With the rugby season back in full swing, ex-Ireland captain Keith Wood and the Irish Times' Gerry Thornley kicked Wednesday Night Rugby back into touch tonight.

Leinster and Munster endured defeats at the weekend in their openers and Keith believes too much can be made about shaky starts in the first couple of weeks, particularly for the former. 

"The truth of it is that every year in the last 3 - 4 years since the player protection and welfare policy came in, the Irish teams struggled somewhat. They tend to struggle a little bit in the first couple of weeks," he said.

"I do think we get caught up in over-analysing what happens in the first couple of weeks. It is a long season. It's not something the teams should be worrying about too much. I think Munster might worry about it a little bit more because their injury list is so long. But apart from that the other teams will be expecting up and running this week."

Gerry and Keith picked out the positives for Ulster amid a whirlwind of change at Ravenhill and Thornley name-checked Jared Payne as the favourite for Brian O'Driscoll's No 13 jersey at international level. He also highlighted Stuart Olding as a potential successor for Gordon D'Arcy for Ireland.

Connacht were the only province to win this weekend as they target a Top 8 finish and their ambitions in the short and long-term were assessed.

Keith and Gerry also praised the coverage of the Pro 12 this season under its new deal with Sky and Thornley believes the competition is now developing an identity.