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2013–14 Pro12
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2013–14 Pro12
The 2013–14 Pro12 (also known as the RaboDirect Pro12 for sponsorship reasons) was the 13th season of the Pro12 rugby 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.
The twelve competing teams were the four Irish teams, Connacht, Leinster, Munster and Ulster; two Scottish teams, Edinburgh and Glasgow Warriors; four Welsh teams, Cardiff Blues, Newport Gwent Dragons, Ospreys and Scarlets; and two Italian teams, Benetton Treviso and Zebre.
New Zealand native Pat Lam replaced Eric Elwood as head coach of Connacht, following Elwood's decision to step down, while out-half Dan Parks took on a coaching role with Connacht U18 Schools and Clubs while continuing to play with the senior team. 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.
Following the departure of head coach Joe Schmidt, who left to take over the Irish national team, Leinster were coached by Matt O'Connor. O'Connor joined Leinster from 2012–13 Aviva Premiership winners Leicester Tigers.
Back row player, Peter O'Mahony was appointed as Munster captain following the retirement of previous captain Doug Howlett. 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. He left as the team's all-time leading scorer, as well as the record holder for number of appearances for the province.
With the departure of Michael Bradley, who left the team after two seasons as coach, Edinburgh were coached by South Africa native Alan Solomons. Solomons joined the team after coming from a Director of Rugby role with South African side, the Southern Kings.[citation needed]
Cardiff Blues replaced the grass playing surface at their home grounds with a new artificial pitch. On 16 August 2013, hooker Matthew Rees was named as captain for the season in place of Andries Pretorius. However, Rees was later diagnosed with testicular cancer, and was forced to take a leave of absence from the game to receive treatment.
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2013–14 Pro12 AI simulator
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2013–14 Pro12
The 2013–14 Pro12 (also known as the RaboDirect Pro12 for sponsorship reasons) was the 13th season of the Pro12 rugby 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.
The twelve competing teams were the four Irish teams, Connacht, Leinster, Munster and Ulster; two Scottish teams, Edinburgh and Glasgow Warriors; four Welsh teams, Cardiff Blues, Newport Gwent Dragons, Ospreys and Scarlets; and two Italian teams, Benetton Treviso and Zebre.
New Zealand native Pat Lam replaced Eric Elwood as head coach of Connacht, following Elwood's decision to step down, while out-half Dan Parks took on a coaching role with Connacht U18 Schools and Clubs while continuing to play with the senior team. 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.
Following the departure of head coach Joe Schmidt, who left to take over the Irish national team, Leinster were coached by Matt O'Connor. O'Connor joined Leinster from 2012–13 Aviva Premiership winners Leicester Tigers.
Back row player, Peter O'Mahony was appointed as Munster captain following the retirement of previous captain Doug Howlett. 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. He left as the team's all-time leading scorer, as well as the record holder for number of appearances for the province.
With the departure of Michael Bradley, who left the team after two seasons as coach, Edinburgh were coached by South Africa native Alan Solomons. Solomons joined the team after coming from a Director of Rugby role with South African side, the Southern Kings.[citation needed]
Cardiff Blues replaced the grass playing surface at their home grounds with a new artificial pitch. On 16 August 2013, hooker Matthew Rees was named as captain for the season in place of Andries Pretorius. However, Rees was later diagnosed with testicular cancer, and was forced to take a leave of absence from the game to receive treatment.
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