Isa Nacewa: ‘It’s been tough to watch semis and finals and not be in them’

This was the sort of day we feared might be beyond Irish clubs again.

Hands were wrung and obituaries written for the hopes of the provinces — and their Celtic cousins — in the realm of continental competition when the Heineken Cup and ERC lost out in the coup that produced the Champions Cup and EPRC.

And, with TV money flowing into the coffers of the English and French club games, our worst fears seemed to be confirmed two seasons ago when the quarter-finals of this changed, but still epic tournament, included no representation from the then PRO12.