Last-gasp Leinster and manful Munster tighten grip on top spots

Leinster and Munster tightened their grip on the top two Pro12 spots with dramatic respective victories over Ospreys and Glasgow Warriors on Saturday.

Leaders Leinster opened up a nine-point advantage over third-placed Ospreys with Ross Byrne’s 79th-minute drop goal securing a 20-18 triumph at the Liberty Stadium.

Byrne’s late three-pointer was not the end of the drama, though. Wales international Dan Biggar had an opportunity to win it for Ospreys with a penalty at the death, but he put it wide.

Munster kept pace with Leinster, but had to hold off a late fightback from the Warriors to win 10-7 at Irish Independent Park.

James Cronin crossed after just four minutes and a Rory Scannell penalty gave the Irish province a comfortable lead, but they had to defend doggedly after Finn Russell converted Stuart Hogg’s try with 11 minutes remaining.

Scarlets capitalised on Ulster’s 24-24 draw with Cardiff Blues on Friday by taking their place in the top four with a 51-5 thumping of Benetton Treviso, DTH van der Merwe scoring a hat-trick.

Having claimed just one victory in 17 league matches prior to last weekend, Zebre have now won two successive matches. The Italian side ran in four tries in a 29-14 triumph over fellow strugglers Newport Gwent Dragons.