Why we should be thankful for this weekend in the 2017 Champions Cup

Let’s park logic and bookmakers’ predictions for a moment and allow ourselves the luxury of contemplating a scenario come tea-time on Sunday whereby both Munster and Leinster are confirmed as finalists for the 2017 Champions Cup.

The irony, were it to come about, should be lost on no-one. It’s close to five years since the English Premiership and Top 14 clubs announced their intention to withdraw from the Heineken and Challenge Cup competitions come 2014.

That they did it just a month on from a final at Twickenham that featured two Irish sides, Leinster and Ulster, and ended with a fourth title for the provinces in five years was no coincidence.