Champions Leinster (4th title) Dates 6 Sep 2013 – 31 May 2014 Location Scotland, United Kingdom Matches played 135 | Runners-up Glasgow Warriors Champion Leinster Rugby Attendance 1,107,707 Tries scored 531 | |
Countries Ireland
Italy
Scotland
Wales Top point scorer Dan Biggar (Ospreys)
(219 points) Top try scorer Gareth Davies (Scarlets)
(10 tries) Similar 2012–13 Pro12, 2011–12 Heineken Cup, 2013–14 Heineken Cup, 2012–13 Heineken Cup, 2014–15 European Rugby C | ||
The 2013–14 Pro12 (also known as the RaboDirect Pro12 for sponsorship reasons) was the 13th season of the Pro 12 rugby union competition originally known as the Celtic League, the fourth with its current 12-team format, and the third with RaboDirect as title sponsor.
Contents
Leinster were the defending champions, having beaten Ulster in the 2013 playoff final.
The twelve competing teams were the four Irish teams, Connacht, Leinster, Munster and Ulster; two Scottish teams, Edinburgh and Glasgow Warriors; four Welsh teams, Cardiff Blues, Newport Gwent Dragons, Ospreys and Scarlets; and two Italian teams, Benetton Treviso and Zebre.
Ireland
New Zealand native Pat Lam replaces Eric Elwood as head coach of Connacht, following Elwood's decision to step down, while out-half Dan Parks takes on a coaching role with Connacht U18 Schools/Clubs while continuing to play with the senior team. Also, following changes between captains in recent seasons, the start of the season saw three players, Gavin Duffy, John Muldoon and Michael Swift, captain the side jointly. After a poor run of form culminating in a 43–10 defeat against Edinburgh, former Chiefs captain Craig Clarke was made team captain with the others continuing to "lead off the field".
With the departure of head coach Joe Schmidt, who leaves to take over the Irish national team, Leinster are coached by Matt O'Connor. O'Connor joins Leinster from 2012–13 Aviva Premiership winners Leicester Tigers.
Back row player, Peter O'Mahony captains Munster following the retirement of previous captain Doug Howlett. Munster also face their first Pro12 or Celtic League season without long-serving out-half Ronan O'Gara, as he moves to a coaching role with Racing Métro. He leaves as the team's all time leading scorer, as well as the record holder for number of appearances for the province.
Scotland
With the departure of Michael Bradley, who leaves the team after two seasons as coach, Edinburgh are coached by South Africa native Alan Solomons. Solomons joins the team after coming from a director of rugby role with South African side, the Southern Kings.
Wales
By the time the new season gets underway Cardiff Blues will have replaced the grass playing surface at their home grounds with a new artificial pitch. On 16 August 2013, hooker Matthew Rees was named as captain for the season in place of Andries Pretorius. However, Rees was later diagnosed with testicular cancer, and was forced to take a leave of absence from the game to receive treatment.
Former Ospreys and London Welsh coach Lyn Jones has come in as director of rugby for Newport Gwent Dragons, with former Wales captain Kingsley Jones as his assistant. Previous season's head coach Darren Edwards stays on with the club, working under Lyn Jones in the new structure. Also, after serving as skipper for the side in the 2012–13 season, Lewis Evans is replaced by Andrew Coombs as Dragons captain.
Fixtures
The weekend dates for the 2013–14 season were announced on 19 July 2013. All times are local.
This match – originally scheduled to be held during Round 14, on 14 February 2014 – was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch.
This match – originally scheduled to be held during Round 13, on 9 February 2014 – was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch.
This match – originally scheduled to be held during Round 10, on 20 December 2013 – was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch.
This match – originally scheduled to be held during Round 12, on 1 January 2014 – was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch.
Semi-finals
The semi-finals will follow a 1 v 4, 2 v 3 system with the games being played at the home ground of the higher placed teams.
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.
End of season awards
2013/2014 Dream Team