INTRODUCTION: What is the RaboDirect pro12 Rugby Competition?

The rabo directrugby pro12 competition consists of twelve proffesional rugby teams. The twelve teams are made up of four teams from Ireland which are Leinster, Munster, Ulster and Connacht. Two scottish teams which are Edinburgh and the Glasgow warriors. Four welsh teams which are Scarlets, Dragons, Ospreys and Cardiff Blues. Finally two italian teams who are Zebre and Treviso. Each team plays every team twice once away and once at home throughout the season. The season is played during the months from September to May. At the end of the season the top four teams go into a play off against eachother. The top team plays against the team in fourth at home and team in second plays the third place team at home. This is the 13th year that this rugby union competition has been run and four years of those thirteen were with the twelve teams and three years with Rabo being the sponsor. If a team loses by less than seven points they get a losing bonus point and if a team scores over four tries they get a bonus point. Each team gets four points for each win, two points for a draw and zero points for a loss.