Clermont have look of champions-in-waiting

There’s been a lot of weeping and gnashing of teeth since the Irish whitewash in Europe over the weekend but it is about time people start to realise that we have no divine right to be winning Heineken Cups with the regularity we’ve enjoyed in recent times.

The French and English clubs had their days in the sun in the past and it was only a matter of time before they re-asserted themselves in the competition again and that is exactly what is happening.

Munster and Leinster have been to the forefront of the tournament for over a decade but even Manchester United fail to win the Premiership the odd year.