We have our last 16 in both the Champions Cup and Challenge Cup with all 4 Irish sides involved in the last 16 of both competitions. Leinster will play Harlequins in most likely Croke Park in the last 16 as the Aviva Stadium won’t be available that weekend.
Leinster took second seeding with Bordeaux Begles taking top billing. Leinster were unbeaten in there 4 group games and finished their pool with a big win over Bath.
Munster will have a reunion with Ronan O Gara as they take on La Rochelle in France. There will be plenty written and spoken of in the build up to the game so thankfully there is the small matter of the 6 Nations in between now and the first weekend of April when the last 16 ties will take place.
Ulster will face top seeds Bordeaux Begles in an extremely tough pairing for Richie Murphy’s men, they managed to sneak into the last 16 and with that they were rewarded with the so called toughest test of the last 16 ties.
Connacht took top billing in the last 16 of the Challenge Cup and will be on home turf for a game against familiar opposition with Cardiff Rugby coming to Galway in the last 16. If Connacht get through they will face either Racing 92 or Perpignan. It is great to see all 4 Irish sides involved in the latter phase of the Champions and Challenge Cup.
Yes, there are issues with the qualification for the last 16, take Ulster as a prime case, win one game and get through. It should not be the case in any sport that you win one game from 4 in this instance and get through but that is the way the competition is currently set up and all teams can do is play within those constraints and see how they go.
Irish rugby chiefs will pat themselves on the back as they see there 4 professional sides into the latter part of the flagship european competitions. It will be interesting to see will all four make it beyond the last 16, the smart money would suggest that 2 from 4 on current form stand a better chance than the other two.
Both Leinster and Connacht will fancy their chances on home turf in April with Munster going to France and Ulster making a similar journey when they face Bordeaux Begles.
Munster and Ulster will relish the chance to take on two French heavyweights away from home with most people giving them little or no chance of victory and the evidence of the past few seasons since the last 16 was introduced would back up that assertion that the home side is strongly favoured to win the day and progress.
Leinster will have home comforts all the way from last 16 until the semi-final stages if they can get passed Harlequins as will Connacht who will feel they will be able for one of Racing 92 or Perpignan if they get beyond the challenge of Cardiff Rugby in the last 16.
We have 1 round of the URC to go before all eyes will turn to the 6 Nations action with Ireland opening up on home soil against England in two weeks time.