The chat on Heaslip and OBrien can be heard on Wednesday Night Rugby podcast

After such a great weekend for the Irish provinces, Irish rugby could receive a hammer blow tomorrow.

Rumours are circulating that French clubs Toulouse and Clermont are on the verge of announcing deals for Leinster duo Jamie Heaslip and Sean O'Brien respectively.

It is a rumour but one that would not be welcomed on these shores.

Not only strange goings on in Bath but reports of two massive Irish signings to be announced by Toulouse and Clermont tomorrow! #rugby — Brendan gallagher (@gallagherbren) December 9, 2013

"The timeline would be right because they were waiting till after the internationals to conclude these things," said ex-Munster and Leinster lock Trevor Hogan on Off The Ball's Monday Night Rugby.

"But I think the IRFU will throw another few weeks at it. It would be a massive loss. You'd hope the IRFU won't let that happen."

But it is the attritional nature of the French Top 14 which is the most worrying aspect of a potential move for the duo according to former Ireland head coach Eddie O'Sullivan on MNR tonight.

"O'Brien is one of those players that can play at such a high tempo and is always in collisions. For him to come through the Top 14 without injury would be a miracle. It's hard to believe that he can have a long career playing in the Top 14. Leinster have responded brilliantly to the loss of Isa Nacewa and Jonny Sexton, but losing Heaslip and O'Brien...you can only sustain a hemorrhage to a certain degree. That could be a tipping point for Leinster."