The 2013–14 Pro12 (also known as the RaboDirect Pro12 for sponsorship reasons) was the 13th season of the Pro12rugby union competition originally known as the Celtic League, the fourth with its current 12-team format, and the third with RaboDirect as title sponsor.
Leinster were the defending champions, having beaten Ulster in the 2013 playoff final.[3]
New Zealand native Pat Lam replaced Eric Elwood as head coach of Connacht, following Elwood's decision to step down,[4] while out-half Dan Parks took on a coaching role with Connacht U18 Schools and Clubs while continuing to play with the senior team.[5] Following changes between captains in previous seasons the start of the season saw three players, Gavin Duffy, John Muldoon and Michael Swift, captain the side jointly. After a poor run of form culminating in a 43–10 defeat against Edinburgh, former Chiefs captain Craig Clarke was made team captain.
Back row player, Peter O'Mahony was appointed as Munster captain following the retirement of previous captain Doug Howlett.[7] Munster entered their first league season without long-serving out-half Ronan O'Gara, as he moved to a coaching role with Racing Métro following his retirement from playing.[8] He left as the team's all-time leading scorer, as well as the record holder for number of appearances for the province.
Italy
Scotland
With the departure of Michael Bradley, who left the team after two seasons as coach, Edinburgh were coached by South Africa native Alan Solomons.[9] Solomons joined the team after coming from a Director of Rugby role with South African side, the Southern Kings.[citation needed]
Wales
Cardiff Blues replaced the grass playing surface at their home grounds with a new artificial pitch.[10] On 16 August 2013, hooker Matthew Rees was named as captain for the season in place of Andries Pretorius.[11] However, Rees was later diagnosed with testicular cancer, and was forced to take a leave of absence from the game to receive treatment.[12][13]
^Although Murrayfield's full capacity is 67,144, only the lower section of the West Stand, with a capacity of 12,464, is generally opened for Edinburgh fixtures.
^Used to replace Murrayfield for three of Edinburgh's home fixtures, due to concerns over the current Murrayfield Stadium playing surface.
If teams are level at any stage, tiebreakers are applied in the following order:[17]
number of matches won;
the difference between points for and points against;
the number of tries scored;
the most points scored;
the difference between tries for and tries against;
the fewest red cards received;
the fewest yellow cards received.
Green background (rows 1 to 4) are play-off places, and earn a place in the European Rugby Champions Cup. Blue background indicates teams outside the play-off places, that earn a place in the European Rugby Champions Cup. Plain background indicates teams that earn a place in the European Rugby Challenge Cup.
European Rugby Champions/Challenge Cup qualification: The top team from each country, plus the three highest-placed teams apart from those, will qualify for the European Rugby Champions Cup. The remaining teams qualify for the European Rugby Challenge Cup. Updated 19 May 2014. Source: RaboDirect PRO12
Fixtures
The weekend dates for the 2013–14 season were announced on 19 July 2013.
[18] All times are local.[19]
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.
^"Home". Guinness PRO14. Retrieved 14 September 2017.
^"Home". Guinness PRO14. Retrieved 14 September 2017.
^"Home". Guinness PRO14. Retrieved 14 September 2017.
^"Home". Guinness PRO14. Retrieved 14 September 2017.
^ ab"RaboDirect run-in confirmed". Edinburgh Rugby. Scottish Rugby Union plc. 2 April 2014. Retrieved 2 April 2014. The match against Munster will be the club's third home match to be hosted at Meggetland in Colinton, following last month's win over Ospreys (31–25) and next Friday's capital clash with Cardiff Blues (11 April, kick-off 7.45pm).
^"Home". Guinness PRO14. Retrieved 14 September 2017.
^"Home". Guinness PRO14. Retrieved 14 September 2017.
^"Home". Guinness PRO14. Retrieved 14 September 2017.
^"Home". Guinness PRO14. Retrieved 14 September 2017.
^"Home". Guinness PRO14. Retrieved 14 September 2017.
^"Home". Guinness PRO14. Retrieved 14 September 2017.
^"Home". Guinness PRO14. Retrieved 14 September 2017.
^"Home". Guinness PRO14. Retrieved 14 September 2017.
^"Home". Guinness PRO14. Retrieved 14 September 2017.