Quarterfinal picture becomes clearer
Munster, Leinster and ASM Clermont Auvergne have been confirmed along with Toulouse as qualifiers for the quarterfinals of this season’s Heineken Cup after another dramatic day in Europe’s leading club rugby tournament.
With the knock-out stages to come in April, Munster made a statement with a storming second half at stadium:mk during which they added 32 points for an astonishing 51-29 victory over Northampton Saints in Pool One. The two-time Heineken Cup champions secured a bonus point thanks in the main to a hat-trick of tries by rising star, Simon Zebo, to top the pool on 25 points.
Clermont booked their place in the last eight with a hard-fought 19-15 success over Ulster at a packed Stade Marcel Michelin. The two clubs finished on 20 points in Pool Four, and were also level on five match points each from their head-to-head games. In the end, Clermont topped the pool by virtue of scoring two tries to Ulster’s one in those head-to-head contests.
Meanwhile, Leinster wrapped up Pool Three with a convincing 25-3 win against Montpellier at the RDS. Last season’s champions had to make do without their playmaker, Jonny Sexton, who was forced out with an injury before kick-off.
The remaining quarterfinal qualifiers, as well as the line-up for the last eight, will be revealed when Round Six concludes with the last series of matches in Pool Two and in Pool Five.
The draws for the semifinal pairings of the Heineken Cup and the Amlin Challenge Cup will take place at Cardiff City Stadium on Sunday.
