Leinster inspire, Munster perspire.

GREAT Heineken Cup results for Leinster and Ulster with Munster left drawing crumbs of comfort from another losing bonus point on the road.

The net result of the weekend’s deliberations is that all three Irish sides have qualification to the knockout stage within their control even if some, Leinster in particular, are in a better position than others.

It was inevitable, given the quality in their squad, that the Ospreys were going to dent Munster’s European aspirations at some stage in this tournament, and Saturday was the day. The only consolation for Munster was that it could have been worse. At least they had the satisfaction of clinging on to that bonus point at the death. If the one secured at the outset of this pool at the Madejski Stadium against London Irish was fashioned by some quality work from David Wallace, Duncan Williams and Sam Tuitupou, this one owed more to very poor game management and decision-making by Ospreys captain Alun-Wyn Jones.