2002–03 Celtic League

The 2002–03 Celtic League was the second season of the Celtic League, a rugby union tournament involving teams from Ireland, Scotland and Wales.

2002–03 Celtic League
Countries	Ireland Scotland Wales
Champions	Munster (1st title)
Runners-up	Neath
Matches played	63
Attendance	308,374 (average 4,895 per match)
Tries scored	302 (average 4.8 per match)
Top point scorer	Brendan Laney (Edinburgh) 137 points[1]
Top try scorer	Mossie Lawlor (Munster) Craig Morgan (Cardiff) Mike Mullins (Munster) 6 tries[2]
Official website
www.rabodirectpro12.com
← 2001–02 2003–04 →

Teams

Connacht Leinster Munster Ulster Edinburgh Glasgow The Borders South Wales: see map at right Location of 2002–03 Celtic League teams in Scotland and Ireland.	Bridgend Caerphilly Cardiff Ebbw Vale Llanelli Neath Newport Pontypridd Swansea Location of 2002–03 Celtic League teams in Wales.
Pool A; Pool B.

Team	Stadium	Capacity	City, Area
Borders	Netherdale[a]	6,000	Galashiels, Scotland
Bridgend	Brewery Field	6,000	Bridgend, Wales
Caerphilly	Virginia Park	5,000	Caerphilly, Wales
Cardiff	Cardiff Arms Park	12,500	Cardiff, Wales
Connacht	Galway Sportsgrounds	6,000	Galway, Republic of Ireland
Ebbw Vale	Eugene Cross Park	8,000	Ebbw Vale, Wales
Edinburgh	Meadowbank Stadium	16,500	Edinburgh, Scotland
Glasgow	Hughenden Stadium	6,000	Glasgow, Scotland
Leinster	Donnybrook Stadium	6,000	Dublin, Republic of Ireland
Llanelli	Stradey Park	10,800	Llanelli, Wales
Munster	Thomond Park Musgrave Park	13,200 8,500	Limerick, Republic of Ireland Cork, Republic of Ireland
Neath	The Gnoll	6,000	Neath, Wales
Newport	Rodney Parade	11,676	Newport, Wales
Pontypridd	Sardis Road	7,861	Pontypridd, Wales
Swansea	St Helen's	4,500	Swansea, Wales
Ulster	Ravenhill	12,300	Belfast, Northern Ireland

Pool stage

The teams were split into two pools and the pool stage consisted of a single round-robin; each team played the others in its pool once only.

Pool A Table

	Team	Pld	W	D	L	PF	PA	PD	TF	TA	Try bonus	Losing bonus	Pts
1	Munster	7	6	0	1	227	129	+98	25	12	4	0	28
2	Edinburgh	7	6	0	1	231	145	+86	24	13	2	1	27
3	Ulster	7	5	0	2	173	111	+62	15	9	1	1	22
4	Neath	7	4	0	3	153	121	+32	15	12	1	1	18
5	Llanelli	7	3	0	4	191	168	+23	23	16	3	2	17
6	Swansea	7	3	0	4	177	212	−35	18	22	3	1	16
7	Ebbw Vale	7	1	0	6	140	226	−86	16	27	1	0	5
8	Caerphilly	7	0	0	7	144	324	−180	17	42	2	1	3
Under the standard bonus point system, points are awarded as follows: 4 points for a win 2 points for a draw 1 bonus point for scoring 4 tries (or more) (Try bonus) 1 bonus point for losing by 7 points (or fewer) (Losing bonus)
Green background (rows 1 to 4) qualify for the knock-out stage. Source: RaboDirect PRO12

Pool A Fixtures

30 August 2002 19:00

Neath	25–6	Caerphilly
	Report

The Gnoll Attendance: 3,000

30 August 2002 19:15

Ebbw Vale	0–19	Ulster
	Report[3]	Try: Wallace Con: Humphreys Pen: Humphreys (4)

Eugene Cross Park Referee: Dave Pearson

30 August 2002 19:30

Edinburgh	30–20	Swansea
	Report

Meadowbank Attendance: 3,141

31 August 2002 19:05

Llanelli	13–20	Munster
	Report

Stradey Park

---

6 September 2002 19:05

Swansea	16–20	Neath
	Report

St Helen's Attendance: 4,000

6 September 2002 19:30

Ulster	18–19	Edinburgh
Pen: Wallace (6)	Report[4]	Try: Laney Con: Laney Pen: Laney (3) Drop: Hodge

Ravenhill Attendance: 7,500

6 September 2002 19:35

Munster	48–23	Ebbw Vale
	Report

Musgrave Park Attendance: 3,500

7 September 2002 14:30

Caerphilly	34–43	Llanelli
	Report

Virginia Park Attendance: 1,300

---

13 September 2002 19:30

Edinburgh	21–28	Munster
	Report

Meadowbank Attendance: 4,500

14 September 2002 14:30

Ebbw Vale	45–25	Caerphilly
	Report

Eugene Cross Park Attendance: 1,000

14 September 2002 14:30

Swansea	38–10	Ulster
Try: K. Morgan Robinson Gibbs Payne Con: A. Thomas (3) Pen: A. Thomas (4)	Report[5]	Try: Howe Con: Humphreys Pen: Humphreys

St Helen's Attendance: 2,500

14 September 2002 17:30

Neath	29–13	Llanelli
	Report

The Gnoll Attendance: 6,000

---

20 September 2002 19:30

Ulster	17–13	Neath
Try: B. Cunningham Howe Con: Doak (2) Pen: Doak	Report[6]	Try: S. Williams Con: Jarvis Pen: Jarvis (2)

Ravenhill Attendance: 9,500

20 September 2002 19:35

Munster	38–27	Swansea
	Report

Musgrave Park Attendance: 8,000

21 September 2002 14:30

Caerphilly	32–66	Edinburgh
	Report

Virginia Park Attendance: 800

21 September 2002 14:30

Llanelli	37–25	Ebbw Vale
	Report

Stradey Park Attendance: 3,000

---

27 September 2002 19:05

Neath	34–7	Ebbw Vale
	Report

The Gnoll Attendance: 3,500

27 September 2002 19:30

Edinburgh	38–14	Llanelli
	Report

Meadowbank Attendance: 3,890

27 September 2002 19:35

Ulster	26–17	Munster
Try: Doak (2) Con: Doak (2) Pen: Doak (2)	Report[7]	Try: Lawler Pen: Staunton (2) Drop: Staunton Holland

Ravenhill Attendance: 6,000 Referee: P. Adams

28 September 2002 14:30

Swansea	37–32	Caerphilly
	Report

St Helen's Attendance: 2,500

---

4 October 2002 19:05

Llanelli	62–6	Swansea
	Report

Stradey Park Attendance: 6,883 Referee: David McHugh (Ireland) [8]

5 October 2002 14:30

Caerphilly	15–67	Ulster
Try: Chiltern (2) Con: McLaughlin Pen: McLaughlin	Report[9][10]	Try: Neil Best (2) Howe Brosnihan McWhirter Stewart Bell Sexton Con: Humphreys (6) Pen: Humphreys (5)

Virginia Park Attendance: 750

5 October 2002 14:30

Ebbw Vale	20–30	Edinburgh
	Report

Eugene Cross Park

5 October 2002 17:30

Neath	19–35	Munster
	Report

The Gnoll Attendance: 4,000

---

25 October 2002 19:30

Edinburgh	27–13	Neath
	Report

Meadowbank Attendance: 3,171

25 October 2002 19:30

Munster	41–0	Caerphilly
	Report

Thomond Park Attendance: 2,532

25 October 2002 19:35

Ulster	16–9	Llanelli
Try: Doak Con: Humphreys Pen: Humphreys Drop: Humphreys	Report[11]	Pen: Jones (3)

Ravenhill Attendance: 10,500 Referee: John Hogg

26 October 2002 14:30

Swansea	33–20	Ebbw Vale
	Report

St Helen's Attendance: 2,000

Pool B Table

	Team	Pld	W	D	L	PF	PA	PD	TF	TA	Try bonus	Losing bonus	Pts
1	Pontypridd	7	6	0	1	182	120	+62	15	12	2	0	26
2	Glasgow	7	5	0	2	216	166	+50	22	20	2	1	23
3	Cardiff	7	4	0	3	178	151	+27	17	12	2	2	20
4	Connacht	7	5	0	2	126	176	−50	11	17	0	0	20
5	Leinster	7	3	0	4	191	154	+37	22	14	3	3	18
6	Borders	7	2	0	5	142	169	−27	15	11	1	3	12
7	Bridgend	7	2	0	5	127	187	−60	11	20	1	1	10
8	Newport	7	1	0	6	121	160	−39	9	16	0	4	8
Under the standard bonus point system, points are awarded as follows: 4 points for a win 2 points for a draw 1 bonus point for scoring 4 tries (or more) (Try bonus) 1 bonus point for losing by 7 points (or fewer) (Losing bonus)
Green background (rows 1 to 4) qualify for the knock-out stage. Source: RaboDirect PRO12

Pool B Fixtures

30 August 2002 19:05

Newport	5–13	Bridgend
	Report

Rodney Parade Attendance: 6,165

30 August 2002 19:30

Borders	27–28	Connacht
	Report

Philiphaugh Attendance: 3,000

30 August 2002 19:35

Leinster	31–18	Pontypridd
	Report

Donnybrook Attendance: 4,500

31 August 2002 14:30

Cardiff	35–44	Glasgow
	Report

Cardiff Arms Park Attendance: 7,000

---

6 September 2002 18:00

Connacht	23–22	Cardiff
	Report

Sportsground Attendance: 2,500

6 September 2002 19:30

Glasgow	25–21	Leinster
	Report

Hughenden Attendance: 4,250

7 September 2002 14:30

Bridgend	41–9	Borders
	Report

Brewery Field Attendance: 3,000

7 September 2002 19:05

Pontypridd	21–16	Newport
	Report

Sardis Road Attendance: 5,800

---

13 September 2002 19:05

Bridgend	9–26	Pontypridd
	Report

Brewery Field Attendance: 4,500

13 September 2002 19:30

Borders	15–18	Cardiff
	Report

Mansfield Park Attendance: 4,213

13 September 2002 19:35

Leinster	23–26	Connacht
	Report

Donnybrook Attendance: 6,000

14 September 2002 14:30

Newport	25–31	Glasgow
	Report

Rodney Parade Attendance: 4,500

---

20 September 2002 17:45

Connacht	18–12	Newport
	Report

Sportsground Attendance: 3,000

20 September 2002 19:05

Pontypridd	28–27	Borders
	Report

Sardis Road Attendance: 4,600

20 September 2002 19:30

Glasgow	47–11	Bridgend
	Report

Hughenden Attendance: 4,500

21 September 2002 17:30

Cardiff	30–17	Leinster
	Report

Cardiff Arms Park Attendance: 6,500

---

27 September 2002 19:30

Borders	23–18	Leinster
	Report

Netherdale Attendance: 4,000

28 September 2002 14:30

Bridgend	23–24	Connacht
	Report

Brewery Field Attendance: 2,000

28 September 2002 14:30

Pontypridd	34–28	Glasgow
	Report

Sardis Road Attendance: 5,500

28 September 2002 17:30

Newport	25–27	Cardiff
	Report

Rodney Parade Attendance: 8,118

---

4 October 2002 19:30

Borders	33–12	Glasgow
	Report

Netherdale Attendance: 5,500

4 October 2002 19:35

Leinster	42–14	Newport
	Report

Donnybrook Attendance: 6,000

5 October 2002 14:30

Cardiff	37–12	Bridgend
	Report

Cardiff Arms Park Attendance: 7,500

5 October 2002 15:00

Connacht	0–40	Pontypridd
	Report

Sportsground Attendance: 3,000

---

25 October 2002 19:30

Glasgow	29–7	Connacht
	Report

Hughenden Attendance: 3,250

26 October 2002 14:30

Bridgend	18–39	Leinster
	Report

Brewery Field Attendance: 1,000

26 October 2002 14:30

Newport	24–8	Borders
	Report

Rodney Parade Attendance: 5,700

26 October 2002 17:30

Pontypridd	15–9	Cardiff
	Report

Sardis Road Attendance: 7,500

Knockout stages

	Quarter-finals				Semi-finals				Final
	29 November 2002 – Musgrave Park
	Munster	33
					3 January 2003 – Thomond Park
	Connacht	3
					Munster	42
	30 November 2002 – Hughenden
					Ulster	10
	Glasgow	17
									1 February 2003 – Millennium Stadium
	Ulster	20
									Munster	37
	29 November 2002 – Sardis Road
									Neath	17
	Pontypridd	12
					4 January 2003 – The Gnoll
	Neath	13
					Neath	32
	30 November 2002 – Meadowbank
					Cardiff	10
	Edinburgh	22
	Cardiff	26

Quarter finals

29 November 2002 19:05

Pontypridd	12–13	Neath
	Report

Sardis Road Attendance: 6,000

29 November 2002 19:35

Munster	33–3	Connacht
	Report

Musgrave Park Attendance: 8,000

30 November 2002 14:45

Glasgow	17–20	Ulster
Try: Steel Pen: Hayes (4)	Report	Try: Shields Ward Con: Humphreys (2) Pen: Humphreys (2)

Hughenden Attendance: 5,346

30 November 2002 17:30

Edinburgh	22–26	Cardiff
	Report

Meadowbank Attendance: 3,918

Semi finals

3 January 2003 19:35

Munster	42–10	Ulster
Try: Hayes Quinlan Kelly Mullins Galwey Con: O'Gara (3) Keane Pen: O'Gara (3)	Report	Try: Humphreys Con: Humphreys Pen: Humphreys

Thomond Park Attendance: 12,000

4 January 2003 17:30

Neath	32–10	Cardiff
	Report

The Gnoll Attendance: 6,471

Final

1 February 2003 14:45

Munster	37–17	Neath
Try: Alan Quinlan Marcus Horan Rob Henderson Con: Jeremy Staunton (2) Pen: Jeremy Staunton (2) Ronan O'Gara (4)	Report	Try: Adam Jones Pen: Lee Jarvis (3) Drop: Lee Jarvis

Millennium Stadium, Cardiff Attendance: 30,076 Referee: Chris White (England)

15 Jeremy Staunton 14 John Kelly 13 Mike Mullins 12 Jason Holland 11 Mossie Lawlor 10 Ronan O'Gara 9 Peter Stringer 8 Anthony Foley 7 Alan Quinlan 6 Jim Williams (c) 5 Mick O'Driscoll 4 Donncha O'Callaghan 3 John Hayes 2 Frankie Sheahan 1 Marcus Horan Replacements: 16 James Blaney 17 Martin Cahill 18 Mick Galwey 19 Denis Leamy 20 Mike Prendergast 21 Rob Henderson 22 Killian Keane Coach: Alan Gaffney

15 Adrian Durston 14 Gareth Morris 13 James Storey 12 Tevita Tiueti 11 Shane Williams 10 Lee Jarvis 9 Andy Moore 8 Nathan Bonner-Evans 7 Brett Sinkinson 6 Alivereti 'Alfi' Mocelutu 5 Gareth Llewellyn (c) 4 Andy Newman 3 Adam Jones 2 Barry Williams 1 Duncan Jones Replacements: 16 Allan Bateman 17 Shaun Connor 18 Steve Tandy 19 Adam Matthews 20 Rowland Phillips 21 Lyndon Bateman 22 Andrew Millward Coach: Lyn Jones

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.

Top points scorers Rank Player Club Points[1] 1 Brendan Laney Edinburgh 137 2 Tommy Hayes Glasgow 105 3 Iestyn Harris Cardiff 95 Lee Jarvis Neath 5 Arwel Thomas Swansea 86

Top try scorers Rank Player Club Tries[2] 1 Mossie Lawlor Munster 6 Craig Morgan Cardiff Mike Mullins Munster 4 Denis Hickie Leinster 5 Derrick Lee Edinburgh

Notes

1. Borders also played matches at Philiphaugh Stadium, Selkirk and Mansfield Park, Hawick.

External links

• Results from official website