Nothing is perfect - Irish rugby included - and the flip side of the much praised three-tier system is the delicate balancing act and sudden change of emphasis enforced by the imminent return of European rugby the week after next.
In readiness for the final two rounds of pool games after a 10-week break for the international and club programme, the four provinces gently renew parochial hostilities this Friday evening when, at the expense of a planned AIB League round of fixtures, Munster and Ulster host Leinster and Connacht respectively.
Munster and Leinster have developed a pretty keen rivalry over the last few years but even their third meeting of the season (with a hoped-for fourth perhaps to come at a later date) is secondary to just obtaining a desperately needed run-out.
Both have injury concerns and Munster coach Declan Kidney said: "Neither side has had a game since we played each other on November 3rd. Newport (Munster's main Pool Four rivals) have played Cardiff, Ebbw Vale, Edinburgh Reivers and Neath over the past four weekends and play Reivers in a Welsh/Scottish League game on Saturday, so they'll be well in tune by the time we arrive."
At one point in December, Leinster would theoretically have been obliged to play Brian O'Meara at outhalf and Eric Miller in the centre (not beyond him by any means) but at least the enforced break has allowed their walking wounded to recover. "That said," points out Leinster manager Ken Ging, "they're pretty stale, which is why we badly need this game on Friday."
As things stand, although Munster lead their pool by two points, they are arguably in a slightly tougher position than Leinster with a view to reaching the knockout stages for the third year running. Their crunch game is against second-placed Newport on Saturday week.
Both see it as a must-win, and for Newport defeat would end their hopes. However, a win could see them ranked above Munster if they overhaul the latter's slender three tries to two advantage from the first meeting in Thomond Park. That not only would probably scupper Munster's chances of a home quarter-final for topping the group and obtaining a top four ranking, but would jeopardise their chances of progress as one of the two best runners-up pending the outcome of their final game at home to a fast-improving Castres. Jeremy Davidson's team gave note of their progress with a stunning 29-0 defeat of Stade Francais in the French championship four weeks ago.
By comparison, Leinster can retain their leadership of Pool One by overcoming a tricky banana skin at home to Edinburgh Reivers (who know they must win to keep their chances alive) on Friday week and their outlook for the final meeting with Biarritz will largely depend on the French club's result away to Northampton on Saturday week.
Were Northampton to win that game, then Leinster would go into the final match away to Biarritz two points clear and comforted by the four tries to nil winning margin from the first meeting between the sides in Donnybrook. In that scenario, Biarritz would not only need to beat Leinster, but also by at least four tries. Alternatively, were Biarritz to beat Northampton in Franklins Gardens, then presuming Leinster also beat the Reivers, it would be a straight winner-takes-all match in the south of France come January 20th.
At least both sides have their destiny in their own hands, a point Ging emphasises. "We're not depending on anyone else, which is the way Matt Williams is approaching these games."
Biarritz will be without France lock Legi Matiu and prop Sotele Puleoto when they relaunch their Heineken Cup campaign. Puleoto has ruptured a tendon in his elbow while Matiu is suffering from a hernia. On the upside, former All Black full-back Glenn Osborne is back in training after suffering a groin injury.
By contrast, Ulster's hopes of advancement rest on an unlikely win next Friday week away to Pool Three leaders Cardiff, who know that a win will ensure qualification for the last eight. Anything less than a win and Ulster are out of contention.
