WITH just three days to go to the Heineken Cup final, the failure of either Munster or Leinster to emerge from their respective semi-finals takes greatly from the event. I sincerely hope, both for the sake of the competition and for the ability of Ireland to host a major European sporting event that the Dublin public turns up in large numbers.

NEW ZEALAND’S dominance of the Super 12 series is showcased this weekend with three out of four Kiwi teams in a semi-final line-up being billed as a trial for All Blacks World Cup places.