The impossible hat-trick?

FOR 10, long dispiriting years, Brian O’Driscoll has toiled in the cause of Leinster.

Most of the time he was captain of a side that began every year appearing to possess the ability to become champions but all too often flopped when the most serious questions were asked. He was entitled to doubt whether they would ever reach the Holy Grail although to his great credit, his own standards never faltered.

The first signs that the corner had finally been turned came in the quarter-final defeat of Harlequins at The Stoop where a magnificent defensive display – one that most previous Leinster teams could never produce – eked out a precious single point victory.