Money starts to talk in Europe where French clubs' depth of talent is dominant

But the truth is that, as the European Cup kicks off again next weekend for its final two pool rounds, Ulster are almost certainly out of contention, while Leinster and Munster face tricky challenges to qualify in this revamped competition.

Munster are behind both Clermont Auvergne and Saracens in Pool One and play Saracens at Allianz Park next weekend before finishing with Sale at home. Ian Keatleys last-minute penalty did earn them a vital losing bonus point in the last round at Clermont, but defeat at Saracens would surely rule them out of even one of the three runners-up spots available.

Leinster have the most realistic chance of qualification. They stand equal top of Pool Two with Harlequins, and should win with a bonus point at home against uninterested Castres next weekend. But they then have to travel to Wasps on the last weekend.

Even if Leinster do scrape through, you could not see them having a home draw (Clermont, Toulon, Toulouse and Northampton look the best bets) and certainly not challenging for the title. As former Ireland flanker Alan Quinlan says: Munster and Leinster arent at that level this season. The standard has increased so much that its left them behind.

How things have altered. This time last year Munster, Leinster and Ulster were all top of their pools and it stayed that way as they progressed into the knockout stages. Now money really is beginning to talk, as Saracens recent gripe, having lost last seasons final to Toulon, about the salary cap demonstrates.

To compete in both European and domestic competitions you need top-class cover in all positions, something Bath, who have not targeted Europe this season, have been addressing, most recently with their signing of Rhys Priestland to complement George Ford.

In Ireland matters are different because players are centrally contracted, even if private investors are now being used to ensure players such as Jonathan Sexton, who returns to Leinster next season, do not move abroad.

But still the lack of big names to give Toulon-like depth has made hackles rise. As another former Ireland flanker, Stephen Ferris, says: There is talk of Toulon bringing in Richie McCaw after the World Cup, while we [his former province, Ulster] are bringing in Clive Ross. No disrespect to Clive Ross, but hes been playing for Lansdowne for the last couple of seasons and is trying to make the big step up.

It is a delicate balance between home-grown player development and potential triumphs offered by hired foreign hands.

The sands are undoubtedly shifting in the general club-international power stakes, but surely Irish supporters would be happy to see Six Nations and World Cup success at the expense of reduced European achievements? I really hope so.

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Money starts to talk in Europe where French clubs' depth of talent is dominant