An unbeaten start in European competition is a rarity for Irish sides, especially with two of them playing away from home, something that augurs well for continued success this weekend.

Munster went to Castres and held on for a fighting draw, one that could yet turn out to be very valuable in this difficult pool. Now the focus returns to the tragic loss of Anthony Foley a year ago this week.

It is hard to believe it has been a year. RTÉ’s documentary on the lost leader this week would have been poignant and at times very difficult viewing for anyone involved with Munster. Who knows there might have been a bit of catharsis too.

Either way, with Racing 92 (the side Munster had travelled to Paris to face when Foley passed away) in Thomond Park on this of all weeks, it would appear set up for one of those Munster performances.

Twelve months ago the win over Glasgow strangely felt a bit like part of the funeral. Instead of a few drinks and maybe a sing song, where you recall your loved one kindly, Munster went out and destroyed Glasgow with 14 men.

A lot of water has run under the Munster bridge since and their resurgence will be tested this Saturday by Ronan O’Gara’s visiting French side.

The Paris-based team started their camping with a win over Leicester – a battling one at that. They mean business this year. Racing pretty much rolled over to Munster in last year’s two clashes, the replayed game being a stroll in the park. I strongly suspect that O’Gara and his fellow coaches will be name checking that performance and asking their team to stand up.

This could be closer than we think. The French side are very decent and I believe the patchiness of some of Munster’s display in Castres was a worry.

However, getting that game into the legs of the returning Murray, O’Mahony and Stander could have set Munster up for a breakout performance.

Munster have a call to make at 10. The returning JJ Hanrahan may be forcing his way into the reckoning, and this could perhaps allow some restructuring behind him, where Munster look a little light at times.

This game is one I’d be nervous for Munster. They should win but anything above them squeaking home would be a sign someone is still looking down on them. We can only hope.

Leinster

All those looking at Leinster at the weekend liked what they saw. In parts. There was some exceptional attacking rugby and traces of the swashbuckle that is the hallmark of a Leinster team at its peak.

The losses of Sexton and O’Brien from the team expected to play was felt. Ross Byrne was a decent replacement with ball in hand, but on the ground Leinster nearly paid for missing so many kicks.

They got away with it against Montpellier, that luck won’t hold in a tournament this strong.

The biggest plus in week one was probably the performance of Robbie Henshaw, a player returning from an injury it was first felt would keep him out nearer to Christmas.

Injured or not, there was nothing wrong with his physical presence on Saturday last, and he was certainly put through the ringer. Henshaw’s physicality is his strongest attribute and Leinster need it in abundance.

The Irish centre is no Lomu or Tuigimala in size, but what he marginally lacks there (for he is still no small man), he makes up for in hunger for work and sheer ferocity. He has become his team’s most important player in the absence of the other high profilers, but most importantly he is leading by example.

The trip to Glasgow this week, with a still depleted side, is a mini-crossroads for Leo Cullen. He needs this team to still be in the competition by the time all of the big guns are back. Getting Ringrose back beside Henshaw will transform the back line.

Until then, trips to Scotland can be fraught. Glasgow lost away to the Chiefs last week, but at home can be a wired up opposition. They’ll fancy a crack at Leinster and have a pretty good record against them in all competitions. This could be a dogfight and in those the visiting side rarely emerge. A bonus point loss could be the meagre size of Leinster’s haul and the value of the fourth try gained last weekend will be even more obvious then.

Ulster

Ulster were in grinding mode last Friday night to carve a 10 point win out of Wasps, a game where even at home a bonus point was alway unlikely.

Their opponents this weekend, French side La Rochelle had no such problems, securing one in London when they scored tries galore on their way to beating Harlequins.

That display would have raised a few eyebrows in Ulster. While the Quin’s are relatively inexperienced at this level, so too it was thought were La Rochelle.

Apparently not.

Ulster will have to find resolve in this tie, because a bad loss here and they invite Wasps back into the reckoning. In their favour, Wasps should take care of Quins easily, rendering them disinterested in the rest of the pool, with back to back games against Les Kiss’s side in rounds three and four.

To get there in decent shape Ulster need at least one point from this weekend.

The game-breaking Charles Puitau and a strong pack were both prominent against Wasps but it always goes up another notch away from home. A French side with momentum are the most dangerous proposition in Europe. Ulster could well find that out.

Connacht

There was a bonus point away to Oyonnax for Connacht, who welcome the Warriors to the Sportsground.

The Worcester side were fellow bonus point winners last weekend but that was at home to Brive – Connacht went to France to deliver their best display of the year to date.

A win on Sunday in front of a vociferous and always loyal crowd and the momentum for a good run in Europe is back again.

That really is all Connacht need. The Muldoons and Bundee Akis can drive the thing from there.

It’s probably time for me to scoot up to Galway on the new road now to check out this year’s version of supposed also ran province as they beat any team that has the temerity to come to Galway and think they can win.

Unbeaten in week one, two wins this weekend might still be progress.