After the international interlude, we're at the last-16 stage in the Champions Cup. Owing to the current idiosyncratic format, Leinster and Munster face off against teams they've already played in the pool phase.
Leinster host Leicester Tigers on Saturday evening, while Munster face a daunting trip away to Premiership leaders Northampton Saints on Sunday afternoon.
Leicester have half the England pack that beat Ireland against the odds at Twickenham, with the likes of George Martin, Dan Cole, Ollie Chessum up front. But they'll travel to the Aviva more in hope than in confidence.
I think it's crazy that in a 24-team competition Leinster and Leicester met in the pool stage only in January.
It's the third year in a row that they meet in the quarter-final stages. You could do without that sort of familiarity.
There's a huge carrot there for Leinster. One Champions Cup in 12 years isn't good enough for a squad as strong as Leinster's.
There's another carrot in that La Rochelle are playing the Stormers in Cape Town. If they win that and Leinster emerge from the game against Leicester, which I expect they will, then next weekend you could have La Rochelle v Leinster in Dublin again. What a prospect that will be.
Again, two teams that met in the pool stage. The game in Thomond Park was a crazy game, Munster were 20-10 ahead in the 50th minute. Northampton had their hooker sent off before half-time, yet they came back and won the game by three points.
This is a real big challenge for Munster
Northampton are flying in Franklin's Gardens, they're top of the Gallagher Premiership. They'd a brilliant win over Saracens last week.
And Munster have a big issue at tighthead prop. John Ryan was suspended for a tip tackle against Cardiff last weekend. Olli Jager, Munster's most recent international, is also out injured.
There's got to be a massive shift from Stephen Archer, Munster's most capped player on 270 appearances.
Is RG Snyman going to be available or not? If he plays, Munster have a chance. If he doesn't, it could be an early exit from Europe, which is a scary thought.
Donal Lenihan was speaking on RTÉ Radio 1's Morning Ireland
Watch Leinster v Leicester in the Investec Champions Cup on Saturday from 7.30pm on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player, follow a live blog on rte.ie/sport and the RTÉ News app and listen to commentary on Saturday Sport on RTÉ Radio 1
