Quarter Finals To Be Finalised in Celtic League

Home advantage in the Celtic League quarter-finals on the last weekend of November is the golden carrot on offer in the final round of Pool matches this weekend.

And while Pool B is cut and dried as to who is through and who is out, any two from Ulster, Neath and Llanelli can still make it through to the last eight in Pool A.

POOL A: Qualified – Edinburgh Rugby and Munster.
In the mix – Ulster, Neath and Llanelli.
Out – Swansea, Ebbw Vale and Caerphilly.

POOL B: Qualified – Pontypridd, Connacht, Cardiff and Glasgow Rugby.
Out – Leinster Lions, Borders, Bridgend and Newport.

It all adds up to two huge matches in each group with that priceless home advantage the prize. In Pool A the Friday night clashes involving Llanelli’s visit to Ravenhill and Neath’s trip to Edinburgh Rugby will settle the last two group qualifiers. Wins for Edinburgh Rugby and Munster – the latter host Caerphilly -would ensure them home quarter-finals.

In Pool B those four may all be guaranteed an active interest in the last eight but, with just three points separating them, they all have everything to play for as far as deciding that crucial venue come the end of November.

CELTIC LEAGUE 2002/03 -Round 7. Friday, 25th October.
POOL A: Munster v Caerphilly (Limerick), 7.30, Mike Hall (S).
Ulster v Llanelli (TG4/BBC Wales), 7.35, TBC (RFU).
Edinburgh Rugby v Neath, 7.30, Alain Rolland (I).

POOL B: Glasgow Rugby v Connacht, 7.30, Hugh Watkins (W).

Saturday, 26th October. POOL A: Swansea v Ebbw Vale, 2.30, Nigel Owens (W).

POOL B: Pontypridd v Cardiff (S4C), 5.30, Iain Ramage (S).
Bridgend v Leinster Lions, 2.30, Andy Ireland (S).
Newport v Borders, 2.30, Olan Trevor (I).