Friendship on hold for a day

For eight weeks they soldiered together through the ups and downs of a Six Nations campaign, working and training, eating, meeting and playing as a unit, brothers in arms.

On Saturday, though, the bonds will break, the Ireland tracksuits discarded to reveal provincial colours.

It is always special when Leinster and Munster face each other and this weekend’s clash at Aviva Stadium promises to be more fearsome than most as the RaboDirect Pro12 defending champions and league leaders host southern neighbours with an eye on grabbing top spot.