YOUR GUIDE TO THE LAST EIGHT
LEINSTER v BATH
STRENGTHS Fronted by captain Jamie Heaslip, Leinster are armed with international experience and had 11 players in the Ireland squad who beat England last month. Bath’s qualities are channelled through their attack, with Mike Ford giving the likes of England backs George Ford, Jonathan Joseph and Anthony Watson a licence to play with flair.
WEAKNESSES Poor league form has stunted Leinster’s season, with the Dublin side currently fifth in the Pro12 competition after winning just one of their last five fixtures. Bath are short of experience in some key positions, particularly their up and coming backline.
DANGERMEN Leinster: Sean O’Brien Bath: Jonathan Joseph RECORD Leinster: Champions 2008-09, 2010-11, 2011-12
Bath: Champions 1997-98
CLERMONT v NORTHAMPTON
STRENGTHS The Stade Marcel Michelin is a fortress, with Clermont not having lost a European game in the Massif Central since a 32-15 defeat by Sale in 2008. Saints’ Jim Mallinder has one of the most settled groups in the Aviva Premiership, boasting a strong core of squad players who maintain consistently high standards.
WEAKNESSES The Top 14 side were left with a worrying injury list after the Six Nations, with France backs Morgan Parra, Camille Lopez and Wesley Fofana among those missing. Saints try to play on the edge with enforcers such as Dylan Hartley and Calum Clarke, however discipline has previously tipped over the edge in big games.
DANGERMEN Clermont: Napolioni Nalaga
Northampton: Courtney Lawes
RECORD Clermont: Runners-up 2012-13
Northampton: Champions 1999-00, runners-up 2010-11
RACING METRO v SARACENS
STRENGTHS Racing are flush with money, investing heavily in overseas players such as Jonathan Sexton, Jamie Roberts and, as of next season, Dan Carter. As well as their famous ‘Wolf Pack’ defence, Saracens pride themselves on the set-piece and use the scrum and line-out as dangerous attacking weapons.
WEAKNESSES The nouveau riche Parisian outfit are inexperienced at knockout European rugby, having never progressed from the group stages before this season. Mark McCall’s suffered heartbreak against Toulon last season and must show more mental fortitude to better their defeat in last season’s final.
DANGERMEN Racing Metro: Jamie Roberts Saracens: Billy Vunipola
RECORD Racing: First time in knockout Saracens: Runner-up 2013-14
TOULON v WASPS
STRENGTHS Funded by tycoon Mourad Boudjellal, the Cote d’Azur club have invested heavily to create the world’s most star-studded squad. Since relocating to Coventry, Wasps have been driven on by the powerful back row of James Haskell, Ashley Johnson and Nathan Hughes, though Hughes is suspended for kneeing George North in the head.
WEAKNESSES Toulon are in danger of having too many players to choose from, depriving some squad members of the chance to build up consistency. Dai Young has the opposite problem at Wasps, who are not blessed with the same depth and could struggle to fill the void left by Hughes’ three-week ban.
DANGERMEN Toulon: Mathieu Bastareaud Wasps: Christian Wade
RECORD Toulon: Champions 2012-13, 2013-14 Wasps: Champions 2003-04, 2006-07