Cooney the hero again for Ulster as Warriors master Munster

And ofc any risk was mitigated by the fact they hadn’t won anything for a few years by that point.

It means they can spell Tadhg Furlong without losing effectiveness, and Jordi-Robbie-Garry-Jamie Osborne in midfield is an unbelievable rotation.

I don’t think either of two French clubs remaining have outstanding defences, and if its a Leinster-UBB final as I expect, I doubt the Irish will be too worried.

As for Scotland, Lancaster is 23 and post Finn they have no clear and obvious successor as things stand. Jordan or Burke MAY fill that role, Healy and Thomson not shining so far as they rotate with Edinburgh and Kinghorn has proven beyond doubt with Toulouse that he is a world class back 3 and not a 10.

So no, it’s not odd at all but it probably is slightly disappointing to see him as the TJ replacement if you’re a Glasgow fan…

Seems unnecessary. Lancaster going to Glasgow who currently have the first 4 centres on Scotland’s books, as well as 2 (inc Jordan) of the top 3 Scottish flyhalves, is an odd move for all involved.

There’s talk in France - just talk right now - of changes to the rules for this July tour. But it would require buy-in from the clubs, who (because of WR regs) would then be obliged to rest their players into the next Top 14 season.

We can rage against the machine - who wouldn’t want to see a full-bore France in NZ? Heck, I do. But the set-up as it is precludes that. Let’s be honest, it’s not as if France have hidden what they do over the years.

You can argue that O’Gara has failed to properly build on the squad he took on when Gibbes left. That is worth considering.

And then, as you say, go all in on the changes they bring.

I’ll be cheering for their opponents in the semis and final but don’t think for a moment they have a good chance to beat this team.

Leinster have 11 of the 14 contracts for next season. Interesting the saving is going into the pathways for the other 3.