Not so long ago Test rugby was the only show in town. Even Munster diehards would not have imagined a world-record crowd of 82,300 would one day gather in Dublin to watch a Heineken Cup semi-final. Fantasy will become reality at Croke Park this afternoon and, in the process, underline the ever-growing popularity of the European club game.
Leinster's tilt at the defending champions is also significant for a host of other reasons. Even in the absence of Rob Kearney, who is recovering from mumps, and the desperately unlucky Tomás O'Leary, there will still be 10 Lions tourists on view in Dublin. Factor in another seven at the Millennium Stadium tomorrow when Cardiff Blues play host to Leicester and it becomes a massive weekend for the Lions head coach, Ian McGeechan, particularly if it produces a final between Munster and the Blues. Thirteen members of his tour party, in that event, would be knocking lumps out of each other at Murrayfield on 23 May, just 24 hours before the squad leave for South Africa. A rash of last-minute injuries really would be problematic for the management.
McGeechan, however, must also be hoping the two games vindicate the faith he has already shown in certain players. What could be better for the confidence of, say, Keith Earls and Leigh Halfpenny than to skip on to the plane having proved themselves among the coming men of the world game? The last thing the Lions brains trust need to witness is a weary-looking Munster side who have suddenly lost the snap and crackle so evident against the Ospreys in the quarter-final. Brian O'Driscoll, Jamie Heaslip and Luke Fitzgerald will disagree, but another eye-catching display from the men in red might ultimately have its consolations.
If it is hard to look past Paul O'Connell and his familiar cohorts – including the prop John Hayes, who will eclipse Anthony Foley's proud record when he trots out for his 87th tournament appearance – they will first have to break down a Leinster defensive unit which proved little short of heroic against Harlequins in the quarter-final. Rocky Elsom has been one of the stand-out players of the season, but his side also need to locate an attacking spark from somewhere.
In the past it has often been supplied by their passionate Puma, Felipe Contepomi, but Munster messed seriously with his mind the last time the sides met in this competition, at the same stage three years ago. There was only one team in it and Leinster supporters in the crowd today will be fearing a messy repeat.
This is Munster's eighth semi-final in 10 years and none of their three losses has been by more than a single score. They know precisely how to handle the big occasion, and it would be a major surprise if they do not keep alive their chances of hoisting the trophy for the third time in four seasons.
The Blues, for their part, are looking to become the first team to win every match on their way to the final since the introduction of home and away pool matches in 1998-99. Their semi-final against the Tigers could just be a cracker if both sides keep their promises to move the ball but the English visitors will need to subdue the rampaging Xavier Rush better than Gloucester did at Twickenham last month. A Munster v Leicester final? Do not bet against it.
