In a league of their own again

AS with all disappointments, time is a great healer. Travelling home empty handed from the two Heineken Cup semi-finals 10 days ago, even the potential of a Magners league play-off meeting between Leinster and Munster appeared somewhat hollow.

Now after two remarkable stands in the face of adversity in their respective clashes against Edinburgh and Cardiff over the weekend, the appetite for battle and the prospect of silverware has served to revive aching hearts and bodies in both camps.

Leinster, by virtue of their spirited second-half comeback which sees them top the table, are in pole position for honours. By finishing top of the pile they have earned the right to host the semi-final and the final should they win on Saturday. That is as it should be. The other semi-final between the Ospreys and Glasgow ensures that all three Celtic nations are represented at the penultimate stage which is good for the tournament.