Contrary to popular belief, Keith Earls insists he is neither a temperamental baby throwing his toys out of the pram nor a cranky old character mired in his own inflexibility.

SPEAK softly but carry a big stick: that must surely be themantra of Irish rugby coach, Declan Kidney.

THE Heineken Cup has always been the Holy Grail for the Irish provinces but Felipe Contepomi can’t help but be bemused by the general air of indifference the Magners League generates on these shores.

LEINSTER have been here before. The Heineken Cup. The ever-increasing levels of expectation. The feeling that everything is going their way, that this could be their year.