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Elvis Seveali'i, whose break led to a debut try for Osprey's Jason Spice.
Steve Pope Photography
What a Start - Celtic League 2004/05
6 September 2004, 12:00 am
A round up of the action from the opening weekend of this season's Celtic League.
In an exciting Celtic League opening weekend, Neath Swansea Ospreys find themselves sitting atop of the table by virtue of a better points difference over Connacht and Llanelli Scarlets, all three teams having secured a try bonus point in their first game.

The only other bonus point of the weekend came at Murrayfield for a loss of less than 7 points by Edinburgh who would have seen it as scant reward for a game they were leading up until the last three minutes.

And in the final match of the first round Leinster and Cardiff Blues battled it out for a 'score draw' on a glorious Sunday afternoon at Donnybrook.

The best try? Well, Connacht’s third of the day against Glasgow was a beaut. A scything James Downey break from just outside his own 22 and then a lovely pass to set up Matt Mostyn for an easy run in under the sticks.

Top try scorer of the opening round was Munster’s Christian Cullen, he was the only player to score two tries in a game but unfortunately, despite his efforts, his team lie bottom of the table.

Ospreys' Gavin Henson and Paul Warwick of Connacht claimed 14 points apiece to aid their teams to first and second place respectively.

The weekend also saw the Celtic League debuts of some big name summer signings, USA Eagles' captain Kort Schubert taking to the field at Donnybrook, and former Heineken Cup winner, Kenny Logan, scoring a try on his debut for Glasgow. Irish internationals Paul Burke and Tom Tierney also returned to Ireland from the English Premiership.

Aside from Logan, three other players grabbed tries on their debut in the Celtic League – Ulster's Andrew Maxwell, the Ospreys' Jason Spice and the aforementioned Paul Warwick.

All in all a great weekend for Celtic rugby, and the prospect of more to come. Don't forget you can keep up to date with your favourite teams at the official website on www.celticleague.com or by watching our broadcast partners BBC Wales, S4C and Setanta Sports.

All Pictures: ©  http://www.inpho.ie/, Huw Evans Agency,  Graham Stuart
Latest Results and Fixtures
DateHome
Away
28/11Scarlets16 - 18Munster
28/11Edinburgh32 - 16Ospreys
28/11Warriors28 - 0Blues
28/11Ulster53 - 13Connacht
29/11Leinster29 - 13Dragons
19/12Dragons  v  Ospreys
20/12Scarlets  v  Blues
26/12Dragons  v  Blues
26/12Edinburgh  v  Warriors
27/12Ospreys  v  Scarlets
Magners League Table

Team
Pld
Pts
MunsterMunster726
Glasgow WarriorsWarriors720
OspreysOspreys619
LeinsterLeinster717
Ulster RugbyUlster716
EdinburghEdinburgh716
ScarletsScarlets614
Cardiff BluesBlues611
Newport Gwent DragonsDragons610
Connacht RugbyConnacht78
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