Scarlets are the first team to make sure of their place in this year's Champions Cup semi-final; and Munster-bound Tadhg Beirne is the man many people are crediting with spearheading this achievement.
Hosting the French side La Rochelle, Scarlets ran out 29-15 winners in their first Champions Cup quarter-final since 2007.
At clutch moments during the frenetic tie, it was Beirne who proved decisive; his 70th minute steal from a La Rochelle line-out proving invaluable as Scarlets were reduced to 14-men.
Scarlets down to 14-men, La Rochelle lineout just metres out.
Up step Tadhg Beirne with the crucial steal. #SCAvLAR— Seán McMahon (@Sean_McMahon89) March 30, 2018
Fortunate himself not to receive a yellow-card over a few contentious decisions, Beirne's overall performance nonetheless captured the imagine of many who are looking forward to seeing the former Leinster man in a Munster, and presumably Irish, jersey.
Speaking ahead of today's tie, Beirne revealed how the decision to leave Scarlets had not been an easy one, and that he remained determined to all he could for a club that had showed such faith in him.
If the plaudits he is receiving are anything measure of this, he is doing just that.
Tadhg Beirne pretty much winning this game for Scarlets. He is THE difference.
Super player.#SCAvLAR— El_Poderoso (@ronanodowd) March 30, 2018
Tadhg Beirne would appear to be the next coming of Richie McCaw. With added rule breaking thtown in!! #ChampionsCup
— Conor Whelan (@Conorwhelanire) March 30, 2018
Tadhg Beirne is unreal
— Michael Carson (@michaelcarson90) March 30, 2018
Tadhg Beirne won't have to buy a pint in Llanelli for the next 400 years
— Sam Larner (@SamLStandsUp) March 30, 2018
I can't wat for Tadhg Beirne to join Munster next year!!! Really like 2c the scarlets win this one #scavlar #championscup
— Tony (@TonyKB777) March 30, 2018
Tadhg Beirne doing Tadhg Beirne things at the breakdown. Incredible strength.
— Cian Tracey (@CianTracey1) March 30, 2018
Tadhg Beirne lads, different level!! #SCAvLAR
— David Gavigan (@JanglesGavigan) March 30, 2018
What a player Tadhg Beirne is. A world class forward, probably in the best form of any in the northern hemisphere.
Injuries aside a certain Lion in South Africa. Huge bonus for Ireland and Munster next season. Crazy to think they won the 6N at a canter without him.— Ross Marno (@rossmarno) March 30, 2018
Such a pleasure to watch @scarlets_rugby in full flight!
Tadhg Beirne immense!!— Pat McCarry (@patmccarry) March 30, 2018
Tadhg Beirne will walk into the Irish team next season #ChampionsCup
— Eoin O'Mahony (@omahony_eoin) March 30, 2018
The three remaining Champions Cup quarter-finals will take place over the course of this weekend; with Munster taking on Toulon tomorrow, and Leinster facing Saracens on Sunday.
