Leinster are back. Having traversed the relative desert of what was four years without a trophy, the eastern province won the Champions Cup for the first time 2012, and it doesn't look like it'll end there.
The 'boys in blue' still have the smaller matter of the Guinness Pro 14, which could arguably complete the most successful year in the club's history, having also supplied the bulk of the players to Ireland's 6 Nations Grand Slam push.
Former Leisnter out-half Andy Dunne joined Eoin and Ger in studio on OTB AM today and he doesn't believe that the side will rest on the success they've already had, and backed the school system in the province to produce even further competition for places in the future.
"They've five guys under the age of 24 winning an European cup, and who've all been capped at international level. They've got a natural link to one of the bet academy systems you could have in any sporting scenario in Europe through the Leinster schools rugby set-up where you've got a lot of wealth in schools.
"You've got schools that are able to bring 17 and 18-year-old kids on warm weather training trips, and guys are coming out of the Leinster schools rugby set-up very used to what is I suppose a professional type set-up.
Dunne said that the level of commitment and professionalism in the underage system is the reason for Leinster's current abundance of talent, and noted that as a club they're well placed on and off the field to become am even greater powerhouse in world rugby.
"They're used to video analysis, they're used to training twice a day. I saw the Blackrock Senior Cup final on Patrick's Day this year and I just couldn't get over the physique, and the general size and athleticism, certainly within that Blackrock side who won, who won very easily. There's probably five or six guys looking to come out of that team and go into a Leinster academy and from there it continues to build. It's a formidable cycle for Leinster".
"They're building a brand now. An Adidas sponsorship, the most European Cup wins in the history of the tournament, a young squad, and two outstanding coaches. There's not a lot wrong there, and I think the scary part is they seem to be hungry still, and maybe getting more hungry".
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