There will be no meeting of Munster and Leinster in the Heineken Cup quarter-finals, but it could happen in the last four.
Following Munster’s excellent bonus-point victory over Edinburgh this afternoon, there was a glimmer of a possibility that the two provinces might reprise their meetings in the semi-finals of 2006 and 2009, but a bonus point victory for Clermont Auvergne over Racing ensured that it would not be the case and that both would be playing French opposition in the last eight.
Ulster, of course, already knew they would be playing Saracens in a repeat of last year’s quarter-final after they finished as top seeds following their success over Leicester at Welford Road last night, while Leicester will have the daunting task of trying to beat Clermont on their own turf.
The 2013 Heineken Cup Champions play the 2012 victors as Toulon host Leinster, while Munster face Toulouse in a repeat of the 2008 Heineken Cup decider. Should Ulster get past Saracens they will again be at home against Clermont or Leicester in the last four and although it’s a lot to ask, there could be a mouthwatering semi-final between Leinster and Munster in the last four if they can get past Toulon and Toulouse respectively.
There’s the small matter of the Six Nations to be played before the competition resumes again, but with a line-up like that, there’s a helluva lot to look forward to yet.
Heineken Cup quarter-final draw (Games to played 4-6 April):
Ulster v Saracens
Clermont v Leicester
Toulon v Leinster
Munster v Toulouse
Heineken Cup semi-final draw (Games to be played 25-27 April):
Ulster/Saracens v Clermont/Leicester
Toulon/Leinster v Munster/Toulouse
