A chance for the Irish to redress the balance with English counterparts

Last season was grim for a number of reasons and nothing summed it up like the provinces' performances against English Premiership clubs in Europe.

Leinster suffered a record defeat (33-6) to Wasps at the RDS and then broke that record away (55-10). Ulster couldn't get near eventual winners Saracens, while try as they might Munster couldn't get a handle on Leicester Tigers.

Leo Cullen's young guns did claim the sole victory in eight Anglo-Irish tussles against a lacklustre Bath, but a count of 7-1 told a worrying tale.

It was all a long way away from the halcyon days of 2006 when Ronan O'Gara publicly declared that Irish teams had nothing to fear in England.

"I honestly think that, both for Munster and Ireland, we've got more talented players than the English in many positions," the out-half said ahead of Munster's visit to Welford Road.

"Maybe that will surprise a few people in England, but our Celtic League is looked down upon because it isn't covered by Sky Sports. I watch some Premiership and I have to switch off the sound because I wonder if I'm seeing the same game. Their commentators are enthusing about the quality and excitement and I'm just like, 'Oh my God!'

"The way they hype these English guys is unbelievable.

"It just doesn't make sense. We all talk about the English players so this is the general opinion in Irish dressing-rooms. Some of the people they are trying to put on a pedestal just don't deserve (it)."

O'Gara backed up his comments by converting a long-range, last-gasp penalty to take the spoils.

Wasps would go on to win an all-English final that season, beating a Leicester side who avenged that O'Gara kick by becoming the first visiting side to win at Thomond Park. But no Premiership side would claim the European Cup again until Saracens last year. During that period, there were four Irish winners. The relationship was by no way one-way, but the provinces had the upper hand.

Since the 2012 decider when Leinster and Ulster took over Twickenham, the dynamic has been shifting. The reign of Toulon began the following season, with one Irish province reaching the semi-finals in each of the three consecutive seasons that the cash-rich Top 14 side claimed the title. At the pool stage, the results began to move in the English favour.

Last season, no Irish province - nor any Guinness Pro12 side for that matter - managed to get out of the group stages. The semi-final line-up consisted of three Premiership teams and Racing.

The tables had turned.

This week sees three of the four Irish provinces take on English opposition and by the end of the December back-to-backs we'll know more about whether we are witnessing a continuing trend.

Certainly, there is more money than ever behind the Premiership sides, they are allowed to sign two marquee signings outside of the salary cap and their English players are now part of a dominant international force.

So, how will it play out when Leinster take on Northampton Saints, Connacht face Wasps and Munster renew acquaintances with their old friends Leicester?

James Downey has played for five of the six clubs in question and seems well-placed to assess the dynamic. The recently-retired centre played for Saints against Leinster in the 2011 final and was part of the Wasps squad that hammered Cullen's charges twice last season, although he wasn't involved in the games. In between, he was part of a Munster side that reached successive European semi-finals.

He believes that the increased revenues from the massive broadcast rights deal with BT and increased investment has been the primary driver of a shift.

"A huge part of it is the financial backing," he says. "The squad that Wasps can get together, last year you're attracting Charles Piutau, George Smith and the team was ridiculous. Even this year, they've Kurtley Beale and Willie le Roux still to come in and the Irish teams can't compete. It's financial clout at the end of the day."

The influence of those internationals has brought about a greater depth, while also the attitude to Europe has changed.

"I do think the English teams have changed their mindset a little bit as well. They've focused a bit more, it was always about the Premiership when I was there first but now they focus on Europe more as well," Downey says. "When I was first in England and we were in Europe it was very strange, just the same as any normal Premiership week. There wasn't a change in how we did things.

"In Ireland, the European Cup was completely different; we had different training kit for it in Munster, we'd train in Musgrave (Irish Independent Park) or do something different. Everything would be different, it would mean a hell of a lot more. Then, in England, it kind of started to change and it began to mean a bit more.

"The squad depth is unbelievable. When you look at the squad depth, look at Leinster when they're missing all of their players when they're with Ireland and there is a couple of names you might not know.

"Even English teams are still going to have internationals stepping up, they're going to have that squad of 35-40 players that are bloody strong.

"You miss four or five players and you have internationals stepping up into positions; you're not just relying on your Isa Nacewas and Zane Kirchners, there's a hell of a lot of players.

"It makes a big difference.

"If you recruit the right type of internationals it's key. George was unbelievable, he just had a winning attitude and so did Charles. That resonates through the squad, young lads pick up on that, they learn. They see the right way to do things, how to train.

"You look at the influence over the years of different players like Rocky Elsom, Brad Thorn; John Langford at Munster... these players come in, they buy into it and they're winners and it has a knock-on effect.

"Irish provinces when they haven't gone as well have struggled to get that type of player. In England they're attracted financially but they bring an attitude that flows through the squad."

This week, Leinster, Munster and Connacht all come into the back-to-back fixtures on top of their pools but they've yet to meet English opposition. In the only Anglo-Irish clash so far, Ulster needed a late drop-goal to edge Exeter Chiefs at home.

All four provinces won at the weekend but were without their Irish contingent who got a weekend off. England's internationals today return to their clubs after a bruising win over Australia that completed a fourth successive Test week.

Neither will have cohesion, but the Irish will hope to be fresher.

As always, there are various factors at play but while the Premiership sides are stronger it looks likely that this season they won't have it quite as much their own way as last.

The proof will be in the pudding, but this is a chance for the Irish sides to redress the balance.