The Stoop was where it all began for Leinster

Michael Cheika described it at the time as the biggest result in his four years at Leinster. Jamie Heaslip, one of the few survivors from that momentous afternoon who plays tomorrow, labelled it only two days ago as a major turning point for the province.

For both clubs, April 12, 2009 would be a date to remember.

Harlequins glammed it up as much as they could with fireworks and can-can girls, but The Stoop was cold and wet and the mud made for a glutinous battleground on which to contest the Heineken Cup quarter-final that Sunday.