2015 Pro12 Grand Final

The 2015 Pro12 Grand Final was the final match of the 2014–15 Pro12 season. The 2014–15 season was the first with Guinness as the title sponsor and the sixth ever League Grand Final. The final was played between Glasgow Warriors and Munster.[1][2]

2015 Pro12 Grand Final
Event2014–15 Pro12
Munster Glasgow Warriors
Ireland Scotland
13 31
Date30 May 2015
VenueKingspan Stadium, Belfast
RefereeNigel Owens (WRU)
Attendance17,057
WeatherOvercast

Glasgow won their first title, winning on a 31–13 scoreline.[3][4][5]

Route to the final
Main article: 2014–15 Pro12

2015 play-offs

The semi-finals followed a 1 v 4, 2 v 3 system with the games being played at the home ground of the higher placed teams.

22 May 2015
19:45
Glasgow Warriors Scotland16–14Ireland Ulster
Try: Van der Merwe 75' c
Con: Russell (1/1)
Pen: Russell (2/2) 5', 60'
Hogg (1/2) 13'		Report[6]Try: Henry 18' m
Pen: Pienaar (3/3) 1', 55', 66'
Scotstoun Stadium
Attendance: 10,000
Referee: George Clancy (IRFU)
23 May 2015
14:30
Munster Ireland21–18Wales Ospreys
Try: Zebo 39' m
Hurley 42' m
Butler 49' m
Pen: Keatley (2/4) 16', 22'		Report[7]Try: Webb 46' m
Hassler 52' c
Con: Biggar (1/2)
Pen: Biggar (2/2) 13', 66'
Thomond Park
Attendance: 16,158
Referee: Nigel Owens (WRU)

Build-up

In January 2015, the tournament organisers confirmed that the Kingspan Stadium in Belfast would host the final. The organisers chose to move away from giving home advantage to the highest placed finisher at the end of the regular season.[8][9]

Munster were looking to win the title for a fourth time, the last win being in 2011 against Leinster, while Glasgow had never won the title.[10][11]

The match was shown live on Sky Sports in Ireland and the UK, on TG4 in Ireland and on BBC Two Scotland in Scotland.[12] Both teams received an allocation of 2,000 tickets after the public sale sold out in April.[13] [14]

Conor Murray was an injury doubt to start for Munster after he was forced off in the semi-final with an injury to the medial ligament in his right knee, he may be replaced again by Duncan Williams at scrum-half.[15][16] Paul O'Connell was expected to play his last game for Munster in the final.[17]

Match

Summary

Rob Harley scored the first try for Glasgow in the 9th minute which was converted by Finn Russell. Ian Keatley got the first score for Munster, a penalty in the 23rd minute. Glasgow then scored two try's without reply to lead 21-3 in the 32nd minute and lead 10-21 at half time, Andrew Smith scored the Munster try just before half time. Ian Keatley reduced the lead to 13-21 in the 48th minute with another penalty for Munster but a Finn Russell try and conversion in the 58th minute made the score 13-28 in favor of Glasgow. Another penalty for Glasgow by Duncan Weir with seven minutes to go made the final score 13-31.

Details
30 May 2015[18]
18:30[18]
Munster Ireland13–31Scotland Glasgow Warriors
Try: Smith 37' c
Con: Keatley (1/1)
Pen: Keatley (2/3) 23', 48'		Report[19]Try: Harley 8' c
Van der Merwe 25' c
Pyrgos 31' c
Russell 58' c
Con: Russell (4/4)
Pen: Weir (1/1) 73'
Kingspan Stadium[18]
Attendance: 17,057
Referee: Nigel Owens (WRU)
FB15Ireland Felix Jones
RW14Ireland Keith Earls
OC13Australia Andrew Smith
IC12Ireland Denis Hurley (c)
LW11Ireland Simon Zebodownward-facing red arrow 56'
FH10Ireland Ian Keatleydownward-facing red arrow 56'
SH9Ireland Duncan Williamsdownward-facing red arrow 71'
N88Ireland CJ Stander
OF7Ireland Paddy Butlerred cross icon 10' to 19'downward-facing red arrow 71'
BF6Ireland Donnacha Ryan
RL5Ireland Paul O'Connell
LL4Ireland Billy Hollanddownward-facing red arrow 60'
TP3South Africa BJ Bothadownward-facing red arrow 60'
HK2Argentina Eusebio Guiñazúdownward-facing red arrow 62'
LP1Ireland Dave Kilcoynedownward-facing red arrow 62'
Replacements:
HK16Ireland Duncan Caseyupward-facing green arrow 62'
PR17Ireland James Croninupward-facing green arrow 62'
PR18Ireland Stephen Archerupward-facing green arrow 60'
FL19Ireland Sean Dougallupward-facing green arrow 10'downward-facing red arrow 19'upward-facing green arrow 71'
N820Ireland Jack O'Donoghueupward-facing green arrow 60'
SH21Ireland Cathal Sheridanupward-facing green arrow 71'
FH22Ireland JJ Hanrahanupward-facing green arrow 56'
WG23Ireland Ronan O'Mahonyupward-facing green arrow 56'
Coach:
Ireland Anthony Foley
FB15Scotland Stuart Hoggdownward-facing red arrow 62'
RW14Scotland Tommy Seymour
OC13Scotland Richie Vernon
IC12Scotland Peter Horne
LW11Canada D. T. H. van der Merwedownward-facing red arrow 70'
FH10Scotland Finn Russelldownward-facing red arrow 66'
SH9Scotland Henry Pyrgos
N88Scotland Josh Strauss (c)
OF7Scotland Ryan Wilson
BF6Scotland Rob Harleydownward-facing red arrow 60'
RL5Scotland Jonny Gray
LL4Fiji Leone Nakarawadownward-facing red arrow 66'
TP3South Africa Rossouw de Klerkdownward-facing red arrow 52'
HK2Scotland Dougie Halldownward-facing red arrow 62'
LP1Scotland Gordon Reiddownward-facing red arrow 77'
Replacements:
HK16Scotland Fraser Brownupward-facing green arrow 62'
PR17Fiji Jerry Yanuyanutawaupward-facing green arrow 77'
PR18Scotland Jon Welshupward-facing green arrow 52'
LK19Scotland Alastair Kellockupward-facing green arrow 66'
FL20Scotland Chris Fusaroupward-facing green arrow 60'
SH21Fiji Nikola Matawaluupward-facing green arrow 70'
FH22Scotland Duncan Weirupward-facing green arrow 66'
WG23Scotland Sean Lamontupward-facing green arrow 62'
Coach:
Scotland Gregor Townsend

Man of the Match:
Fiji Leone Nakarawa (Glasgow Warriors)

Touch judges:
Ian Davies (WRU)
Sean Brickell (WRU)
Television match official:
Derek Bevan (WRU)

References
  1. "Munster survive late drama to reach PRO12 final". ESPN. 23 May 2015. Retrieved 26 May 2015.
  2. "Glasgow edge Ulster to reach final". ESPN. 22 May 2015. Retrieved 26 May 2015.
  3. "Glasgow Warriors 31-13 Munster". BBC Sport. 30 May 2015. Retrieved 3 June 2015.
  4. "No excuses for outclassed Munster". Irish Examiner. 30 May 2015. Retrieved 3 June 2015.
  5. "The Final: as it happened". The 42. 30 May 2015. Retrieved 3 June 2015.
  6. "Russell's late conversion sends Glasgow into final : Guinness PRO12 : Match Centre". archive.org. 25 May 2015. Archived from the original on 25 May 2015. Retrieved 14 September 2017.
  7. "Agony to ecstasy for Munster in thrilling semi-final : Guinness PRO12 : Match Centre". archive.org. 25 May 2015. Archived from the original on 25 May 2015. Retrieved 14 September 2017.
  8. "Kingspan Stadium to host Guinness Pro12 final after tournament organisers' u-turn". Irish Independent. 26 January 2015. Retrieved 26 May 2015.
  9. "Final:BELFAST 2015 Match Pack" (PDF). Munster Rugby. 26 May 2015. Archived from the original (PDF) on 26 May 2015. Retrieved 26 May 2015.
  10. "STAT ATTACK: Contrasting histories clash in Belfast". pro12rugby.com. 26 May 2015. Archived from the original on 26 May 2015. Retrieved 27 May 2015.
  11. "Preview: Munster v Glasgow Warriors". pro12rugby.com. 26 May 2015. Archived from the original on 26 May 2015. Retrieved 27 May 2015.
  12. "BBC Two Scotland - Schedules, Saturday 30 May 2015". BBC. Retrieved 14 September 2017.
  13. "Ticket Update: Guinness PRO12 Final". Munster Rugby. 26 May 2015. Archived from the original on 26 May 2015. Retrieved 26 May 2015.
  14. "2014/15 GUINNESS PRO12 Final". Pro12 Official Site. 26 May 2015. Archived from the original on 26 May 2015. Retrieved 26 May 2015.
  15. "Munster sweating on Conor Murray's fitness but good news for Simon Zebo and Peter O'Mahony". Irish Independent. 26 May 2015. Retrieved 27 May 2015.
  16. "Peter O'Mahony: I'm ready for Belfast showdown". Irish Examiner. 27 May 2015. Retrieved 27 May 2015.
  17. "Anthony Foley calls on Munster players not to get emotional about Paul O'Connell departure". Irish Independent. 27 May 2015. Retrieved 27 May 2015.
  18. "Ulster to host Pro12 final at Kingspan Stadium in May". BBC Sport. BBC. 26 January 2015. Retrieved 26 January 2015.
  19. "Russell guides Glasgow Warriors to historic title : Guinness PRO12 : Match Centre". archive.org. 30 May 2015. Archived from the original on 30 May 2015. Retrieved 14 September 2017.
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