Irish duel still on the cards

FIRST, the positives. Munster have progressed to the knockout stages of the Heineken Cup for the ninth consecutive season as a result of yesterday’s three-point victory over Bourgoin.

Also qualified with one round to go are Leinster - by virtue of their excellent victory over Edinburgh on Saturday - Biarritz and Llanelli.

Leicester’s facile 34–0 bonus point victory over the Cardiff Blues means that next weekend’s showdown between the Tigers and Munster in the last match before the redevelopment of Thomond Park’s will decide who emerges as pool victors.