Coach Joe Schmidt and his management will recognise that the longer they can keep everyone champing at the bit, the better their tournament prospects, writes Ronan O’Gara

Ronan O’Gara suggests it is not so much the no 10 who is pivotal to Rugby World Cup success, but the goal-kicker. 

Munster had to beat the Ospreys three times in one game last weekend, but it will stand them in good stead tomorrow in Belfast says Ronan O'Gara.

While it had initially looked like Matt O’Connor would see out the final year of his contract with Leinster, yesterday’s news of his departure wasn’t all that surprising.

With a 4.15pm kick-off on a Sunday afternoon for Racing Metro’s crucial Top 14 derby clash with Stade Francais, I was afforded the opportunity to watch bucket loads of rugby last weekend.

Having backed Toulon and Clermont to produce a decent spectacle in the European Champions Cup final, I’m glad to say we weren’t disappointed.

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.