Eddie Butler of The Guardian looks ahead to Leinster's mouth-watering Heineken Cup showdown with the Leicester Tigers.
"It is certain that neither Leinster nor Leicester will have lingered for a second longer than it takes to utter a brief phrase of praise or consolation to their international players in the wake of what happened on the final Saturday of the Six Nations, when Ireland upset England's grand slam pretensions and there began a public inquiry into what this meant for victor and loser with regard to the World Cup. For in Dublin and at Welford Road province and club had to get on with the business of completing the remaining weeks of the season.
"Leinster, for example, had to prepare for Saturday's meeting with Munster in the Magners League, a fixture that, even if there were only a bag of dog biscuits for a prize, would still demand the full concentration of its participants. The result: victory by a point for Munster. The rivalry among the provinces of Ireland is one reason why their rugby as a collective continues to prosper.
"And the strength of Leicester is one big reason why England found themselves in a position to challenge for the grand slam in the first place. With Toby Flood scoring 22 points and Ben Youngs and Dan Cole also back in their club team, Leicester registered their biggest victory at Bath in 96 years a week after England lost to Ireland."
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