2015–16 Pro12
The 2015–16 Pro12 (also known as the Guinness Pro12 for sponsorship reasons) was the fifteenth season of the professional rugby union competition originally known as the Celtic League, and the sixth with its current four-country format. it was the second season to be referred to as the Guinness Pro12.[3][4]
| 2015–16 Pro12 | |
|---|---|
| Countries | Ireland Italy Scotland Wales |
| Date | 5 September 2015 – 28 May 2016 |
| Champions | Connacht (1st title) |
| Runners-up | Leinster |
| Matches played | 135 |
| Attendance | 1,144,802 (average 8,480 per match) |
| Highest attendance | 68,262 – Judgement Day (30 April 2016) |
| Lowest attendance | 1,000 – Treviso v Munster (28 February 2016) |
| Tries scored | 613 (average 4.5 per match) |
| Top point scorer | Rhys Patchell (Cardiff Blues) (174 points)[1] |
| Top try scorer | Craig Gilroy (Ulster) Matt Healy (Connacht) (10 tries each)[2] |
| Official website | |
| www | |
The twelve competing teams were the four Irish teams: Connacht, Leinster, Munster and Ulster; two Italian teams: Benetton Treviso and Zebre; two Scottish teams: Edinburgh and Glasgow Warriors and four Welsh teams: Cardiff Blues, Newport Gwent Dragons, Ospreys and Scarlets. The first stage involved the twelve teams playing home and away in a league format with the top four sides qualifying for the semi-finals. The semi finals were one legged affairs with 1st playing 4th and 2nd playing 3rd and the higher ranked team gaining home advantage. The winners of the semi-finals proceeded to the Pro12 final, held at Murrayfield Stadium in Edinburgh, Scotland.[5]
Glasgow were the defending champions having beaten Munster 31–13 in the previous season's play-off final, taking their first Pro12 title.[6] They were unable to defend their title, after losing 16–11 to Connacht in the play-off semi-final. Connacht – who qualified for the play-offs for the first time – then proceeded to defeat Leinster 20–10 in the final,[7][8] to become the seventh team to win the league title.[9] Connacht had one of the top try scorers for the season, as Matt Healy and along with Ulster's Craig Gilroy, each scored 10 tries during the season.[2] Rhys Patchell of Cardiff Blues was the competition's top points scorer, with 174.[1]
Changes for the season edit
All countries edit
With the 2015 Rugby World Cup taking place during the opening months of the season, changes were made to the usual fixture schedule to minimise the effect on teams who released players to take part. The low number of games in the opening weeks of the season led to fixture congestion at the end of the tournament, with team playing a game every weekend for 16 weeks straight from October 2015 to January 2016, including European matches.
As in the previous season, qualification to the Champions Cup was guaranteed to the top team from each country participating in the league, with the three highest placed team's not already qualified also earning a berth. Unlike in the previous season where the 20th tournament spot was decided by a play-off involving teams from the Pro12, France's Top 14 and the English Premiership, due to fixture congestion from the World Cup, the final spot in the tournament was reserved for the winner of the 2015 Challenge Cup if not already qualified.
Ireland edit
Connacht came into the season without their long-serving forwards coach Dan McFarland, following his move to Glasgow Warriors. McFarland had been with Connacht as a player and later coach since 2000.[10] It was also the team's first season in the competition without Michael Swift, their former captain who retired as the record holder for appearances both in the league and for the province.[11]
Following a disappointing 2014–15 season, Leinster terminated the contract of head coach Matt O'Connor.[12] Former captain and previous season's forwards coach Leo Cullen was initially named as temporary head coach following the dismissal, before being named to the position permanently on a two-year deal.[13] With the previous season's captain Jamie Heaslip missing the start of the season to play for Ireland at the World Cup, Kevin McLaughlin was named captain of the team.[14] After suffering a concussion in the first game of the season however, McLaughlin was forced to retire from the game,[15] and was replaced in the role by Isa Nacewa who rejoined Leinster after returning from retirement. The season also saw the departure of Gordon D'Arcy, record holder for appearances for the province.[16] D'Arcy had announced his intention to retire after the World Cup earlier in the year,[17] but ultimately didn't make the final Irish squad and played with Leinster until the conclusion of the tournament.[18]
Munster captain Peter O'Mahony missed the early season due to the World Cup, and suffered a serious injury in Ireland's game against France. South Africa-born player CJ Stander, who became Irish-qualified during the course of the season, served as captain in his place.[19] The close season also saw the departure of long-serving players Donncha O'Callaghan and Paul O'Connell, both of whom had played for the province since before the league's foundation. O'Callaghan, the province's record holder for appearances, was released from the final year of his contract to join newly promoted English Premiership side Worcester Warriors.[20] Like O'Callaghan, O'Connell was released from the final year of his contract on request. He agreed a deal to join Toulon after the World Cup on a two-year deal,[21] but an injury suffered at the tournament ultimately forced him to retire from the game before he could play for them.
Over a year after the departures of David Humphreys and Mark Anscombe,[22] Les Kiss took over as Ulster Director of Rugby in October 2015. Neil Doak, who had served as head coach while Kiss continued in his role as Ireland defence coach, remained on the coaching staff working under him.[23] With Rory Best away at the World Cup during the start of the season, Rob Herring was named captain on an interim basis.[24]
Italy edit
Benetton Treviso's captain Antonio Pavanello retired from playing at the end of the previous season, taking up a role as Sporting Director.[25][26] Alessandro Zanni was named as his replacement, with Davide Giazzon and Edoardo Gori as his vice-captains.[27] With all three players away representing Italy in the World Cup, the role was taken by Alberto De Marchi for the early part of the tournament.[28] Umberto Casellato was the team coach at the beginning of the season but was sacked in January 2016, being replaced with Marius Goosen.[29]
At the start of the season George Biagi replaced Marco Bortolami as Zebre's captain.[30] Following the replacement of head coach Andrea Cavinato with Víctor Jiménez during the course of the previous season,[31] Gianluca Guidi entered the tournament as the team's new coach.[32]
Scotland edit
It was reported during the summer of 2015 that Edinburgh may play some of their home games in Hibernian F.C.'s Easter Road during the season with a view to a permanent ground sharing deal. This is due to Murrayfield Stadium having a capacity of over 67,000 while Edinburgh's home games draw average home crowds of around 4,000.[33][34] No deal was finalised however, and all of the team's home games were again played at Murrayfield.
Reigning champions Glasgow Warriors came into the season without an appointed captain, following the retirement of Alastair Kellock. Gregor Townsend named Peter Murchie as captain for the duration of the World Cup, with the intention of naming a permanent successor after his international players had returned.[35] In November 2015, it was announced that Jonny Gray would take over the captaincy.[36] During the season, Glasgow were forced to play some home matches in the Pro12 and Champions Cup in Kilmarnock F.C.'s Rugby Park due to heavy rainfall making Scotstoun unplayable.[37]
Wales edit
Following the departure of Director of Rugby Mark Hammett in February 2015, for personal reasons,[38] Cardiff Blues appointed Danny Wilson their head coach ahead of the new season, replacing caretakers Dale McIntosh and Paul John.[39] The new season also saw veteran prop Gethin Jenkins named captain, replacing Matthew Rees.[40] With Jenkins away at the World Cup with Wales, Josh Navidi captained the team in their early games.[41][42]
Newport Gwent Dragons captain Lee Byrne was forced to retire in April 2015 after he failed to recover from a shoulder injury.[43] It was announced in July 2015 that Welsh international T. Rhys Thomas would captain the side for the 2015–16 season.[44]
Ospreys captain Alun Wyn Jones missed the start of the season while playing for Wales at the World Cup. In his absence, the side was captained by Lloyd Ashley. Ashley had previously taken on the role at under-age level and in the Anglo-Welsh Cup.[45]
Both Scarlets captain Ken Owens and vice-captain Scott Williams went to the World Cup with Wales, missing the opening rounds of the league. New Zealand born centre Hadleigh Parkes captained the side until their return.[46]
Teams edit
| Winners; 2nd–4th place; Other teams. | |
| Team | Coach / Director of Rugby | Captain | Stadium | Capacity |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Benetton Treviso | Marius Goosen (For Umberto Casellato)[a] | Alessandro Zanni[b] | Stadio Comunale di Monigo | 6,700 |
| Cardiff Blues | Danny Wilson | Gethin Jenkins[c] | BT Sport Cardiff Arms Park | 12,500 |
| Connacht | Pat Lam | John Muldoon | Galway Sportsgrounds | 7,800 |
| Edinburgh | Alan Solomons | Mike Coman | Murrayfield Stadium | 67,144[d] |
| Glasgow Warriors | Gregor Townsend | Jonny Gray[e] | Scotstoun Stadium Rugby Park[f] | 10,000 17,921 |
| Leinster | Leo Cullen | Isa Nacewa[g] | RDS Arena Aviva Stadium | 18,500 51,700 |
| Munster | Anthony Foley | CJ Stander | Thomond Park Irish Independent Park | 25,630 9,251 |
| Newport Gwent Dragons | Lyn Jones | T. Rhys Thomas | Rodney Parade | 8,800 |
| Ospreys | Steve Tandy | Alun Wyn Jones[h] | Liberty Stadium | 20,827 |
| Scarlets | Wayne Pivac | Ken Owens[i] | Parc y Scarlets | 14,870 |
| Ulster | Les Kiss[j] | Rory Best[k] | Kingspan Stadium | 18,196 |
| Zebre | Gianluca Guidi | George Biagi | Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi | 5,000 |
Table edit
| |||||||||||||||||
| Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Points For | Points Against | Points Diff | Tries For | Tries Against | Try Bonus | Losing Bonus | Points | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Leinster (RU) | 22 | 16 | 0 | 6 | 458 | 290 | +168 | 51 | 27 | 6 | 3 | 73 | ||||
| 2 | Connacht (CH) | 22 | 15 | 0 | 7 | 507 | 406 | +101 | 60 | 46 | 8 | 5 | 73 | ||||
| 3 | Glasgow Warriors (SF) | 22 | 14 | 1 | 7 | 557 | 380 | +177 | 68 | 37 | 8 | 6 | 72 | ||||
| 4 | Ulster (SF) | 22 | 14 | 0 | 8 | 488 | 307 | +181 | 61 | 29 | 8 | 5 | 69 | ||||
| 5 | Scarlets | 22 | 14 | 0 | 8 | 477 | 458 | +19 | 45 | 54 | 2 | 5 | 63 | ||||
| 6 | Munster | 22 | 13 | 0 | 9 | 459 | 417 | +42 | 56 | 36 | 6 | 5 | 63 | ||||
| 7 | Cardiff Blues | 22 | 11 | 0 | 11 | 542 | 461 | +81 | 62 | 53 | 5 | 7 | 56 | ||||
| 8 | Ospreys | 22 | 11 | 1 | 10 | 490 | 455 | +35 | 55 | 49 | 6 | 3 | 55 | ||||
| 9 | Edinburgh | 22 | 11 | 0 | 11 | 405 | 366 | +39 | 41 | 36 | 2 | 8 | 54 | ||||
| 10 | Newport Gwent Dragons | 22 | 4 | 0 | 18 | 353 | 492 | −139 | 33 | 57 | 0 | 10 | 26 | ||||
| 11 | Zebre | 22 | 5 | 0 | 17 | 308 | 718 | −410 | 35 | 99 | 3 | 1 | 24 | ||||
| 12 | Benetton Treviso | 22 | 3 | 0 | 19 | 320 | 614 | −294 | 35 | 79 | 0 | 8 | 20 | ||||
If teams are level at any stage, tiebreakers are applied in the following order:[48]
| |||||||||||||||||
| Green background (rows 1 to 4) were play-off places, and earned places in the 2016–17 European Rugby Champions Cup. Blue background indicates teams outside the play-off places that earned places in the European Rugby Champions Cup. To facilitate the 2015 Rugby World Cup, there were no play-offs for the 2016–17 European Rugby Champions Cup; the 20th place went to the winner of the 2015–16 European Rugby Challenge Cup if not already qualified. Because Challenge Cup winner Montpellier qualified via the Top 14, its place passed to the top team from that league not already qualified. Plain background indicates teams that earned a place in the 2016–17 European Rugby Challenge Cup. | |||||||||||||||||
Fixtures edit
All times are local.
Round 1 edit
| 4 September 2015 19:30 |
| Connacht | 29–23 | Newport Gwent Dragons (1 BP) |
| Try: Fox-Matamua 25' m Poolman 49' m Carr 77' c Con: Carty (1/3) Pen: Carty (4/4) 7', 8', 21', 68' | Report[49] | Try: Pretorius 41' c J. Thomas 75' c Con: Tovey (2/2) Pen: Tovey (2/2) 28', 56' Prydie (1/1) 80' |
| Galway Sportsgrounds Attendance: 3,624 Referee: Ben Whitehouse (WRU) |
| 4 September 2015 19:35 |
| Edinburgh | 16–9 | Leinster (1 BP) |
| Try: Hoyland (2) 54' m, 78' m Pen: Fowles (1/3) 24' Cuthbert (1/2) 70' | Report[50] | Pen: Nacewa (3/5) 16', 57', 72' |
| Meggetland Attendance: 2,479 Referee: Peter Fitzgibbon (IRFU) |
| 4 September 2015 19:35 |
| (1 BP) Ulster | 28–6 | Ospreys |
| Try: Herring 5' m McCloskey 26' c Herbst 52' m L. Marshall 78' m Con: McCloskey (1/3) Pen: McCloskey (2/2) 9', 47' | Report[51] | Pen: S. Davies (2/3) 20', 35' |
| Kingspan Stadium Attendance: 13,544 Referee: Ian Davies (WRU) |
| 5 September 2015 17:15 |
| (1 BP) Glasgow Warriors | 10–16 | Scarlets |
| Try: Cusack 45' m G. Bryce 79' m | Report[52] | Try: A. Shingler 4' m Parkes 19' m Pen: D. Jones (2/3) 28', 54' |
| Scotstoun Stadium Attendance: 6,562 Referee: Gary Conway (IRFU) |
| 5 September 2015 19:45 |
| Munster | 18–13 | Benetton Treviso (1 BP) |
| Try: Stander (2) 46' m, 53' c Con: Keatley (1/2) Pen: Keatley (2/3) 6', 25' | Report[53] | Try: Budd 10' c Con: Hayward (1/1) Pen: Hayward (2/3) 71', 80' |
| Irish Independent Park Attendance: 5,425 Referee: Lloyd Linton (SRU) |
| 6 September 2015 14:30 |
| (1 BP) Cardiff Blues | 61–13 | Zebre |
| Try: Navidi (2) 20' m, 40' m James 33' m Summerhill (2) 36' m, 60' c Patchell (3) 42' c, 49' m, 52' m Turnbull (3) 71' c, 75' m, 80' m Con: Patchell (1/7) G. Davies (1/1) Fish (1/3) | Report[54] | Try: Beyers 57' c Con: Beyers (1/1) Pen: Azzolini (2/2) 11', 23' |
| Cardiff Arms Park Attendance: 3,658 Referee: Andrew Brace (IRFU) |
Round 2 edit
| 11 September 2015 19:05 |
| Newport Gwent Dragons | 13–0 | Zebre |
| Try: Jackson 28' c Con: Tovey (1/1) Pen: Tovey (2/2) 11', 25' | Report[55] |
| Rodney Parade Attendance: 4,159 Referee: Lloyd Linton (SRU) |
| 11 September 2015 19:35 |
| Glasgow Warriors | 33–32 | Connacht (2 BP) |
| Try: G. Bryce 30' c Cummings 35' c Harley 41' c Con: Clegg (3/3) Pen: Clegg (4/4) 10', 22', 27', 68' | Report[56] | Try: Jo. Cooney 46' c penalty try 56' c Poolman 59' m Fox-Matamua 75' c Con: Carty (3/4) Pen: Carty (2/2) 7', 39' |
| Scotstoun Stadium Attendance: 6,267 Referee: Ian Davies (WRU) |
| 12 September 2015 15:00 |
| Scarlets | 22–12 | Ulster |
| Try: Parkes 45' c Con: D. Jones (1/1) Pen: D. Jones (4/5) 2', 18', 24', 62' Thomas (1/1) 80' | Report[57] | Try: Scholes 54' m penalty try 71' c Con: McCloskey (1/2) |
| Parc y Scarlets Attendance: 6,061 Referee: Andrew Brace (IRFU) |
| 12 September 2015 17:10 |
| (1 BP) Benetton Treviso | 24–27 | Edinburgh |
| Try: Pratichetti 40' c Naude 41' m Con: Hayward (1/2) Pen: Hayward (4/4) 24', 29', 38', 56' | Report[58] | Try: Burleigh 4' c Hoyland 12' c Beard 33' c Con: Tonks (3/3) Pen: Tonks (2/4) 25', 72' |
| Stadio Comunale di Monigo Attendance: 4,000 Referee: Gary Conway (IRFU) |
| 12 September 2015 17:15 |
| Leinster | 23–15 | Cardiff Blues |
| Try: Conan 16' c penalty try 76' c Con: Nacewa (2/2) Pen: Nacewa (3/5) 13', 46', 66' | Report[59] | Pen: Patchell (5/5) 3', 7', 33', 51', 56' |
| RDS Arena Attendance: 13,300 Referee: Ben Whitehouse (WRU) |
| 13 September 2015 14:30 |
| (1 BP) Ospreys | 18–20 | Munster |
| Pen: S. Davies (6/6) 9', 35', 40', 46', 62', 70' | Report[60] | Try: Fitzgerald 52' c Stander 79' c Con: Bleyendaal (1/1) Keatley (1/1) Pen: Bleyendaal (2/2) 12', 31' |
| Liberty Stadium Attendance: 8,107 Referee: Dudley Phillips (IRFU) |
Round 3 edit
| 2 October 2015 18:00 |
| Edinburgh | 20–9 | Ospreys |
| Try: Burleigh 37' c Andress 73' c Con: Tonks (1/1) Cuthbert (1/1) Pen: Tonks (2/2) 47', 63' | Report[61] | Pen: S. Davies (3/5) 4', 17', 40' |
| Murrayfield Stadium Attendance: 2,475 Referee: Andrew Brace (IRFU) |
| 2 October 2015 18:00 |
| Munster | 23–21 | Glasgow Warriors (1 BP) |
| Try: O'Callaghan 28' c Botha 66' c Con: Keatley (2/2) Pen: Keatley (3/4) 19', 40', 77' | Report[62] | Pen: Clegg (6/7) 12', 32', 38', 51', 55', 60' Drop: Clegg (1/1) 74' |
| Thomond Park Attendance: 11,713 Referee: Ben Whitehouse (WRU) |
| 2 October 2015 18:05 |
| (1 BP) Ulster | 48–7 | Benetton Treviso |
| Try: Tuohy 6' c Reidy 21' c P. Marshall 33' m Gilroy (2) 39' m, 62' c Browne 55' c Stevenson 76' c Con: McCloskey (3/5) Nelson (2/2) Pen: McCloskey (1/2) 11' | Report[63] | Try: Christie 46' c Con: Hayward (1/1) |
| Kingspan Stadium Attendance: 14,398 Referee: Lloyd Linton (SRU) |
| 3 October 2015 14:30 |
| 3 October 2015 17:00 |
| (1 BP) Connacht | 36–31 | Cardiff Blues (2 BP) |
| Try: Marmion 10' c Fox-Matamua 22' c Poolman 26' m O'Halloran 57' c Muldowney 64' c Con: Carty (4/5) Pen: Carty (1/2) 79' | Report[65] | Try: Summerhill 7' c Turnbull 33' c Fish 48' c Hobbs 80' c Con: Patchell (3/3) G. Davies (1/1) Pen: Patchell (1/2) 40' |
| Galway Sportsgrounds Attendance: 3,274 Referee: Neil Hennessy (WRU) |
| 4 October 2015 14:00 |
| Zebre | 8–20 | Scarlets |
| Try: Bellini 28' m Pen: Padovani (1/4) 10' | Report[66] | Try: J. Davies 43' m Pen: D. Jones (3/3) 26', 33', 47' S. Shingler (2/3) 64', 67' |
| Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi Attendance: 2,000 Referee: Dudley Phillips (IRFU) |
Round 4 edit
| 16 October 2015 19:30 |
| (1 BP) Connacht | 34–15 | Zebre |
| Try: Healy 7' c Marmion 21' c E. McKeon 27' m Ronaldson 39' c Buckley 48' m Con: Ronaldson (3/5) Pen: Ronaldson (1/1) 3' | Report[67] | Try: Berryman 35' c Meyer 78' m Con: Padovani (1/1) Pen: Padovani (1/1) 10' |
| Galway Sportsgrounds Attendance: 3,994 Referee: Ben Whitehouse (WRU) |
| 16 October 2015 19:35 |
| (1 BP) Glasgow Warriors | 29–15 | Newport Gwent Dragons |
| Try: Fusaro 35' c Fagerson 54' c Bulumakau 69' m Favaro 79' c Con: Clegg (3/4) Pen: Clegg (1/2) 12' | Report[68] | Try: Landman 23' c Hewitt 72' m Con: Tovey (1/2) Pen: Tovey (1/2) 40' |
| Scotstoun Stadium Attendance: 6,641 Referee: Gary Conway (IRFU) |
| 16 October 2015 19:35 |
| Scarlets | 25–14 | Leinster |
| Try: J. Davies 8' m Van der Merwe (2) 32' c, 52' c Con: S. Shingler (2/3) Pen: S. Shingler (2/2) 3', 61' | Report[69] | Try: Nacewa 62' c Tracy 78' c Con: McFadden (2/2) |
| Parc y Scarlets Attendance: 7,013 Referee: Peter Fitzgibbon (IRFU) |
| 16 October 2015 19:45 |
| Edinburgh | 16–10 | Ulster (1 BP) |
| Try: Watson 54' c Con: Tonks (1/1) Pen: Tonks (3/4) 5', 17', 65' | Report[70] | Try: Reidy 44' c Con: Nelson (1/1) Pen: Nelson (1/1) 24' |
| Murrayfield Stadium Attendance: 4,324 Referee: Dudley Phillips (IRFU) |
| 17 October 2015 13:30 |
| (1 BP) Munster | 35–27 | Cardiff Blues |
| Try: Sherry (2) 27' c, 52' c Keatley 36' c Coghlan 61' c Conway 72' c Con: Keatley (5/5) | Report[71] | Try: Knoyle 23' c R. Smith 40' c Isaacs 42' c Con: Patchell (3/3) Pen: Patchell (2/5) 15', 69' |
| Musgrave Park Attendance: 6,124 Referee: Ian Davies (WRU) |
| 17 October 2015 14:30 |
| (1 BP) Benetton Treviso | 22–25 | Ospreys |
| Try: Ambrosini 23' m Hayward 73' c Bigi 80' c Con: Hayward (2/3) Pen: Hayward (1/3) 2' | Report[72] | Try: D. Evans 18' m John 29' c S. Davies 63' c Con: S. Davies (2/3) Pen: S. Davies (2/5) 53', 76' |
| Stadio Comunale di Monigo Attendance: 3,700 Referee: Neil Hennessy (WRU) |
Round 5 edit
| 23 October 2015 19:05 |
| Scarlets | 25–22 | Munster (1 BP) |
| Try: Van der Merwe 41' m T. Williams 53' m Pen: S. Shingler (5/6) 27', 40', 60', 77', 80' | Report[73] | Try: Conway 25' c Con: Keatley (1/1) Pen: Keatley (4/6) 5', 29', 48', 72' Drop: Keatley (1/2) 58' |
| Parc y Scarlets Attendance: 6,466 Referee: Gary Conway (IRFU) |
| 23 October 2015 19:15 |
| Newport Gwent Dragons | 19–12 | Benetton Treviso (1 BP) |
| Try: Cudd 23' c Con: Tovey (1/1) Pen: Tovey (4/4) 2', 28', 44', 59' | Report[74] | Pen: Hayward (4/5) 12', 32', 41', 47' |
| Rodney Parade Attendance: 4,940 Referee: Dudley Phillips (IRFU) |
| 23 October 2015 19:35 |
| (1 BP) Ulster | 24–17 | Cardiff Blues (1 BP) |
| Try: Trimble 18' m P. Marshall 40' c Williams 45' c McCloskey 49' m Con: Humphreys (2/4) | Report[75] | Try: Navidi 56' m Pen: Patchell (4/4) 3', 22', 36', 72' |
| Kingspan Stadium Attendance: 15,886 Referee: Ben Whitehouse (WRU) |
| 23 October 2015 19:45 |
| Leinster | 23–18 | Glasgow Warriors (1 BP) |
| Try: L. McGrath 42' c penalty try 64' c Con: McFadden (2/2) Pen: McFadden (3/4) 16', 21', 80' | Report[76] | Try: Fagerson 13' c Naiyaravoro 48' m Con: Weir (1/2) Pen: Weir (2/3) 26', 34' |
| 24 October 2015 13:30 |
| (1 BP) Ospreys | 16–21 | Connacht |
| Try: Baker 14' m Tipuric 68' m Pen: S. Davies (2/5) 2', 56' | Report[77] | Try: Healy 27' m Aki 43' c Con: Ronaldson (1/1) Pen: Carty (2/4) 10', 19' Ronaldson (1/1) 77' |
| Liberty Stadium Attendance: 7,893 Referee: Andrew Brace (IRFU) |
| 24 October 2015 14:30 |
| Zebre | 19–11 | Edinburgh |
| Try: Berryman 54' c Con: Canna (1/1) Pen: Canna (4/5) 10', 19', 26', 59' | Report[78] | Try: Watson 37' m Pen: Fowles (2/3) 8', 33' |
| Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi Attendance: 1,500 Referee: Peter Fitzgibbon (IRFU) |
Round 6 edit
| 30 October 2015 18:00 |
| (1 BP) Munster | 32–28 | Ulster (2 BP) |
| Try: Conway 16' c Copeland 29' c Van den Heever 33' m Hurley 60' m Zebo 65' m Con: Keatley (2/5) Pen: Keatley (1/1) 49' | Report[79] | Try: Gilroy (2) 2' m, 26' m Williams 38' m Tuohy 67' c Con: Pad. Jackson (1/4) Pen: Pad. Jackson (1/1) 20' Drop: Pad. Jackson (1/1) 45' |
| Thomond Park Attendance: 13,039 Referee: Marius Mitrea (FIR) |
| 30 October 2015 18:00 |
| (1 BP) Scarlets | 25–15 | Newport Gwent Dragons |
| Try: J. Davies (2) 9' c, 65' m John (2) 18' m, 58' m Con: Thomas (1/4) Pen: Thomas (1/1) 48' | Report[80] | Try: Tovey 36' m Pretorius 71' c Con: Tovey (1/2) Pen: Tovey (1/3) 24' |
| Parc y Scarlets Attendance: 6,952 Referee: Ben Whitehouse (WRU) |
| 31 October 2015 14:00 |
| (1 BP) Zebre | 26–15 | Cardiff Blues |
| Try: Van Zyl 3' m Van Schalkwyk (2) 15' c, 75' c Meyer 28' c Con: Canna (3/4) | Report[81] | Try: Thomas 7' m James 57' c Con: Patchell (1/2) Pen: Patchell (1/2) 33' |
| Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi Attendance: 1,634 Referee: David Wilkinson (IRFU) |
| 31 October 2015 18:45 |
| Connacht | 14–9 | Edinburgh (1 BP) |
| Try: O'Halloran 9' m Pen: Carty (3/5) 7', 44', 55' | Report[82] | Pen: Hidalgo-Clyne (2/2) 15', 53' Kinghorn (1/1) 37' |
| Galway Sportsgrounds Attendance: 3,834 Referee: Leighton Hodges (WRU) |
| 1 November 2015 14:30 |
| (1 BP) Glasgow Warriors | 31–19 | Ospreys |
| Try: Lamont 29' m Peterson 50' c Allan 63' m Naiyaravoro 80' m Con: Weir (1/4) Pen: Weir (3/4) 2', 43', 55' | Report[83] | Try: Baker 73' c Con: Biggar (1/1) Pen: Biggar (4/5) 6', 13', 37', 46' |
| Scotstoun Stadium Attendance: 6,650 Referee: Peter Fitzgibbon (IRFU) |
| 1 November 2015 16:00 |
| Benetton Treviso | 3–27 | Leinster (1 BP) |
| Pen: Hayward (1/1) 7' | Report[84] | Try: J. McGrath 3' c Nacewa 40' m Conan 56' m Te'o 61' c Con: Sexton (1/1) McFadden (1/3) Pen: McFadden (1/1) 33' |
| Stadio Comunale di Monigo Attendance: 4,000 Referee: Andrew Brace (IRFU) |
Round 7 edit
| 6 November 2015 19:30 |
| Connacht | 33–19 | Benetton Treviso |
| Try: Henshaw 42' c McCartney 52' c Healy 75' c Con: Ronaldson (3/3) Pen: Ronaldson (4/5) 3', 20', 36', 72' | Report[85] | Try: Hayward (2) 26' m, 47' c Gori 80' c Con: Hayward (2/3) |
| Galway Sportsgrounds Attendance: 3,443 Referee: Ian Davies (WRU) |
| 6 November 2015 19:35 |
| Leinster | 19–15 | Scarlets (1 BP) |
| Try: Ross 44' c Con: Madigan (1/1) Pen: Madigan (4/4) 10', 19', 28', 59' | Report[86] | Try: Parkes 3' c G. Owen 24' m Con: D. Jones (1/2) Pen: D. Jones (1/1) 33' |
| RDS Arena Attendance: 14,743 Referee: Leighton Hodges (WRU) |
| 7 November 2015 14:30 |
| (1 BP) Ospreys | 36–3 | Zebre |
| Try: Spratt 8' m Jos. Matavesi 16' c Walker (2) 24' m, 62' c Tipuric 55' m Parry 71' c Con: Biggar (2/5) S. Davies (1/1) | Report[87] | Pen: Canna (1/2) 30' |
| Liberty Stadium Attendance: 7,236 Referee: Gary Conway (IRFU) |
| 7 November 2015 15:00 |
| (1 BP) Cardiff Blues | 30–35 | Glasgow Warriors (1 BP) |
| Try: G. Evans 30' m penalty try 78' c Con: J. Evans (1/1) Pen: Patchell (6/6) 7', 12', 19', 37', 58', 63' | Report[88] | Try: Nakarawa 25' m Naiyaravoro 38' c Grant 68' c Gray 73' c Con: Russell (3/4) Pen: Russell (3/3) 5', 41', 75' |
| Cardiff Arms Park Attendance: 5,704 Referee: Marius Mitrea (FIR) |
| 7 November 2015 17:15 |
| (1 BP) Edinburgh | 14–16 | Munster |
| Try: Helu 46' m Pen: Hidalgo-Clyne (3/3) 10', 39', 56' | Report[89] | Try: J. Ryan 7' c Con: Keatley (1/1) Pen: Keatley (3/4) 29', 61', 67' |
| Murrayfield Stadium Attendance: 4,981 Referee: David Wilkinson (IRFU) |
| 8 November 2015 14:30 |
| (1 BP) Newport Gwent Dragons | 12–19 | Ulster |
| Pen: D. Jones (3/3) 10', 16', 19' Tovey (1/1) 62' | Report[90] | Try: P. Marshall 50' c Con: Pad. Jackson (1/1) Pen: Pad. Jackson (4/5) 25', 34', 69', 71' |
| Rodney Parade Attendance: 4,483 Referee: Dudley Phillips (IRFU) |
Round 8 edit
| 27 November 2015 19:35 |
| (1 BP) Edinburgh | 32–13 | Newport Gwent Dragons |
| Try: Nel 18' c Dickinson 59' c Brown 72' m Scott 76' c Con: Hidalgo-Clyne (2/3) Kinghorn (1/1) Pen: Hidalgo-Clyne (2/2) 6', 27' | Report[91] | Try: Cudd 80' c Con: D. Jones (1/1) Pen: D. Jones (2/2) 15', 34' |
| Murrayfield Stadium Attendance: 3,294 Referee: Marius Mitrea (FIR) |
| 27 November 2015 19:35 |
| Glasgow Warriors | 13–6 | Benetton Treviso (1 BP) |
| Try: Ashe 72' c Con: Weir (1/1) Pen: Russell (1/1) 3' Weir (1/1) 78' | Report[92] | Pen: Hayward (2/4) 9', 32' |
| Scotstoun Stadium Attendance: 6,634 Referee: David Wilkinson (IRFU) |
| 27 November 2015 19:35 |
| Leinster | 8–3 | Ulster (1 BP) |
| Try: Cronin 36' m Pen: Sexton (1/1) 5' | Report[93] | Pen: Pad. Jackson (1/2) 13' |
| RDS Arena Attendance: 15,552 Referee: John Lacey (IRFU) |
| 28 November 2015 15:00 |
| Ospreys | 13–6 | Cardiff Blues (1 BP) |
| Try: A. Jones 57' c Con: S. Davies (1/1) Pen: S. Davies (2/4) 69', 77' | Report[94] | Pen: J. Evans (2/3) 6', 50' |
| Liberty Stadium Attendance: 9,920 Referee: Nigel Owens (WRU) |
| 28 November 2015 17:15 |
| (1 BP) Munster | 12–18 | Connacht |
| Try: N. Scannell 20' m penalty try 65' c Con: Keatley (1/2) | Report[95] | Try: O'Halloran 17' c Aki 77' m Con: Ronaldson (1/2) Pen: Ronaldson (2/3) 11', 58' |
| Thomond Park Attendance: 15,143 Referee: Ben Whitehouse (WRU) |
| 29 November 2015 14:30 |
| Scarlets | 20–12 | Zebre |
| Try: Parkes 7' c A. Davies 11' c Con: Thomas (2/2) Pen: Thomas (1/1) 21' S. Shingler (1/3) 76' | Report[96] | Try: Van Schalkwyk (2) 49' m, 59' c Con: Canna (1/2) |
| Parc y Scarlets Attendance: 5,504 Referee: George Clancy (IRFU) |
Round 9 edit
| 4 December 2015 19:05 |
| Cardiff Blues | 20–16 | Connacht (1 BP) |
| Try: Vosawai 5' c James 54' c Con: Patchell (2/2) Pen: Patchell (2/3) 25', 63' | Report[97] | Try: Porter 12' m E. McKeon 21' m Pen: Porter (1/1) 26' Carty (1/1) 66' |
| Cardiff Arms Park Attendance: 5,824 Referee: Andrew Brace (IRFU) |
| 4 December 2015 19:35 |
| Ulster | 14–7 | Edinburgh (1 BP) |
| Try: penalty try 4' c Scholes 10' c Con: Pad. Jackson (2/2) | Report[98] | Try: Du Preez 47' c Con: Cuthbert (1/1) |
| Kingspan Stadium Attendance: 12,640 Referee: Ian Davies (WRU) |
| 5 December 2015 15:00 |
| (1 BP) Benetton Treviso | 20–22 | Scarlets |
| Try: Christie (2) 5' c, 72' m Gori 58' m Con: Hayward (1/3) Pen: Hayward (1/2) 34' | Report[99] | Try: Allen (2) 10' c, 51' c Van der Merwe 26' m Con: Thomas (2/3) Pen: S. Shingler (1/1) 76' |
| Stadio Comunale di Monigo Attendance: 4,500 Referee: Dudley Phillips (IRFU) |
| 5 December 2015 15:00 |
| Glasgow Warriors | P–P | Leinster |
| Postponed due to a waterlogged pitch.[100] |
| Scotstoun Stadium Referee: Nigel Owens (WRU) |
| 6 December 2015 15:00 |
| Zebre | 22–39 | Ospreys (1 BP) |
| Try: Van Zyl (2) 4' c, 74' c Violi 40' m Con: Violi (1/1) Padovani (1/1) Pen: Canna (1/2) 44' | Report[101] | Try: Hassler 13' c Walker 34' m Tipuric (2) 36' c, 56' c Spratt 60' c Con: S. Davies (4/5) Pen: S. Davies (2/2) 29', 46' |
| Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi Attendance: 2,308 Referee: John Lacey (IRFU) |
| 6 December 2015 14:30 |
| Newport Gwent Dragons | 22–6 | Munster |
| Try: Landman 77' c Con: D. Jones (1/1) Pen: D. Jones (3/4) 1', 30', 64' Tovey (1/1) 80' Drop: D. Jones (1/3) 43' | Report[102] | Pen: R. Scannell (2/2) 13', 38' |
| Rodney Parade Attendance: 5,571 Referee: Gary Conway (IRFU) |
Round 10 edit
| 26 December 2015 14:05 |
| (1 BP) Scarlets | 26–27 | Ospreys |
| Try: Barclay 10' c A. Davies 34' c Con: Thomas (2/2) Pen: Thomas (4/4) 17', 23', 42', 51' | Report[103] | Try: Dirksen 27' c A. Jones 40' c Walker 57' c Con: Biggar (3/3) Pen: Biggar (2/3) 13', 21' |
| Parc y Scarlets Attendance: 14,568 Referee: Nigel Owens (WRU) |
| 26 December 2015 18:00 |
| (1 BP) Connacht | 3–10 | Ulster |
| Pen: MacGinty (1/1) 63' | Report[104] | Try: Williams 76' c Con: Pad. Jackson (1/1) Pen: Pad. Jackson (1/1) 32' |
| Galway Sportsgrounds Attendance: 5,876 Referee: Peter Fitzgibbon (IRFU) |
| 27 December 2015 15:00 |
| Zebre | 28–25 | Benetton Treviso (1 BP) |
| Try: Canna 20' c Biagi 68' m Van Schalkwyk 80' c Con: Canna (1/1) Haimona (1/2) Pen: Canna (3/3) 13', 17', 34' | Report[105] | Try: Hayward 58' m Gega 66' c Zanusso 75' c Con: Hayward (2/3) Pen: Hayward (2/2) 15', 53' |
| Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi Attendance: 4,509 Referee: Ben Whitehouse (WRU) |
| 27 December 2015 15:05 |
| (1 BP) Newport Gwent Dragons | 20–21 | Cardiff Blues |
| Try: Hewitt 9' m Pen: D. Jones (3/3) 39', 42', 60' Tovey (1/1) 71' Drop: D. Jones (1/2) 6' | Report[106] | Try: penalty try 65' c James 73' m Con: Patchell (1/2) Pen: Patchell (3/3) 13', 22', 79' |
| Rodney Parade Attendance: 8,226 Referee: Ian Davies (WRU) |
| 27 December 2015 17:15 |
| Munster | 7–24 | Leinster |
| Try: Copeland 37' c Con: R. Scannell (1/1) | Report[107] | Try: Nacewa 3' c J. McGrath 54' c Kirchner 80' c Con: Madigan (3/3) Pen: Madigan (1/1) 14' |
| Thomond Park Attendance: 25,600 Referee: David Wilkinson (IRFU) |
1872 Cup 1st round edit
| 27 December 2015 15:05 |
| Edinburgh | 23–11 | Glasgow Warriors |
| Try: Scott 12' c Hardie 69' c Con: Hidalgo-Clyne (2/2) Pen: Hidalgo-Clyne (3/4) 30', 50', 59' | Report[108] | Try: Bennett 6' m Pen: Russell (2/2) 47', 56' |
| Murrayfield Stadium Attendance: 23,642 Referee: John Lacey (IRFU) |
Round 11 edit
| 1 January 2016 14:00 |
| Ospreys | 12–7 | Newport Gwent Dragons (1 BP) |
| Try: D. Evans 23' m Dirksen 34' c Con: S. Davies (1/2) | Report[109] | Try: Jackson 65' c Con: Tovey (1/1) |
| Liberty Stadium Attendance: 9,247 Referee: Andrew Brace (IRFU) |
| 1 January 2016 17:00 |
| (1 BP) Cardiff Blues | 29–27 | Scarlets (1 BP) |
| Try: Allen 15' c Fish 49' m Dacey 57' c Cuthbert 76' c Con: Patchell (3/4) Pen: Patchell (1/1) 2' | Report[110] | Try: Owens 6' c Van der Merwe 11' c G. Davies 65' c Con: Thomas (3/3) Pen: Thomas (2/2) 17', 27 |
| Cardiff Arms Park Attendance: 11,720 Referee: Ben Whitehouse (WRU) |
| 1 January 2016 17:00 |
| Leinster | 13–0 | Connacht |
| Try: Van der Flier 60' c Con: Sexton (1/1) Pen: Sexton (1/1) 14' Madigan (1/1) 74' | Report[111] |
| RDS Arena Attendance: 14,297 Referee: George Clancy (IRFU) |
| 2 January 2016 15:00 |
| (1 BP) Ulster | 7–9 | Munster |
| Try: Ludik 23' c Con: Pad. Jackson (1/1) | Report[112] | Pen: Keatley (2/2) 8', 60' Drop: Keatley (1/1) 57' |
| Kingspan Stadium Attendance: 17,211 Referee: Gary Conway (IRFU) |
| 3 January 2016 14:30 |
| Benetton Treviso | 8–18 | Zebre |
| Try: Smylie 73' m Pen: Hayward (1/2) 12' | Report[113] | Try: Burgess 33' m Toniolatti 75' c Con: Padovani (1/1) Pen: Canna (1/1) 4' Padovani (1/1) 55' |
| Stadio Comunale di Monigo Attendance: 5,000 Referee: Nigel Owens (WRU) |
1872 Cup 2nd round edit
| 2 January 2016 17:15 |
| (1 BP) Glasgow Warriors | 11–14 | Edinburgh |
| Try: Bennett 31' m Pen: Weir (2/2) 5', 54' | Report[114] | Try: Burleigh 74' m Pen: Hidalgo-Clyne (3/4) 16', 25', 67' |
| Murrayfield Stadium[115] Attendance: 8,000 Referee: Peter Fitzgibbon (IRFU) |
Round 12 edit
| 8 January 2016 19:30 |
| Edinburgh | 28–13 | Benetton Treviso |
| Try: Hoyland (2) 12' c, 80' m penalty try 58' c Con: Hidalgo-Clyne (2/2) Pen: Hidalgo-Clyne (3/3) 7', 46', 50' | Report[116] | Try: McLean 64' c Con: Ambrosini (1/1) Pen: Ambrosini (2/2) 17', 24' |
| Murrayfield Stadium Attendance: 3,159 Referee: Gary Conway (IRFU) |
| 8 January 2016 19:45 |
| Ospreys | 9–22 | Leinster |
| Pen: Biggar (2/4) 24', 55' Drop: Biggar (1/2) 14' | Report[118] | Try: D. Kearney (2) 17' c, 76' c Reid 65' m Con: Sexton (2/3) Pen: Sexton (1/1) 27' |
| Liberty Stadium Attendance: 7,340 Referee: David Wilkinson (IRFU) |
| 10 January 2016 14:30 |
| Scarlets | 21–19 | Connacht (1 BP) |
| Try: S. Evans 45' c Collins 60' m Con: Thomas (1/2) Pen: Thomas (2/2) 36', 43' S. Shingler (1/1) 78' | Report[119] | Try: Healy 25' c Con: Ronaldson (1/1) Pen: Ronaldson (2/2) 23', 48' Carty (2/2) 67', 77' |
| Parc y Scarlets Attendance: 5,888 Referee: Marius Mitrea (FIR) |
Round 13 edit
| 29 January 2016 19:05 |
| Newport Gwent Dragons | 23–13 | Leinster |
| Try: Hewitt 3' c Tovey 32' c Con: Tovey (2/2) Pen: Tovey (2/2) 69', 79' Drop: Tovey (1/1) 36' | Report[120] | Try: L. McGrath 14' c Con: McFadden (1/1) Pen: McFadden (2/2) 10', 45' |
| Rodney Parade Attendance: 4,303 Referee: Marius Mitrea (FIR) |
| 30 January 2016 15:00 |
| (1 BP) Zebre | 12–16 | Munster |
| Pen: Haimona (4/5) 12', 15', 19', 29' | Report[121] | Try: Chisholm 5' c Con: Keatley (1/1) Pen: Keatley (2/4) 21', 36' Drop: Keatley (1/1) 71' |
| Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi Attendance: 2,400 Referee: Dudley Phillips (IRFU) |
| 30 January 2016 15:00 |
| (1 BP) Connacht | 30–17 | Scarlets |
| Try: Heenan (2) 21' m, 36' m Buckley 51' c Ah You 63' c Con: Carty (2/4) Pen: Carty (2/3) 8', 47' | Report[122] | Try: Van der Merwe 44' c G. Owen 73' c Con: Thomas (2/2) Pen: Thomas (1/1) 43' |
| Galway Sportsgrounds Attendance: 5,292 Referee: Ben Whitehouse (WRU) |
| 30 January 2016 18:00 |
| Benetton Treviso | 13–32 | Ulster (1 BP) |
| Try: Steyn 77' c Con: Hayward (1/1) Pen: Hayward (2/2) 32', 48' | Report[123] | Try: Reidy 52' c Cave 57' c Scholes 62' c Olding 71' m Con: Humphreys (2/2) Olding (1/2) Pen: Humphreys (2/2) 10', 38' |
| Stadio Comunale di Monigo Attendance: 2,500 Referee: Ian Davies (WRU) |
| 30 January 2016 17:15 |
| Cardiff Blues | 10–3 | Edinburgh (1 BP) |
| Try: Fish 1' c Con: Patchell (1/1) Pen: Patchell (1/3) 15' | Report[124] | Pen: Fowles (1/1) 21' |
| Cardiff Arms Park Attendance: 6,058 Referee: David Wilkinson (IRFU) |
| 31 January 2016 14:30 |
| Ospreys | 20–20 | Glasgow Warriors |
| Try: Walker 23' c D. Evans 68' c Con: S. Davies (2/2) Pen: S. Davies (2/4) 19', 43' | Report[125] | Try: Hughes 26' c Reid 53' c Con: Weir (2/2) Pen: Weir (2/4) 3', 7' |
| Liberty Stadium Attendance: 7,239 Referee: Peter Fitzgibbon (IRFU) |
Round 12 rescheduled match edit
| 5 February 2016[126] 19:35 |
| Ulster | 17–15 | Newport Gwent Dragons (1 BP) |
| Try: Reidy 24' c penalty try 52' c Con: Humphreys (1/1) Pad. Jackson (1/1) Pen: Pad. Jackson (1/2) 77' | Report[127] | Try: Hughes 16' c Meyer 46' m Con: O'Brien (1/2) Pen: O'Brien (1/1) 4' |
| Kingspan Stadium Attendance: 13,768 Referee: Nigel Owens (WRU) |
This match – originally scheduled to be held during Round 12, on 8 January 2016 – was postponed due to a European Rugby Champions Cup fixture rearrangement that occurred as a result of the Paris terrorist attacks in November 2015.[117]
Round 14 edit
| 11 February 2016 19:30 |
| (1 BP) Newport Gwent Dragons | 21–26 | Connacht (1 BP) |
| Try: Hughes 15' m Hewitt 26' c Con: O'Brien (1/1) Pen: Tovey (1/1) 9' O'Brien (2/2) 44', 56' | Report[128] | Try: Healy 13' c O'Halloran 21' c Masterson 65' m Aki 68' c Con: Ronaldson (3/4) |
| Rodney Parade Attendance: 4,128 Referee: David Wilkinson (IRFU) |
| 12 February 2016 19:30 |
| (1 BP) Leinster | 52–0 | Zebre |
| Try: Triggs 9' c Nacewa 18' c L. McGrath 36' c A. Byrne 38' m Murphy 59' m Cronin 69' c Ringrose 72' c Kelleher 76' c Con: Nacewa (3/4) Marsh (3/4) | Report[129] |
| RDS Arena Attendance: 8,612 Referee: Ben Whitehouse (WRU) |
| 12 February 2016 19:30 |
| Ulster | 13–10 | Glasgow Warriors (1 BP) |
| Try: Black 52' c Con: Pad. Jackson (1/1) Pen: Pienaar (1/2) 22' Pad. Jackson (1/1) 66' | Report[130] | Try: Jones 9' m Naiyaravoro 80' m |
| Kingspan Stadium Attendance: 16,477 Referee: Marius Mitrea (FIR) |
| 12 February 2016 20:15 |
| Scarlets | 22–21 | Edinburgh (1 BP) |
| Try: Allen 5' c Con: S. Shingler (1/1) Pen: S. Shingler (1/1) 17' A. Thomas (4/4) 23', 46', 53', 76' | Report[131] | Try: Du Preez 57' m A. Toolis 73' c Con: Tonks (1/2) Pen: Fowles (2/3) 20', 42' Tonks (1/1) 66' |
| Parc y Scarlets Attendance: 5,569 Referee: Andrew Brace (IRFU) |
| 13 February 2016 13:30 |
| Benetton Treviso | 13–7 | Cardiff Blues (1 BP) |
| Try: penalty try 47' c Con: Hayward (1/1) Pen: Hayward (2/2) 8', 22' | Report[132] | Try: Scully 34' c Con: Patchell (1/1) |
| Stadio Comunale di Monigo Attendance: 2,500 Referee: Dudley Phillips (IRFU) |
| 14 February 2016 17:00 |
| (1 BP) Munster | 17–21 | Ospreys |
| Try: Williams 11' c Saili 26' m Copeland 50' m Con: Keatley (1/3) | Report[133] | Try: S. Davies 24' c Watkin 59' m Con: S. Davies (1/2) Pen: S. Davies (3/4) 37', 55', 77' |
| Irish Independent Park Attendance: 7,791 Referee: Leighton Hodges (WRU) |
Round 15 edit
| 19 February 2016 19:10 |
| Benetton Treviso | 19–17 | Newport Gwent Dragons (1 BP) |
| Try: Esposito 2' c Paulo 40' c Nitoglia 45' m Con: Hayward (2/3) | Report[134] | Try: Amos 9' c Hill 60' c Con: O'Brien (2/2) Pen: O'Brien (1/1) 35' |
| Stadio Comunale di Monigo Attendance: 1,900 Referee: Andrew Brace (IRFU) |
| 19 February 2016 19:05 |
| Ospreys | 27–13 | Edinburgh |
| Try: Underhill 34' c Otten 76' m Con: S. Davies (1/2) Pen: S. Davies (5/5) 13', 24', 45', 62', 71' | Report[135] | Try: Dell 25' c Con: Tonks (1/1) Pen: Tonks (2/4) 11', 17' |
| Liberty Stadium Attendance: 7,264 Referee: Marius Mitrea (FIR) |
| 19 February 2016 19:35 |
| (1 BP) Glasgow Warriors | 27–24 | Munster (1 BP) |
| Try: Puafisi (2) 4' c, 7' c Weir 43' m G. Bryce 70' m Con: Weir (2/4) Pen: Weir (1/3) 62' | Report[136] | Try: Kilcoyne (2) 11' c, 23' c Sherry 63' c Con: Keatley (3/3) Pen: Keatley (1/1) 17' |
| Rugby Park[37] Attendance: 7,212 Referee: Ben Whitehouse (WRU) |
| 20 February 2016 15:00 |
| (1 BP) Cardiff Blues | 13–14 | Leinster |
| Try: Navidi 75' c Con: Patchell (1/1) Pen: Anscombe (2/3) 3', 43' | Report[137] | Try: Nacewa 57' m Pen: Madigan (3/4) 6', 40', 49' |
| Cardiff Arms Park Attendance: 5,321 Referee: Peter Fitzgibbon (IRFU) |
| 20 February 2016 17:30 |
| (1 BP) Zebre | 34–51 | Connacht (1 BP) |
| Try: Meyer 37' c Haimona 45' c Van Schalkwyk 53' c Ruzza 69' c Con: Haimona (4/4) Pen: Haimona (2/2) 13', 19' | Report[138] | Try: Healy (3) 16' c, 43' c, 47' c Marmion 21' c Adeolokun (2) 57' c, 66' c Con: Ronaldson (3/3) MacGinty (3/3) Pen: Ronaldson (1/2) 4' MacGinty (2/2) 64', 72' |
| Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi Attendance: 1,850 Referee: Gary Conway (IRFU) |
| 21 February 2016 14:30 |
| (1 BP) Ulster | 20–21 | Scarlets |
| Try: Gilroy 20' c L. Marshall 36' c Con: Pad. Jackson (2/2) Pen: Pad. Jackson (1/1) 63' Drop: Pad. Jackson (1/1) 16' | Report[139] | Try: Collins (2) 4' m, 23' c Con: Thomas (1/2) Pen: Thomas (3/4) 14', 46', 49' |
| Kingspan Stadium Attendance: 15,201 Referee: Ian Davies (WRU) |
Round 16 edit
| 25 February 2016 19:05 |
| (1 BP) Newport Gwent Dragons | 15–18 | Glasgow Warriors |
| Pen: O'Brien (5/6) 3', 13', 16', 27', 48' | Report[140] | Try: Dunbar 42' c Weir 72' m Con: Weir (1/2) Pen: Weir (2/3) 10', 25' |
| Rodney Parade Attendance: 4,526 Referee: Gary Conway (IRFU) |
| 27 February 2016 19:35 |
| Connacht | 30–22 | Ospreys |
| Try: Aki 1' c MacGinty 11' c Healy 51' c Con: Ronaldson (3/3) Pen: Ronaldson (3/4) 28', 58', 67' | Report[141] | Try: John 13' m Baker 25' c Webb 55' c Con: S. Davies (2/3) Pen: S. Davies (1/1) 4' |
| Galway Sportsgrounds Attendance: 5,279 Referee: George Clancy (IRFU) |
| 28 February 2016 15:00 |
| (1 BP) Benetton Treviso | 13–16 | Munster |
| Try: Barbieri 25' c Con: Hayward (1/1) Pen: Hayward (2/2) 52', 64' | Report[142] | Try: Van den Heever 11' m Saili 57' m Pen: Keatley (2/2) 68', 75' |
| Stadio Comunale di Monigo Attendance: 1,000 Referee: Ian Davies (WRU) |
| 28 February 2016 14:05 |
| Edinburgh | 24–23 | Scarlets (1 BP) |
| Try: Burleigh 11' c B. Toolis 68' m Con: Kinghorn (1/2) Pen: Kinghorn (4/4) 5', 22', 40', 42' | Report[143] | Try: Parkes 15' m J. Davies 26' m S. Evans 35' c Con: Thomas (1/3) Pen: Thomas (2/4) 7', 14' |
| Murrayfield Stadium Attendance: 3,618 Referee: Dudley Phillips (IRFU) |
| 28 February 2016 14:30 |
| Cardiff Blues | 23–13 | Ulster |
| Try: Patchell 72' c Summerhill 77' c Con: Patchell (2/2) Pen: Patchell (3/5) 40', 42', 65' | Report[144] | Try: Gilroy 45' c Con: Pad. Jackson (1/1) Pen: Pad. Jackson (2/4) 31', 36' |
| Cardiff Arms Park Attendance: 5,279 Referee: John Lacey (IRFU) |
| 28 February 2016 16:00 |
| Zebre | 10–27 | Leinster (1 BP) |
| Try: Ruzza 72' c Con: McKinley (1/1) Pen: McKinley (1/1) 28' | Report[145] | Try: L. McGrath 5' m D. Ryan 17' c A. Byrne 51' c Leavy 78' m Con: Nacewa (2/4) Pen: Nacewa (1/1) 46' |
| Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi Attendance: 2,430 Referee: Leighton Hodges (WRU) |
Round 17 edit
| 4 March 2016 19:05 |
| Scarlets | 24–15 | Benetton Treviso |
| Try: S. Evans (2) 13' c, 71' c J. Davies 18' c Con: Thomas (2/2) D. Jones (1/1) Pen: D. Jones (1/1) 67' | Report[146] | Try: Barbieri (2) 55' m, 59' c Con: Hayward (1/2) Pen: Hayward (1/2) 21' |
| Parc y Scarlets Attendance: 5,236 Referee: John Lacey (IRFU) |
| 4 March 2016 19:35 |
| (1 BP) Edinburgh | 23–28 | Connacht (1 BP) |
| Try: Dean 43' m Hoyland 51' c Du Preez 59' m Con: Hidalgo-Clyne (1/3) Pen: Hidalgo-Clyne (2/3) 68', 80' | Report[147] | Try: MacGinty 20' c Heenan 32' c Aki 45' c E. McKeon 72' c Con: Ronaldson (3/3) MacGinty (1/1) |
| Murrayfield Stadium Attendance: 3,584 Referee: Ben Whitehouse (WRU) |
| 4 March 2016 19:35 |
| (1 BP) Ulster | 32–0 | Zebre |
| Try: Williams (2) 10' c, 29' c Browne 62' m P. Marshall 77' c Con: Pad. Jackson (3/4) Pen: Pad. Jackson (2/2) 4', 8' | Report[148] |
| Kingspan Stadium Attendance: 15,726 Referee: George Clancy (IRFU) |
| 5 March 2016 15:00 |
| 5 March 2016 19:35 |
| (1 BP) Munster | 26–5 | Newport Gwent Dragons |
| Try: Kilcoyne (2) 18' m, 43' c R. Scannell 32' c Cronin 77' c Con: Keatley (2/3) J. Holland (1/1) | Report[150] | Try: Amos 46' m |
| Thomond Park Attendance: 13,552 Referee: Marius Mitrea (FIR) |
| 6 March 2016 14:30 |
| Glasgow Warriors | 27–20 | Cardiff Blues (1 BP) |
| Try: Reid 9' c Swinson 40' c Favaro 74' c Con: Weir (3/3) Pen: Weir (2/2) 6', 20' | Report[151] | Try: Fish 72' m E. Jenkins 79' c Cook 80' m Con: Patchell (1/3) Pen: Patchell (1/1) 56' |
| Scotstoun Stadium Attendance: 6,492 Referee: Dudley Phillips (IRFU) |
Round 12 rescheduled match edit
| 18 March 2016[152] 19:15 |
| (1 BP) Cardiff Blues | 37–28 | Munster |
| Try: Cook 32' c Rees 49' c G. Smith 54' c Patchell 73' c Con: Patchell (4/4) Pen: Patchell (2/2) 10', 43' J. Evans (1/1) 80' | Report[153] | Try: Sweetnam 6' m Sherry 52' c O'Donoghue 78' c Con: Keatley (1/2) J. Holland (1/1) Pen: Keatley (2/2) 3', 46' J. Holland (1/1) 67' |
| Cardiff Arms Park Attendance: 5,017 Referee: David Wilkinson (IRFU) |
This match – originally scheduled to be held during Round 12, on 8 January 2016 – was postponed due to a European Rugby Champions Cup fixture rearrangement that occurred as a result of the Paris terrorist attacks in November 2015.[117]
Round 9 rescheduled match edit
| 18 March 2016[154] 19:35 |
| Glasgow Warriors | 12–6 | Leinster (1 BP) |
| Pen: Clegg (4/4) 14', 17', 50', 58' | Report[155] | Pen: Nacewa (2/3) 3', 30' |
| Scotstoun Stadium Attendance: 6,800 Referee: George Clancy (IRFU) |
This match – originally scheduled to be held during Round 9, on 5 December 2015 – was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch.[100]
Round 18 edit
| 25 March 2016 19:00 |
| (1 BP) Munster | 47–0 | Zebre |
| Try: penalty try (2) 11' c, 73' c R. O'Mahony 26' c Zebo (2) 47' c, 53' c Stander 55' m Murray 64' c Con: J. Holland (5/5) Murray (1/2) | Report[156] |
| Thomond Park Attendance: 13,063 Referee: Dudley Phillips (IRFU) |
| 25 March 2016 19:05 |
| (1 BP) Cardiff Blues | 56–8 | Benetton Treviso |
| Try: E. Jenkins 7' c Navidi 32' c Lee-Lo 42' m Dacey 54' m Vosawai 70' c James 73' c Fish 76' m Patchell 78' c Con: Anscombe (3/5) J. Evans (2/3) Pen: Anscombe (2/2) 16', 64' | Report[157] | Try: Lazzaroni 61' m Pen: Hayward (1/1) 14' |
| Cardiff Arms Park Attendance: 5,258 Referee: Andrew Brace (IRFU) |
| 25 March 2016 19:35 |
| Glasgow Warriors | 27–17 | Ulster |
| Try: Hogg 58' m Seymour 61' c Con: Russell (1/2) Pen: Russell (4/6) 23', 28', 39', 72' Hogg (1/1) 80' | Report[158] | Try: Henderson 3' c McCloskey 44' c Con: Pad. Jackson (2/2) Pen: Pad. Jackson (1/1) 34' |
| Scotstoun Stadium Attendance: 6,800 Referee: John Lacey (IRFU) |
| 26 March 2016 15:00 |
| Ospreys | 16–25 | Scarlets |
| Try: Jos. Matavesi 15' c Con: S. Davies (1/1) Pen: S. Davies (3/3) 27', 31', 71' | Report[159] | Try: Van der Merwe 29' c Con: D. Jones (1/1) Pen: D. Jones (2/2) 6', 36' Thomas (4/5) 63', 67', 75', 80' |
| Liberty Stadium Attendance: 12,051 Referee: Ben Whitehouse (WRU) |
| 26 March 2016 17:15 |
| Connacht | 7–6 | Leinster (1 BP) |
| Try: Marmion 13' c Con: MacGinty (1/1) | Report[160] | Pen: Madigan (2/2) 41', 62' |
| Galway Sportsgrounds Attendance: 7,300 Referee: Nigel Owens (WRU) |
| 27 March 2016 14:30 |
| (1 BP) Newport Gwent Dragons | 15–16 | Edinburgh |
| Try: Amos (2) 41' c, 53' m Con: D. Jones (1/2) Pen: D. Jones (1/2) 38' | Report[161] | Try: Watson 44' c Con: Hidalgo-Clyne (1/1) Pen: Kinghorn (1/2) 17' Hidalgo-Clyne (2/4) 30', 40' |
| Rodney Parade Attendance: 6,352 Referee: George Clancy (IRFU) |
Round 19 edit
| 1 April 2016 19:05 |
| (1 BP) Newport Gwent Dragons | 20–26 | Ospreys (1 BP) |
| Try: Amos (2) 9' m, 44' m Meyer 67' c Con: Meyer (1/1) Pen: Meyer (1/1) 28' | Report[162] | Try: Hassler 3' m Webb 18' c D. Evans 40' c Underhill 50' c Con: Biggar (3/4) |
| Rodney Parade Attendance: 6,413 Referee: John Lacey (IRFU) |
| 1 April 2016 19:35 |
| (1 BP) Edinburgh | 29–0 | Zebre |
| Try: Hoyland (2) 51' c, 56' c Hidalgo-Clyne 68' c A. Toolis 80' m Con: Tovey (3/4) Pen: Tovey (1/1) 13' | Report[163] |
| Murrayfield Stadium Attendance: 3,799 Referee: Leighton Hodges (WRU) |
| 1 April 2016 19:35 |
| Ulster | 18–10 | Connacht |
| Try: R. Best 27' m Gilroy 43' c Con: Pad. Jackson (1/2) Pen: Pad. Jackson (2/2) 5', 12' | Report[164] | Try: Blade 54' c Con: O'Leary (1/1) Pen: O'Leary (1/2) 40' |
| Kingspan Stadium Attendance: 16,224 Referee: Dudley Phillips (IRFU) |
| 2 April 2016 15:00 |
| (1 BP) Scarlets | 22–28 | Cardiff Blues |
| Try: Barclay 70' c Con: Thomas (1/1) Pen: D. Jones (4/4) 14', 17', 29', 47' Thomas (1/1) 55' | Report[165] | Try: L. Williams 9' c James 23' m Anscombe 61' c Con: Anscombe (2/3) Pen: Anscombe (3/3) 8', 36', 53' |
| Parc y Scarlets Attendance: 9,456 Referee: Marius Mitrea (FIR) |
| 2 April 2016 17:30 |
| Benetton Treviso | 16–38 | Glasgow Warriors (1 BP) |
| Try: Esposito 35' c Con: Hayward (1/1) Pen: Hayward (3/3) 14', 18', 39' | Report[166] | Try: Gray 11' c Horne 28' c Favaro 42' c Hogg 59' m Hart 67' m Malcolm 73' c Con: Russell (4/6) |
| Stadio Comunale di Monigo Attendance: 3,500 Referee: Ben Whitehouse (WRU) |
| 2 April 2016 17:30 |