THE OSPREYS BEAT the Scarlets 17-15 in this evening’s Welsh derby to reclaim top spot in the Guinness Pro12.
Munster had moved into pole position overnight following their win over Leinster yesterday at Thomond Park, before Glasgow Warriors’ victory against Edinburgh this afternoon briefly saw the Scots jump to the summit.
However, tries from replacement wing Aisea Natoga and new signing Dan Lydiate at Liberty Stadium ensured the Ospreys picked up their ninth win of the season to return to the top of the league table.
Out-half Dan Biggar kicked a conversion and two penalties for Steve Tandy’s Ospreys, while the Scarlets were on target with five penalties of their own – one from Rhys Priestland and four from the boot of Steve Shingler.
Earlier in the day, Glasgow were 16-6 winners in the first of their back-to-back Scottish derbies against Edinburgh, with number eight Josh Strauss crossing for the only try of the game after Peter Horne’s break up the right touchline.
Duncan Weir converted that score and added two penalties for Glasgow, as Alan Solomons’ Edinburgh managed only two penalties through Sam Hidalgo-Clyne and Tom Heathcote.
Those wins for Glasgow and the Ospreys mean Munster find themselves in third position in the Pro12 heading into their clash with Connacht at the Sportsground on New Year’s Day.
Leinster, meanwhile, have dropped out of the top four after defeat to Munster last night in Limerick. Ulster replace Matt O’Connor’s side in the semi-final spots, having beaten Connacht at Ravenhill yesterday.
Edinburgh’s defeat in Glasgow is good news for Connacht, with Solomons’ men among the clubs chasing the Irish province for the important European qualification place in the top six.
Similarly, a defeat for the Scarlets this evening would have been welcomed by Pat Lam, with the Welsh region now just four points off Connacht in seventh position.
Today’s Pro12 results:Glasgow 16-6 Edinburgh, Scotstoun
Ospreys 17-15 Scarlets, Liberty Stadium
Tomorrow’s Pro12 fixture:
Zebre v Treviso, Stadio XXV Aprile [14.00]
