Leinster fighting for Champions Cup survival

Twenty years, 421 games, six titles.

The story of the provinces in Europe is a long and, until recently, increasingly illustrious one but there is a strong argument that Leinster’s task in the Stade Felix Mayol tomorrow afternoon is right up there with the toughest ever undertaken by any of the quartet.

With just one point to show from their opening two jousts with Wasps and Bath, they have left themselves wedged behind the black ball and in need of a magical trick shot to fashion a result that would allow their hopes of qualification survive beyond the weekend.