What a difference a year makes.
After Leinster and Munster both failed to get out of their pools in the 2015/16 Champions Cup, many pundits wondered whether the days of the Irish provinces challenging for European success were over.
They had reason to ask the questions. With the Top 14 and Premiership budgets only growing, the Irish sides and the other Pro 12 clubs were being left behind. Even those who disagreed had to concede that the once-dominant provinces were fighting a losing battle.
Fast forward to April 2017, and both Munster and Leinster are looking forward to semi final appearances.
Leinster gained revenge for their humiliating 51-10 defeat to Wasps last January, defeating the Premiership leaders 32-17 at the Aviva Stadium. The turnaround in fortunes for Leinster can be summed up in the teams they sent out in both of those games. Of the starting line-up in the 41-point demolition just over a year ago, only three started at the Aviva Stadium today; Johnny Sexton, Jack McGrath and Devin Toner.
While Robbie Henshaw was the notable arrival in the summer, his central contract has allowed Leinster to improve greatly, without splashing the cash. Joey Carbery was electric at fullback, looking more and more like a long term 15 than outhalf. As well as Carbery, Garry Ringrose, Adam Byrne, Luke McGrath, Tadhg Furlong and Jack Conan have grown with every game, every one of them home grown, and still learning.
At times against Wasps, Leinster rode their luck, most notably when Wille le Roux butchered a try, dropping the ball as he dived over the line. But Leinster were certainly deserving winners, carving Wasps apart at times with free-flowing rugby.
"Daddy, Daddy, Daddy..."
Leinster fly-half Johnny Sexton is a man in demand in his post-match interview. 😂 https://t.co/AHFnxrfwle
— BT Sport Rugby (@btsportrugby) April 1, 2017
Attention then turned to Thomond Park, with Munster setting their sights on a 12th appearance in the semi finals of the tournament.
Just like in 2014, Toulouse arrived at Thomond park, and just like in 2014, Munster ran in more than 40 points.
It wasn't as easy this time around, with the game very much in the balance until the final 10 minutes, but after failing to get past the pool stages in each of the last two seasons, today's 41-16 win against Toulouse continued a remarkable season for the Munster men.
A big reason for Munster's success this season has been the maturity of the squad. Boys like Niall and Rory Scannell, and winger Darren Sweetnam have become men. Men like Conor Murray, CJ Stander and Peter O'Mahony have become legends.
And the group in between have started to deliver on threats of the past. John Ryan has become a test quality tighthead, Duncan Williams had one of his finest games for the province in the absence of Murray, while Andrew Conway is reliable in the starting team and off the bench.
Delighted for this man 🙌ðŸ»
@john_ryan_88 MOTM #MUNvTOU pic.twitter.com/eFdepIWzsX— Munster Rugby (@Munsterrugby) April 1, 2017
The fear for Munster is that at times, they're looking tired. Rassie Erasmus doesn't have the depth to call on that Leo Cullen has at Leinster, and as they season drags on, it's slowly starting to show. At times against Toulouse, it seemed like both the players and fans were drained, but a late rally of tries from Sweetnam and Conway showed how clinical they can be when the opportunity presents itself.
Despite looking slightly tired, they're into a Champions Cup semi final, when many predicted they wouldn't get out of their pool, and the prospect of a final against Leinster is alive in two competitions.
The Irish dominance in Europe may be over, but Leinster and Munster have shown this year that they're still forces to be reckoned with.
