As a three-time Lion, Lawrence Dallaglio knows a thing or two about the opening game on tour but even for a man of his great experience, playing Saturday’s opener against the Barbarians in Hong Kong makes for a unique occasion.

The final weeks of any season are characterised by drama and emotion. Dreams fulfilled and shattered, players moving on, others donning the boots for one last battle.

Joe Schmidt stood next to the start line on Exeter’s indoor sprint track under Sandy Park’s main stand on Saturday night all but certain that it marked the end of the road for Leinster’s Heineken Cup campaign.

FRENCH referee Romain Poite has been handed the whistle for Leinster’s Heineken Cup final against Northampton Saints at the Millennium Stadium on May 21.