Ireland’s last men standing in the European Cup, Leinster, take on Bath this Saturday. A couple of weeks is a long time in rugby and the Irish standard-bearers go into this quarter-final on the crest of a wave – all derived from our remarkable Six Nations triumph.

In some respects, Leinster limped into the last eight despite securing a home tie. Back in the last week of January, which seems like last season, they just held on against Wasps to secure a 20-20 draw and results elsewhere saw them sneak the bonus of a home quarter-final.

The side that got them through the pool stages, with four wins, one loss and that Wasps draw, didn’t contain Sean O’Brien or Cian Healy. Those are two massive additions for this Saturday, O’Brien probably joining a back row with Jamie Heaslip and Jordi Murphy. This is close to the best back row left in the competition. The loss of Rhys Ruddock for the season is just that, a loss, but O’Brien’s return and the form of the Tullow Tank these past few weeks suggests he will more than compensate.

It’s often said that forwards win matches but backs decide by how much. If this is indeed the case over the next four weeks then Leinster have gone from second tier contenders to live front-rank possible champions. The pack are now in rampaging mode, complemented by the return of the international stars, while the backs have quality in all departments and some depth with it.

There is a call to be made at out-half, with soon-to-depart Jimmy Gopperth and Ian Madigan in contention for that always-important jersey. Leinster coach Matt O’Connor has shown a preference for the kiwi in recent months but Madigan’s game is made for days likes this: at home and probably played at a hundred miles an hour. O’Connor may well compromise and site Madigan in the centre beside Luke Fitzgerald, possibly shifting Madigan to 10 late on if veteran Gordan D’Arcy is summoned.

Isaac Boss was an eye-catching sub last Friday night when Leinster came from 27-7 behind to force a 34-all draw. That performance will probably have piled some pressure on Eoin Reddan but, funnily enough, in situations like that it often happens that the incumbent (Reddan) hangs on to the jersey barely, then goes out and delivers a man-of-the-match display. That wouldn’t surprise me for Leinster have tried and trusted men for the big occasion.

Facing them is a Bath side that have some brilliance too in their ranks, mostly in the shape of out-half George Ford and centre Jonathan Joseph. Both were standouts for England in the Six Nations but played behind a dominant pack. Bath’s front eight are not England – they are workmanlike and honest, but they don’t possess an O’Brien, Heaslip or Healy.

If you were looking for X-factor in the Bath squad, a player that could make a difference, one that has haunted Leinster before, then perhaps the Bath bench is where we start because it might contain one Peter Stringer. This is the bold Stringer’s second season with Bath but he has not featured too often for them this season, playing the role of backup and only making eight appearances to date in 2014/2015. If ever there was a fitting stage for him, though, 10 minutes to go and a tight match? How would the Leinster supporters react to the sight of him darting around a ruck? How would the Leinster players? With respect you’d imagine. Strings is the last of the Munster involvement in the European Cup this year and there might be one or two people in Limerick wishing him well should he see some game time. It’s the nature of sporting rivalry; it is a form of respect.

However, this is the last of the Irish sides in the premier competition, so we must all get behind them. This is a game they can win too, riding the wave of the Aviva crowd which will be close to a sellout.

Timing is everything and it would appear that Leinster’s is perfect. This year’s knockout stages of the European Champions Cup will be run off with some haste, it being a World Cup year. Two weeks after beating Bath, Leinster could face a semi-final trip to France where they have previous and most of it good. Two weeks after that, Twickenham hosts the European Cup final on the May bank holiday weekend.

It’s always dangerous to look too far down the road but some supporters will have the flights booked just in case. They might as well. Saturday should be the start of another magical few weeks.

Connacht

Is it too much to hope that Connacht can join the party and stun Gloucester at home in the Challenge Cup quarter-final on Friday night? Perhaps.

The only Irish province to wear green, Connacht play with the same pride. As underdogs, they are always dangerous and are catching David Humphreys’ side at a low ebb, Gloucester losing to Sale 23-6 in a poor effort at the weekend.

Of course Connacht were shipping a beating themselves in Thomond Park but that was a little false considering they were in the game for 70-odd minutes. They should also be able to recall Mils Muliaina and Robbie Henshaw to their back line for Friday.

The English side are close to unbeatable at home and are the top seeds in the Challenge Cup knockout stages for a reason, having won 29 out of a possible 30 points. That sums up the task ahead of Connacht.

Advancement is probably beyond them for this year but be in no doubt, Connacht will give everything and if defeat is to be their lot, they will die with their boots on. It’s live on TV, with a 7.45pm kick-off time. You could do a lot worse than tune in.