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It has been five years since an Irish provincial side had the European Cup and in that time we haven’t even been back to a final.
That last memorable occasion in 2012 was the last of Leinster’s three successes and it was over another Irish side: Ulster. Since then, Toulon and Saracens have taken over the competition but recent evidence suggests that the Irish are ready to get back into the game.
Repeat
Last weekend was our best since the Heineken became the Champions Cup, now we just need to repeat the dose in round two of the back-to-back fixtures.
Remarkably, Irish sides won three games away from home and none of them could be considered easy, perhaps Leinster’s win in Exeter the most impressive.
Ulster and Connacht also caught the eye – Ulster for their ability to beat Harlequins and the snow in south London. Munster did what they do: a bonus point in the crushing of what was supposed to be a decent Leicester side. Their task is the trickiest of the weekend but it should be plain sailing for the other three.
Leinster v Exeter
Leinster against Exeter in the Aviva will see the home side finish the pool as a contest and right now a Dublin quarter-final is looming into view. Of course, Leo Cullen won’t take the visitors lightly; they are, after all, the best club side in England, but surely the sting was taken from them at home last Sunday.
Leinster’s pack was superb in Sandy Park, no easy place to play, and it was defiant when the pressure came on. There were huge turnovers and Exeter’s spirit was fractured long before the finish. Currently sitting on 14 points and six clear in their pool, another typical display in front of their own and the job is done for Leinster.
Tadgh Furlong has been a revelation now for almost a year and with Sean O’Brien similarly eye-catching, no team are beating Leinster up front.
A back line with Sexton, Ringrose, Henshaw, Nacewa, Rob Kearney and an assortment of decent wingers brings them close to the complete package. While Conor Murray is the best nine in the world at the moment, there is much to savour in Luke McGrath’s displays in the blue jersey.
There is so much to like about the Leinster way this year and if they can restrict inevitable injury wear and tear to only one or two key men at a short time, then they are legitimate contenders to reclaim European rugby’s top honour for Ireland. They are our strongest contenders. For now.
Ulster v Harlequins
Ulster’s task should be straightforward on Friday night as their opponents have nothing left to play for – apart from pride.
While they are playing catch-up in the group behind the impressive La Rochelle, Ulster have a realistic shot as one of the best runner-up spots, but a five-pointer this weekend is now a prerequisite.
Ironically, they will want La Rochelle to deal with Wasps at home, the other game in their pool, as Ulster have a home game against the French to come and end the group stages away to Wasps.
It would greatly assist their chances if Wasps had been swatted away by then, thus opening the road for Ulster to finish around the 21-point mark, which will see them in the last eight.
Connacht v Brive
Connacht shouldn’t be forgotten in the European mix either. Unbeaten in their Challenge Cup pool, they have Brive at home this weekend after their thrilling bonus-point seven days before. That game finished after 10pm Irish time but the faithful were still tweeting the good vibes well into the night. Their team never lets them down.
Leicester v Munster
We shouldn’t have expected anything less in Thomond Park either. This was the old days in terms of atmosphere and the sheer expectation around the ground before the game. The locals simply knew that Leicester would be blown away and, sure enough, that’s what transpired.
There were a number of messages sent in this performance. First up was Ian Keatley’s assured display. For a player whose form has wavered much in the past few years, he looked to the international manner born.
Clearly a confidence performer, his levels have never been higher on that front. I’m sure the credit for this should be well spread but Joe Schmidt must get some of it, for he has gone out of his way to nurture Keatley in recent months. That faith is paying off.
Munster are deriving the benefits of a dominant No 10 and this allows their world-class No 9 a little more breathing space. For Welford Road on Sunday evening, Munster will need the Lion Murray and leadership from the back row.
There has been much chin-wagging in recent weeks about Munster’s back row and the possibility that Peter O’Mahony and CJ Stander might seek foreign fields next season.
CJ Stander leaving the field after last weekend's win over Leicester. Photo by Diarmuid Greene/Sportsfile
The loss of either would be disastrous for a franchise showing signs of emerging from a mini-slumber in recent years.
I suspect that some of the publicity surrounding their contract negotiations is related to the fact that Simon Zebo has already been lost.
The fallout and antagonism towards the IRFU if either O’Mahony or Stander goes would be monumental and don’t be surprised if some good news emerges on both in the coming days and weeks.
Regardless of our current state of riches internationally (and in Leinster) in the positions, the same depth is not evident in Thomond Park. It is perhaps telling that Jordi Murphy is leaving Leinster to join Ulster and not heading west to Limerick at the end of the season.
I took that as an omen that Munster won’t need him, hence the two lads are staying put. But then I am an optimistic sort.
That optimism remains this weekend where even a bonus-point loss in Leicester would leave Munster in prime position to win their pool.
That will be the least of the visitors’ ambitions because with two defeats, Leicester’s chances have all but evaporated now.
Hopefully Andrew Conway can return from the concussion protocols because he is on fire right now, even if Darren Sweetnam is a top-class replacement.
Conway’s telepathic understanding with Murray has been a big part of Munster’s strategy and if the visitors can quieten the natives early on Sunday, all four points are eminently possible.
We will win three for sure, all four another distinct possibility. Whisper it, the boom is back.
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