Leinster can still hit another level

IT IS a measure of the Irish impact on the Heineken Cup that Leinster’s appearance in the decider in Cardiff on Saturday marks the seventh by an Irish side in the competition’s 16-year history.

Cardiff are the only Welsh team to make the final, back in the first year of the tournament in 1996, while the furthest a Scottish side has progressed was a quarter-final showing by Edinburgh in 2004.

Despite the suggested indifference of French clubs towards the tournament, at least over the opening decade, a French club have reached the final 14 times while the English Premiership has produced just two more finalists than Ireland (nine).