Leicester's success provides the perfect template for 'clubs' like Leinster, writes Brendan Fanning in the Irish Independent.
"Back in 1995/96 when Leinster were European Cup semi-finalists operating out of a portacabin in Donnybrook, the Tigers were not even in the competition. They were, however, better tooled than most for the demands of professionalism. The proof is in their position now: this game is about turning their fifth appearance in a final into their third win, which would lift them alongside Toulouse.
"Leinster's journey has taken them down a few more unapproved roads. Some of those diversions have been caused by the IRFU, who were doing the navigating, and were also paying for the petrol. The idea of our provinces being 'clubs' and having a degree of autonomy is still fairly new in Irish rugby, and the remarkable thing is that we are now in sight of having the third of our big three added to the list of European winners despite the different agendas."
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