Richardt Strauss may have belted out the words to Amhrán na bhFiann rather than those of Nkosi Sikelel’ iAfrika but, when everything was said and done, the Ireland hooker slipped ever so briefly back into his old skin.

Four years ago, staff and students from Methodist College applauded the cup-winning exploits of Craig Gilroy, Paddy Jackson and Adam Macklin.

IT used to be all too easy to chide Leinster for their dependence on the south Dublin hinterland — on and off the pitch — but Saturday’s win wasn’t just forged on the fields of Blackrock or Clongowes.