Ronan O'Gara: How many claps on the back do you get for falling short?

Whether other people wish to see it differently, there is no doubt that the competitiveness of the Top 14 week in, week out, is significantly greater than the URC

DUBLIN-BOUND: Examiner columnist Ronan O'Gara celebrates with Joel Sclavi after La Rochelle's Champions Cup semi final win over Exeter Chiefs at Stade Matmut Atlantique in Bordeaux. 

WE rounded off Sunday night at Christopher Coutanceau’s Yole de Chris eaterie, overlooking the beach in La Rochelle, up to seventy of us with players, staff and important others. 

It was after 10 pm when we got to break bread, but Greg Alldritt had pre-booked on the basis that we were returning from Bordeaux for a last supper of sorts – or for a momentary pause before we pony up again for the climax to the campaign.