Donal Lenihan: Munster rue mistakes, imperious Leinster setting new standard 

Peter O'Mahony will now end his career without the European medal his career has deserved; but he owes the province nothing. 

FAMILIAR FACE: Former Munster and current Bordeaux player Joey Carbery with his son Beau after the game. Pic: INPHO/Dan Sheridan

Not for the first time, Leinster represent Ireland’s last stand in the quest for European glory. After emptying the tank to defeat La Rochelle by the narrowest of margins a week earlier, the odds were always stacked against Munster repeating the dose in their Champions Cup quarter-final down the road in Bordeaux on Saturday.

The fact that a pretty average Ulster side managed to register 31 points against the same opposition, scoring five tries in the process, suggested that if Munster could control possession and territory, there was an opportunity to carry off another famous win over top class French Top 14 opposition on successive weekends.