Leinster much improved for latest meeting with some old friends

Sam Prendergast is an upgrade at out-half, while RG Snyman, Rabah Slimani and Jordie Barrett have brought as much punch as pizzazz to a dressing-room that was already swimming in Ireland Test caps, silverware and motivation after recent seasons in blue.

Caelan Doris, Joe McCarthy and RG Snyman during a Leinster Rugby captain's run at the Aviva Stadium. Pic: David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile

Funny how some circles can close. Leinster’s season began over seven months ago with a pair of tune-ups against Northampton Saints in Dublin and a trip to the Stade Chaban-Delmas where they faced Bordeaux-Begles.

Leo Cullen and his staff went out for a meal with their Bordeaux counterparts the day before that second friendly and the conviviality spread sufficiently for everyone to agree that it would be fantastic should they meet again in Cardiff.