Leinster's domestic dominance seems stronger than ever after routine intepro victories over the Christmas period and their squad depth remains the envy of Irish rugby.
The Blues held off a spirited Connacht before soundly beating old foes Munster in Limerick to cement their dominance in the URC, with summer signings RG Snyman and Jordie Barrett continuing their strong starts in the blue jersey.
The win vs Munster is their 11th straight regular-season victory over their provincial rivals, with the growing gap between the sides a concern in the eyes of former Ireland international Bernard Jackman.
Munster, meanwhile, have had to deal with a long list of injuries all season which has stretched their squad thin, having lost Snyman and Antoine Frisch during the summer due to external factors.
The province - now led by Ian Costello - have been light in the front-row all season, leading to calls for long-term recruitments from pundits and fans alike.
One player who had been touted as a potentially savvy signing for Munster is young Leinster hooker Gus McCarthy, who excelled in an Irish shirt when called upon during the Autumn Internationals.
McCarthy faces stern competition in the established duo of Dan Sheehan and Ronan Kelleher going forward, and is not the only talented player at the club in a similar predicament.
Out-half Harry Byrne - whose was battling brother Ross, Sam Prendergast and Ciaran Frawley for minutes, has moved to Bristol Bears on a short-term deal as emergency cover.
7 April 2023; Harry Byrne and Ross Byrne of Leinster during the Heineken Champions Cup quarter-final match between Leinster and Leicester Tigers at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin. Photo by Harry Murphy/Sportsfile
Meanwhile, backrowers Max Deegan, Scott Penny and Will Connors have been on the fringes with Caelan Doris, Josh van der Flier, Jack Conan and Ryan Baird all ahead in the selection.
Donncha O'Callaghan calls for rugby January transfer window
Munster and Ireland legend Donncha O'Callaghan is of the belief that a January transfer window, akin to that in professional soccer, could solve woes for both players who are lacking minutes and clubs who are in need of depth.
5 May 2012; Donncha O'Callaghan, Munster. Celtic League, Munster v Ulster, Thomond Park, Limerick. Picture credit: Stephen McCarthy / SPORTSFILE
The former lock was speaking on The Offload podcast with co-host Tommy Bowe when he suggested the concept, which he would like to see go beyond Irish shores and between different player systems too.
You do wonder are we at the point with rugby where we might need a little bit of a transfer window," O'Callaghan said.
"Is there room for a January transfer window? I know we are kind of copying soccer with this.
"But I like the idea of that. If you could strengthen your squad now should there be a little window of trading within the systems.
"If you look at Welsh teams at the moment, if there was a young hooker knocking about that isn't going to get any gametime... is it better than their wages are rolled by someone else and it frees up more coin?"
It is a prospect we reckon the likes of Munster, Connacht and Ulster would be open to considering their respective lack of squad depth by comparison to Leinster.
Whether such a thing would ever come to fruition is another issue, but it could be a progressive move for the sport.
