connacht |
| | Report | |
* Murrayfield Attendance: 2,208
* 27 March 2009 19:45
| Glasgow Warriors | 13–26 | Munster |
| | Report | |
* Firhill Stadium Attendance: 3,615
* 29 March 2009 17:30
| Leinster | 32–6 | Ulster |
| | Report | |
* RDS Arena Attendance: 15,940

### Round 14

* 3 April 2009 18:30
| Connacht | 39–17 | Newport Gwent Dragons |
| | Report | |
* Sportsground Attendance: 1,272
* 3 April 2009 19:30
| Edinburgh | 16–3 | Cardiff Blues |
| | Report | |
* Murrayfield Attendance: 2,540
* 3 April 2009 19:35
| Ulster | 13–16 | Ospreys |
| | Report | |
* Ravenhill Attendance: 9,600
* 4 April 2009 17:30
| Scarlets | 21–38 | Glasgow Warriors |
| | Report | |
* Parc y Scarlets Attendance: 6,103
* 4 April 2009 19:30
| Munster | 22–5 | Leinster |
| | Report | |
* Thomond Park Stadium Attendance: 26,043

### Round 15

* 17 April 2009 19:30
| Glasgow Warriors | 19–20 | Ulster |
| | Report | |
* Firhill Stadium Attendance: 2,960
* 17 April 2009 19:45
| Edinburgh | 27–16 | Leinster |
| | Report | |
* Murrayfield Attendance: 2,747
* 18 April 2009 17:30
| Scarlets | 19–28 | Ospreys |
| | Report | |
* Parc y Scarlets Attendance: 11,444
* 18 April 2009 19:30
| Munster | 25–10 | Connacht |
| | Report | |
* Thomond Park Stadium Attendance: 26,043

### Round 16

* 24 April 2009 19:30
| Ulster | 9–11 | Cardiff Blues |
| | Report | |
* Ravenhill Attendance: 7,809
* 24 April 2009 19:35
| Munster | 29–10 | Scarlets |
| | Report | |
* Musgrave Park Attendance: 8,685
* 25 April 2009 19:30
| Ospreys | 30–32 | Edinburgh |
| | Report | |
* Liberty Stadium Attendance: 6,015
* 25 April 2009 19:35
| Leinster | 36–13 | Glasgow Warriors |
| | Report | |
* RDS Arena Attendance: 10,910
* 26 April 2009 17:05
| Newport Gwent Dragons | 27–14 | Connacht |
| | Report | |
* Rodney Parade Attendance: 5,233

### Rearranged fixtures

* Round 13 match rescheduled to allow Ospreys to play in the Anglo-Welsh Cup semi-final.
* 30 April 2009 19:05
| Ospreys | 27–18 | Newport Gwent Dragons |
| | Report | |
* Liberty Stadium Attendance: 5,010
* Round 15 match rescheduled to allow Cardiff Blues to play in the Anglo-Welsh Cup final.
* 6 May 2009 19:05
| Cardiff Blues | 26–12 | Newport Gwent Dragons |
| | Report | |
* Cardiff City Stadium Attendance: 6,608

### Round 17

* 8 May 2009 19:00
| Connacht | 12–14 | Ulster |
| | Report | |
* Sportsground Attendance: 1,425
* 8 May 2009 19:45
| Leinster | 45–8 | Scarlets |
| | Report | |
* RDS Arena Attendance: 11,160
* 9 May 2009 14:30
| Edinburgh | 43–3 | Newport Gwent Dragons |
| | Report | |
* Murrayfield Attendance: 2,105
* 10 May 2009 14:35
| Ospreys | 34–23 | Glasgow Warriors |
| | Report | |
* Liberty Stadium Attendance: 5,204
* 10 May 2009 16:35
| Cardiff Blues | 20–12 | Munster |
| | Report | |
* Cardiff City Stadium Attendance: 7,428

### Rearranged fixture

* Round 13 match rescheduled to allow Cardiff Blues to play in the Anglo-Welsh Cup semi-final.
* 13 May 2009 19:35
| Cardiff Blues | 9–30 | Scarlets |
| | Report | |
* Cardiff City Stadium Attendance: 8,212

### Round 18

* 15 May 2009 19:45
| Glasgow Warriors | 30–9 | Connacht |
| | Report | |
* Firhill Stadium Attendance: 1,851
* 15 May 2009 19:45
| Munster | 36–10 | Ospreys |
| | Report | |
* Thomond Park Stadium Attendance: 26,043
* 16 May 2009 17:30
| Newport Gwent Dragons | 18–9 | Leinster |
| | Report | |
* Rodney Parade Attendance: 5,426
* 16 May 2009 19:30
| Scarlets | 43–17 | Ulster |
| | Report | |
* Parc y Scarlets Attendance: 6,219
* 17 May 2009 15:35
| Cardiff Blues | 14–36 | Edinburgh |
| | Report | |
* Cardiff City Stadium Attendance: 11,212

## 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 are split between three broadcasters, BBC Wales, S4C and Setanta Sports. BBC Wales and S4C continues to cover the Pro12.