The United Rugby Championship has new leaders following an absorbing trio of Round 10 fixtures on Saturday. With leaders Leinster not in action, Edinburgh grasped their opportunity to move to the summit of the overall table, having trailed the defending champions by a single point coming into the weekend.
Edinburgh now sits top of the overall table following a 34-10 victory over Cardiff, while Munster got back to winning ways as they overcame a Simon Zebo red card to edge Ulster 18-13. There was also a 38-19 win for Glasgow Warriors over the Ospreys at Scotstoun.
Edinburgh 34-10 Cardiff
Edinburgh shot to the top of the United Rugby Championship table after bagging four first-half tries against Cardiff. The Scottish capital side won 34-10 to reach the summit of a combined league table for the first time since the 2009-10 Celtic League season.
The first-half tries came from each of Mike Blair’s starting centres – James Lang and Mark Bennett – and wingers Ramiro Moyano and Emiliano Boffelli.
Cardiff played the final quarter with 14 men after both Liam Belcher and James Botham were driven off injured, the latter after a lengthy spell of treatment.
Glasgow Warriors 38-19 Ospreys
Josh McKay scored his first Glasgow try as the Warriors earned a bonus point against the Ospreys with a dominant second-half display.
Sione Tuipulotu grabbed two tries and Cole Forbes also crossed as Warriors secured a 38-19 victory at Scotstoun to lift them above their visitors in the United Rugby Championship. Dan Evans got the Ospreys’ only try late on in the match.
Munster 18-13 Ulster
A gritty backs-to-the-wall effort saw Munster overcome Simon Zebo’s early sending-off to defeat Ulster 18-13 in the United Rugby Championship at Thomond Park.
Munster suffered a big blow when Zebo’s shoulder made contact with the face of Ulster full-back Mike Lowry. TMO Brian MacNeice’s input led to referee Mike Adamson reaching for his red card.
Ultimately, Munster showed the greater hunger, led by the brilliant Beirne, whose breakdown smarts were a key factor throughout.