OJO'S INSIDE LINE: Leinster set the standard (From Wiltshire Times)

OJO'S INSIDE LINE: Leinster set the standard

2:00pm Saturday 26th May 2012 in Bath Rugby

LEINSTER’S third Heineken Cup win in four years started a debate about where they stand among the greatest club sides.

They have to go down as one of the great teams since the competition started and certainly one of the finest sides in this hemisphere.

It would be brilliant to have a situation where Leinster play one of the top teams from the southern hemisphere, perhaps over two legs, to decide global club supremacy.

I’m sure people would love to see them playing New Zealand’s Crusaders, with all their stars, and I’m sure that those days are coming closer.

It would have been sad if Leinster had huffed and puffed over the line but instead, they displayed all we know about them.

The runners-up Ulster added to the whole atmosphere of the tournament, although I was quite surprised by their tactics.

I felt a percentage game would have suited them more, although the outcome was thrilling as a spectacle.

Let’s hope this weekend’s Aviva Premiership final between Leicester and Harlequins is on a par, because last time these two met we had a very exciting match.

I’m going up for the game so hopefully we’ll get a fitting end to the domestic season.

Unfortunately, it now seems as though no team will be coming up from the Championship to displace Newcastle in the Premiership next season.

I don’t lose much sleep over whether London Welsh come up – rugby is well served in the London area.

But, as I said last week, what grates is the treatment of the Cornish Pirates in a catchment area ripe for development.

Finally, a shout out to my former teammate Nigel ‘Ollie’ Redman, who has taken the plunge and joined Worcester as forwards coach.

Ollie knows the game very well and it’s great to see him at the sharp end.

Send your thoughts to Steve via ohoulihan@newswilts.co.uk