COULD we have an All-Ireland final in May?

That possibility could well be in front us in Bordeaux on Sunday, as Munster take on Racing 92 of Paris in the second of the Champions Cup semi-finals. By then Leinster should be through to the showpiece, although Scarlets will make them earn it 24 hours earlier in the Aviva.

I’ll be in the south of France to cheer Munster on, for occasions like this have to be savoured. Underdogs, down a few men, somewhat written off – these are the days made for the men of Munster.

My last trip to these climes saw Munster fall just short against the giants of Toulon four years ago in Marseille. On that day Munster did their usual and reached for a brilliant performance, keeping the game alive until the last minute.

They were outmanned that day but refused to die. Something similar is required on Sunday and the thousands that will travel to support them are guaranteed that at the very least.

Some other signs are quite positive too. The squad had two weeks together in South Africa, playing and winning two games, the last one against the Cheetahs ideal preparation for what awaits this weekend.

That game mirrored a Champions Cup semi-final in that it was relatively low scoring and intense, particularly at the end when Munster were clinging on. Chances are one of the teams will be in that situation in Bordeaux as time runs out. We already know that Munster have a remarkable capacity to survive such fraught situations.

Of course these teams know each other exceptionally well thanks to being drawn together in the pool stages of the competition for the last two years.

There is also a bond between the clubs that was cemented in Paris in October 2016 when Anthony Foley so suddenly and tragically passed away. Racing were Munster’s intended opponents that Sunday morning and the shell-shocked Munster supporters will never forget the kindness extended to them by the French club and their followers that sad weekend.

Fast forward 18 months and there have been multiple meetings between the clubs since.

Two epic pool contests earlier this season saw Munster win a typical dogfight in Thomond 14-7 while Racing won the return fixture in their marvellous new arena, 34-30.

Which type of game is more likely in the Stade Chaban-Delmas? We’d certainly like the Limerick experience!

What must be factored in however, is the forecast for Sunday in Bordeaux, (something I am checking on my phone every hour, since I have been enduring every weather event the northern hemisphere has thrown at us this winter to date).

The Met Office is talking about sunshine and 27°C and that mightn’t be conducive to traditional semi-final rugby, which tends to be nervous, tight and frenetic. It mightn’t be conducive to Munster rugby. It might suit another 34-30 free-for-all.

At various times over the past number of years there have been Munster backlines that liked to move the ball and weren’t afraid to play an expansive game, but this mightn’t be one. Despite Andrew Conway’s wonderful try against Toulon, Munster are not an expansive, attack from anywhere side.

So they’ll be trying to drag Racing into their type of arm wrestle, a style of game that Munster can win.

Rumours suggest that Keith Earls could be ready for the weekend – what a boost that would be. It would also pad out the Munster bench for late on, whether he starts or comes on.

Racing are star-studded and were able to leave Donnacha Ryan, Dan Carter, Yannick Nyanga and Teddy Thomas on the sidelines a fortnight ago and still beat Toulon in the Top 14, though more pleasingly for Munster, they looked sluggish and one-dimensional in shipping a 42-27 loss to Toulouse last weekend.

Their pedigree though makes them favourites. As does the venue and the weather.

But what has always made Munster dangerous opposition in games like this still applies. Warriors like Peter O’Mahony, Billy Holland, CJ Stander and Conor Murray will carry their less-heralded comrades in arms. The pack will be solid. The odd sprinkle of stardust needed outside can come from Zebo, Conway and possibly Earls.

The ingredients are all there. It’s the Munster recipe of old. Yes we can!

Blues’ battle

Leinster can as well. With the luxury of being able to rest a number of front liners the over last two weeks, they might also be able to call on Robbie Henshaw and possibly Sean O’Brien for their Scarlets clash on Saturday. Two Lions, yet in truth, even without them they should be able to get the job done.

The biggest threat to Leinster’s possible double winning season is a loss of momentum. For others it is injury, but the depth available to Leo Cullen is of an international standard. He will probably have four or five capped players on his replacement bench, it is why they should win the tournament out.

They have been the standout team since this competition started back in October and nothing has happened to alter that view. Perhaps this is their only weakness, the dreaded flat performance from a couple of front liners on the same day. In seven games in Europe they are unbeaten and their worrying moments have been few and far between.

Seasons like this are rare. It’s been an armchair ride and that usually means a bump in the road somewhere along the line. Will it happen Saturday?

Unlikely because along with the quality they can field, they also possess a number of top class game managers, Johnny Sexton chief among them. Isa Nacewa, Rob Kearney, Devon Toner, Fergus McFadden and Sean Cronin are just five other veterans that lead by example.

When the big play needs to be made Leinster have an array of talent just waiting to deliver it. They are in the best place they have been since the glory days of Joe Schmidt. While they might take a while to surgically remove the Welsh sting, they will find a way to win and if the mood takes them, they could have this wrapped up early.