Leinster will match Toulouse’s record of four European Cup titles if they can account for Racing 92 in Bilbao tomorrow. Brendan O’Brien examines why, six years after the third of their Heineken Cup titles, the province is again on the verge of something big

Of the four provinces, Leinster should be the one least in need of imported talent.

Every position in the back line has been filled by Leinster’s Isa Nacewa, including scrum-half where he excelled in one game last season when Luke McGrath was sinbinned. The veteran New Zealander even scored a try while holding that fort, writes Brendan O’Brien

Scott Fardy has clearly had it with close shaves.

If money was all that mattered there wouldn’t be a top-class professional rugby player left in Ireland.

Ireland’s four provinces are facing an almost impossible task in their respective bids to push beyond the pool stages of the Champions Cup, never mind win it.

New Munster signing Mark Chisholm will arrive in the province today to undergo a medical with supporters hoping this is the start of a beautiful relationship.

The numbers of people visiting Northern Ireland has mushroomed in the years since ‘The Troubles’ was still a phrase that merited common usage on this island. 

The Top 14’s financial watchdog this week released a report showing France’s top 30 clubs have an accumulated debt of almost €34 million — yet nobody here batted an eyelid, writes Ronan O’Gara.

Michael Cheika described it at the time as the biggest result in his four years at Leinster. Jamie Heaslip, one of the few survivors from that momentous afternoon who plays tomorrow, labelled it only two days ago as a major turning point for the province.

I met Michael Cheika for the first time in 2005.

A derby without BOD.

Connacht chief executive Willie Ruane believes the arrival of All Black centurion Mils Muliaina to the province later this month will take the game in the west of Ireland to the next level.

Gordon D’Arcy has hailed Connacht’s capture of 33-year-old All Black legend Mils Muliaina.

Ulster 18 Leinster 24

Amlin Challenge Cup semi-final

Munster, Ulster and Leinster have all given steps up to inexperienced squad members in naming their additional players for the European knockout stages next month, as former provincial Heineken Cup winners Peter Stringer and Rocky Elsom boosted squads elsewhere.

Rob Kearney has revealed Jonathan Sexton was “upset” that a deal could not be done with the IRFU to keep him at Leinster next season and warned that the out-half’s move to France could pave a path that other Irish internationals will follow.

It’s amazing how much you can learn from just one round of Heineken Cup action in respect of the aspirations and approaches of the various teams. Leinster and Munster between them may have accounted for five of the last seven tournament victories but it is already abundantly clear that a serious challenge to that Irish superiority is about to manifest itself over the weeks and months to come.

When Leinster look back on their domination of European rugby over the last four seasons, they may well pinpoint that incredible Heineken Cup semi-final win over Munster in 2009 as their coming of age.

Perpignan in 2003.

“Leinster’s first two tries from Sean O’Brien and Cian Healy stemmed directly from lost ball after an Ulster put-in”

WE may be immersed in the Christmas break but for the players and management of the provincial sides, it represents one of the busiest periods of the year.

NEW ZEALAND head coach Graham Henry hailed the All Blacks’ 20-6 destruction of Australia in the Rugby World Cup semi-final as “outstanding”.

AFTER 46 games and a weekend of semi-final action characterised by controversy, drama, incident and passion, the 2011 version of the World Cup has produced a carbon copy of what transpired here at the inaugural event 24 years ago — a final contested by New Zealand and France with Australia and Wales battling for the bronze medal.

New Zealand 20 Australia 6

JUST in case New Zealand were lacking a bit of inspiration ahead of their World Cup semi-final meeting with Australia, Quade Cooper provided it.

Australia’s maverick fly-half Quade Cooper did little to quash his status as New Zealand’s “public enemy number one” as he cranked up the pressure on the All Blacks ahead of Sunday’s World Cup semi-final.

South Africa 9 Australia 11

AUSTRALIA coach Robbie Deans was happy with the progress made in the win over the United States, but there was also cause for concern as the Wallabies’ injury toll mounted in Wellington.

Australia head coach Robbie Deans was happy with the progress made in the 67-5 win over the United States tonight, but there was also cause for concern as the Wallabies’ injury toll mounted in Wellington.

Australia 67 United States 5

Australia 22 United States 5

AUSTRALIA captain James Horwill has targeted their game with the US on Friday as the perfect opportunity to get the Wallabies’ World Cup campaign back on track.

Australia hooker Stephen Moore has been confirmed as another late withdrawal from the squad ahead of the clash with Ireland this morning.

Rory Best insists Ireland will embrace the support of New Zealand when they face Australia at Eden Park tomorrow.

THE ODDS are stacked against them and history suggests they haven’t a hope but there is something tangible about Ireland’s demeanour heading into the World Cup Pool C showdown with Australia that suggests something special is on the cards at Eden Park tomorrow morning.

SEAN O’BRIEN is ready for the true litmus test tomorrow, the game which will tell us exactly where Ireland are and how far they can go in this Rugby World Cup.

FORMER Leinster hero Rocky Elsom has labelled Ireland’s back row as one of the most underrated in international rugby ahead of Australia’s World Cup game with the Irish at Eden Park tomorrow.

1. SET PIECE ASSAULT

Australia and former Leinster flanker Rocky Elsom has offered an explanation as to why northern hemisphere teams are able to punch above their weight at the World Cup.

ROCKY ELSOM may wear Australia’s colours at Eden Park on Saturday but Denis Leamy credits him for having a profound impact on Ireland’s back row.