Picture brightens as cavalry arrives for big battles ahead

What crisis? Leinster welcomed back the missing links that had left their season in the balance and eased to a bonus-point RaboDirect Pro12 victory over Edinburgh at Murrayfield.

Out of the top four in the league and taught a lesson in Europe with home and away losses to their Heineken Cup heirs apparent Clermont Auvergne, Joe Schmidt’s side had not so long ago had the look of champions hanging onto the ropes and praying for the bell.