Pro 12 Rugby

By the time Friday's fixtures were in the books, there was a new leader at the top of the 2013 Pro 12 table. 

Glasgow Warriors' run at the summit ended as Munster defeated them in a controversial encounter that saw Munster booed off by the Warriors fans at the final whistle.

To make matters worse, Ospreys' bonus point from their 40-17 win over Newport Dragons meant they also leapfrogged the Scottish side to move into second place.

The reason for the Warriors fans' disgust was the way in which Munster resorted to time-wasting tactics to run out the clock at the end of the game. However, their ire could equally have been as a result of Glasgow's uncharacteristically toothless display at the line.

Keeping with teeth for a moment, Alasdair Reid of Herald Scotland reported that there was further controversy on the pitch as Munster players complained of being bitten at the end of the game. Munster coach Rob Penney acknowledged the incident but didn't comment further, saying he needed more details. 

Munster won the encounter because they were strong and aggressive going into contact. Once they got ahead, it was difficult to see anything other than four points for the Irish side.

Glasgow made too many errors with their handling, which cost them at least two tries. Munster were similarly sloppy in the first half but raised their game after half-time, and the difference was clear.

Moving to Swansea and the Liberty Stadium, Ospreys made short work of the Dragons thanks largely to a two-try performance from flanker Justin Tipuric. Praise must also go to Dan Biggar, who contributed 17 points with his foot in a remarkably consistent game.

Ospreys had slumped to three consecutive defeats prior to this game, and they currently sit at the foot of their Heineken Cup qualifying pool.

If they were downhearted in any way, it didn't show.

Despite conceding an early try, Ospreys soon got the measure of the Dragons and quickly rose to dominate proceedings. Fly-half Matthew Morgan found a crack in the Dragons defence and opened up a 50-yard run before giving the ball to Tipuric for the try.

Losses in concentration meant that the Dragons were still in the game at the start of the second half, but an unanswered 10-point Ospreys run quickly put it beyond them.

There was further concern in the second half when Dragons No. 8 Toby Faletau suffered a neck injury and remained stricken on the ground for close to 10 minutes as medical personnel administered a neck brace and stretchered him off.

The team now anxiously awaits results of a hospital scan, although BBC Sport reported that early indications are that the scan is a precaution. According to the same report, Dragons medical officer Dr. Rohit Kulkarni said, "Our suspicion is there's not much happening but we've got to be very careful, with neck injuries in particular."

Elsewhere, Ulster added a bonus-point victory of their own as they ran in five tries against Cardiff Blues in a comprehensive 39-21 win. This moved them up to fourth, although that could change when Leinster take on bottom side Connacht in the only game Saturday. 

Glasgow Warriors preserved their 100 percent record in the RaboDirect PRO12 with a gritty 12-6 win over champions Leinster.

Tries from Chris Fusaro and Jerry Yanuyanutawa sealed the win for Glasgow, while Stuart Hogg kicked one of two penalties.

Leinster gave a debut to Lote Tuqiri, but the Australia international wing was unable to influence the play.

Ludovico Nitoglia helped himself to two tries, as Italian side Benetton Treviso claimed a 29-19 win over Munster.

Newport Gwent Dragons were 23-16 winners over Scarlets. Dan Evans and Phil Price touched down for the Dragons, who also saw Tom Prydie and Jason Tovey kick penalties.

Italian side Zebre broke their PRO12 duck with a 30-25 victory over the Cardiff Blues. Zebre had lost all 24 of their league games prior to their visit to Arms Park, but got the job done, thanks to tries from Mauro Bergamasco, David Odiete and Brendan Leonard and the kicking of Luciano Orquera.

Eli Walker and Richard Hibbard both touched down twice as Ospreys routed Edinburgh Rugby, 44-10.

Ospreys are the one of two unbeaten sides—along with Glasgow Warriors—and sit second in the table following their draw with Leinster last weekend.

Paddy Jackson was the star of the show, bagging a try, conversion and two penalties, as Ulster claimed an 18-7 win at Connacht.