There’s going to be a Munster surge in the next two years

Derby day tomorrow in Paris and Dublin.

As Leinster and Munster joust at the Aviva, Racing Metro travel across the French capital for a pivotal Top 14 meeting with our city neighbours, Stade Francais, at the Stade Jean Bouin.

Irish eyes may already be straying towards next week’s Heineken Cup quarter-finals, but as the French Top 14 turns the final bend of a marathon 26-game season — not including the play-offs — the blinkers are on in the quest for a top-six spot. Stade are fifth, we’re seventh, and Toulouse are the meat in the Parisien baguette.