Is this the man who is going to save Irish provincial rugby?

It may have its faults but the Guinness PRO12 has managed to hold the imagination of fans, across the Celtic nations at the very least, as it enters its version of Super Saturday in three days time.

The semi-final slots have now been whittled down to five with Scarlets and Ulster contending to join Glasgow, Connacht, and Leinster in the top four while an inspired late run from the Ospreys now leaves them as the major rival to Munster and possibly Edinburgh for that final Champions Cup qualification spot.

Even in Italy, with only a point separating Zebre and Treviso at the foot of the table, both of their sides have something tangible to play for as they fight to secure their place in the Champions Cup next season.