And then there was eight, writes Donal Lenihan. 

The European Professional Club Rugby (EPCR) officials, including board chairman and former England international Simon Halliday, congregated in the tunnel outside the palatial dressing rooms at the U Arena and had every reason to be pleased with themselves.

The positive spin on all things Irish rugby continued unabated this weekend with all three Irish provinces sitting pretty on top of their respective Champions Cup pools heading into the final week of action, despite the fact that Munster came up just short in a captivating game against Racing 92 in Paris.

Racing’s vast resources are best illustrated by the options available to their management in the second row alone compared to Johann van Graan, writes Donal Lenihan.

That drawn series was undoubtedly my rugby highlight of the year, writes Donal Lenihan

In the same way that Ireland has always relied on a strong core of Munster players — forwards, in particular — Munster has always been at its belligerent best with a core of influential Limerick forwards on board, writes Donal Lenihan 

As Munster’s on-field coordinator, Billy Holland has to size up the opposition, attack vulnerable areas, and decide where to target, writes Donal Lenihan.

Munster’s visit to Welford Road was always going to prove the most challenging of the reverse fixtures against a clearly hurting trio of Aviva Premiership clubs after their Champions Cup whitewash by the Irish provinces last weekend, writes Donal Lenihan.

Now I get it. After my maiden visit to Sandy Park, nestled in the picturesque city of Exeter, I understand why Donncha O’Callaghan has described the reigning Aviva Premiership champions as everyone’s second favourite team in England, says Donal Lenihan.