The 2016 Pro12 Grand Final was the championship match of the 2015–16 Pro12 season, a professional rugby union league comprising clubs from Ireland, Scotland, Wales, and Italy. The final was contested on 28 May 2016 at the RDS Arena in Dublin, Ireland, between Connacht Rugby and Leinster Rugby.
Background
The Pro12 (now the United Rugby Championship) employed a league format followed by a playoff system, with the top four teams qualifying for semi‑finals. Connacht finished the regular season in third place, while Leinster placed second. Both teams won their respective semi‑finals—Connacht defeated the Scarlets and Leinster overcame Ulster—to advance to the grand final.
Venue
The RDS Arena, the home ground of Leinster Rugby, was selected as the venue for the final. The stadium has a capacity of approximately 18,500 spectators and is located in Dublin's Ballsbridge district.
Match details
- Date: 28 May 2016
- Attendance: 16,708 (official figure)
- Referee: Nigel Owens (Wales)
Scoring summary
- Connacht: 20 points (tries by Jack Carty and Bundee Aki; successful conversions and penalties)
- Leinster: 10 points (penalties by Johnny Sexton)
Outcome
Connacht defeated Leinster 20 – 10, securing the club’s first ever Pro12 title. The victory marked a historic achievement for Connacht, a province traditionally considered the under‑dog among the four Irish provinces competing in the league.
Significance
The win was celebrated as a breakthrough for Connacht Rugby, enhancing their profile domestically and in European competition. It also underscored the competitive balance within the Pro12, demonstrating that clubs outside the historically dominant Leinster, Munster, and Ospreys could attain league success.
Post‑match
Following the final, Connacht qualified for the 2016–17 European Rugby Champions Cup as the Pro12 champions. Leinster, despite the loss, retained a high seeding for the same European competition based on their regular‑season performance.