Making most of home comforts

WHILE Llanelli, Biarritz, Munster and Leinster can derive comfort and satisfaction from securing a Heineken Cupquarter-final in March, they will know that their final seeding, to be decided this weekend, could make or break their challenge for ultimate honours.

Only seven other sides remain in contention for the last four slots. These include former winners, Wasps, Leicester, Stade Francais and Northampton, while Castres, Sale and Neath Swansea Ospreys all retain a mathematical chance of advancement.

Given Thomond Park’s romantic attachment to this competition since inception, it is only fitting that the final game in the stadium as we know it promises to be a cracker.