Heineken Cup holders face tough test
Leinster will welcome Clermont to the RDS Arena in the last eight
Sunday, 24, Jan 2010 06:16
By Martyn Thomas.
Holders Leinster have been handed a tough draw as they bid to retain the Heineken Cup, hosting in-form French side Clermont Auvergne in the quarter-finals.
Should the Irish province beat Clermont in a tricky home match in the last-eight, the reigning champions will then have to travel to either Toulouse or Stade Francais in the semis.
However, Leinster captain Leo Cullen is taking it one game at a time: "First up for us is Clermont.
"If we can get past them then we will start looking at the challenge of facing either Toulouse or Stade Français Paris.
"The quality of the teams left in the Heineken Cup is just unbelievable and this season the French teams have really hit back with their teams winning four of the six pools."
The other semi will see the winners of Munster and Northampton face either Biarritz or the Ospreys.
Full Heineken Cup semi-final draw:
Toulouse or Stade Français Paris v Leinster or ASM Clermont Auvergne
Biarritz Olympique or Ospreys v Munster or Northampton Saints