Munster back up emotion with precision

No matter where you look at present, it’s pretty difficult to avoid. Ireland against England, be it for club or country, is the only topic on the agenda. Time will tell whether or not the two leading contenders for this season’s Six Nations championship will both make it unbeaten to the last day of tournament to contest a Grand Slam showdown at the Aviva Stadium.

Before that however, the small matter of these mouthwatering Anglo-Irish, Champions Cup, back-to-back, clashes before Christmas. Leinster set the tone with their impressive, bonus point, win over old rivals Northampton Saints at Franklins Gardens on Friday night.

Munster’s form of late has been sensational but Leicester Tigers, who won both encounters in this competition at the same stage 12 months ago, provided the perfect gauge of progress made under the short but impressive guidance of new director of rugby Rassie Erasmus.