Donal Lenihan: Unlucky Ulster draw short straw as Munster wallop Wasps 

Wasps’ Paolo Odogwu is tackled by Tadhg Beirne and Jack O’Donoghue of Munster. The contest between the two sides served as a reminder to all and sundry of just how difficult Munster are to beat. Picture: Inpho/Dan Sheridan

It was a great weekend for the Irish provinces, but not so good for the Heineken Champions Cup itself. At a time when the relaxation of Covid restrictions in this country reacquainted everyone with the feeling of freedom, the enforced cancellation of three key Heineken Champions Cup games over the weekend has inflicted another damaging blow to the integrity of the competition.

To compound the many issues facing the EPCR board, the fact that Leinster have scored 23 tries and 153 points in their last two outings against Montpellier and Bath makes a mockery of the fact that this tournament is supposed to be the preserve of European rugby’s elite.