Hook puts Ospreys into Thomond semi

THE Ospreys earned the final Magners League semi-final spot at the expense of Welsh rivals Scarlets and Cardiff Blues after a fascinating finale to the regulation season last night.

The Scarlets notched a bonus-point try late on against the Blues to eventually prevail 38-23, which looked set to give them fourth spot at the expense of their local rivals. That was due to a major shock that was seemingly on the cards in Viadana, where the Ospreys were losing 10-9 to Aironi, who have just a single win over Connacht to their name this term.

But the Swansea-based outfit notched a dramatic late James Hook penalty to claim a 12-10 win and fourth spot.

Ospreys will now travel to Thomond Park next Saturday (6.30pm) to take on top seeds Munster, while second-placed Leinster will now meet Irish rivals Ulster at the RDS on Friday (7.05pm).

Magners League semi-finals: Leinster v Ulster (RDS, Friday May 13, 7.05pm); Munster v Ospreys (Thomond Park, Saturday May 14, 6.30pm).