Start of Era Up North but end of era Down South; Toulon too strong for two times Champions:

Munster: down and out

Happier Times: Munster European Champs 2006...

...and again in '08 - but will these triumphs be seen again?

Munster were humbled today with a kicking masterclass from Johnny Wilkinson as Toulon beat Munster 32-16 at Stade Mayol. Wilkinson kicked seven penalties and two conversions to put the French Top 14 runners-up through to the Quarter Finals. It is the first time in 13 seasons that Munster have NOT reached the Quarter Final of the Heineken Cup - European Club Rugby's Premier Competition. It looks as if (arguably) the Greatest Dynasty in Irish Sport is coming to a (hopefully, temporary) close. I personally believe that this will in fact be a more long term cessation of Munster's status as "European Rugby King-pins." This is for a variety of reasons: mainly because Irish provinces cannot compete with the wages offered by Top 14 French clubs (and to a lesser extent, top English clubs) and players will (usually) follow the cash. I think it shows the dearth of talent in Munster's reserves that the fact that (the admittedly talismanic) Paul O'Connell hadn't played all season, but returned to Munster's starting line-up today and played the entire 80 minutes. While O'Connell  is a huge force for Munster, surely, if the Red Army had more in reserve, O'Connell would not have played a full 80 minutes because he could not possibly be 100% match fit. Munster have proven people wrong in the past though and it wouldn't be entirely shocking if they did the same again.

One of Ravenhill's most famous nights - certainly this decade

Up North, Ulster Rugby look to be returning to days of yore, with a momentous victory over French giants (and last season's Heineken Cup Finalists): Olympique Biarritz. Ulster will guarantee their place in the Heineken Cup Quarter-Finals for the first time since 1999 if they can overcome Aironi Rugby - who are the worst side in the Pool - next weekend. Ulster have already beaten the Italian side 15-22 at Stadio Zaffanella, so the "Red Hand Army" should be odds-on favourites to pick up the four points required to progress to the knock-out stage.

O'Driscoll: simply sensational

Leinster progress impressively to the Quarter Finals also with yet another glittering from BRIAN O'DRISCOLL and a rousing 43-20 Donnybrook win over top Premiership outfir Saracens puts the Dublin based outfit through as Pool 2 winners.

Elsewhere, Wasps were beaten by Glasgow Warriors in the shock of the weekend and the two time Champions are now effectively out of this season's competition. Out-half (Ruaridh Jackson, pictured right) was the hero, scoring 15 points as Glasgow bagged their second Pool win to eliminate the Londonners. Also in Pool 6; the "Glamour Boys" of European Rugby: Toulouse comfortably reached the Quarter-Finals with a 17-3 home win over Newport.