Donal Lenihan: European tip of the hat to Leinster won't do Blues any favours in the long run

The fact that they are so difficult to beat at home and supply so many players to an Irish team currently ranked one in the world, appears to impact negatively on the selection of so many visiting teams.

EASY-GOING: Jack Conan, left, and Jonathan Sexton of Leinster during the Heineken Champions Cup Pool A Round 2 match between Leinster and Gloucester at the RDS. Pic: Sam Barnes/Sportsfile

With the blink of an eye, we already find ourselves half way through the Heineken Champions Cup pool stage.

Originally revamped at the behest of deep-pocketed benefactors from French and English clubs, who felt they could attract more commercial investment and enhanced broadcast deals - and tweaked further due to Covid - the tournament finds itself in a rut with a format that is not only difficult to follow but is failing to capture the imagination of the rugby public.