After the high of the autumn international series and the feel good factor attaching to the confirmation during the week that Ireland will bid to host a World Cup in 2023, it was inevitable that Irish rugby would be dealt a dose of reality some time soon, writes Donal Lenihan.

Clermont Auvergne produced a powerhouse performance at Thomond Park to beat Munster 16-9 and take over at the top of the European Rugby Champions Cup’s Pool One.

Versatile back Johne Murphy is poised to start at outside centre for Munster in their must-win Champions Cup clash with Clermont Auvergne at Thomond Park tomorrow if head coach Anthony Foley decides Andrew Smith is not fit.

Clermont Auvergne have been knocked off the summit of the Top 14 ahead of their two Champions Cup clashes with Munster after they went down 27-19 away to champions Toulon on Saturday night.

Almost half a century has come and gone since Europe last belonged to Glasgow, when Jock Stein’s famously home-spun Celtic Bhoys beat Inter Milan in the 1967 final.

Jonathan Sexton kicked 16 points as Racing Metro defeated Benetton Treviso 26-10 at Stadio Comunale di Mongio.

Clermont Auvergne players were attacked by gang armed with machetes and swords.

Munster's Heineken Cup adventure has taken them to the south of France today for a semi-final shoot-out with Clermont Auvergne today.

Three key areas where Munster must impose themselves this evening

Clermont Auvergne coach Vern Cotter yesterday played down the loss of his captain Aurelien Rougerie and flanker Gerhard Vosloo for today’s Heineken Cup semi-final.

As May beckons Munster and Leinster prepare for a French test. At the end of contrasting seasons, and facing a different calibre of opponent, the Red Army travel in hope, the blues wait in expectation.

Keith Earls has reclaimed his place in the starting line-up for Munster’s Heineken Cup semi-final in Montpel0lier against Clermont Auvergne.

Clermont Auvergne may be the envy of most clubs in Europe with the wealth of talent at their disposal but while that depth is apparent at out-half, filling the 10 shirt on Saturday is their biggest concern at the moment.

We’ve been spoilt over the years with the frequency of Munster and Leinster being paired with Toulouse and Clermont Auvergne in either the pool or knockout stages of the Heineken Cup. At its best, French club rugby is irresistible and in those two outstanding sides, we have been exposed to the very best it has to offer.

Clermont Auvergne coach Vern Cotter has cranked up the heat ahead of Saturday’s Heineken Cup semi-final by claiming Paul O’Connell was protected by officials over the incident with Dave Kearney.

Are Clermont the best team to never win a Heineken Cup?

Clermont Auvergne 36 Montpellier 14

Richard III’s remains may have been discovered in a car park in Leicester earlier this week but Owen Farrell would do well to pay greater heed to Shakespeare’s Henry IV ahead of England’s visit to Dublin this weekend.

French coach Philippe Saint-André fears the impact of foreign stars in France’s Top 14 is hurting the national side.

There’s been a lot of weeping and gnashing of teeth since the Irish whitewash in Europe over the weekend but it is about time people start to realise that we have no divine right to be winning Heineken Cups with the regularity we’ve enjoyed in recent times.

Leinster 21 Clermont Auvergne 28

Mike Ross is confident his contract talks with the IRFU will result in a deal that keeps him at Leinster well beyond next summer when his current deal is due to expire.

Clermont Auvergne 15 Leinster 12

Clermont Auvergne 15 Leinster 12

Isa Nacewa admits Leinster and Clermont Auvergne know each other so well their crunch Heineken Cup meeting on Sunday is almost a derby fixture.

French approach

The thing about Brian is ...

Heady days for Leinster. Less than 24 hours after their Heineken Cup semi-final heroics in France the European champions announced that 18 players had inked new deals with the province.

Bridesmaid. It’s a word that seems to provoke equal amounts of fear and loathing from members of the opposite sex, much to the incomprehension of men everywhere.

If Leinster dominate these key areas in France, they will deserve the plaudits

Experience tells Shane Horgan Leinster will have to go into Sunday’s Heineken Cup semi-final with all guns blazing if they are to beat ASM Clermont Auvergne and reach a third final in five seasons.

Saracens 3 Clermont Auvergne 22

WITH five of the eight quarter-finalists coming from Ireland and France it appears strange that the national sides of both are left disappointed with mid-table finishes in the northern hemisphere’s trophy international tournament.

France coach Philippe Saint-Andre has made five changes and one positional switch for Saturday’s RBS 6 Nations clash against Wales in Cardiff.

France 22 England 24

France half-backs Francois Trinh-Duc and Morgan Parra have been dropped for the RBS 6 Nations clash against England in Paris on Sunday.

France were left to reflect on the “feeling of defeat” after ending their Six Nations Grand Slam hopes yesterday, according to manager Philippe Saint-Andre.

In different circumstances, say three weeks ago, this might have been considered a famous result for Irish rugby.

France 17 Ireland 17

Circumstances have changed but Ireland can find success in Paris this weekend.

Anthony Foley back with Ireland, Niall O’Donovanagain part of the Munster set-up.

Keith Earls insists Ireland’s spirits have been lifted for their daunting trip to Paris by their resounding RBS 6 Nations victory over Italy.

Scotland wing Rory Lamont suffered a suspected broken leg in the 23-17 RBS 6 Nations loss to France at Murrayfield yesterday.

France scrum-half Morgan Parra believes accuracy at the breakdown area will be key in tomorrow’s RBS 6 Nations clash with Scotland at Murrayfield.