A top two finish for Connacht, Ospreys missing out on the top six and Munster requiring a last-day win to secure Champions Cup rugby.
It has certainly been a season to remember. Young stars such as Hallam Amos and Garry Ringrose pointed to a bright future, imports like Bundee Aki and Leone Nakarawa demonstrated staggering commitment to the cause while old stagers like Isaac Boss, Mike Blair and John Muldoon proved age is but a number.
The latest edition of the Guinness PRO12 was one for the foot soldiers and fearless newcomers.
While the league is often championed for the world-class Test stars that grace it, every player knows they would be lost without the young lads thrilling fans and occupying the trenches, week-in, week-out.
It’s been a thrilling season and with the Play-Offs upon us this weekend, followed by the final in Edinburgh on May 28, the best is yet to come.
Here are our four players to keep a close eye on this weekend.
LEINSTER V ULSTER – RDS, FRIDAY MAY 20, KICK OFF 19:45
Garry Ringrose (Leinster)
No one player has shot us to the edge of our seats this season like Ringrose.
The 21-year-old was a relative known unknown coming into 2015/16. Opponents knew the name – due to his training with Ireland’s senior squad – but had caught precious little footage of him.
Anyone who watched his performances for Ireland U20s last year would have been aware of a precocious talent and one with an ability to make plays, and big calls, on the fly.
Prepare as they might, teams had little answer for Ringrose as he punched through lines, evaded last-ditch swipes and offloaded teammates into space.
His February try against Zebre showed just how quickly he has become central to most of Leinster’s best backline moves [go to 1:30].
Ireland coach Joe Schmidt opted to leave him in the Guinness PRO12 to build up experience. Ringrose did just that – linking up fantastically with Ben Te’o – while adding some timber to his frame.
Showed, in games against Ospreys and Munster, that he will not shirk his defensive duties but he does his best work with ball in hand, spying gaps and plotting points.
Craig Gilroy (Ulster)
Gutted to miss out on the World Cup, the winger looked upon his summer training with the Irish squad as a positive.
He returned to his province the fittest he has ever been and tore into the season. Within two months of the Guinness PRO12 commencing he had bagged braces against Treviso and Munster.
Gilroy is a try-scorer but he is not entirely selfish. He has two assists to his name this season and has been involved in sweeping moves that led to tries for Stuart McCloskey, Nick Williams and Andrew Trimble.
His defence has really picked up this season – with an upped tackle count, improved tackle success rate and contribution of turnovers.
When Ulster needed four wins on the bounce, Gilroy played a pivotal role in three of those matches. Scored fine tries against Connacht and Zebre and won the Guinness PRO12 Try of the Season with this beauty against Scarlets.
CONNACHT V GLASGOW – SPORTSGROUND, SATURDAY
MAY 21; KICK OFF: 18:30
Tom McCartney (Connacht)
Where would Connacht be without Mr. Reliable?
The Kiwi hooker has made 18 league appearances for the westerners with six of them being whistle-to-whistle performances. Getting 80 minutes out of a modern-day hooker – one that acts as an extra loose forward to devastating effect – takes some going.
The Aucklander has been part of a Connacht front row that has minced many a pack in Galway and caused bother whilst on the road. His lineout throwing has, for the most part, been on the money.
Played one game as a substitute this season and, in three minutes on the pitch, scored his one and only try of the season.
Seen as the standard-bearer for Connacht’s pack, teammate Jake Heenan sums up his influence in one word – “Dedicated”.
Will be 32 by the time he is qualified to play for Ireland but could well be a steady back-up to Rory Best, and one that knows the basics of being a hooker. Always handy.
Rob Harley (Glasgow Warriors)
A thumb injury ruled him out of December and January but the versatile forward still featured in 18 games for the champions.
Given their 2014/15 form, Warriors lost a rake of players [21] to international duty, at the World Cup and for the Six Nations. They needed guys to fight fires at home and Harley was chief among them.
Asked to skipper the side, Harley never let it affect his performances and was a key figure in the Scottish side’s rise from mid-table to, briefly, table toppers.
Another man more than capable of going from whistle to whistle, Harley’s work at the breakdown is vital to the Warriors getting quick ball out to their dangerous backline.
With inclement weather predicted for Saturday’s semi-final, the flanker may be required to roll his sleeves up even further.
Both Play-Off games have now sold out but tickets for the Guinness PRO12 Final at BT Murrayfield, Edinburgh on Saturday May 28 at 5.30pm can still be purchased, visit www.pro12rugby.com or click here for details.
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