THE pairings have been made; Northampton return to Thomond Park, while Leinster surely deserve better for their No 1 seeding than an awkward looking game with Clermont Auvergne. Toulouse won't be displeased with facing Stade, while Biarritz will fancy eliminating the Ospreys. Here's the latest views from the respective camps.


GUY NOVES, Toulouse head coach
“There are eight teams of a very high calibre left in the competition. We will face Stade Français - who are definitely part of that category - and who have been impressive. Obviously we know them well and the quarter-final promises to look like one of the many games we've played against one another.
“Most of all it is a pleasure to have a home quarter-final to make our supporters happy. As for the semi-final draw it is very hard to look too far ahead but the task looks tough because if we win the quarter we will then face the defending European champions or the current Top 14 leaders.
“But it doesn't get better than this and if we want to be European champions again we will have to beat big teams - though first we need to focus on the quarters because beating Paris won't be a picnic!"

LEO CULLEN, Leinster captain
“First up for us is Clermont and 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 clubs winning four of the six Pools.
“It has brought a French feel to the tournament and you have to say they are looking pretty formidable, particularly with the prospect for them of playing in the final in Paris in May."

AURELIEN ROUGERIE, Clermont Auvergne captain
“We wanted a home quarter-final for our supporters but our result wasn't enough. So while we are disappointed we are also very happy to have qualified - though going to Leinster in the quarters will be very tough. They have so many talented and experienced players, it will be hard to win in Dublin.
“The winner of our quarter-final will face a French team, be it Toulouse or Stade Français, and the good news is that France is well represented in the Heineken Cup this season.
“The biggest clubs are still there and, while there was a tendency to say that the French were not well represented and that the English clubs had a bit of a monopoly in the Heineken Cup, now you can tell things have changed. We are also pleased to see the Ospreys through. We faced them in the Pool and they are a great team, very complete with aggressive forwards and efficient fast three quarters. 
“And we have done better than in previous seasons by qualifying for the quarter-finals. We came one point short of getting a home fixture but we achieved the goal we set ourselves at the start of the season which was to get out of this tough Pool and we managed to come out first. This European campaign has really done us a lot of good.”

SEAN HOLLEY, Ospreys head coach
“We are obviously extremely pleased to be in the knock-out stages and the semi-final draw has provided an added incentive for us in that we would have home advantage if we get through the quarter-finals.
“We know how difficult it is to win away from home in the quarters but if we can manage that it would be fantastic to have that all important home advantage in the semis.
“It is great to be in the last eight - be considered one of the best eight teams in Europe - and get out of an extremely competitive group and be in the knock-out stages for the third season in a row.”

TONY McGAHAN, Munster head coach
“Obviously we have a massive hurdle to cross in the quarter-final before we can think in terms of the semis. We knew the sort of quality we faced when Northampton visited and, if anything, our respect for them has grown after the way they took us on last Friday.
“In terms of the semis - should we progress - we face a huge task, be it in France or Wales. But Munster have proved over the years they are well able to play away from home in big games. There is a lot of rugby to be played before then both international and League and hopefully we can pick up where we left off.”

LAURENT RODRIGUEZ, Biarritz director of Rugby
“We are thrilled to qualify and, after such a poor start in the first half against Glasgow, to finish off with a bonus point victory was very satisfying because that's what we needed to get a home quarter-final. I am glad that if we progress we will not face another French club in the semis because we play them often enough. It is nice to change opponents and we are pleased to face the Ospreys at home in the Basque country, on our lucky ground of Anoeta.
“The quarter-finals will be like entering a new competition, it will be on the same level as the biggest international Test matches and all the teams will have their chance - anyone could win.
“It is hard to forecast anything for a distant event but we will be wary of any opponent because our experience has taught us that and the teams will show a different profile in three months.
“As for our potential semi-final adversaries, Munster or Northampton, they play rugby in a very committed and physical style. They both show impressive warrior values and Northampton are as capable as Munster. There is always a period of adjustment at the start of a game, it's about waiting for the storm to pass, and what will make the difference is how well the teams prepared.”

JIM MALLINDER, Northampton director of rugby
“The Heineken Cup is the toughest competition in club rugby and when you get to the knock-out stages every game is a difficult one.
“Either Biarritz or the Ospreys would be very difficult opponents for us in what would be a tremendous occasion. It is a great incentive, but there is no point in looking past Munster for the time being, especially because we have first hand experience of playing at Thomond Park and how tough it can be.
“It is an indication of how far we have come in the past two years that we were disappointed we didn't win at a stadium where Munster have lost just once in European competition. The quarter-final seeding means that we will have the chance to have another go at Munster, which will be another massive game.”