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{{Short description|Professional rugby union end-of-season cup competition}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2023}}
{{Infobox rugby union season
{{Infobox rugby union season
| image = Pro14 Rainbow Cup.png
| image = Pro14 Rainbow Cup.png
| countries = {{flagicon|IRE|rugby union}} [[Ireland]]<br />{{flagicon|ITA}} [[Italy]]<br />{{flagicon|SCO}} [[Scotland]]<br />{{flagicon|WAL}} [[Wales]]<br />{{flagicon|RSA}} [[South Africa]]
| countries = {{flagicon|IRE|rugby union}} [[Ireland]]<br />{{flagicon|ITA}} [[Italy]]<br />{{flagicon|SCO}} [[Scotland]]<br />{{flagicon|WAL}} [[Wales]]<br />{{flagicon|RSA}} [[South Africa]]
| date = 23 April 2021 – 19 June 2021
| date = 23 April 2021 – 19 June 2021
| champions = [[Benetton Rugby|Benetton]]
| champions = {{flagicon|ITA}} [[Benetton Rugby|Benetton]]
| runnersup = {{flagicon|RSA}} [[Bulls (rugby union)|Bulls]]
| runnersup = {{flagicon|RSA}} [[Bulls (rugby union)|Bulls]]
| matches = 40
| matches = 40
Line 15: Line 17:
| nextseason = [[2021–22 United Rugby Championship|2021–22]]
| nextseason = [[2021–22 United Rugby Championship|2021–22]]
}}
}}
[[File:Finale Rainbow Cup 2021 Benetton Treviso WINS.jpg|thumb| Finale Rainbow Cup 2021 Benetton Treviso WINS]]
[[File:Finale Rainbow Cup 2021- Benetton Treviso vs Vodacom Blue Bulls-233 (51262041404).jpg|thumb|Finale Rainbow Cup 2021- Benetton Treviso vs Vodacom Blue Bulls-233 (51262041404)]]
⚫
The '''Pro14 Rainbow Cup''' (also known as the '''[[Guinness Brewery|Guinness]] Pro14 Rainbow Cup''' for sponsorship reasons) was a professional [[rugby union]] end-of-season cup competition played in 2021 that consisted of two separate tournaments: the Rainbow Cup for twelve European clubs and the '''Rainbow Cup SA''' for four South African clubs. The winners of each competition then played a final match to determine the overall winner. The tournament operated as a shortened 'Spring season' to allow for the integration of the four new South African teams into the [[2021-22 United Rugby Championship|United Rugby Championship]] ahead of the 2021–22 season.


⚫
In winning the play-off final against the [[Bulls (rugby union)|Bulls]] of South Africa, [[Benetton Rugby|Benetton Treviso]] became the first Italian side ever to win any of the successor championships to the [[Celtic League]].
⚫
The '''Pro14 Rainbow Cup''' (also known as the '''[[Guinness Brewery|Guinness]] Pro14 Rainbow Cup''' for sponsorship reasons) was a professional [[rugby union]] end-of-season cup competition played in 2021 that consisted of two separate tournaments: the Rainbow Cup for twelve European clubs and the '''Rainbow Cup SA''' for four South African clubs. The winners of each competition then played a final match to determine the overall winner. The tournament operated as a shortened 'Spring season' to allow for the integration of the four new South African teams into the [[2021-22 United Rugby Championship|United Rugby Championship]] ahead of the 2021-22 season.

⚫
In winning the play-off final against the [[Bulls (rugby team)|Bulls]] of South Africa, [[Benetton Treviso]] became the first Italian side ever to win any of the successor championships to the [[Celtic League]].


==Background==
==Background==
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With South Africa hosting the [[2021 British & Irish Lions tour to South Africa|British & Irish Lions tour]] in July–August 2021, the tournament also served as a warm-up event for the British, Irish and South African players hoping to be involved in the tour.<ref name="Pro14 Rainbow Cup"/>
With South Africa hosting the [[2021 British & Irish Lions tour to South Africa|British & Irish Lions tour]] in July–August 2021, the tournament also served as a warm-up event for the British, Irish and South African players hoping to be involved in the tour.<ref name="Pro14 Rainbow Cup"/>

Between February and March eight South African franchises played in a "preparation series" also known as the [[Preparation Series]] to get valuable game time before the Rainbow Cup.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Franchise Cup back to just that – a contest between franchises|url=https://www.news24.com/citypress/sport/franchise-cup-back-to-just-that-a-contest-between-franchises-20210206|access-date=2021-10-08|website=www.news24.com|language=en}}</ref>


Due to several issues surrounding travel restrictions as a result of the pandemic, it was announced in April 2021 that the Rainbow Cup would adopt a dual tournament format and there would be no cross-hemisphere fixtures.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|title=Dual Tournament Approach to Guinness PRO14 Rainbow Cup|url=https://www.pro14.rugby/latest/news/dual-tournament-approach|access-date=2021-04-21|website=www.pro14.rugby|language=en}}</ref>
Due to several issues surrounding travel restrictions as a result of the pandemic, it was announced in April 2021 that the Rainbow Cup would adopt a dual tournament format and there would be no cross-hemisphere fixtures.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|title=Dual Tournament Approach to Guinness PRO14 Rainbow Cup|url=https://www.pro14.rugby/latest/news/dual-tournament-approach|access-date=2021-04-21|website=www.pro14.rugby|language=en}}</ref>


==Format==
==Format==
The competition format changed several times but eventually consisted of two separate tournaments running side by side. In the northern hemisphere's Rainbow Cup, the 12 Pro14 teams in Europe competed from 23 April until 12 June 2021. There were 6 match weekends over an 8 week period with each team receiving one additional [[Bye (sport)|bye]] week.
The competition format changed several times but eventually consisted of two separate tournaments running side by side. In the northern hemisphere's Rainbow Cup, the 12 Pro14 teams in Europe competed from 23 April until 12 June 2021. There were 6 match weekends over an 8-week period with each team receiving one additional [[Bye (sport)|bye]] week.


In the southern hemisphere's Rainbow Cup SA, each of the four teams played each other twice, a total of six rounds were played between 1 May and 12 June 2021. There was one fallow week in which each team received a bye week.<ref name=":0" /><ref>https://www.pro14.rugby/latest/news/revised-pro14-rainbow-cup-sa-schedule-confirmed {{Bare URL inline|date=May 2021}}</ref>
In the southern hemisphere's Rainbow Cup SA, each of the four teams played each other twice, a total of six rounds were played between 1 May and 12 June 2021. There was one fallow week in which each team received a bye week.<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.pro14.rugby/latest/news/revised-pro14-rainbow-cup-sa-schedule-confirmed|title=Revised PRO14 Rainbow Cup SA schedule confirmed}}</ref>


A final between the best placed Northern and Southern Hemisphere teams followed both tournaments on 19 June.<ref name=":1">{{Cite news|title=Europe to host Pro14 Rainbow Cup final|language=en-GB|work=BBC Sport|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/57120372|access-date=2021-05-14}}</ref>
A final between the best placed Northern and Southern Hemisphere teams followed both tournaments on 19 June.<ref name=":1">{{Cite news|title=Europe to host Pro14 Rainbow Cup final|language=en-GB|work=BBC Sport|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/57120372|access-date=2021-05-14}}</ref>


==Law variations==
==Law variations==
The Rainbow Cup saw three law variations trialled: Replacement for a red carded player after 20 minutes, Captain's Challenge and Goal-line dropouts. The replacement for a red carded player after 20 minutes will allow a side who has had a player sent-off to replace them with one of their named substitutes after a period of 20 minutes. A captain's challenge, similar to appeals used successfully in cricket and tennis, will allow each team one referral per match which can be used in one of three scenarios: a decision occurring in the final five minutes of a match, an offence in the build up to a try being scored or an act of foul play. Goal-line dropouts will be used if the ball is held-up over the line, knock-ons that occur in goal or when the ball is grounded by the defending team in the in-goal area after a kick through. All these law variations have previously been trialled in both [[Super Rugby Aotearoa]] and [[Super Rugby AU]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.pro14.rugby/latest/news/law-trials-confirmed-for-guinness-pro14-rainbow-cup|title=Law Trials confirmed for Guinness PRO14 Rainbow Cup|work=Pro14|date=15 April 2021|access-date=15 April 2021}}</ref>
The Rainbow Cup saw three law variations trialled: Replacement for a red carded player after 20 minutes, Captain's Challenge and Goal-line dropouts. The replacement for a red carded player after 20 minutes allowed a side who has had a player sent-off to replace them with one of their named substitutes after a period of 20 minutes. A captain's challenge, similar to appeals used successfully in cricket and tennis, allowed each team to request a television match official review an offence in the build up to a try being scored or an act of foul play, or any referee's decision after the clock passes 75 minutes; where the referee's on-field decision was not changed, that team would no longer be able to challenge a decision thereafter. Goal-line dropouts were used if the ball is held-up over the line, knock-ons that occur in goal or when the ball is grounded by the defending team in the in-goal area after a kick through. All these law variations have previously been trialled in both [[Super Rugby Aotearoa]] and [[Super Rugby AU]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.pro14.rugby/latest/news/law-trials-confirmed-for-guinness-pro14-rainbow-cup|title=Law Trials confirmed for Guinness PRO14 Rainbow Cup|work=Pro14|date=15 April 2021|access-date=15 April 2021}}</ref>

The captain's challenge law attracted widespread criticism, particularly after an incident in [[Munster Rugby|Munster]]'s game against [[Cardiff Blues|Cardiff]] where Munster's [[CJ Stander]] called for a captain's challenge on a Cardiff player returning the ball into a ruck, a minor technical offence. It was not adopted in subsequent tournaments.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.balls.ie/rugby/captains-challenge-munster-cardiff-471056 | title=Uproar as CJ Stander's Captain Challenge Ends Game }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-news/rugby-union-captains-challenge-farcical-20704880 | title=Munster v Cardiff Blues proved Captain's Challenge needs to be scrapped | date=29 May 2021 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.the42.ie/the42-rugby-weekly-extra-2-5453164-May2021/ | title='The trial hasn't worked. I don't think it's going to feature beyond the Rainbow Cup' }}</ref>

[[World Rugby]] adopted the goal-line drop-out law more widely in the 2021–22 season and it has since become permanent.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.world.rugby/news/714829/world-rugby-confirms-adoption-of-welfare-driven-laws | title=World Rugby confirms adoption of welfare-driven laws &#124; World Rugby }}</ref>


==Teams==
==Teams==
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|-
|-
|
|
{{Location map+ |United Kingdom and Ireland|width=350|float=center|caption=Location of Pro14 Rainbow Cup teams in the British Isles.|places=
{{Location map+ |United Kingdom and Ireland|width=350|float=center|caption=Location of Pro14 Rainbow Cup teams in Great Britain and Ireland.|places=
{{Location map~ |United Kingdom and Ireland|lat=53.279 |long=-9.0397 |label=<small>[[Connacht Rugby|Connacht]]</small>|mark=Blue pog.svg|position=right}}
{{Location map~ |United Kingdom and Ireland|lat=53.279 |long=-9.0397 |label=<small>[[Connacht Rugby|Connacht]]</small>|mark=Blue pog.svg|position=right}}
{{Location map~ |United Kingdom and Ireland|lat=53.325556|long=-6.229444|label=<small>[[Leinster Rugby|Leinster]]</small>|mark=Blue pog.svg|position=bottom}}
{{Location map~ |United Kingdom and Ireland|lat=53.325556|long=-6.229444|label=<small>[[Leinster Rugby|Leinster]]</small>|mark=Blue pog.svg|position=bottom}}
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}}
}}
||
||
{{Location map+ |Italy North|AlternativeMap=Italy North location map.svg|width=350|float=center|caption=Location of Pro14 Rainbow Cup teams in Italy|places=
{{Location map+ |Italy North|AlternativeMap=Italy North location map.svg|width=350|float=center|caption=Location of Pro14 Rainbow Cup teams in Italy.|places=
{{location map~ |Italy North|lat=45.680278|long=12.213333|label=<small>[[Benetton Rugby|Benetton]]</small>|mark=Blue pog.svg|position=left}}
{{location map~ |Italy North|lat=45.680278|long=12.213333|label=<small>[[Benetton Rugby|Benetton]]</small>|mark=Blue pog.svg|position=left}}
{{location map~ |Italy North|lat=44.826111|long=10.328889|label=<small>[[Zebre]]</small>|mark=Blue pog.svg|position=right}}
{{location map~ |Italy North|lat=44.826111|long=10.328889|label=<small>[[Zebre]]</small>|mark=Blue pog.svg|position=right}}
}}
}}
{{Location map+ |South Africa |AlternativeMap=South Africa location map.svg|width=350|float=center|caption=Location of PRO14 Rainbow Cup SA teams|places=
{{Location map+ |South Africa |AlternativeMap=South Africa location map.svg|width=350|float=center|caption=Location of PRO14 Rainbow Cup SA teams.|places=
{{location map~ |South Africa |lat=-25.753333|long=28.222778|label=<small>[[Bulls (rugby union)|Bulls]]</small>|mark=Blue pog.svg|position=right}}
{{location map~ |South Africa |lat=-25.753333|long=28.222778|label=<small>[[Bulls (rugby union)|Bulls]]</small>|mark=Red pog.svg|position=right}}
{{location map~ |South Africa |lat=-29.828 |long=31.031 |label=<small>[[Sharks (rugby union)|Sharks]]</small>|mark=Blue pog.svg|position=right}}
{{location map~ |South Africa |lat=-29.828 |long=31.031 |label=<small>[[Sharks (rugby union)|Sharks]]</small>|mark=Red pog.svg|position=right}}
{{location map~ |South Africa |lat=-26.1975 |long=28.060833|label=<small>[[Lions (Super Rugby)|Lions]]</small>|mark=Blue pog.svg|position=left}}
{{location map~ |South Africa |lat=-26.1975 |long=28.060833|label=<small>[[Lions (Super Rugby)|Lions]]</small>|mark=Red pog.svg|position=left}}
{{location map~ |South Africa |lat=-33.970556|long=18.468333|label=<small>[[Stormers]]</small>|mark=Blue pog.svg|position=left}} }}
{{location map~ |South Africa |lat=-33.970556|long=18.468333|label=<small>[[Stormers]]</small>|mark=Red pog.svg|position=left}} }}
|}
|}


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| {{sort|Ireland|{{flagicon|IRE|rugby union}} [[Ireland]]}}
| {{sort|Ireland|{{flagicon|IRE|rugby union}} [[Ireland]]}}
| {{sort|Cullen, Leo|{{flagicon|IRE|rugby union}} [[Leo Cullen (rugby union)|Leo Cullen]]}}
| {{sort|Cullen, Leo|{{flagicon|IRE|rugby union}} [[Leo Cullen (rugby union)|Leo Cullen]]}}
| {{sort|Sexton, Jonathan|{{flagicon|IRE|rugby union}} [[Jonathan Sexton]]}}
| {{sort|Sexton, Johnny|{{flagicon|IRE|rugby union}} [[Johnny Sexton]]}}
| [[RDS Arena]]
| [[RDS Arena]]
| style="text-align:center;"| 18,500
| style="text-align:center;"| 18,500
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|home = (2 BP) [[Ulster Rugby|Ulster]] {{flagicon|IRE|rugby union}}
|home = (2 BP) [[Ulster Rugby|Ulster]] {{flagicon|IRE|rugby union}}
|score = 24–26
|score = 24–26
|report = [https://www.unitedrugby.com/match-centre/12021/rainbow-cup/ulster-vs-connacht-2021-04-23/367011 Report]<br />[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D4kQGv00qgs&t=25s Highlights]
|report =
|away = {{flagicon|IRE|rugby union}} [[Connacht Rugby|Connacht]] (1 BP)
|away = {{flagicon|IRE|rugby union}} [[Connacht Rugby|Connacht]] (1 BP)
|try1 = [[Jacob Stockdale|Stockdale]] 23'<br />[[Rob Herring (rugby union)|Herring]] 29' c<br />[[Billy Burns (rugby union)|Burns]] 44'<br />[[David Shanahan (rugby union)|Shanahan]] 72' c
|try1 =
|con1 = [[John Cooney (rugby union)|Cooney]] 30'<br />[[Michael Lowry (rugby union)|Lowry]] 73'
|con1 =
|try2 = [[Paul Boyle (rugby union)|Boyle]] 7' c<br />[[Caolin Blade|Blade]] (2) 50' c 63 c<br />[[Peter Sullivan (rugby union, born 1998)|Sullivan]] 80+3'
|pen1 =
|con2 = [[Jack Carty (rugby union)|Carty]] 8'<br />[[Tom Daly (rugby union)|Daly]] (2) 52' 64'
|try2 =
|con2 =
|pen2 =
|stadium = [[Ravenhill Stadium]]
|stadium = [[Ravenhill Stadium]]
|attendance =
|attendance =
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|home = (1 BP) [[Munster Rugby|Munster]] {{flagicon|IRE|rugby union}}
|home = (1 BP) [[Munster Rugby|Munster]] {{flagicon|IRE|rugby union}}
|score = 38–10
|score = 38–10
|report = [https://www.unitedrugby.com/match-centre/12021/rainbow-cup/munster-vs-ulster-2021-05-07/367024 Report]<br />[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-wAzmTj9NZk Highlights]<br />[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DyKzKaHRp7o Full game]
|report =
|away = {{flagicon|IRE|rugby union}} [[Ulster Rugby|Ulster]]
|away = {{flagicon|IRE|rugby union}} [[Ulster Rugby|Ulster]]
|try1 = [[Rory Scannell|Scannell]] (2) 10' c 54' c<br />[[Conor Murray|Murray]] 26'<br />[[Mike Haley (rugby union)|Haley]] c<br />[[JJ Hanrahan|Hanrahan]] 57' c<br />[[Andrew Conway|Conway]] 78'
|try1 =
|con1 = [[JJ Hanrahan|Hanrahan]] (4) 11' 40+1' 55' 59'
|con1 =
|try2 = [[Iain Henderson|Henderson]] 43'
|pen1 =
|con2 = [[Michael Lowry (rugby union)|Lowry]] 45'
|try2 =
|pen2 = [[Michael Lowry (rugby union)|Lowry]] 2'
|con2 =
|pen2 =
|stadium = [[Thomond Park]]
|stadium = [[Thomond Park]]
|attendance =
|attendance =
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|home = [[Leinster Rugby|Leinster]] {{flagicon|IRE|rugby union}}
|home = [[Leinster Rugby|Leinster]] {{flagicon|IRE|rugby union}}
|score = 21–17
|score = 21–17
|report = [https://www.unitedrugby.com/match-centre/12021/rainbow-cup/leinster-vs-ulster-2021-05-14/367034 Report]<br />[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZuRWwQpU2-I Highlights]
|report =
|away = {{flagicon|IRE|rugby union}} [[Ulster Rugby|Ulster]] (1 BP)
|away = {{flagicon|IRE|rugby union}} [[Ulster Rugby|Ulster]] (1 BP)
|try1 = [[Cian Healy|Healy]] 25' c<br />[[Jack Conan|Conan]] 53' c<br />[[Robbie Henshaw|Henshaw]] 61' c
|try1 =
|con1 = [[Garry Ringrose|Ringrose]] (3) 25' 54' 62'
|con1 =
|try2 = [[Robert Baloucoune|Baloucoune]] 18' c<br />[[Craig Gilroy|Gilroy]] 79' c
|pen1 =
|con2 = [[Billy Burns (rugby union)|Burns]] 19'<br />[[Ian Madigan|Madigan]] 79'
|try2 =
|pen2 = [[Billy Burns (rugby union)|Burns]] 51'
|con2 =
|pen2 =
|stadium = [[RDS Arena]]
|stadium = [[RDS Arena]]
|attendance =
|attendance =
Line 632: Line 637:
|home = (2 BP) [[Edinburgh Rugby|Edinburgh]] {{flagicon|SCO}}
|home = (2 BP) [[Edinburgh Rugby|Edinburgh]] {{flagicon|SCO}}
|score = 31–34
|score = 31–34
|report = [https://www.unitedrugby.com/match-centre/12021/rainbow-cup/edinburgh-vs-ulster-2021-06-05/367051 Report]<br />[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cycxfqLm45A Highlights]
|report =
|away = {{flagicon|IRE|rugby union}} [[Ulster Rugby|Ulster]] (1 BP)
|away = {{flagicon|IRE|rugby union}} [[Ulster Rugby|Ulster]] (1 BP)
|try1 = [[Duhan van der Merwe|Van der Merwe]] 3'<br />[[Blair Kinghorn|Kinghorn]] 7' c<br/>[[Pierre Schoeman|Schoeman]] 67' c<br />[[Cammy Hutchison|Hutchison]] 73' c<br />[[Eroni Sau|Sau]] 76'
|try1 =
|con1 = [[Blair Kinghorn|Kinghorn]] (3) 8' 67' 74'
|con1 =
|try2 = [[James Hume (rugby union)|Hume]] 12' c<br />[[Iain Henderson|Henderson]] 19' c<br />[[Stuart McCloskey|McCloskey]] 27' c<br />[[Adam McBurney|McBurney]] 38'<br />[[Rob Lyttle|Lyttle]] 47'
|pen1 =
|con2 = [[Ian Madigan|Madigan]] (3) 13' 19' 28'
|try2 =
|pen2 = [[Ian Madigan|Madigan]] 80+1'
|con2 =
|pen2 =
|stadium = [[Murrayfield Stadium|Murrayfield]]
|stadium = [[Murrayfield Stadium|Murrayfield]]
|attendance =
|attendance =
Line 955: Line 959:


==Final==
==Final==
The first-placed teams from each tournament, [[Benetton Rugby | Benetton]] and [[Bulls (rugby union) |Bulls]], played in the final in Treviso.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Italy to Host Historic 'North v South' Guinness PRO14 Rainbow Cup Final in Treviso|url=https://www.pro14.rugby/latest/news/italy-to-host-historic-north-v-south-guinness-pro14-rainbow-cup-final-in-treviso|access-date=2021-05-28|website=www.pro14.rugby|language=en}}</ref> Benetton won 35-8 in front of their home crowd for a historic first win of an international competition for any Italian club.<ref name = "gazzetta">{{Cite web|title=Capolavoro Treviso! 35-8 ai Bulls, la Rainbow Cup è italiana|url=https://www.gazzetta.it/Rugby/19-06-2021/capolavoro-treviso-35-8-bulls-rainbow-cup-italiana-4102121537483.shtml|access-date=2021-06-19|website=gazzetta.it|language=it}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/rugby-union/57530513|title=Pro14 Rainbow Cup final: Benetton 35-8 Bulls - hosts win first major title|date=19 June 2021|work=BBC Sport|accessdate= 2 July 2021}}</ref>
The first-placed teams from each tournament, [[Benetton Rugby|Benetton]] and [[Bulls (rugby union)|Bulls]], played in the final in Treviso.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Italy to Host Historic 'North v South' Guinness PRO14 Rainbow Cup Final in Treviso|url=https://www.pro14.rugby/latest/news/italy-to-host-historic-north-v-south-guinness-pro14-rainbow-cup-final-in-treviso|access-date=2021-05-28|website=www.pro14.rugby|language=en}}</ref> Benetton won 35–8 in front of their home crowd for a historic first win of an international competition for any Italian club.<ref name = "gazzetta">{{Cite web|title=Capolavoro Treviso! 35-8 ai Bulls, la Rainbow Cup è italiana|url=https://www.gazzetta.it/Rugby/19-06-2021/capolavoro-treviso-35-8-bulls-rainbow-cup-italiana-4102121537483.shtml|access-date=2021-06-19|website=gazzetta.it|language=it}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/rugby-union/57530513|title=Pro14 Rainbow Cup final: Benetton 35-8 Bulls - hosts win first major title|date=19 June 2021|work=BBC Sport|accessdate= 2 July 2021}}</ref>


{{Rugbybox
{{Rugbybox
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|report = [https://www.pro14.rugby/latest/match-report/benetton-stun-bulls-to-win-rainbow-cup-final Report]
|report = [https://www.pro14.rugby/latest/match-report/benetton-stun-bulls-to-win-rainbow-cup-final Report]
|away = {{flagicon|RSA}} [[Bulls (rugby union)|Bulls]]
|away = {{flagicon|RSA}} [[Bulls (rugby union)|Bulls]]
|try1 = [[Monty Ioane|Ioane]] 5' m<br />[[Corniel Els|Els]] 31' m<br /> [[Try_(rugby)#Penalty_try|Penalty try]] 40'<br />[[Michele Lamaro|Lamaro]] 42' c<br />[[Edoardo Padovani|Padovani]] 57' m
|try1 = [[Monty Ioane|Ioane]] 5' m<br />[[Corniel Els|Els]] 31' m<br /> [[Try (rugby)#Penalty try|Penalty try]] 40'<br />[[Michele Lamaro|Lamaro]] 42' c<br />[[Edoardo Padovani|Padovani]] 57' m
|con1 = [[Paolo Garbisi|Garbisi]] (1/4) 43'
|con1 = [[Paolo Garbisi|Garbisi]] (1/4) 43'
|pen1 = [[Paolo Garbisi|Garbisi]] (2/3) 20', 47'
|pen1 = [[Paolo Garbisi|Garbisi]] (2/3) 20', 47'
Line 972: Line 976:
|stadium = [[Stadio Comunale di Monigo]]
|stadium = [[Stadio Comunale di Monigo]]
|attendance = 1250<ref name = "gazzetta" />
|attendance = 1250<ref name = "gazzetta" />
|referee = [[Frank Murphy (rugby union)|Frank Murphy]] ([[IRFU]])
|referee = [[Frank Murphy (rugby union)|Frank Murphy]] ([[Irish Rugby Football Union|IRFU]])
}}
}}
<!--==Leading scorers==
<!--==Leading scorers==
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[[Category:2020 in South African rugby union]]
[[Category:2020 in South African rugby union]]
[[Category:2021 in South African rugby union]]
[[Category:2021 in South African rugby union]]
[[Category:Current rugby union seasons|Pro14]]

Latest revision as of 18:29, 14 December 2024

Pro14 Rainbow Cup
CountriesIreland Ireland
Italy Italy
Scotland Scotland
Wales Wales
South Africa South Africa
Date23 April 2021 – 19 June 2021
ChampionsItaly Benetton
Runners-upSouth Africa Bulls
Matches played40
Official website
www.pro14.rugby
Finale Rainbow Cup 2021 Benetton Treviso WINS
Finale Rainbow Cup 2021- Benetton Treviso vs Vodacom Blue Bulls-233 (51262041404)

The Pro14 Rainbow Cup (also known as the Guinness Pro14 Rainbow Cup for sponsorship reasons) was a professional rugby union end-of-season cup competition played in 2021 that consisted of two separate tournaments: the Rainbow Cup for twelve European clubs and the Rainbow Cup SA for four South African clubs. The winners of each competition then played a final match to determine the overall winner. The tournament operated as a shortened 'Spring season' to allow for the integration of the four new South African teams into the United Rugby Championship ahead of the 2021–22 season.

In winning the play-off final against the Bulls of South Africa, Benetton Treviso became the first Italian side ever to win any of the successor championships to the Celtic League.

Background

[edit]

The 2020–21 Pro14 was reduced to twelve teams as the two South African teams - the Cheetahs and Southern Kings - were not allowed to travel internationally in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In September 2020, the Southern Kings ceased operations and the South African Rugby Union council began exploring the possibility of the four South African former Super Rugby teams - the Bulls, Lions, Sharks and Stormers - joining an expanded Pro14.[1]

PRO14 Rugby announced in December 2020 that the 2020–21 Pro14 regular season would conclude after 16 rounds, and the top team from each conference would advance to a final in March 2021. The Pro14 Rainbow Cup then commenced in April and introduced the four new South African teams.[2]

With South Africa hosting the British & Irish Lions tour in July–August 2021, the tournament also served as a warm-up event for the British, Irish and South African players hoping to be involved in the tour.[2]

Between February and March eight South African franchises played in a "preparation series" also known as the Preparation Series to get valuable game time before the Rainbow Cup.[3]

Due to several issues surrounding travel restrictions as a result of the pandemic, it was announced in April 2021 that the Rainbow Cup would adopt a dual tournament format and there would be no cross-hemisphere fixtures.[4]

Format

[edit]

The competition format changed several times but eventually consisted of two separate tournaments running side by side. In the northern hemisphere's Rainbow Cup, the 12 Pro14 teams in Europe competed from 23 April until 12 June 2021. There were 6 match weekends over an 8-week period with each team receiving one additional bye week.

In the southern hemisphere's Rainbow Cup SA, each of the four teams played each other twice, a total of six rounds were played between 1 May and 12 June 2021. There was one fallow week in which each team received a bye week.[4][5]

A final between the best placed Northern and Southern Hemisphere teams followed both tournaments on 19 June.[6]

Law variations

[edit]

The Rainbow Cup saw three law variations trialled: Replacement for a red carded player after 20 minutes, Captain's Challenge and Goal-line dropouts. The replacement for a red carded player after 20 minutes allowed a side who has had a player sent-off to replace them with one of their named substitutes after a period of 20 minutes. A captain's challenge, similar to appeals used successfully in cricket and tennis, allowed each team to request a television match official review an offence in the build up to a try being scored or an act of foul play, or any referee's decision after the clock passes 75 minutes; where the referee's on-field decision was not changed, that team would no longer be able to challenge a decision thereafter. Goal-line dropouts were used if the ball is held-up over the line, knock-ons that occur in goal or when the ball is grounded by the defending team in the in-goal area after a kick through. All these law variations have previously been trialled in both Super Rugby Aotearoa and Super Rugby AU.[7]

The captain's challenge law attracted widespread criticism, particularly after an incident in Munster's game against Cardiff where Munster's CJ Stander called for a captain's challenge on a Cardiff player returning the ball into a ruck, a minor technical offence. It was not adopted in subsequent tournaments.[8][9][10]

World Rugby adopted the goal-line drop-out law more widely in the 2021–22 season and it has since become permanent.[11]

Teams

[edit]
class=notpageimage|
Location of Pro14 Rainbow Cup teams in Great Britain and Ireland.
class=notpageimage|
Location of Pro14 Rainbow Cup teams in Italy.
class=notpageimage|
Location of PRO14 Rainbow Cup SA teams.

PRO14 Rainbow Cup

[edit]
Team Country Coach /
Director of Rugby 		Captain Stadium Capacity
Benetton Italy Italy New Zealand Kieran Crowley South Africa Dewaldt Duvenage Stadio Comunale di Monigo 6,700
Cardiff Blues Wales Wales Wales Dai Young Wales Ellis Jenkins Cardiff Arms Park 12,125
Connacht Ireland Ireland Australia Andy Friend Australia Jarrad Butler Galway Sportsgrounds 8,129
Dragons Wales Wales England Dean Ryan Wales Rhodri Williams Rodney Parade 8,700
Edinburgh Scotland Scotland England Richard Cockerill Scotland Stuart McInally Murrayfield Stadium 67,144
Glasgow Warriors Scotland Scotland England Danny Wilson Scotland Fraser Brown
Scotland Ryan Wilson 		Scotstoun Stadium 7,351
Leinster Ireland Ireland Ireland Leo Cullen Ireland Johnny Sexton RDS Arena 18,500
Munster Ireland Ireland South Africa Johann van Graan Ireland Peter O'Mahony Thomond Park 25,600
Ospreys Wales Wales England Toby Booth Wales Justin Tipuric Liberty Stadium 20,827
Scarlets Wales Wales New Zealand Glenn Delaney Wales Ken Owens Parc y Scarlets 14,870
Ulster Ireland Ireland England Dan McFarland Ireland Iain Henderson Ravenhill Stadium 18,196
Zebre Italy Italy Ireland Michael Bradley Italy Tommaso Castello Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi 5,000

PRO14 Rainbow Cup SA

[edit]
Team Country Coach /
Director of Rugby 		Captain Stadium Capacity
Bulls South Africa South Africa South Africa Jake White South Africa Duane Vermeulen Loftus Versfeld 51,762
Lions South Africa South Africa South Africa Ivan van Rooyen South Africa Dan Kriel Ellis Park Stadium 62,567
Sharks South Africa South Africa South Africa Sean Everitt South Africa Lukhanyo Am Kings Park Stadium 52,000
Stormers South Africa South Africa South Africa John Dobson South Africa Steven Kitshoff Cape Town Stadium 55,000

Tables

[edit]
Pro14 Rainbow Cup watch · edit · discuss
Team P W D L PF PA PD TF TA Try bonus Losing bonus Pts
1 Italy Benetton 5 4 1 0 125 78 +47 14 10 2 0 22**
2 Ireland Munster 5 4 0 1 170 75 +95 23 8 3 1 20
3 Scotland Glasgow Warriors 5 4 0 1 121 117 +4 17 15 3 0 19
4 Ireland Leinster 5 3 0 2 124 87 +37 19 10 2 1 15
5 Wales Cardiff Blues 5 3 0 2 124 123 +1 16 16 2 1 15
6 Ireland Connacht 5 3 0 2 109 133 –24 15 18 2 0 14
7 Wales Scarlets 5 1 2 2 110 115 –5 13 15 2 1 13*
8 Wales Ospreys 5 2 1 2 103 88 +15 14 11 2 1 11**
9 Scotland Edinburgh 5 1 1 3 126 140 –14 18 19 2 2 10
10 Ireland Ulster 5 1 1 3 85 116 –31 12 18 2 2 8*
11 Wales Dragons 5 1 0 4 117 156 –39 14 22 2 1 7
12 Italy Zebre 5 0 0 5 88 174 -86 10 23 0 3 3
* Cancelled fixture: Scarlets awarded four match points.
** Cancelled fixture: Benetton awarded four match points.
If teams are level at any stage, tiebreakers are applied in the following order:[12]
  1. number of matches won;
  2. the difference between points for and points against;
  3. the number of tries scored;
  4. the most points scored;
  5. the difference between tries for and tries against;
  6. the fewest red cards received;
  7. the fewest yellow cards received.
Green background (row 1) is the play-off places and earn a place in the final against the 1st placed Rainbow Cup SA team.
Pro14 Rainbow Cup SA watch · edit · discuss
Team P W D L PF PA PD TF TA Try bonus Losing bonus Pts
1 South Africa Bulls 6 5 0 1 183 117 +66 22 12 4 1 25
2 South Africa Stormers 6 2 1 3 137 143 –6 16 19 2 3 17*
3 South Africa Sharks 6 3 0 3 153 179 –26 30 22 3 1 16
4 South Africa Lions 6 1 1 4 127 161 –34 16 22 3 1 8*
* Cancelled fixture: Stormers awarded four match points.
If teams are level at any stage, tiebreakers are applied in the following order:[13]
  1. number of matches won;
  2. the difference between points for and points against;
  3. the number of tries scored;
  4. the most points scored;
  5. the difference between tries for and tries against;
  6. the fewest red cards received;
  7. the fewest yellow cards received.
Green background (row 1) is the play-off places and earn a place in the final against the 1st placed Rainbow Cup team from Europe.

PRO14 Rainbow Cup

[edit]

All kickoff times are local.
League stage

Round 1

[edit]
23 April 2021
20:15
(2 BP) Ulster Ireland24–26Ireland Connacht (1 BP)
Try: Stockdale 23'
Herring 29' c
Burns 44'
Shanahan 72' c
Con: Cooney 30'
Lowry 73'		Report
Highlights		Try: Boyle 7' c
Blade (2) 50' c 63 c
Sullivan 80+3'
Con: Carty 8'
Daly (2) 52' 64'
Ravenhill Stadium
Referee: Andrew Brace
23 April 2021
20:15
Edinburgh Scotland24–18Italy Zebre (1 BP)
Murrayfield
Referee: Ben Whitehouse
24 April 2021
14:00
(1 BP) Benetton Italy46–19Scotland Glasgow Warriors
Stadio Comunale di Monigo
Referee: Marius Mitrea
24 April 2021
17:15
(1 BP) Ospreys Wales36–14Wales Cardiff Blues
Liberty Stadium
Referee: Sam Grove-White
24 April 2021
19:35
Leinster Ireland3–27Ireland Munster
RDS Arena
Referee: Chris Busby
25 April 2021
13:00
(1 BP) Dragons Wales52–32Wales Scarlets (1 BP)
Rodney Parade
Referee: Craig Evans

Round 2

[edit]
7 May 2021
19:00
(1 BP) Zebre Italy20–25Italy Benetton
Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi
7 May 2021
20:15
(1 BP) Munster Ireland38–10Ireland Ulster
Try: Scannell (2) 10' c 54' c
Murray 26'
Haley c
Hanrahan 57' c
Conway 78'
Con: Hanrahan (4) 11' 40+1' 55' 59'		Report
Highlights
Full game		Try: Henderson 43'
Con: Lowry 45'
Pen: Lowry 2'
Thomond Park
7 May 2021
20:15
(1 BP) Glasgow Warriors Scotland29–19Scotland Edinburgh
Scotstoun Stadium
8 May 2021
19:35
Connacht Ireland21–50Ireland Leinster (1 BP)
Galway Sportsgrounds
8 May 2021
19:35
Scarlets Wales22–6Wales Ospreys
Parc y Scarlets
9 May 2021
13:00
Cardiff Blues Wales17–16Wales Dragons (1 BP)
Cardiff Arms Park

Round 3

[edit]
14 May 2021
18:00
(1 BP) Munster Ireland20–24Ireland Connacht
Thomond Park
14 May 2021
20:15
Leinster Ireland21–17Ireland Ulster (1 BP)
Try: Healy 25' c
Conan 53' c
Henshaw 61' c
Con: Ringrose (3) 25' 54' 62'		Report
Highlights		Try: Baloucoune 18' c
Gilroy 79' c
Con: Burns 19'
Madigan 79'
Pen: Burns 51'
RDS Arena
15 May 2021
15:00
(1 BP) Scarlets Wales28–29Wales Cardiff Blues (1 BP)
Parc y Scarlets
15 May 2021
18:15
(1 BP) Benetton Italy34–27Italy Zebre (1 BP)
Stadio Comunale di Monigo
15 May 2021
19:35
(1 BP) Edinburgh Scotland24–31Scotland Glasgow Warriors (1 BP)
Murrayfield
16 May 2021
13:00
(1 BP) Dragons Wales26–42Wales Ospreys (1 BP)
Rodney Parade

Round 4

[edit]
28 May 2021
19:35
(1 BP) Munster Ireland31–27Wales Cardiff Blues (1 BP)
Thomond Park
29 May 2021
15:00
Ulster IrelandCancelled
0–0[a]		Wales Scarlets
Ravenhill Stadium
29 May 2021
18:15
Benetton Italy20–12Ireland Connacht
Stadio Comunale di Monigo
29 May 2021
19:35
Dragons Wales16–27Scotland Glasgow Warriors (1 BP)
Cardiff City Stadium
Bye/s: Scotland Edinburgh, Ireland Leinster, Wales Ospreys, Italy Zebre

Round 5

[edit]
4 June 2021
18:00
(1 BP) Connacht Ireland26–19Wales Ospreys (1 BP)
The Sportsground
4 June 2021
20:15
Glasgow Warriors Scotland15–12Ireland Leinster (1 BP)
Scotstoun Stadium
5 June 2021
17:15
(2 BP) Edinburgh Scotland31–34Ireland Ulster (1 BP)
Try: Van der Merwe 3'
Kinghorn 7' c
Schoeman 67' c
Hutchison 73' c
Sau 76'
Con: Kinghorn (3) 8' 67' 74'		Report
Highlights		Try: Hume 12' c
Henderson 19' c
McCloskey 27' c
McBurney 38'
Lyttle 47'
Con: Madigan (3) 13' 19' 28'
Pen: Madigan 80+1'
Murrayfield
5 June 2021
19:35
(1 BP) Cardiff Blues Wales37–12Italy Zebre
Cardiff Arms Park
Bye/s: Italy Benetton, Wales Dragons, Ireland Munster, Wales Scarlets

Round 6

[edit]
11 June 2021
19:00
Zebre Italy11–54Ireland Munster (1 BP)
Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi
11 June 2021
20:15
(1 BP) Leinster Ireland38–7Wales Dragons
RDS Arena
12 June 2021
19:35
Ospreys WalesCancelled
0–0[b]		Italy Benetton
Brewery Field
13 June 2021
13:00
(1 BP) Scarlets Wales28–28Scotland Edinburgh (1 BP)
Parc y Scarlets
Bye/s: Wales Cardiff Blues, Ireland Connacht, Scotland Glasgow Warriors, Ireland Ulster

PRO14 Rainbow Cup SA

[edit]

All kickoff times are local.
League stage

Round 1

[edit]
1 May 2021
14:00
(1 BP) Stormers South Africa30–33South Africa Sharks (1 BP)
Cape Town Stadium
1 May 2021
19:00
Bulls South Africa22–9South Africa Lions
Loftus Versfeld

Round 2

[edit]
8 May 2021
16:00
(1 BP) Sharks South Africa34–26South Africa Lions (1 BP)
Kings Park Stadium
8 May 2021
18:15
(1 BP) Stormers South Africa16–20South Africa Bulls
Cape Town Stadium

Round 3

[edit]
15 May 2021
13:30
(2 BP) Lions South Africa37–39South Africa Stormers (1 BP)
Ellis Park Stadium
15 May 2021
18:15
(1 BP) Bulls South Africa43-9South Africa Sharks
Loftus Versfeld

Round 4

[edit]
22 May 2021
13:00
(1 BP) Sharks South Africa22–25South Africa Stormers
Kings Park Stadium
22 May 2021
15:30
(1 BP) Lions South Africa34–33South Africa Bulls (2 BP)
Ellis Park Stadium

Round 5

[edit]
4 June 2021
19:00
(1 BP) Bulls South Africa31–27South Africa Stormers (2 BP)
Loftus Versfeld
5 June 2021
16:00
Lions South Africa21–33South Africa Sharks (1 BP)
Ellis Park Stadium

Round 6

[edit]
12 June 2021
16:00
Stormers South AfricaCancelled
0–0[c]		South Africa Lions
Cape Town Stadium
12 June 2021
18:15
Sharks South Africa22–34South Africa Bulls (1 BP)
Kings Park Stadium

Final

[edit]

The first-placed teams from each tournament, Benetton and Bulls, played in the final in Treviso.[14] Benetton won 35–8 in front of their home crowd for a historic first win of an international competition for any Italian club.[15][16]

19 June 2021
18:30 CEST (UTC+2)
Benetton Italy35–8South Africa Bulls
Try: Ioane 5' m
Els 31' m
Penalty try 40'
Lamaro 42' c
Padovani 57' m
Con: Garbisi (1/4) 43'
Pen: Garbisi (2/3) 20', 47'		ReportTry: Tambwe 26' m
Con: Smith (0/1)
Pen: Smith (1/1) 30'
Stadio Comunale di Monigo
Attendance: 1250[15]
Referee: Frank Murphy (IRFU)

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Guinness PRO14 & Rainbow Cup - Questions & Answers". GuinnessPro14. 23 December 2020. Retrieved 4 April 2021.
  2. ^ a b "Guinness PRO14 to Conclude in March Ahead of Rainbow Cup with South Africa's Super Teams". GuinnessPro14. 23 December 2020. Retrieved 21 February 2021.
  3. ^ "Franchise Cup back to just that – a contest between franchises". www.news24.com. Retrieved 8 October 2021.
  4. ^ a b "Dual Tournament Approach to Guinness PRO14 Rainbow Cup". www.pro14.rugby. Retrieved 21 April 2021.
  5. ^ "Revised PRO14 Rainbow Cup SA schedule confirmed".
  6. ^ "Europe to host Pro14 Rainbow Cup final". BBC Sport. Retrieved 14 May 2021.
  7. ^ "Law Trials confirmed for Guinness PRO14 Rainbow Cup". Pro14. 15 April 2021. Retrieved 15 April 2021.
  8. ^ "Uproar as CJ Stander's Captain Challenge Ends Game".
  9. ^ "Munster v Cardiff Blues proved Captain's Challenge needs to be scrapped". 29 May 2021.
  10. ^ "'The trial hasn't worked. I don't think it's going to feature beyond the Rainbow Cup'".
  11. ^ "World Rugby confirms adoption of welfare-driven laws | World Rugby".
  12. ^ Competition Rule 3.1.4 "Summary of Key Rules". Pro14. Retrieved 4 April 2021.
  13. ^ Competition Rule 3.1.4 "Summary of Key Rules". Pro14. Retrieved 4 April 2021.
  14. ^ "Italy to Host Historic 'North v South' Guinness PRO14 Rainbow Cup Final in Treviso". www.pro14.rugby. Retrieved 28 May 2021.
  15. ^ a b "Capolavoro Treviso! 35-8 ai Bulls, la Rainbow Cup è italiana". gazzetta.it (in Italian). Retrieved 19 June 2021.
  16. ^ "Pro14 Rainbow Cup final: Benetton 35-8 Bulls - hosts win first major title". BBC Sport. 19 June 2021. Retrieved 2 July 2021.

Notes

[edit]
  1. ^ Ulster Rugby returned several positive COVID-19 tests and were therefore unable to field a team.
    Scarlets awarded four match points.
  2. ^ Ospreys returned several positive COVID-19 tests and were therefore unable to field a team.
    Benetton awarded four match points.
  3. ^ Lions returned several positive COVID-19 tests and were therefore unable to field a team.
    Stormers awarded four match points.
[edit]
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