Leinster may yet thank Munster

AS ALWAYS with the Heineken Cup, the cream tends to rise to the top when the knockout stages come calling in April.

With the obvious exception of Munster, all the marquee names are there, with new boys Toulon in their debut season bucking the trend by making the quarter-finals at the first time of asking. The fact they achieved it at Munster’s expense makes their achievement even more noteworthy.

Of the other seven remaining teams in contention, specialists Toulouse will hope to add to their record four Heineken Cup triumphs while the only back-to-back winners, Leicester Tigers, roll up in Dublin on Saturday evening, intent on spoiling Leinster’s party just as Ireland did to England at the Aviva only a few short weeks ago.