01-23-2010, 06:09 PM
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#9 (permalink)
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Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Pensacola, FL
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And thanks to those beautiful matches, we know the quarterfinalists although the order for some depends on the 4 games on Sunday.
Quote:
A thrilling weekend of Heineken Cup rugby has whittled down the contenders, with the quarter-finalists confirmed after Leinster and London Irish played out a nerve-shredding draw at Twickenham.
The result meant that reigning champions Leinster booked a home quarter-final, but also that the Exiles were eliminated from Europe for another year. Their failure meant joy for Jim Mallinder and Northampton, who snuck in as the second runner up following Friday's defeat to Munster at Thomond Park.
Munster progressed as Pool 1's winners following the game, joining last weekend's qualifiers, Toulouse and Biarritz, in the last eight. Both French sides play on Sunday, meaning that they can seriously affect the seedings on the final day of Pool play.
Leinster could be left with a draw against Clermont Auvergne should Biarritz pick up a bonus-point after Les Jaunards thrashed Viadana to progress as winners of Pool 3. Joining them in the last eight are the Ospreys, who won a thriller against Leicester 17-12 at the Liberty Stadium.
Completing the line-up are Stade Francais, who make the cut thanks to their losing bonus-point against Edinburgh at Murrayfield.
Heineken Cup quarter-finalists (as of 23/01/2010)
Munster - 24 points
Leinster -22
Clermont Auvergne -21
Toulouse - 19 (to play Sale on Sunday)
Biarritz - 18 (to play Glasgow on Sunday)
Stade Francais - 18
Ospreys -20 (runner up)
Northampton - 19 (runner up)
Currently dropping into the European Challenge Cup are the Scarlets following their victory over Brive and Ulster after a strong showing to defeat Bath. The third place is currently with Cardiff Blues, who face Harlequins on Sunday, in a shooutout with Toulouse's opponents Sale for the final spot. Gloucester could also influence the final standings with a bonus-point victory over the Dragons on Sunday.
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Heineken Cup quarter-finalists confirmed | Rugby Union | Heineken Cup | Rugby News | Scrum.com |
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