Given the stoic resilience shown by this tight knit Irish squad over the last few seasons, I’d be surprised if they were to sign off on this demanding year without one massive effort.

Analysis: The absence of Jack Conan from the Irish bench is a concern and places a massive onus on Ronan Kelleher, James Ryan and Ryan Baird to match that re-energised Springbok physicality when Erasmus unleashes the bomb squad. 

Europe's big guns can’t logically expect to fill stadia and bolster bank balances on the back of three bumper autumn internationals without reciprocal arrangements for their southern hemisphere counterparts at this time of the year

When Leinster look back on this enthralling final they will surely rue the decision to turn down kickable penalties.

Saturday’s final at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium has all the makings of a classic.

Despite great success in the competition, the Champions Cup has delivered nothing but pain and suffering for Leinster fans in recent times on the back of some really harrowing last minute defeats.

The fact that Leinster needed a crucial turnover to avoid such a shock outcome is something that will exercise the minds of Leo Cullen and Jacques Nienaber as they prepare for Toulouse

While Munster’s squad is still short of the international depth available to the top three European sides in Toulouse, La Rochelle and Leinster, when everyone is fit and healthy, they are seriously competitive.

The decision to offer Leinster's opponents a training pitch seemingly did not go down well in Dublin ahead of the Champions Cup quarter final.

From here on in, it’s all about getting the job done.