The denouement of the maiden European Champions Cup has arrived and for the third year in succession, there is no Irish interest in the final of the continent’s showpiece competition.

As we contemplate the prospect and the implications of a second all-French European final in three years, fans of the Irish provinces might be wondering what their sides must do to get back to the continent’s top table.

The Top 14’s financial watchdog this week released a report showing France’s top 30 clubs have an accumulated debt of almost €34 million — yet nobody here batted an eyelid, writes Ronan O’Gara.

With Leinster the sole province flying the Irish flag in this weekend’s Champions Cup quarter-finals, it’s natural the thoughts of supporters of other teams are already turning to next season.

1. The Power of the Mind

Today will be a test of Simon Zebo’s strength of character. As a travelling member of the Irish party heading to Scotland, he must accept the fact his weekend will be spent in a suit, writes Ronan O’Gara.

Paul O’Connell and I are in different places now. He’ll get to where I’m at soon, where most things are in a rearview mirror and frustrations are examined from a wide-angled perspective. 

It’s no secret that my Ireland career didn’t end the way I would have liked, and if this week is the end for Gordon D’Arcy, it’s certainly not how he would have wanted to finish up either.

Ronan O’Gara says Ireland could have kicked a lot more against England, and chose not to.

My memory of a lot of things from my career wouldn’t be perfect, but Ireland v England at Croke Park in 2007 is as clear as it gets.