European Champions Cup top seeds Leinster will host reigning champions Saracens in the quarter-finals of this year’s competition.
Sarries’ dramatic win over Racing 92 saw them claim the final last-eight spot, and they will travel to Dublin for a repeat of last season’s final.
Premiership leaders Exeter host Northampton while Ulster will travel to the home of Top 14 champions Toulouse.
Clermont Auvergne will take on Racing 92 in the other quarter-final tie.
A day after their Premiership relegation was revealed, Saracens fought back with 14 men to ensure that their title defence will continue to the competition’s knock-out stage.
However, if they are to retain their crown they must do it the hard way, with a trip to undefeated Leinster in the spring.
The Irish province were have not tasted defeat since their 20-10 loss to Saracens in last May’s European final, and were rampant in Pool One this season as they won all six games with four bonus points.
Quarter-finals: 3-5 April
Leinster v Saracens
Clermont v Racing 92
Toulouse v Ulster
Exeter v Northampton
The exact dates and kick-off times will be announced towards the end of next week.
Semi-finals: 1-3 May
Leinster or Saracens v Clermont or Racing 92
Toulouse or Ulster v Exeter or Northampton
Final: 23 May in Marseille
Article courtesy of BBC Sport
Source link