Peter Jackson: Munster win over Ronan O'Gara's La Rochelle the game that saved the Round of 16 weekend

On a day when Andy Farrell saw one English fly half suffer from his exposure to Leinster, another whom he knows rather better kicked his first goals since early September.

HANDS UP: Munster's Jack Crowley and Craig Casey are putting their hands up for Lions selection. Pic: ©INPHO/Billy Stickland

The self-styled ‘world’s greatest club tournament’ had descended into the realm of basketball when a cry in the wilderness struggled to be heard above the ballyhoo.

The cheerleaders were too busy lapping up the floods of tries as evidence of the Champions’ Cup grandeur to listen, their acclamation drowning out any response to those pining for some heart and soul to stir the blood and roll the thunder.