IF ONLY we could have rugby like this every weekend.

WHAT odds now on Leinster doing the seemingly impossible by becoming only the second side to successfully defend the Heineken Cup? On the evidence of this performance you wouldn’t put your house on it.

IF THE recent Six Nations defeat to Scotland has taught us anything, it’s that despite all the heroics and accumulation of trophies last season, Irish rugby has no divine right to silverware.

AT the final whistle, despite the hostilities of the previous 80 minutes, they shook hands and went their separate ways, safe in the knowledge they had helped each other in their quest to advance to the Heineken Cup semi-finals.

WITH just over a week to go to season-defining quarter-finals of the Heineken Cup for Munster and Leinster, one could surmise Friday’s eagerly-awaited Magners League clash will resonate more with supporters than the players.

IF Declan Kidney’s adage that you learn more in defeat than in victory is correct, then Saturday’s reversal to Scotland could prove the greatest education of all for a side offered the ultimate reality check.

THIS is not the way it was meant to be.

Donal Lenihan reflects on his five most memorable action moments at Ireland's temporary home.

ALL over bar the shouting? Well, unless Martin Johnson can oversee a tactical sea-change of monumental proportions and England finally decide to go out and play, the destination of the 2010 Six Nations championship has already been decided.

EVEN with the prospect of another Triple Crown to play for against Scotland next Saturday – incredibly a potential fifth in seven years – the collective highlight of Ireland’s relocation to Croke Park will remain that epic occasion and clinical performance against England in 2007.