Thanks to early European exits, the Irish provinces have a rare weekend off, but Ireland captain Rory Best is looking on the bright side on the home front.
Connacht made it to the quarter-finals of the Challenge Cup, but Munster, Leinster and Ulster all failed to make it out of their Champions Cup pools.
The Six Nations campaign was also of little comfort but the Pro12 table at least provides some solace.
Three of the top four spots are occupied by Irish clubs, with Munster back in seventh with two games to play.
“It’s obviously hugely frustrating - nobody in the Champions Cup this weekend or even two weekends ago,” Best told RTÉ Sport.
“That’s the way it is, you can’t win everything you’re involved in. It’s unfortunate.
“Having said that, the Irish provinces are well poised in the Pro12, with Leinster and Connacht vying with Glasgow for two of those home semi-final slots.
“[Ulster are] involved in a group of three or four that feel with two good wins and results going their way could still make the top four.
"You can’t win everything you’re involved in. It’s unfortunate"
“So we’re obviously in that pole position, sitting there knowing that two wins will get us in the play-offs where we want to be.”
Best, who is promoting the Special Olympics Ireland collection day, also reckons that Munster can secure sixth place in the table, and with that a spot in the Champions Cup next season.
“Munster, a lot has been made of their [loss to] Connacht last weekend, but Connacht are a quality outfit and Munster now have two games that if they win, they’ll probably get top six.
“That’s ultimately where we all want to be. First of all you try to get top six and then you try to push on for top four.”
It's Friday ! It's #CollectionDay ! Show your support by texting SPECIAL to 50300. 9,100 Irish athletes benefit! pic.twitter.com/vfGcdSoVVx
— Special Olympics Irl (@SOIreland) April 22, 2016
