The huge difference in professional rugby between Ireland and France has emerged with the disclosure of the budgets each of the sides operate on.

If, as most believe, money should always dictate results in a professional sport, then it is a wonder any Irish side can defeat a French club and Munster's achievement in winning the Heineken Cup two years ago — and possibly again this season — becomes even greater.

Munster and Leinster operate off a budget of about €4.5m each, Ulster have around €3.8m and Connacht around €2.3m. In other words, between €15-16m spent on the four professional sides.

This is a huge amount of money but it shrinks when compared to what is spent in France, most of which goes on wages.

Toulouse (with 25 full internationals in their current squad) top the list with an annual budget of €22m, Stade Francais are next with €15m followed by Clermont Auverne on €14.7m and Biarritz on €13m.

Brive, Connacht's conquerors, are the fifth biggest spenders this season with €11.5m. Albi have the second lowest budget on €8m with Auch, bottom of the table with one win, on 'just' €3.8.

It is not just in the top flight. In Pro 2, Toulon have won ten out of twelve but that is no surprise given that they will spend €11m this season.