Harlequins, Clermont Auvergne, Ulster and Toulon have all qualified for the quarterfinals of the European Cup, but who will join them in the last eight?
Unbeaten English champions Harlequins are the only ones so far guaranteed home advantage in the quarterfinals, so with plenty to play for in Round Six here is the state of the Pools going into the final weekend of group games.
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Pool One
A victory for Saracens over Edinburgh would see them confirmed as pool winners. Munster have to defeat Racing Metro at Thomond Park and hope that Saracens lose to Edinburgh in order to top the pool. If both Munster and Saracens win, then Munster need results elsewhere to go in their favour if they’re to emerge as one of the two best runners-up. Racing Metro are still mathematically in the equation, but they would need a bonus-point win in Limerick as well a particular set of results elsewhere to secure a best runners-up spot.
Pool Two
It is all about the mouth-watering Leicester Tigers v Toulouse showdown at Welford Road on Sunday. A win for either of the former champions would settle the pool. Defeat for Toulouse could still see them in contention for a best runners-up place; defeat for Leicester could leave them in contention for Challenge Cup qualification at best.
Pool Three
Win, lose or draw at Biarritz on Friday, Harlequins are already guaranteed a home quarterfinal and vying with Clermont and Toulon for the top ranking of the eight qualifiers. A bonus-point win would see them confirmed as number one seeds. A win for Biarritz could put them in contention both for a best runner-up place and for Challenge Cup qualification.
Pool Four
Already sure of a spot in the last eight, Ulster go to Castres Olympique in search of a first European Cup win on French soil. Victory could ensure a home quarterfinal depending on results elsewhere while defeat would see them on the road in the knockout stage. Northampton Saints travel to Glasgow Warriors in contention for a best runners-up place and for qualification for the Challenge Cup. Meanwhile, Castres would need a lot of favourable results to book a best runners-up spot, but if they defeat Ulster, the Challenge Cup is on the radar.
Pool Five
Even a losing bonus point at Scarlets would almost certainly guarantee Clermont Auvergne a home quarterfinal at fortress Stade Marcel Michelin. Leinster go to Exeter Chiefs chasing a best runners-up place. A win is the minimum requirement for the reigning champions, while five points will probably be needed along with favourable results elsewhere.
Pool Six
A losing bonus point at Montpellier will be enough to secure Toulon a home quarterfinal, but a home win for Montpellier in Saturday’s all-French clash will vastly change the landscape for the best runners-up places – maybe the key game of the round.
Can’t see Saracens loosing so they should win their group.
Leicester’s game should be a tough one. Weather may play it’s part as well.
Can’t rememner what the Saints need to happen to go through, but I hope they make it.
1 @ Scrumdown:
Hello Scrumdown, Northampton needed to win and probably with a bonus point to try get through as one of the best second placed teams BUT sorry for you they didn’t make, although glad to see Glasgow won 27-20 with a late try.
Friday night’s results: Biarritz 9 – 16 Harlequins; Connacht 25 – 20 Zebre – 20 points for Connacht from the boot of Dan Parks
Saturday’s results: Castres 8 – 9 Ulster – 1 penalty for Castre for Kockott, 3 penalties for Pienaar for Ulster;
Exeter 20 – 29 Leinster – bonus point win for Leinster;
Glasgow 27 – 20 Northampton – try for Josh Strauss;
Montpellier 23 – 3 Toulon;
Scarlets 0 – 29 Clermont Auvergne – bonus point win for Clermont
Today’s fixtures : Munster v Racing Metro 92, Saracens v Edinburgh, Leicester v Toulouse, Treviso v Ospreys – some big games but pick must be Leicester v Toulouse with the winner of that one going through to knockout stage and loser falling out, even a draw would be good enough for Toulouse
Harlequins, Ulster, Clermont Auvergne and Toulon are definetely through to next round as group winners, so its all to play for in pools 1 and 2 – Saracens would secure their place by winning if they don’t win or at least secure a bonus point for losing and for scoring tries and Munster beat Racing by bonus point then they would be out, some other permutations here too… it looks as if Montpellier should also go through as best 2nd placed team and probably Leinster too.
Would like to see a win for Edinburgh but not if it costs Saracens a place in next round, although in first leg match way back in October Saracens won 45- 0 at Murrayfield, doubt if they win the margin would be a big today
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