Van Graan: ‘They say ours is a pool of death. They are all pools of death’

Leave the IRFU to the World Cup post-mortem, Irish rugby’s focus is firmly fixed once more on its four proud provinces with the new Heineken Champions Cup campaign now in full view.

That is in itself something to lift the spirits after such a disappointing retreat by the national team from Japan. Yet for all the success achieved in Europe over the last two decades and the fact all four of those provinces will be competing at the top table this time around, the challenges do not get any easier in this, the 25th season of the continent’s premier club competition.