# 2009–10 Celtic League

The 2009–10 Celtic League (known as the 2009–10 Magners League for sponsorship reasons) was the ninth season of the league now known as Pro12 and the fourth with Magners as title sponsor. The season began in September 2009 and ended with the Grand Final on 29 May 2010. Ten teams played each other on a home-and-away basis, with teams earning four points for a win, two points for a draw 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 ten teams competing 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.
This season saw the introduction of a play-off structure similar to the English Premiership in order to determine the overall winner. The Ospreys won the final, defeating Leinster 17–12 in Dublin.

## Teams

* ConnachtLeinsterMunsterUlsterEdinburghGlasgow WarriorsBluesDragonsOspreysScarletsclass=notpageimage| Location of 2009–10 Celtic League teams in Great Britain and Ireland.
* Winners; 2nd–4th place; Other teams.
| Team | Coach | Captain | Stadium | Capacity |
| Cardiff Blues | Dai Young | Paul Tito | Cardiff City Stadium | 26,828 |
| Connacht | Michael Bradley | John Muldoon | Galway Sportsgrounds | 7,000 |
| Edinburgh | Rob Moffat | Mike Blair | Murrayfield Stadium | 12,464 |
| Glasgow Warriors | Sean Lineen | Alastair Kellock | Firhill Stadium | 10,887 |
| Leinster | Michael Cheika | Leo Cullen | RDS Arena | 18,500 |
| Munster | Tony McGahan | Paul O'Connell | Thomond Park Musgrave Park | 26,500 8,300 |
| Newport Gwent Dragons | Paul Turner | Tom Willis | Rodney Parade | 11,700 |
| Ospreys | Scott Johnson | Ryan Jones | Liberty Stadium | 20,520 |
| Scarlets | Nigel Davies | Mark Jones | Parc y Scarlets | 14,870 |
| Ulster | Brian McLaughlin | Rory Best | Ravenhill | 12,125 |

## Table

| | Team | Pld | W | D | L | PF | PA | PD | TF | TA | Try bonus | Losing bonus | Pts |
| 1 | Leinster | 18 | 13 | 0 | 5 | 359 | 295 | +64 | 27 | 29 | 1 | 2 | 55 |
| 2 | Ospreys | 18 | 11 | 1 | 6 | 384 | 298 | +86 | 37 | 26 | 3 | 3 | 52 |
| 3 | Glasgow Warriors | 18 | 11 | 2 | 5 | 390 | 321 | +69 | 31 | 24 | 2 | 1 | 51 |
| 4 | Munster | 18 | 9 | 0 | 9 | 319 | 282 | +37 | 33 | 20 | 3 | 6 | 45 |
| 5 | Cardiff Blues | 18 | 10 | 0 | 8 | 349 | 315 | +34 | 33 | 28 | 2 | 2 | 44 |
| 6 | Edinburgh | 18 | 8 | 0 | 10 | 385 | 391 | −6 | 40 | 40 | 4 | 5 | 41 |
| 7 | Newport Gwent Dragons | 18 | 8 | 1 | 9 | 333 | 378 | −45 | 32 | 37 | 3 | 2 | 39 |
| 8 | Ulster | 18 | 7 | 1 | 10 | 357 | 370 | −13 | 39 | 35 | 4 | 2 | 36 |
| 9 | Scarlets | 18 | 5 | 0 | 13 | 361 | 382 | −21 | 35 | 35 | 1 | 8 | 29 |
| 10 | Connacht | 18 | 5 | 1 | 12 | 254 | 459 | −205 | 20 | 53 | 0 | 4 | 26 |
| 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) are play-off places. Source: RaboDirect PRO12 ||||||||||||||

## Regular season results
### Round 1

* 4 September 2009 19:00
| Connacht | 12–19 | Ospreys |
| | Report | |
* Sportsgrounds Attendance: 1,982 Referee: Graham Knox
* 4 September 2009 19:05
| Cardiff Blues | 21–22 | Edinburgh |
| | Report | |
* Cardiff City Stadium Attendance: 8,124 Referee: Peter Fitzgibbon
* 4 September 2009 20:00
| Glasgow Warriors | 22–9 | Munster |
| | Report | |
* Firhill Stadium Attendance: 3,694 Referee: James Jones
* 5 September 2009 18:30
| Scarlets | 18–16 | Leinster |
| | Report | |
* Parc y Scarlets Attendance: 6,075 Referee: Neil Paterson
* 6 September 2009 14:05
| Newport Gwent Dragons | 23–6 | Ulster |
| | Report | |
* Rodney Parade Attendance: 4,561 Referee: Carlo Damasco

### Round 2

* 11 September 2009 19:05
| Munster | 24–13 | Cardiff Blues |
| | Report | |
* Thomond Park Attendance: 19,752 Referee: Peter Allan
* 11 September 2009 19:30
| Edinburgh | 62–13 | Connacht |
| | Report | |
* Murrayfield Attendance: 3,042 Referee: James Jones
* 12 September 2009 18:30
| Ospreys | 16–20 | Ulster |
| | Report | |
* Liberty Stadium Attendance: 7,072 Referee: Alan Lewis
* 12 September 2009 19:00
| Leinster | 23–14 | Newport Gwent Dragons |
| | Report | |
* RDS Arena Attendance: 15,145 Referee: Graham Knox
* 13 September 2009 17:05
| Glasgow Warriors | 19–11 | Scarlets |
| | Report | |
* Firhill Stadium Attendance: 2,582 Referee: John Lacey

### Round 3

* 18 September 2009 19:00
| Connacht | 18–16 | Cardiff Blues |
| | Report | |
* Sportsgrounds Attendance: 1,425 Referee: Neil Paterson
* 18 September 2009 19:05
| Ospreys | 11–18 | Leinster |
| | Report | |
* Liberty Stadium Attendance: 7,182 Referee: Peter Allan
* 18 September 2009 19:30
| Newport Gwent Dragons | 30–19 | Glasgow Warriors |
| | Report | |
* Rodney Parade Attendance: 5,219 Referee: Dudley Phillips
* 18 September 2009 20:00
| Ulster | 13–16 | Edinburgh |
| | Report | |
* Ravenhill Attendance: 8,899 Referee: Nigel Owens
* 19 September 2009 18:30
| Scarlets | 20–22 | Munster |
| | Report | |
* Parc y Scarlets Attendance: 6,313 Referee: Alain Rolland

### Round 4

* 25 September 2009 19:05
| Glasgow Warriors | 16–26 | Ospreys |
| | Report | |
* Firhill Stadium Attendance: 3,108 Referee: Simon McDowell
* 25 September 2009 20:00
| Connacht | 6–30 | Ulster |
| | Report | |
* Sportsgrounds Attendance: 2,435 Referee: George Clancy
* 26 September 2009 18:30
| Cardiff Blues | 19–15 | Scarlets |
| | Report | |
* Cardiff City Stadium Attendance: 12,198 Referee: Andrew Small
* 26 September 2009 18:30
| Edinburgh | 19–21 | Leinster |
| | Report | |
* Murrayfield Attendance: 5,761 Referee: Tim Hayes
* 27 September 2009 17:05
| Munster | 27–3 | Newport Gwent Dragons |
| | Report | |
* Musgrave Park, Cork Attendance: 8,685 Referee: Neil Paterson

### Round 5

* 2 October 2009 19:05
| Ulster | 45–24 | Scarlets |
| | Report | |
* Ravenhill Attendance: 8,141 Referee: Peter Allan
* 3 October 2009 16:30
| Newport Gwent Dragons | 23–10 | Connacht |
| | Report | |
* Rodney Parade Attendance: 5,331 Referee: Peter Fitzgibbon
* 3 October 2009 18:30
| Cardiff Blues | 5–21 | Glasgow Warriors |
| | Report | |
* Cardiff City Stadium Attendance: 9,185 Referee: George Clancy
* 3 October 2009 18:30
| Leinster | 30–0 | Munster |
| | Report | |
* RDS Arena Attendance: 18,500 Referee: Simon McDowell
* 4 October 2009 16:00
| Ospreys | 31–10 | Edinburgh |
| | Report | |
* Liberty Stadium Attendance: 7,033 Referee: John Lacey

### Round 6

* 23 October 2009 19:05
| Scarlets | 18–3 | Newport Gwent Dragons |
| | Report | |
* Parc y Scarlets Attendance: 6,464 Referee: Peter Allan
* 23 October 2009 19:30
| Glasgow Warriors | 34–20 | Connacht |
| | Report | |
* Firhill Stadium Attendance: 2,887 Referee: Tim Hayes
* 23 October 2009 20:00
| Edinburgh | 12–7 | Munster |
| | Report | |
* Murrayfield Attendance: 5,426 Referee: Gwyn Morris
* 24 October 2009 18:00
| Ulster | 16–14 | Leinster |
| | Report | |
* Ravenhill Attendance: 11,523 Referee: Andrew Small
* 24 October 2009 18:30
| Cardiff Blues | 20–12 | Ospreys |
| | Report | |
* Cardiff City Stadium Attendance: 16,341 Referee: Nigel Owens

### Round 7

* 30 October 2009 18:30
| Connacht | 16–10 | Scarlets |
| | Report | |
* Sportsgrounds Attendance: 1,756 Referee: Graham Knox
* 30 October 2009 19:05
| Ospreys | 9–9 | Glasgow Warriors |
| | Report | |
* Liberty Stadium Attendance: 6,661 Referee: Peter Fitzgibbon
* 31 October 2009 17:00
| Munster | 24–10 | Ulster |
| | Report | |
* Thomond Park Attendance: 23,298 Referee: Alain Rolland
* 31 October 2009 18:30
| Leinster | 23–6 | Cardiff Blues |
| | Report | |
* RDS Arena Attendance: 15,910 Referee: James Jones
* 1 November 2009 17:05
| Edinburgh | 8–9 | Newport Gwent Dragons |
| | Report | |
* Murrayfield Attendance: 2,066 Referee: Alan Lewis

### Round 8

* 4 December 2009 19:05
| Scarlets | 16–17 | Edinburgh |
| | Report | |
* Parc y Scarlets Attendance: 5,540 Referee: Carlo Damasco
* 4 December 2009 20:00
| Ulster | 13–25 | Glasgow Warriors |
| | Report | |
* Ravenhill Attendance: 8,761 Referee: James Jones
* 5 December 2009 18:30
| Ospreys | 19–14 | Munster |
| | Report | |
* Liberty Stadium Attendance: 8,077 Referee: Neil Paterson
* 6 December 2009 15:00
| Cardiff Blues | 21–9 | Connacht |
| | Report | |
* Cardiff City Stadium Attendance: 7,105 Referee: Andy Macpherson
* 6 December 2009 17:05
| Newport Gwent Dragons | 30–14 | Leinster |
| | Report | |
* Rodney Parade Attendance: 5,437 Referee: Simon McDowell

### Round 9

* 26 December 2009 14:05
| Scarlets | 14–21 | Ospreys |
| | Report | |
* Parc y Scarlets Attendance: 14,739 Referee: Nigel Owens
* 26 December 2009 17:30
| Leinster | 15–3 | Ulster |
| | Report | |
* RDS Arena Attendance: 18,140 Referee: George Clancy
* 26 December 2009 19:30
| Munster | 35–3 | Connacht |
| | Report | |
* Thomond Park Attendance: 25,291 Referee: Alain Rolland
* 27 December 2009 18:00
| Cardiff Blues | 42–13 | Newport Gwent Dragons |
| | Report | |
* Cardiff City Stadium Attendance: 15,210 Referee: James Jones

#### 1872 Cup 1st round

* 27 December 2009 15:05
| Glasgow Warriors | 25–12 | Edinburgh |
| | Report | |
* Firhill Stadium Attendance: 8,830 Referee: Neil Paterson

### Round 10

* 31 December 2009 14:05
| Newport Gwent Dragons | 9–14 | Scarlets |
| | Report | |
* Rodney Parade Attendance: 6,429 Referee: Nigel Owens
* 1 January 2010 17:15
| Ospreys | 26–0 | Cardiff Blues |
| | Report | |
* Liberty Stadium Attendance: 14,476 Referee: James Jones
* 2 January 2010 16:00
| Connacht | P–P | Leinster |
* Sportsgrounds Referee: Peter Fitzgibbon
* 2 January 2010 18:00
| Ulster | 15–10 | Munster |
| | Report | |
* Ravenhill Attendance: 11,800 Referee: Dudley Phillips

#### 1872 Cup 2nd round

* 2 January 2010 15:05
| Edinburgh | 15–22 | Glasgow Warriors |
| | Report | |
* Murrayfield Attendance: 11,785 Referee: Peter Allan

### Round 11

* 8 January 2010 18:30
| Connacht | P–P | Newport Gwent Dragons |
* Sportsgrounds Referee: Andy Macpherson
* 8 January 2010 19:05
| Ulster | P–P | Ospreys |
* Ravenhill Referee: Nigel Owens
* 8 January 2010 20:00
| Leinster | P–P | Glasgow Warriors |
* RDS Arena Referee: James Jones
* 9 January 2010 18:30
| Edinburgh | 21–12 | Cardiff Blues |
| | Report | |
* Murrayfield Attendance: 1,569 Referee: John Lacey
* 10 January 2010 17:00
| Munster | P–P | Scarlets |
* Musgrave Park Referee: Neil Paterson

### Round 12

* 19 February 2010 19:05
| Ulster | 22–22 | Newport Gwent Dragons |
| | Report | |
* Ravenhill Attendance: 7,909 Referee: Peter Allan
* 19 February 2010 19:30
| Glasgow Warriors | 7–30 | Cardiff Blues |
| | Report | |
* Firhill Stadium Attendance: 2,754 Referee: Dudley Phillips
* 19 February 2010 20:00
| Munster | 19–12 | Edinburgh |
| | Report | |
* Musgrave Park Attendance: 8,500 Referee: Tim Hayes
* 20 February 2010 18:30
| Leinster | 27–14 | Scarlets |
| | Report | |
* RDS Arena Attendance: 13,890 Referee: Andy Macpherson
* 21 February 2010 17:00
| Ospreys | 19–17 | Connacht |
| | Report | |
* Liberty Stadium Attendance: 5,053 Referee: Neil Patterson

### Round 13

* 5 March 2010 19:05
| Scarlets | 25–8 | Ulster |
| | Report | |
* Parc y Scarlets Attendance: 6,266 Referee: Peter Allan
* 5 March 2010 20:00
| Connacht | 19–19 | Glasgow Warriors |
| | Report | |
* Sportsgrounds Attendance: 1,412 Referee: James Jones
* 6 March 2010 18:30
| Newport Gwent Dragons | 31–22 | Munster |
| | Report | |
* Rodney Parade Attendance: 6,137 Referee: Dudley Phillips
* 7 March 2010 14:00
| Edinburgh | 33–17 | Ospreys |
| | Report | |
* Murrayfield Attendance: 2,329 Referee: George Clancy
* 7 March 2010 16:00
| Cardiff Blues | 20–29 | Leinster |
| | Report | |
* Cardiff City Stadium Attendance: 9,384 Referee: Andy Macpherson

### Rearranged fixtures

* 17 March 2010 18:30
| Connacht | 16–3 | Newport Gwent Dragons |
| | Report | |
* Sportsgrounds Attendance: 1,485 Referee: Andy Macpherson
* 18 March 2010 19:30
| Leinster | 20–14 | Glasgow Warriors |
| | Report | |
* RDS Arena Attendance: 11,840 Referee: Nigel Owens
* 18 March 2010 19:10
| Munster | 23–17 | Scarlets |
| | Report | |
* Musgrave Park Attendance: 8,200 Referee: Neil Paterson
* 19 March 2010 18:10
| Ulster | P–P | Ospreys |
* Ravenhill

### Round 14

* 26 March 2010 19:05
| Cardiff Blues | 19–9 | Ulster |
| | Report | |
* Cardiff City Stadium Attendance: 7,532 Referee: Neil Patterson
* 26 March 2010 19:30
| Edinburgh | 24–20 | Scarlets |
| | Report | |
* Murrayfield Attendance: 2,762 Referee: Peter Fitzgibbon
* 26 March 2010 20:00
| Munster | 27–19 | Glasgow Warriors |
| | Report | |
* Thomond Park Attendance: 23,814 Referee: James Jones
* 27 March 2010 16:30
| Leinster | 17–14 | Connacht |
| | Report | |
* RDS Arena Attendance: 13,835 Referee: Jérôme Garces
* 27 March 2010 19:05
| Newport Gwent Dragons | 28–20 | Ospreys |
| | Report | |
* Rodney Parade Attendance: 7,121 Referee: Nigel Owens

### Round 15

* 2 April 2010 18:00
| Connacht | 22–21 | Edinburgh |
| | Report | |
* Sportsgrounds Attendance: 1,460 Referee: Leighton Hodges
* 2 April 2010 19:05
| Ospreys | 27–19 | Scarlets |
| | Report | |
* Liberty Stadium Attendance: 13,913 Referee: Christophe Berdos
* 2 April 2010 20:05
| Munster | 15–16 | Leinster |
| | Report | |
* Thomond Park Attendance: 25,623 Referee: Romain Poite
* 3 April 2010 19:30
| Ulster | 24–33 | Cardiff Blues |
| | Report | |
* Ravenhill Attendance: 7,334 Referee: Andy Macpherson
* 4 April 2010 15:05
| Glasgow Warriors | 27–19 | Newport Gwent Dragons |
| | Report | |
* Firhill Stadium Attendance: 2,621 Referee: Alan Lewis

### Rearranged fixture

* 13 April 2010 19:30
| Ulster | 27–38 | Ospreys |
| | Report | |
* Ravenhill Attendance: 7,649 Referee: Neil Paterson

### Round 16

* 16 April 2010 19:05
| Glasgow Warriors | 25–18 | Ulster |
| | Report | |
* Firhill Stadium Attendance: 3,766 Referee: Tim Hayes
* 16 April 2010 19:05
| Leinster | 20–16 | Ospreys |
| | Report | |
* RDS Arena Attendance: 15,836 Referee: Peter Allan
* 17 April 2010 18:30
| Scarlets | 16–39 | Cardiff Blues |
| | Report | |
* Parc y Scarlets Attendance: 10,171 Referee: Nigel Owens
* 18 April 2010 17:05
| Connacht | 12–18 | Munster |
| | Report | |
* Sportsgrounds Attendance: 4,125 Referee: Alain Rolland
* 18 April 2010 17:05
| Newport Gwent Dragons | 49–28 | Edinburgh |
| | Report | |
* Rodney Parade Attendance: 7,142 Referee: James Jones

### Rearranged fixture

* 21 April 2010 19:45
| Connacht | 27–13 | Leinster |
| | Report | |
* Sportsgrounds Attendance: 3,250 Referee: Peter Fitzgibbon

### Round 17

* 23 April 2010 19:05
| Newport Gwent Dragons | 14–20 | Cardiff Blues |
| | Report | |
* Rodney Parade Attendance: 8,108 Referee: Peter Allan
* 23 April 2010 20:00
| Glasgow Warriors | 30–6 | Leinster |
| | Report | |
* Firhill Stadium Attendance: 4,638 Referee: James Jones
* 24 April 2010 18:30
| Munster | 11–15 | Ospreys |
| | Report | |
* Thomond Park Attendance: 24,112 Referee: Neil Paterson
* 25 April 2010 14:05
| Scarlets | 58–10 | Connacht |
| | Report | |
* Parc y Scarlets Attendance: 5,023 Referee: Andy Macpherson
* 25 April 2010 16:05
| Edinburgh | 25–37 | Ulster |
| | Report | |
* Murrayfield Attendance: 3,759 Referee: Nigel Owens

### Round 18

* 7 May 2010 19:05
| Ospreys | 42–10 | Newport Gwent Dragons |
| | Report | |
* Liberty Stadium Attendance: 8,004 Referee: Nigel Owens
* 7 May 2010 19:05
| Scarlets | 32–37 | Glasgow Warriors |
| | Report | |
* Parc y Scarlets Attendance: 5,630 Referee: James Jones
* 7 May 2010 19:30
| Ulster | 41–10 | Connacht |
| | Report | |
* Ravenhill Attendance: 7,755 Referee: Dudley Phillips
* 9 May 2010 18:15
| Cardiff Blues | 13–12 | Munster |
| | Report | |
* Cardiff City Stadium Attendance: 12,602 Referee: Peter Allan
* 9 May 2010 18:15
| Leinster | 37–28 | Edinburgh |
| | Report | |
* RDS Arena Attendance: 11,836 Referee: James Jones

## Playoffs
### Semi-finals

* 14 May 2010 19:05
| Ospreys | 20–5 | Glasgow Warriors |
| Try: Williams 9' c Hook 54' c Con: Biggar (2/2) Pen: Biggar (2) 51', 79' | Report | Try: Thomson 42' m |
* Liberty Stadium Attendance: 7,079 Referee: George Clancy
* 15 May 2010 20:00
| Leinster | 16–6 | Munster |
| Try: Kearney 44' c Con: Sexton Pen: Sexton (3) 18', 50', 58' | Report | Pen: O'Gara 29' Drop: O'Gara 41' |
* RDS Arena Attendance: 19,750 Referee: Nigel Owens

### Grand Final

* 29 May 2010 18:30
| Leinster | 12–17 | Ospreys |
| Pen: Sexton (4) 23', 45', 62' ,71' | Report | Try: Bowe 20' c Byrne 35' c Con: Biggar (2/2) Pen: Biggar 48' |
* RDS Arena Attendance: 19,500 Referee: Chris White

## 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.