OVER the years on his many European odysseys with Munster, Declan Kidney never had any great fortune when it came to the Heineken Cup draws, particularly at the semi final stage.

FOR Ireland’s World Cup hopefuls, Saturday’s first test against Argentina was a throw-back to Lions tours of a bygone era when teams were banished to various backwaters to promote the game and have their physical prowess tested by hostile natives both on and off the field.

THOSE who argue, with some justification, that professionalism has closed the gap between rugby on this side of the world and our southern counterparts have taken a knock over the past fortnight.

WHEN it comes to the Heineken Cup, Munster specialise in doing things the hard way.