Donal Lenihan: Hodnett, Ahern and Nash offer timely reminder of their form 

Ahead of the final round of Champions Cup action pool games next weekend, incredibly, all four Irish provinces have something tangible to play for.

MUNSTER ROAR: Simon Zebo celebrates with team-mates after scoring Munster’s second try during the European Champions Cup clash with Toulon at Stade Mayol. Pic: Christophe Simon

While far from perfect, there was enough evidence on show in the weekend's penultimate pool round of Champions Cup action to suggest that key Irish players are beginning to find their groove three weeks before the start of the Six Nations.

With Leinster the only Irish province all but guaranteed to see Round of 16 action next April coming into the weekend, Munster, Connacht and Ulster had all reached a critical point in their quest to join them.