Ryan and Rog inflict further semi-final pain on Munster

The heartache continues. This is six semi-final defeats in European competition since Paul O’Connell lifted the Heineken Cup in Cardiff ten years ago, writes Donal Lenihan.

The fact that this latest one at the penultimate stage in Bordeaux marks the third or fourth for a number of this squad including captain Peter O Mahony, Conor Murray, Keith Earls, Billy Holland and Simon Zebo makes it even more difficult to swallow.

If anything, the fact that Leinster took care of their side of the equation with such consummate ease on Saturday in attempting to set up an all-Ireland Champions Cup final may have heaped even more pressure on Munster.