Leinster indebted to loyal soldier Mike Ross

The Leinster canteen was a busy place this day last week, when the entire squad came together to watch Warren Gatland announce his British and Irish Lions squad for the summer’s tour to New Zealand.

Some players were expecting to hear their names, some were long shots, while others were watching on in the knowledge their time had gone.

Mike Ross, the 37-year-old Leinster prop, was in the latter group, but would have celebrated as much as the five players called up from the province, with a special cheer no doubt reserved for first- time tourist, Tadhg Furlong.