2003–04 Celtic League

2003–04 Celtic League
Countries Ireland Ireland
 Scotland
 Wales
Champions Wales Llanelli Scarlets (1st title)
Runners-up Ireland Ulster
Matches played 132
Attendance 501,875 (average 3,802 per match)
Tries scored 651 (average 4.932 per match)
Top point scorer Neil Jenkins (Celtic Warriors)
(273 points)[1]
Top try scorer Jamie Robinson (Cardiff Blues)
(12 tries)[2]
Official website
www.rabodirectpro12.com

The 2003–04 Celtic League was the third Celtic League season, and the first following the formation of the five regional rugby sides in Wales. The Celtic League, having previously been played as a pool stage followed by knockout rounds was restructured into a typical league system, based on home and away games only. The league was won by the Llanelli Scarlets, with all the other Welsh regions finishing in the top 6. Following this season, the Celtic Warriors were bought-out and disbanded by the Welsh Rugby Union, and in subsequent years, only four Welsh sides have competed.

Teams

Team Stadium Capacity City, Area
Scotland Borders Netherdale 6,000 Galashiels, Scotland
Wales Cardiff Blues Cardiff Arms Park 12,500 Cardiff, Wales
Wales Celtic Warriors Brewery Field
Sardis Road
12,000
8,000
Bridgend, Wales
Pontypridd, Wales
Ireland Connacht Galway Sportsgrounds[lower-alpha 1] 5,500 Galway, Republic of Ireland
Scotland Edinburgh Meadowbank Stadium[lower-alpha 2] 7,500 Edinburgh, Scotland
Scotland Glasgow Hughenden Stadium 6,000 Glasgow, Scotland
Ireland Leinster Donnybrook Stadium[lower-alpha 3] 6,000 Dublin, Republic of Ireland
Wales Llanelli Scarlets Stradey Park[lower-alpha 4] 10,800 Llanelli, Wales
Ireland Munster Thomond Park
Musgrave Park
13,200
8,300
Limerick, Republic of Ireland
Cork, Republic of Ireland
Wales Neath-Swansea Ospreys St Helen's
The Gnoll
4,500
6,000
Swansea, Wales
Neath, Wales
Wales Newport Gwent Dragons Rodney Parade 12,000 Newport, Wales
Ireland Ulster Ravenhill 12,800 Belfast, Northern Ireland

Table

Team Pld W D L PF PA PD TF TA Try bonus Losing bonus Pts
1 Wales Llanelli Scarlets 221615597385+21257397376
2 Ireland Ulster 221507617363+25467298472
3 Wales Newport Gwent Dragons 221606590449+14159417172
4 Wales Celtic Warriors 221408560451+10948375465
5 Wales Neath-Swansea Ospreys 2211110582512+7055605455
6 Wales Cardiff Blues 2211011570467+10373547354
7 Ireland Munster 22100124224563445496551
8 Ireland Leinster 2291125235805751654547
9 Ireland Connacht 2282124795507150595344
10 Scotland Edinburgh 22901345462216852696244
11 Scotland Glasgow 22611544261417252613332
12 Scotland Borders 22401836375038742881522

Under the standard bonus point system, points are awarded as follows:

  • 4 points for a win
  • 2 points for a draw
  • 1 bonus point for scoring 4 tries (or more) (Try bonus)
  • 1 bonus point for losing by 7 points (or fewer) (Losing bonus)
Source: RaboDirect PRO12


Fixtures

Round 1

5 September 2003
19:05
Neath-Swansea Ospreys Wales 41 – 30 Ireland Ulster
Report
The Gnoll
Attendance: 4,250
5 September 2003
19:30
Glasgow Scotland 23 – 13 Wales Cardiff Blues
Report
Hughenden
Attendance: 3,264
5 September 2003
19:30
Borders Scotland 12 – 49 Wales Celtic Warriors
Report
Netherdale
Attendance: 4,000
5 September 2003
19:35
Leinster Ireland 8 – 15 Ireland Munster
Report
Donnybrook
Attendance: 6,000
6 September 2003
16:00
Connacht Ireland 11 – 3 Scotland Edinburgh
Report
Sportsground
Attendance: 1,200
6 September 2003
17:30
Llanelli Scarlets Wales 35 – 11 Wales Newport Gwent Dragons
Report
Stradey Park
Attendance: 4,300

Round 2

12 September 2003
19:05
Newport Gwent Dragons Wales 29 – 19 Wales Neath-Swansea Ospreys
Report
Rodney Parade
Attendance: 3,874
12 September 2003
19:30
Edinburgh Scotland 53 – 7 Scotland Borders
Report
Meadowbank
Attendance: 2,800
12 September 2003
19:30
Munster Ireland 12 – 19 Wales Llanelli Scarlets
Report
Thomond Park
Attendance: 5,500
12 September 2003
19:35
Ulster Ireland 33 – 6 Scotland Glasgow
Report
Ravenhill
Attendance: 6,000
13 September 2003
14:30
Celtic Warriors Wales 29 – 22 Ireland Leinster
Report
Sardis Road
Attendance: 4,500
13 September 2003
17:30
Cardiff Blues Wales 33 – 17 Ireland Connacht
Report
Cardiff Arms Park
Attendance: 3,500

Round 3

26 September 2003
19:05
Llanelli Scarlets Wales 27 – 22 Wales Celtic Warriors
Report
Stradey Park
Attendance: 4,875
26 September 2003
19:30
Leinster Ireland 30 – 33 Scotland Edinburgh
Report
Donnybrook
Attendance: 2,600
26 September 2003
19:30
Borders Scotland 22 – 20 Wales Cardiff Blues
Report
Netherdale
Attendance: 2,140
26 September 2003
19:30
Ulster Ireland 37 – 18 Wales Newport Gwent Dragons
Report
Ravenhill
Attendance: 5,807
26 September 2003
19:35
Glasgow Scotland 19 – 30 Ireland Connacht
Report
Hughenden
Attendance: 3,146
27 September 2003
17:30
Neath-Swansea Ospreys Wales 33 – 26 Ireland Munster
Report
St Helen's
Attendance: 5,200

Round 4

10 October 2003
19:05
Cardiff Blues Wales 22 – 3 Ireland Leinster
Report
Cardiff Arms Park
Attendance: 3,500
10 October 2003
19:30
Edinburgh Scotland 25 – 16 Wales Llanelli Scarlets
Report
Meadowbank
Attendance: 2,643
10 October 2003
19:30
Munster Ireland 15 – 16 Ireland Ulster
Report
Musgrave Park
Attendance: 4,000
11 October 2003
14:30
Celtic Warriors Wales 22 – 32 Wales Neath-Swansea Ospreys
Report
Brewery Field
Attendance: 2,500
11 October 2003
14:30
Connacht Ireland 42 – 19 Scotland Borders
Report
Sportsground
Attendance: 2,000
12 October 2003
14:30
Newport Gwent Dragons Wales 27 – 5 Scotland Glasgow
Report
Rodney Parade
Attendance: 3,198

Round 5

17 October 2003
19:05
Newport Gwent Dragons Wales 29 – 6 Ireland Munster
Report
Rodney Parade
Attendance: 3,571
17 October 2003
19:30
Glasgow Scotland 26 – 25 Scotland Borders
Report
Hughenden
Attendance: 2,712
17 October 2003
19:30
Neath-Swansea Ospreys Wales 42 – 18 Scotland Edinburgh
Report
The Gnoll
Attendance: 4,525
17 October 2003
19:30
Ulster Ireland 26 – 20 Wales Celtic Warriors
Report
Ravenhill
Attendance: 6,625
17 October 2003
19:35
Leinster Ireland 21 – 6 Ireland Connacht
Report
Donnybrook
Attendance: 2,100
18 October 2003
14:30
Llanelli Scarlets Wales 35 – 20 Wales Cardiff Blues
Report
Stradey Park
Attendance: 4,966

Round 6

24 October 2003
19:00
Connacht Ireland 20 – 25 Wales Llanelli Scarlets
Report
Dubarry Park
Attendance: 2,310
24 October 2003
19:05
Celtic Warriors Wales 19 – 12 Wales Newport Gwent Dragons
Report
Sardis Road
Attendance: 2,100
24 October 2003
19:30
Munster Ireland 26 – 10 Scotland Glasgow
Report
Musgrave Park
Attendance: 2,000
24 October 2003
19:30
Borders Scotland 21 – 26 Ireland Leinster
Report
Netherdale
Attendance: 2,000
24 October 2003
19:35
Edinburgh Scotland 3 – 41 Ireland Ulster
Report
Meadowbank
Attendance: 2,600
25 October 2003
14:30
Cardiff Blues Wales 43 – 6 Wales Neath-Swansea Ospreys
Report
Cardiff Arms Park
Attendance: 4,300

Round 7

31 October 2003
19:05
Neath-Swansea Ospreys Wales 22 – 33 Ireland Connacht
Report
St Helen's
Attendance: 3,050
31 October 2003
19:30
Glasgow Scotland 10 – 31 Ireland Leinster
Report
Hughenden
Attendance: 2,734
31 October 2003
19:30
Munster Ireland 22 – 21 Wales Celtic Warriors
Report
Thomond Park
Attendance: 3,500
31 October 2003
19:30
Ulster Ireland 32 – 7 Wales Cardiff Blues
Report
Ravenhill
Attendance: 5,256
1 November 2003
14:30
Llanelli Scarlets Wales 36 – 20 Scotland Borders
Report
Racecourse Ground
Attendance: 5,060
1 November 2003
18:00
Newport Gwent Dragons Wales 34 – 22 Scotland Edinburgh
Report
Rodney Parade
Attendance: 3,012

Round 8

7 November 2003
19:05
Cardiff Blues Wales 13 – 25 Wales Newport Gwent Dragons
Report
Cardiff Arms Park
Attendance: 4,000
7 November 2003
19:15
Celtic Warriors Wales 29 – 23 Scotland Glasgow
Report
Brewery Field
Attendance: 1,950
7 November 2003
19:30
Edinburgh Scotland 20 – 9 Ireland Munster
Report
Meadowbank
Attendance: 2,300
7 November 2003
19:30
Borders Scotland 22 – 16 Wales Neath-Swansea Ospreys
Report
Netherdale
Attendance: 1,500
7 November 2003
19:35
Leinster Ireland 31 – 20 Wales Llanelli Scarlets
Report
Donnybrook
Attendance: 2,300
8 November 2003
14:30
Connacht Ireland 31 – 20 Ireland Ulster
Report
Sportsground
Attendance: 1,950

Round 9

23 November 2003
14:30
Newport Gwent Dragons Wales 28 – 19 Ireland Connacht
Report
Rodney Parade
Attendance: 3,058
28 November 2003
19:05
Celtic Warriors Wales 19 – 30 Scotland Edinburgh
Report
Brewery Field
Attendance: 2,000
28 November 2003
19:30
Glasgow Scotland 18 – 31 Wales Llanelli Scarlets
Report
Hughenden
Attendance: 2,345
28 November 2003
19:35
Munster Ireland 31 – 10 Wales Cardiff Blues
Report
Musgrave Park
Attendance: 5,500
28 November 2003
19:35
Ulster Ireland 46 – 5 Scotland Borders
Report
Ravenhill
Attendance: 5,585
29 November 2003
17:30
Neath-Swansea Ospreys Wales 25 – 36 Ireland Leinster
Report
The Gnoll
Attendance: 4,046

Round 10

27 December 2003
14:00
Glasgow Scotland 16 – 25 Scotland Edinburgh
Report
Hughenden
Attendance: 4,384
27 December 2003
17:30
Cardiff Blues Wales 10 – 26 Wales Celtic Warriors
Report
Cardiff Arms Park
Attendance: 6,000
2 January 2004
18:00
Borders Scotland 15 – 38 Wales Newport Gwent Dragons
Report
Netherdale
Attendance: 3,000
2 January 2004
19:00
Connacht Ireland 0 – 3 Ireland Munster
Report
Dubarry Park
Attendance: 3,500
2 January 2004
19:05
Llanelli Scarlets Wales 28 – 15 Wales Neath-Swansea Ospreys
Report
Stradey Park
Attendance: 10,195
2 January 2004
19:35
Leinster Ireland 32 – 30 Ireland Ulster
Report
Donnybrook
Attendance: 7,000

Round 11

6 February 2004
19:05
Newport Gwent Dragons Wales 35 – 14 Ireland Leinster
Report
Rodney Parade
Attendance: 3,476
6 February 2004
19:15
Neath-Swansea Ospreys Wales 33 – 11 Scotland Glasgow
Report
The Gnoll
Attendance: 2,675
6 February 2004
19:30
Edinburgh Scotland 10 – 50 Wales Cardiff Blues
Report
Meadowbank
Attendance: 2,120
6 February 2004
19:30
Munster Ireland 29 – 21 Scotland Borders
Report
Musgrave Park
Attendance: 3,800
6 February 2004
19:30
Ulster Ireland 10 – 9 Wales Llanelli Scarlets
Report
Ravenhill
Attendance: 6,603
7 February 2004
17:30
Celtic Warriors Wales 40 – 17 Ireland Connacht
Report
Brewery Field
Attendance: 1,500

Round 12

13 February 2004
19:00
Newport Gwent Dragons Wales 15 – 9 Wales Llanelli Scarlets
Report
Rodney Parade
Attendance: 4,545
13 February 2004
19:05
Cardiff Blues Wales 29 – 19 Scotland Glasgow
Report
Cardiff Arms Park
Attendance: 4,000
13 February 2004
19:30
Edinburgh Scotland 17 – 32 Ireland Connacht
Report
Meadowbank
Attendance: 1,396
13 February 2004
19:30
Ulster Ireland 31 – 19 Wales Neath-Swansea Ospreys
Report
Ravenhill
Attendance: 5,041
13 February 2004
19:35
Munster Ireland 24 – 13 Ireland Leinster
Report
Musgrave Park
Attendance: 5,400
15 February 2004
17:05
Celtic Warriors Wales 29 – 24 Scotland Borders
Report
Brewery Field
Attendance: 1,500

Round 13

20 February 2004
19:30
Glasgow Scotland 27 – 25 Ireland Ulster
Report
Hughenden
Attendance: 3,189
20 February 2004
19:30
Llanelli Scarlets Wales 37 – 20 Ireland Munster
Report
Stradey Park
Attendance: 6,169
20 February 2004
19:30
Neath-Swansea Ospreys Wales 26 – 14 Wales Newport Gwent Dragons
Report
St Helen's
Attendance: 2,178
20 February 2004
19:30
Borders Scotland 24 – 10 Scotland Edinburgh
Report
Netherdale
Attendance: 1,800
20 February 2004
19:35
Leinster Ireland 16 – 37 Wales Celtic Warriors
Report
Donnybrook
Attendance: 3,800
21 February 2004
19:00
Connacht Ireland 18 – 21 Wales Cardiff Blues
Report
Dubarry Park
Attendance: 2,676

Round 14

27 February 2004
19:05
Celtic Warriors Wales 16 – 15 Wales Llanelli Scarlets
Report
Brewery Field
Attendance: 3,900
27 February 2004
19:15
Cardiff Blues Wales 59 – 13 Scotland Borders
Report
Cardiff Arms Park
Attendance: 3,510
27 February 2004
19:30
Edinburgh Scotland 40 – 34 Ireland Leinster
Report
Murrayfield
Attendance: 2,120
27 February 2004
19:35
Munster Ireland 15 – 18 Wales Neath-Swansea Ospreys
Report
Musgrave Park
Attendance: 8,000
28 February 2004
14:30
Connacht Ireland 28 – 28 Scotland Glasgow
Report
Sportsground
Attendance: 2,500
28 February 2004
17:30
Newport Gwent Dragons Wales 27 – 19 Ireland Ulster
Report
Rodney Parade
Attendance: 4,016

Round 15

5 March 2004
19:05
Neath-Swansea Ospreys Wales 23 – 11 Wales Celtic Warriors
Report
The Gnoll
Attendance: 3,336
5 March 2004
19:30
Glasgow Scotland 48 – 20 Wales Newport Gwent Dragons
Report
Hughenden
Attendance: 2,860
5 March 2004
19:30
Leinster Ireland 18 – 22 Wales Cardiff Blues
Report
Donnybrook
Attendance: 2,150
5 March 2004
19:30
Borders Scotland 40 – 29 Ireland Connacht
Report
Netherdale
Attendance: 1,500
5 March 2004
19:35
Ulster Ireland 36 – 13 Ireland Munster
Report
Ravenhill
Attendance: 8,820
6 March 2004
18:00
Llanelli Scarlets Wales 47 – 12 Scotland Edinburgh
Report
Stradey Park
Attendance: 4,792

Round 16

12 March 2004
19:05
Celtic Warriors Wales 0 – 28 Ireland Ulster
Report
Brewery Field
Attendance: 2,000
12 March 2004
19:30
Edinburgh Scotland 31 – 35 Wales Neath-Swansea Ospreys
Report
Meadowbank
Attendance: 2,111
12 March 2004
19:30
Munster Ireland 6 – 16 Wales Newport Gwent Dragons
Report
Thomond Park
Attendance: 4,470
12 March 2004
19:30
Borders Scotland 11 – 15 Scotland Glasgow
Report
Netherdale
Attendance: 1,650
13 March 2004
14:30
Connacht Ireland 35 – 24 Ireland Leinster
Report
Sportsground
Attendance: 3,850
13 March 2004
17:30
Cardiff Blues Wales 0 – 6 Wales Llanelli Scarlets
Report
Cardiff Arms Park
Attendance: 7,000

Round 17

26 March 2004
19:00
Newport Gwent Dragons Wales 20 – 18 Wales Celtic Warriors
Report
Rodney Parade
Attendance: 4,366
26 March 2004
19:05
Llanelli Scarlets Wales 33 – 33 Ireland Connacht
Report
Stradey Park
Attendance: 4,522
26 March 2004
19:30
Leinster Ireland 35 – 12 Scotland Borders
Report
Donnybrook
Attendance: 2,384
26 March 2004
19:30
Ulster Ireland 37 – 0 Scotland Edinburgh
Report
Ravenhill
Attendance: 6,328
26 March 2004
19:35
Glasgow Scotland 12 – 37 Ireland Munster
Report
Hughenden
Attendance: 2,645
28 March 2004
16:00
Neath-Swansea Ospreys Wales 34 – 13 Wales Cardiff Blues
Report
St Helen's
Attendance: 3,877

Round 18

2 April 2004
19:05
Celtic Warriors Wales 29 – 25 Ireland Munster
Report
Sardis Road
Attendance: 4,157
2 April 2004
19:30
Edinburgh Scotland 14 – 19 Wales Newport Gwent Dragons
Report
Meadowbank
Attendance: 2,942
2 April 2004
19:30
Leinster Ireland 31 – 30 Scotland Glasgow
Report
Donnybrook
Attendance: 3,655
2 April 2004
19:30
Borders Scotland 8 – 41 Wales Llanelli Scarlets
Report
Netherdale
Attendance: 2,000
3 April 2004
14:30
Connacht Ireland 24 – 21 Wales Neath-Swansea Ospreys
Report
Sportsground
Attendance: 2,964
3 April 2004
17:30
Cardiff Blues Wales 19 – 15 Ireland Ulster
Report
Cardiff Arms Park
Attendance: 4,500

Round 19

16 April 2004
19:05
Neath-Swansea Ospreys Wales 60 – 7 Scotland Borders
Report
The Gnoll
Attendance: 2,526
16 April 2004
19:30
Glasgow Scotland 19 – 44 Wales Celtic Warriors
Report
Hughenden
Attendance: 2,863
16 April 2004
19:30
Llanelli Scarlets Wales 51 – 20 Ireland Leinster
Report
Stradey Park
Attendance: 5,679
16 April 2004
19:30
Munster Ireland 17 – 28 Scotland Edinburgh
Report
Musgrave Park
Attendance: 4,935
16 April 2004
19:35
Ulster Ireland 42 – 27 Ireland Connacht
Report
Ravenhill
Attendance: 7,286
17 April 2004
17:30
Newport Gwent Dragons Wales 48 – 25 Wales Cardiff Blues
Report
Rodney Parade
Attendance: 6,055

Round 20

30 April 2004
19:05
Cardiff Blues Wales 60 – 14 Ireland Munster
Report
Cardiff Arms Park
Attendance: 4,110
30 April 2004
19:30
Edinburgh Scotland 19 – 30 Wales Celtic Warriors
Report
Meadowbank
Attendance: 1,957
30 April 2004
19:30
Leinster Ireland 16 – 16 Wales Neath-Swansea Ospreys
Report
Donnybrook
Attendance: 1,068
30 April 2004
19:30
Borders Scotland 15 – 19 Ireland Ulster
Report
Netherdale
Attendance: 1,200
1 May 2004
14:30
Connacht Ireland 14 – 32 Wales Newport Gwent Dragons
Report
Sportsground
Attendance: 1,790
1 May 2004
17:30
Llanelli Scarlets Wales 36 – 26 Scotland Glasgow
Report
Racecourse Ground
Attendance: 5,422

Round 21

7 May 2004
19:00
Newport Gwent Dragons Wales 54 – 10 Scotland Borders
Report
Rodney Parade
Attendance: 5,297
7 May 2004
19:05
Celtic Warriors Wales 30 – 26 Wales Cardiff Blues
Report
Brewery Field
Attendance: 4,650
7 May 2004
19:30
Edinburgh Scotland 19 – 17 Scotland Glasgow
Report
Meadowbank
Attendance: 3,036
7 May 2004
19:30
Ulster Ireland 28 – 6 Ireland Leinster
Report
Ravenhill
Attendance: 12,000
7 May 2004
19:35
Munster Ireland 39 – 10 Ireland Connacht
Report
Thomond Park
Attendance: 3,233
9 May 2004
14:30
Neath-Swansea Ospreys Wales 15 – 18 Wales Llanelli Scarlets
Report
St Helen's
Attendance: 7,632

Round 22

13 May 2004
19:05
Cardiff Blues Wales 55 – 22 Scotland Edinburgh
Report
Cardiff Arms Park
Attendance: 3,620
14 May 2004
18:30
Connacht Ireland 3 – 20 Wales Celtic Warriors
Report
Sportsground
Attendance: 2,145
14 May 2004
19:30
Glasgow Scotland 34 – 31 Wales Neath-Swansea Ospreys
Report
Hughenden
Attendance: 2,227
14 May 2004
19:30
Borders Scotland 10 – 18 Ireland Munster
Report
Netherdale
Attendance: 2,000
14 May 2004
19:35
Leinster Ireland 56 – 39 Wales Newport Gwent Dragons
Report
Lansdowne Road
Attendance: 2,520
14 May 2004
19:35
Llanelli Scarlets Wales 23 – 16 Ireland Ulster
Report
Stradey Park
Attendance: 10,000

Leading scorers

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.

Top points scorers

Rank Player Club Points[1]
1 Wales Neil Jenkins Wales Celtic Warriors 273
2 Wales Gavin Henson Wales Neath-Swansea Ospreys 265
3 Wales Gareth Bowen Wales Llanelli Scarlets 240
4 Ireland Brian O'Meara Ireland Leinster 195
5 South Africa Percy Montgomery Wales Newport Gwent Dragons 191

Top try scorers

Rank Player Club Tries[2]
1 Wales Jamie Robinson Wales Cardiff Blues 12
2 Ireland Conor McPhillips Ireland Connacht 11
3 Wales Jason Forster Wales Newport Gwent Dragons 9
Ireland Tyrone Howe Ireland Ulster
Scotland Sean Lamont Scotland Glasgow

External links

Notes

  1. Connacht also played three of their matches at Dubarry Park in Athlone.
  2. Edinburgh played one league game at Murrayfield.
  3. Leinster played one league game at Lansdowne Road.
  4. Llanelli Scarlets played two of their home games at the Racecourse Ground in Wrexham.

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 "Leading Points-Scorers". RaboDirect PRO12. Retrieved 11 November 2013.
  2. 2.0 2.1 "Leading Try-Scorers". RaboDirect PRO12. Retrieved 11 November 2013.