2013 Pro12 Grand Final

The 2013 Pro12 Grand Final was the final match of the 2012–13 Pro12 season. The 2012–13 season was the second with RaboDirect as title sponsor and the fourth ever League Grand Final. Leinster won the game 24–18 against Ulster.

The win for Leinster ended a run of three successive league final losses. A Shane Jennings try in the first half helped Leinster to a 16-6 half-time lead, with Jamie Heaslip getting the second try in the second half.

It was Johnny Sexton's final match for Leinster before joining Racing Métro, and also coach Joe Schmidt's last match before taking over as head coach of the Irish rugby team.

Route to the final

2013 Playoffs

The semi-finals were played on the weekend of 10/11 May 2013; these followed a 1 v 4, 2 v 3 system with the games being played at the home ground of the higher placed teams.

10 May 2013
19:45
Ulster Ireland28–17WalesScarlets
Try: Bowe 25' c
Diack 34' m
Court 43' c
Con: Pienaar (2/3)
Pen: Pienaar (3/4) 7', 40', 63'
ReportTry: G. Davies 61' c
Timani 79' c
Con: O. Williams (2/2)
Pen: O. Williams (1/2) 5'
Ravenhill
Attendance: 10,700
Referee: Alain Rolland (IRFU)

11 May 2013
19:35
Leinster Ireland17–15ScotlandGlasgow Warriors
Try: Heaslip 27' m
Pen: J. Sexton (4/6) 12', 32', 63', 70'
ReportTry: Matawalu 15' c
Bennett 75' m
Con: Hogg (1/2)
Pen: Hogg (1/1) 25'
Royal Dublin Society
Attendance: 13,235
Referee: Pascal Gaüzère (FFR)

Match

Details

25 May 2013
16:45
Ulster Ireland18–24IrelandLeinster
Pen: Pienaar (6/6) 24', 36', 47', 51', 56', 69'ReportTry: Jennings 3' c
Heaslip 63' m
Con: J. Sexton (1/2)
Pen: J. Sexton (4/5) 8', 34', 40', 45'
Royal Dublin Society
Attendance: 19,200
Referee: John Lacey (Ireland)
FB15IrelandJared Payne
RW14IrelandAndrew Trimble
OC13IrelandDarren Cave
IC12IrelandStuart Oldingdownward-facing red arrow 64'
LW11IrelandTommy Bowe
FH10IrelandPaddy Jackson
SH9South AfricaRuan Pienaar
N88New ZealandNick Williams
OF7IrelandChris Henry
BF6IrelandRobbie Diackyellow card44' to 54'downward-facing red arrow 64'
RL5IrelandDan Tuohy
LL4South AfricaJohann Muller (c)
TP3New ZealandJohn Afoa
HK2IrelandRory Best
LP1IrelandTom Courtdownward-facing red arrow 73'
Replacements:
HK16IrelandRob Herring
PR17IrelandCallum Blackupward-facing green arrow 73'
PR18IrelandDeclan Fitzpatrick
LK19IrelandIain Hendersonupward-facing green arrow 64'
FL20IrelandMike McComish
SH21IrelandPaul Marshall
CE22IrelandMike Allenupward-facing green arrow 64'
FB23IrelandPeter Nelson
Coach:
New ZealandMark Anscombe
FB15FijiIsa Nacewayellow card47' to 57'
RW14IrelandFergus McFadden
OC13IrelandBrian O'Driscoll
IC12IrelandIan Madigan
LW11IrelandAndrew Conway
FH10IrelandJohnny Sexton
SH9IrelandIsaac Boss
N88IrelandJamie Heaslip
OF7IrelandShane Jennings
BF6IrelandKevin McLaughlin
RL5IrelandDevin Tonerdownward-facing red arrow 73'
LL4IrelandLeo Cullen (c)
TP3IrelandMike Rossdownward-facing red arrow 75'
HK2IrelandRichardt Straussdownward-facing red arrow 29'upward-facing green arrow 40'
LP1IrelandCian Healydownward-facing red arrow 77'
Replacements:
HK16IrelandSeán Croninupward-facing green arrow 29'downward-facing red arrow 40'
PR17IrelandJack McGrathupward-facing green arrow 77'
PR18IrelandJamie Haganupward-facing green arrow 75'
LK19IrelandQuinn Rouxupward-facing green arrow 73'
FL20IrelandRhys Ruddock
SH21IrelandJohn Cooney
CE22New ZealandAndrew Goodman
WG23IrelandDavid Kearney
Coach:
New ZealandJosef Schmidt

Man of the Match:
IrelandShane Jennings (Leinster)

Touch judges:
George Clancy (Ireland)
Peter Fitzgibbon (Ireland)
Television match official:
Dermot Moloney (Ireland)

References

Uses material from the Wikipedia article 2013 Pro12 Grand Final, released under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license.