The RDS has played host to Grand finals, a European Challenge Cup decider and all manner of memorable Leinster wins in the last half-dozen seasons. It’s even been the backdrop for an unlikely home defeat at the hands of Benetton Rugby. What it hasn’t done lately is open its doors to Munster.

A weekend that promised to be a financial bonanza for Irish rugby ended in disappointment at the Stade Felix Mayol yesterday with Leinster’s defeat by Toulon following on Ulster’s elimination by Saracens at Ravenhill on Saturday.

THOMOND PARK holds no fears for Neil Best – and the Irish international is adamant his Northampton Saints team-mates can draw strength from their recent experiences there for Saturday’s Heineken Cup quarter-final.