What a difference two weeks make

WHAT odds Munster and Leinster topping their respective Heineken Cup pools of pain only two weeks ago when both were experiencing difficulties with form and injuries.

Munster were guilty of committing hari kari on successive weekends with Lifeimi Mafi and Sam Tuitupou adding to an already exhaustive injury list by recklessly getting themselves suspended. The midfield jinx surfaced again in Waterford last Friday when promising young centre Danny Barnes dislocated his elbow in the British& Irish Cup game and will be out of action for the foreseeable future.

Down to the bare bones and suffering a creative drought, Munster defied all logic and produced some scintillating rugby last Saturday at Thomond Park with six tries against the meanest defence in the French championship, Toulon. Go figure.