Earlier this week, Rob Penney talked about tomorrow’s Leinster-Munster game and how one of its attractions was its status as a quasi-Irish trial game but Jonathan Sexton was quick to play down any head-to-head subplots yesterday.

Rory Best insists Ireland will embrace the support of New Zealand when they face Australia at Eden Park tomorrow.

CONOR O’SHEA will keep Harlequins playing the high-tempo rugby that put Munster to the sword when the Londoners meet Michael Cheika’s Stade Francais tonight.

ALAN QUINLAN believes Munster have developed a complex aboutsemi-finals because they’ve been too anxious and worked up.

ISA NACEWA capped a glittering night for Leinster as he became the first overseas player to be named Bord Gáis Energy Irish Rugby Union Players’ Association (IRUPA) Players’ Player of the Year.

Three weeks ago, he endured a chastening experience in an England shirt at the Aviva Stadium, but Leicester stand-off Toby Flood is confident his Tigers will roar today. He spoke to Julian Bennetts

LEO CULLEN won a Premiership title and EDF Energy Cup and also played in a Heineken Cup final with Leicester Tigers but some of the Leinster captain’s fondest memories of his time in the East Midlands are reserved for his days on the club’s training pitches.

A RETURN to Leinster for Heineken Cup-winning hero Rocky Elsom has been dismissed in the province, despite reports to the contrary in his native Australia.

LEINSTER coach Joe Schmidt admitted “things could have worked out easier” after a late twist of fate pitted his side against Leicester Tigers in the Heineken Cup quarter-finals.

LEINSTER coach Joe Schmidt is confident Sean O’Brien can fill the boots of iconic number eight Jamie Heaslip in Saturday’s Heineken Cup clash with Saracens at the RDS.

SHOULD Munster enjoy a fruitful pre-Christmas Heineken Cup run against the Ospreys, bouquets will likely be handed to the Thomond Park ground staff for their success in getting the pitch ready for last Saturday’s Magners League clash with Cardiff Blues.

Saracens 23 Leinster 25

One thing you can predict with safety – more wailing and gnashing of teeth if the Heineken Cup turns sour for the English Premiership once again. Julian Bennetts reports.

SHANE HORGAN has absolved new coach Joe Schmidt of any blame for Leinster’s poor start to the season and has challenged the team to eradicate the errors that have undermined their Magners League campaign.

LEINSTER chief executive Mick Dawson is confident the province can buck the trend of falling attendances at sporting events when Joe Schmidt’s side take to the Aviva Stadium.

LEINSTER and Ireland flanker Shane Jennings was hit with a 12-week ban after being found guilty of an eye-contact offence during last Friday’s Heineken Cup clash against London Irish.