SPRINT FINISH FAVOURS IRISH THOROUGHBREDS

And so begins the annual bun-fight known as the play-offs. There are still those who hanker after the old system of first-past-the-post but these days there are more pros than cons to sudden death. Whether it be the Magners League, the Top 14 or the Aviva Premiership, the public want to see the best players on parade for the big games, rather than under-strength clubs diluted by Test calls. You can also sell a few more tickets and promote your sport to a wider audience, increasingly essential for administrators in the current economic climate.

This new reality suits some clubs better than others. Take Leinster. They finished 13 points behind Munster in the regular season table. Guess how many league games, out of a maximum of 22, were graced by their talisman Brian O'Driscoll? A grand total of seven. Of those the blessed BOD started and finished just three. Contrast that with, say, Northampton's Ben Foden who has been involved in 14 of his side's 22 Premiership games. O'Driscoll is entitled to some leeway on grounds of age, injury management and past achievements but, even so, it is a striking contrast. It will be interesting to see if Foden's first-class career lasts as long as O'Driscoll's.

Of rather more relevance to Leinster, of course, is finishing the job they have so professionally started. They also have history in their sights. Up to now no side has ever won the Celtic League title and the Heineken Cup in the same season (the list of Celtic League winners is printed below). Maybe that record would have fallen by now had a knockout final existed during Munster's glory years but Leinster, either way, stand on the brink of a rather special achievement.

Can they do it? I rather think they can. This Friday's home Magners semi-final against Ulster should not pose insurmountable problems, although it would clearly help if Ospreys could follow Harlequins' example and beat Munster at Thomond Park. If that were to happen, the final would be played in Dublin where Leinster are all but unbeatable. If not, the final venue is determined by Munster, who will fight tooth and nail to prevent a rhapsody in Leinster blue.

Leinster, though, are increasingly a team for all seasons and conditions. The contrast between the Magners and the Premiership is pronounced, as we have already seen, but Joe Schmidt's side proved against Leicester in the Heineken Cup that they possess a number of serious warriors. Their other secret, skill and power apart, is their continuity. It continues to irritate English clubs that the international likes of O'Driscoll, Jamie Heaslip, Shane Horgan, Gordon D'Arcy, Luke Fitzgerald, Jonny Sexton and Sean O'Brien could not all remain employed together at the same Premiership club because of salary cap restrictions which fail to take into account a homegrown player's rising market value.

It is the unspoken reason someone like Joe Ansbro has had to leave Northampton now that he is a Test player and, by extension, merits a higher whack. Leinster, in conjunction with the Irish Rugby Football Union, do a great job of keeping their best talent settled and happy and are reaping the benefits. The big English clubs would love the freedom, via salary cap exemptions for players they have reared themselves, to do the same.

As France's finest have found in Europe this year, however, money is not always the be-all and end-all. It explains why Castres have made the Top 14 play-offs and Toulon have not, although Racing Métro may well rubbish that theory by lifting the French title next month. They and Toulouse will have home semi-final draws against the winners of this weekend's two "elimination" finals: Clermont v Biarritz and Castres v Montpellier. Toulouse finished top of the regular season ladder but, as with Munster and Leicester, may shortly be reminded of the difference between a marathon and a sprint.

Celtic League roll of honour

2001-02 Leinster

2002-03 Munster

2003-04 Llanelli Scarlets

2004-05 Ospreys

2005-06 Ulster

2006-07 Ospreys

2007-08 Leinster

2008-09 Munster

2009-10 Ospreys

GONE TOO SOON?

With an idiosyncratic Gallic flourish, France are due to announce their World Cup squad this week. Their opening match of the tournament is still almost four months away but Marc Lièvremont clearly reckons it is preferable to make an early call, regardless of the complication that potential key men such as Aurélien Rougerie (ankle) and Thomas Domingo (knee) are struggling to be fit for the tournament. England, in contrast, will not finalise their 30-man squad until mid-August. Ask Martin Johnson to finalise his squad now and he would give you a very old-fashioned look.

WORTH WATCHING THIS WEEK

Leicester v Northampton. For both clubs – and the England management – it is hold-your-breath time. When the Saints last travelled to Welford Road in January, both Courtney Lawes and Chris Ashton limped off and Ireland's Geordan Murphy has not played since. Another uber-physical contest is guaranteed, threatening disruption to the Saints' Heineken Cup final preparations next week. Having bowed out at this stage last season, however, Northampton have no choice but to give it everything.