Our resident Guinness PRO12 expert Keith Mackenzie shares his prediction for how the table will look at the end of the season.
1. Leinster
2. Ulster
3. Glasgow
4. Scarlets
5. Munster
6. Ospreys
7. Cardiff Blues
8. Connacht
9. Edinburgh
10. Newport Gwent Dragons
11. Treviso
12. Zebre
The predicted top 4 is Leinster, Ulster, Glasgow and Scarlets, with Munster narrowly missing out. Champions Connacht are predicted to have a much less successful season, whilst the bottom two are fairly nailed on.
What do you think of this table?
By Keith Mackenzie
Follow Keith on Twitter: @Keith_Mack7
Photo by: Patrick Khachfe / Onside Images
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cardiff and ospreys above munster i’d think
Wow Connacht down to 8th seems a touch harsh ok they have lost a few players but that’s a big fall from grace
Munster will do better than most people think, there coach last year was diabolical and they still managed joint 5th, Id expect them to finish higher than Scarlets. Connacht Should get top 6 but I think they will struggle for top 4. For me the top 6 Will be
1. Leinster
2. Ulster
3. Glasgow/Munster
4. Munster/Glasgow
5. Scarlets
6. Connacht
———
7. Osperys
8. Cardiff
9. Edinburgh
10. Dragons
11. Treviso
12. Zebre
This looks more like what I would expect
Secondly, Munster 5th and Connacht 8th? I know you all dont want it to be all about Ireland again but a touch of realism needs to be added. People said Connacht would collapse last season after the RWC when all the internationals would return to the other teams and what happened? Connacht still maintained there form and went on the win the whole thing. Munster on the other hand where absolutely appalling last season and still managed joint 5th, they have the former assistant coach of SA with Erasmus and the defence coach and Munster have already improved significantly based on there pre season, went 130 minutes without conceding points and when they finally did they where 38-0 up. Munster I’m almost certain will finish top 4 this season. Only people in Ireland know the severity of Munster’s issue last season, the coach was dreadful but because of his glory days with Munster as a player he was nearly untouchable and got Munster into a massive hole…and he is still in the job but thankfully Munster changed to a DOR.
Pro 12 is utter rubbish. No-one watches it apart from a few drunk Irish and Welsh loonies.
The Pro 12 is a very entertaining and exciting league. It is unpredictable and has brilliant fans and atmosphere. Best league in Europe for me.
Would’ve been nice to tell us your reasons for where teams finish. Mind would be:
12th, 11th – Treviso and Zebre. They have their moments but generally aren’t good enough to do any better. Which team finishes above the other is pot luck for me.
10th – Newport Gwent Dragons. They can cause upsets and get some solid wins but generally they just fall short of quality and haven’t exactly got a brilliant squad.
9th – Cardiff Blues. Just not enough for me.
8th – Scarlets. They should be doing a lot better than they are and are getting humiliated against strong teams a lot. I think this could go badly for them.
7th – Connacht. Champions, sure, but they don’t stand out to me.
6th – Edinburgh. They used to be a lot better and last season I think they improved. I don’t think they have enough for top 4 but I reckon they may well have quite a good season.
5th – Ospreys. They should be doing better and I think they may well improve drastically this season and challenge for top 4 perhaps?
4th – Munster. I just don’t see them doing any better than 4th. However they have a decent squad and for me they really should qualify this year.
3rd – Leinster. Many might have them as favourites? I think they will do well, but their final loss may have shocked them.
2nd – Ulster. I think they have been quite unlucky before and it’s about time they got into a final. I think they have the squad and mentality to do it.
1st – Glasgow Warriors. I probably have them up here because they are my team but they have shown real class in their run last season and got unlucky to Connacht. If they can get revenge against Connacht on the opening week I think they can put another good run together. There is no World Cup to bleed their resources dry this time – that’s why Connacht did so well for me. The other teams lost many of their main men last season.