Leinster have been left with a mammoth physical and psychological task as they pick up the pieces from the European final defeat in London. There are many uncharacteristic reasons why they lost. Now they have to find the answers.
The shift from Munster to Leinster has not been confined to just the rugby pitch. It is something that can be seen in the economic structure of the country, too.
This Munster squad possesses the necessary tools to navigate the complexities of knockout rugby. But that is no guarantee that they will overcome Northampton.
The rugby giants of Europe and South Africa line out this week for the first round of the revitalised cup. Leinster are favourites to lift the trophy next Spring but many others also see themselves in the race.
Leinster's growth was once watched over by a protective IRFU but they saw the need for independent thinking and since then, the development has been spectacular.
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