A signal of intent by Leinster

FROM one extreme to the other.

Last weekend, not one of the Irish sides could buy a win in the Magners League.

One week later and a clean sweep of victories in Europe for the first time since January 2005 against opponents from France, England and Wales, ensure the Irish challenge for European honours is very much alive.

Ulster’s not-entirely unexpected win over Stade Francais in a fractious clash in Ravenhill along with Connacht’s magnificent victory in the Amlin Challenge Cup over Worcester guarantees an extended European assault on two fronts.

Heineken Cup champions Leinster delivered the most comprehensive performance of the Irish teams when, despite the absence of Jonny Sexton, they produced the complete performance away from home in dismantling erstwhile Pool Six leaders Scarlets with a bonus-point performance rich in quality and assurance.

Then rivals London Irish upped the ante with a five-try blitz of Brive, which means that despite Leinster’s champagne rugby in south Wales, the holders will still have their work cut out to make the knockout phase.

That will now almost certainly come down to the last game against the Exiles in Reading in January.

By comparison, Munster face a daunting task when travelling to the Stade Aime Giral on Sunday, where a bonus point in defeat now looks the minimum requirement.

Winning the Heineken Cup is so special because it is so difficult.

Every season it just seems to get harder and harder.

That is one of the reasons Leicester Tigers are the only side to win back-to-back trophies.

Leinster, on the evidence of Saturday’s performance are set to give it one big rattle.

In the opening half at the Parc y Scarlets, they succeeded in making Llanelli look second rate.

Leinster played with a pace, technical proficiency and confidence that blew their Welsh hosts away.

It is hard to believe that Leinster completely dominated the Scarlets up front despite lining out with only three of their Heineken Cup winning pack.

That newfound strength in depth among the forwards was underlined by their ability to introduce a quartet of internationals in Malcolm O’Kelly, Mike Ross, Stan Wright and Bernard Jackman off the bench.

Last season the outstanding back-row trio of Jamie Heaslip, Rocky Elsom and Shane Jennings were instrumental in delivering the silverware. Now, with Elsom back in Australia and Jennings suspended, two homegrown, exceptionally talented individuals in Kevin McLoughlin and Sean O’Brien represent the new breed of exciting young professionals who exude the confidence to showcase their skills on the highest stage.

Whisper it, but Elsom hasn’t been missed – so far. O’Brien has made such an impact that Jennings will find it hard to regain his place once that harsh period of suspension is served.

At just 25, Heaslip, incredibly winning his 100th cap for Leinster on Saturday, is a Grand Slam winning, Test Lion guiding the young pretenders with the assurance of a veteran.

The ability to introduce a quality replacement front row also enabled Leinster to sustain the scrum dominance that provided an armchair ride for Heaslip. Cian Healy continues his impressive development and was dominant against the highly-rated Scarlets tight head Deacon Manu.

At the other end of the spectrum, the multi-capped Shane Horgan once again showed he is not prepared to depart the scene yet, with an opening try after four minutes which displayed all the qualities that have made him a quality international for a decade – pace, power and determination.

The only concern that Michael Cheika had entering this contest was how his side would cope with the absence of Sexton.

His replacement Shaun Berne is more at home in midfield but performed with such assurance in the pivotal role that the temporary recruitment of Australian wizard Matt Giteau for these back-to-back fixtures would have been an unnecessary extravagance.

Leinster have a huge advantage over Munster at present with their ability to score tries out of nothing.

By comparison, Munster are suffering a crisis of confidence on that front.

Their mindset as they prepare for one of the most difficult assignments you can get in Europe – a trip to the Stade Aime Giral – will not be helped either by the news that the inspirational Jerry Flannery is set for yet another period on the sidelines, with an Achilles tendon problem.

They will reflect on Friday night’s win over Perpignan by the narrowest of margins with a quiet satisfaction tempered with the realisation that the real challenge is yet to be faced. Perpignan left Thomond Park with a quiet assurance that suggests they will relish the challenge of downing the colours of the former champions when Munster arrive on their patch next Sunday afternoon.

Travelling to Perpignan, the one thing you have to have is a stable platform in the set piece. Despite suggestions to the contrary, Munster’s scrum, apart from one capitulation late in the second half which resulted in three points for the visitors, was stable.

It was a significant factor, however, that it took 14 minutes for the first engagement and there were only four scrums in the opening 40 minutes. They may not be as fortunate at the weekend.

Of greater concern is Flannery’s absence, from a lineout perspective. Denis Fogarty is a quality hooker but there is just no substitute for the telepathic understanding Flannery has built up from years of operating with Paul O’Connell and Donncha O’Callaghan.

I know from experience how reassuring it is to have a trusted lieutenant throwing in the ball where he can read your body language and then delivering the necessary throw.

Benetton Treviso have been far more competitive in this pool than one would have expected and even led by 13-8 at half time in Franklin’s Gardens before Northampton recovered to achieve the all-important bonus point win.

The net effect is that despite the presence of the Italians it appears increasingly likely that only one team will emerge from this pool next month.

That more than anything makes it imperative for Munster get something out of their potentially explosive visit to France on Sunday.