Ireland have been here before, unfortunately with unnerving regularity.

IF THERE is one attribute that defines New Zealand rugby players, it’s that they never rest on their laurels for too long.

First the good news. New Zealand are in disarray or at least they should be.

Tomorrow morning the Irish squad board a plane in London for yet another long haul flight as they return to the home of the 2011 World Cup and the scene of Ireland’s international highlight of the season — Eden Park, Auckland.

After the heroics of Twickenham last weekend, Leinster returned to base camp at the RDS yesterday for the coronation.

When Leinster look back on their domination of European rugby over the last four seasons, they may well pinpoint that incredible Heineken Cup semi-final win over Munster in 2009 as their coming of age.

When Diego Maradona slalomed through the English defence to score that wonder goal at the 1986 World Cup in Mexico, RTÉ’s Jimmy Magee provided the memorable soundtrack to genius... “Different Class. DIFFERENT CLASS.”

Getting the upper hand here will give one team an edge at Twickenham.

With two finals on their doorstep and not an Aviva Premiership team in sight, the natives are getting restless

At a time of year when things should be slowing down, last week proved one of the busiest for those charged with the responsibility of running the game in Munster.