RUGBY:OSPREYS FACE a third trip to Thomond Park this season following James Hook's late penalty against Aironi, writes GAVIN CUMMISKEY
It means the Ospreys travel to Limerick next Saturday (kick-off 6.30pm).
Ulster will happily come down to Dublin as underdogs to face Leinster at the RDS on Friday (kick-off 7.05pm).
Despite making 10 changes, Leinster left nothing to chance either in their dismantling of the Warriors, thereby avoiding a visit to Belfast, while the Friday night scheduling ensures a welcome eight-day turnaround before the Heineken Cup final against Northampton on May 21st.
Should Munster beat the Ospreys, for a fourth time in five meetings this season, the final will take place at Thomond Park on May 28th. Otherwise, it will be the RDS or Ravenhill, depending on who wins between Leinster and Ulster.
Eric Elwood’s first campaign as head coach of Connacht sees the westerners finish a respectable ninth in the table.
So, with three comprehensive victories, the Irish provinces had few problems cementing their positions in the top three places leaving the chasing Welsh trio to battle it out for the final play-off spot. And there was plenty of drama before Hook had the final say.