Donal Lenihan: It beggars belief Munster aren't bringing Leinster to Páirc Uí Chaoimh

Best estimate suggest that, even with  Cork GAA receiving a decent rent for the stadium, Munster could pocket an additional €350,000 by staging their St Stephen's Day game against Leinster in Cork.

FITTING VENUE: A general view during the match between Munster and South Africa Select XV at Páirc Ui Chaoimh in Cork last year. Pic: David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile

The annual visit to Lansdowne Road last Saturday for the biggest interprovincial derby of the season continued to yield not only a win for Leinster in terms of URC points but an early Christmas present for the hosts in terms of another financial killing.

The bean counters in Leinster’s impressive high-performance base at UCD must thank their lucky stars at the regular November pilgrimage that had attracted 45,000 ticket sales a week out from the game and an official attendance on Saturday night of 49,246.