Munster's win over Perpignan in France last week was probably their best performance ever - in fact it may be the best performance by an Irish rugby team ever - except maybe for Leinster's win over Munster in last year's Heineken Cup semi-final.
The secret was motivation, as it was in Leinster's case. The triumphant cupping of the ear to the crowd by the Perpignan wing Burgur as he scored their third try in Limerick the previous week showed a lack of respect. Some loose quotes in the French press from a Perpignan player about Munster playing like an academy side added salt to the wound.
The whole team was immense, but O'Connell and Leamy stood out for the intensity of their efforts. What a loss Leamy will be.
