If it can happen to Man City, it can happen to Leinster

Irrespective of how pronounced the home advantage may appear in tomorrow’s semi-final, Leinster know the Scarlets have a habit of turning conventional wisdom to dust, writes Peter Jackson

There is a striking reason why tomorrow in Dublin amounts to now-or-never for the Scarlets and the Champions’ Cup. It revolves around the galvanising presence of an Irishman who stands out in the PRO14 like Barack Obama turning up at a pro-Trump rally.

Tadhg Beirne has been head and shoulders above the rest all season long, a lock with a three-quarter’s sidestep and the ability to double up as a multi-dimensional back row forward. Those who follow the most westerly of the four Welsh regions know they will be losing their Scarlet shamrock all too soon.