Leo Cullen may have enjoyed Leinster’s victory over old foes Munster but when it comes to Europe he knows his province cannot compete on the same terms as their English and French rivals.

Billy Holland may be the senior partner in the Munster second row these days but he is perfectly happy to let fellow lock Jean Kleyn steal the limelight as they perform their separate roles, South African style.

After the sobering sight of four World Cup semi-finalists coming from the southern hemisphere, last weekend offered a glimmer of hope for European rugby. The question now is, was it an aberration or a line in the sand?

Northampton 9 Racing 92 9: Northampton’s England contingent failed to make an impression as Eddie Jones resumed his busy pre-Christmas scouting tour of the Aviva Premiership clubs last night.

Remind Leo Cullen he played in the last European final won by an English team, when the then London Wasps saw off Leicester Tigers in 2007, and he will be quick to point out he wasn’t part of the squad that won it.

Australia number eight David Pocock has invited “legend” David Attenborough to Saturday’s World Cup final against New Zealand at Twickenham.

Heyneke Meyer may be in the minority when it comes to assessing the merits of bronze finals at the Rugby World Cup.

To qualify for selection on Donal Lenihan’s best ever World Cup XV, the players had to have at least one winner’s medal in the pocket

The Scots went to some trouble to make Richie McCaw feel at home at Murrayfield, unearthing evidence placing his ancestors from the same county as Robbie Burns, Bill Shankly and Robert the Bruce.

England 28 South Africa 31

Joe Schmidt has admitted he cannot fathom the debt Ireland owe lock Paul O’Connell for continuing to clatter his body through Test skirmishes.

In the lead-up to facing Ireland anyone wearing a Springbok tracksuit proclaimed that the Autumn tour to Ireland, Britain and Italy was the beginning of their World Cup preparation and not an isolated sequence of games.

There may have been heroics across the field as Ireland recorded only their fifth victory in 22 meetings with South Africa but for many the 80-minute shift put in by captain Paul O’Connell was as special as the win itself.

History may be written by the victors, but the losing perspective makes for interesting consumption.

Victor Matfield has challenged South Africa to heed their World Cup “wake-up call” after a 29-15 defeat in Ireland.

Sean Cronin is relishing the battle ahead facing South Africa on Saturday and is confident Ireland are up to the challenge.

The visitors hold all the aces in terms of recent form, preparation, settled combinations and the confidence that stems from beating New Zealand last time out.

Though an injury-weakened Ireland face a South Africa side unchanged from the one that beat New Zealand last month, Cian Healy believes his colleagues have nothing to fear.

Coach Heyneke Meyer has announced the South African team that will play Ireland in Dublin on Saturday in the first of Ireland’s Autumn rugby internationals.

South African veteran Victor Matfield has his World Cup winners’ medal from 2007 but insists winning another next October at Twickenham is still top of his priority list as the Springboks head into their northern hemisphere tour opener against Ireland this Saturday.

A genuine treat awaits. Notwithstanding the fact New Zealand will be giving Dublin a skip this month, some of rugby’s standout performers are coming to town in November, writes Donal Lenihan.

Springboks talisman Victor Matfield has hailed Ireland captain Paul O’Connell as “the best player I’ve played against”.

AT least we were spared the usual platitudes that opposing international coaches have heaped on successive Irish teams over the years, praising our passion and commitment in defeat.

A broad smile colonises Jonathan Sexton’s chiselled features as his mind rewinds three years to the first time he faced the Springboks.

Ireland and Leinster duo Eoin Reddan and Jamie Heaslip believe the Aviva Stadium can be a cauldron for visiting sides when there is a full house and both are hoping for an electric atmosphere for Saturday’s meeting with South Africa (5.30pm).

PETER STRINGER accepts this season may well be his last with Munster but the veteran scrum-half remains determined to prove that he still has a future with the province.

SUNDAY’S World Cup final was a pleasure to behold for many reasons, not least the honesty of endeavour and the sportsmanship on display from both sides.

THE All Blacks never forgave Stephen Donald for the missed touch kick which ultimately condemned them to defeat by Australia in Hong Kong this time last year.

STRANGE in a way that what has been a fantastic tournament has produced a paucity of real individual star quality.

AUSTRALIA crept into the World Cup semi-finals after James O’Connor landed a late penalty to send champions South Africa crashing out.

South Africa 9 Australia 11

PAUL O’CONNELL’S preparations to upset Italy’s lineout tomorrow have gone as far as learning Italian, fellow Ireland lock Donncha O’Callaghan has revealed.

ENGLAND prop Andrew Sheridan and French fly-half David Skrela hobbled home from the World Cup just as Samoa entered the fray with a resounding win and New Zealanders fretted about the back of prized asset Dan Carter.

Bryan Habana and Victor Matfield have been ruled out of South Africa’s World Cup clash against Fiji in Wellington on Saturday.

South Africa are set to be without lock Victor Matfield and centre Jean de Villiers for their second World Cup Pool D match with Fiji on Saturday, the defending champions have said.

Wales 16 South Africa 17

VETERAN Bakkies Botha is a doubt for South Africa’s World Cup opener against Wales in Wellington on Sunday.