Donal Lenihan: Munster gave their all but heart and guts is no longer enough

It beggars belief that in the four seasons RG Snyman has been with Munster, the mouth-watering second row pairing with Tadhg Beirne never managed to start a game.

KILLER: Saints' George Hendy goes over for the decisive 73rd minute Northampton try.

For Leinster, there's the chance of some form of redemption when the Champions Cup quarter finals kick off next weekend. For the fourth season in a row, La Rochelle pose a pretty formidable obstacle to Leinster’s quest for what they perceive as a long overdue fifth star on the famous blue jersey.

Unfortunately, with Ulster and Connacht already consigned to Challenge Cup duties, Leinster now represent the only Irish interest in the last eight of Champions Cup rugby on the back of Munster’s agonising defeat to Northampton Saints in a superb game at Franklins Gardens.