Leo Cullen: We'd love if all of Ireland got behind Leinster, but that's not how it works

Leinster head coach Leo Cullen. Picture: Harry Murphy/Sportsfile

Truly, this rivalry is the gift that keeps on giving. Go back a week, after Leinster had tamed the Leicester Tigers and La Rochelle weathered the Stormers, and it seemed like we had everything we thought we needed to tee up this blockbuster of an Investec Champions Cup quarter-final.

Then Ronan O’Gara actioned the contingency plan put in place before their visit to South Africa and Stade Rochelais made for Cork rather than the west coast of France. His native city opened its doors and its arms to a son that, as the current mayor informed the players one night, had been given the freedom of the city seven years ago.