Cup Rugby From Here On In.

Munster’s hopes of securing a coveted ‘home’ semi-final suffered a set-back with defeat and the failure to earn any points from the RaboDirect PRO12 game with Leinster and leaves them in a four way scramble for two play off places.

Now two points adrift of Ospreys with three games left to play and the Welsh side striking form – they've score 7 tries and 64 points in their last two outings – it would appear that Ospreys, with nothing to distract them, are in pole position to take the runner-up spot behind Leinster.

Ospreys are left with Blues (away), Dragons (home) and Aironi (away) and that look an easier proposition than Munster's run-in – Warriors (home), Scarlets (away) and Ulster (home).

If for example, Ospreys were to take a losing bonus in Cardiff, beat Dragons without, and Aironi with a bonus then that would require Munster to win their last three games and get a bonus from one of those games to overtake the Ospreys.

But two of those remaining games are against sides with ambitions of their own whilst Scarlets cannot be ruled out. They could be on the 55/56 point mark before Munster fetch up towards the end of April and Ulster wind up their League campaign with games against the Irish sides starting away to Connacht the week after they play Munster in the Heineken Cup quarter final.

They'll be back down in Limerick at the start of May for the final league game, one that could be a winner take all affair with the prize of a trip to Dublin or Swansea.

But strictly in RaboDirect PRO12 terms, the April 14th game against the Warriors in Musgrave Park is of crucial importance, Cup rugby from here on in.