European crusade comes to an end for Irish warriors

THE fearsome masked presence afield of Imanol Harinordoquy in the Biarritz gutting of Munster reminded me of a page in the classic novel Ivanhoe where the chain-mail clad Crusader, during a lull in the battles, was having a peaceful conversation with a robed Saracen.

They were discussing their weaponry. To prove his point the Crusader raised his huge broadsword and easily cut a thick timber stool in half with a single blow. The Saracen then removed the lace scarf from around his neck, threw it into the air, and effortlessly sliced it into two floating halves in midair. Skill and force come in many forms.

The mighty Imanol was central to the smashing of Munster’s brave crusade into the European mainland for this season. His helmet was at the centre of all the brutal action that mattered. By the time he was called ashore Munster were already dead and gone, outgunned and outplayed in what for them was a sub-par display.