Munster player ratings: Munster’s pulsating 25-24 victory over La Rochelle at Stade Marcel-Deflandre had it all: yellow cards, charge-down tries, nervy finales, and a drop-goal that might just earn Jack Crowley an even bigger contract off from the IRFU.
Munster and La Rochelle have given him the most in rugby, but Ronan O'Gara has no plans to return home soon.
A hat-trick of tries from Tom Farrell saw Munster win a scrappy opening Irish interprovincial of the festive season 22-19 over Ulster at the Kingspan Stadium.
The hosts had started the night bottom of Pool Four after a loss at Glasgow Warriors in the opening round but an opening try from Jean-Luc du Preez set the tone for a dominant display.
Leinster player ratings: Leinster stormed out of the gates at Croke Park, threatening to run away with it with a commanding 21-0 scoreline with just 14 minutes on the clock against a shell-shocked Munster.
Zebo may have retired and RG Snyman may have headed up the N7 to Leinster but Munster's low-key recruitment has been shrewd
Warriors will be rank outsiders in Pretoria but there are parallels with their title-winning vintage of 2015.