From 19th-century emigrants to modern global stars, this is a meditation on Irish sporting greatness — and Rory McIlroy’s place within it

To cite French referee Pierre Brousset’s denial of a last-minute penalty try as an excuse for Leinster's knock-out is to evade more pointed questions over their leadership.

As head coach, Leo Cullen will be more aware than anyone of the Barrett factor, especially now that his presence has sent expectation soaring to such levels that the Millennium Stadium could be in need of a new roof after the final there next month.

On a day when Andy Farrell saw one English fly half suffer from his exposure to Leinster, another whom he knows rather better kicked his first goals since early September.

Cian Healy, Peter O’Mahony and Conor Murray will have to settle for two Grand Slams apiece instead of three and five Six Nations titles instead of six, a collection as colossal as the trio themselves. 

The Ireland and Leinster man would have almost certainly earned a dismissal on Saturday had World Rugby left well alone instead of diluting the real red with a soft 20-minute version. 

Never in the professional era has a Lions year coincided with the country which had supplied more Test players than the other three in such a sorry state.

In 57 matches over seven years, only three teams have beaten Leinster: La Rochelle (two finals, one semi-final), Toulouse (one final, one pool match), Saracens (one final, one quarter-final).

The Stormers and The Sharks limped home from London yesterday on a weekend when the credibility of the Champions Cup took a fearful bashing.

Brennan brothers complete winning family double and Ulster almost bring Champions’ Cup into disrepute.