AS THE bars in Ballsbridge began to thin out in the early hours of Sunday morning, a welloiled, middle-aged Leinster supporter stumbled out of one offering the ultimate in acclamation.
“We are”, he shouted, “The All Blacks of Europe.’’
Indeed they are, undisputedly the best non-Test team in the Northern Hemisphere. It could also be said with increasing conviction that they are driven by the best player in both hemispheres, Johnny Sexton.
A perfectionist in the Jonny Wilkinson mould, Ireland’s fly-half did more than anyone else to ensure that the Scarlets,...