With various domestic seasons coming to a close, the Champions Cup take centre stage this weekend with a host of exciting quarter-final clashes.
Delayed since early April amid the Covid-19 pandemic, this weekend promises to produce some seismic encounters.
CAN LEINSTER BE STOPPED?
It’s hard to see a powerful Leinster side not lifting the Champions Cup this season.
Unbeaten in all competitions since their 2019 Champions Cup final loss to Saracens, the Dublin side come into this last eight fixture high on confidence and class.
Leo Cullen’s men have strung together a flawless 25 match record, comfortably beating Ulster 27-5 last weekend to deliver a third successive PRO 14 title.
Packed with international stars, led by Johnny Sexton, Garry Ringrose, James Ryan and Caelen Doris, the Dublin outfit are ruthless on both sides of the ball.
A victory for Leinster will see them host Clermont or Racing 92 in Dublin, another step closer to a record fifth European crown.
SARACENS HAVE NOTHING TO LOSE
Defending champions Saracens face a difficult task against a Leinster side at the peak of their powers in the marquee game of the weekend.
The North London side were relegated from the Premiership and fined £5.36 million following repeated salary cap breaches.
Demoted down to the Championship next season and not returning to Champions Cup until at least 2022, this could be their final European fixture for some time.
With the odds stacked against them, Mark McCall’s men have nothing to lose and should go out with the grit between their teeth in an attempt to end Leinster’s perfect season.
Without their most important player Owen Farrell, who is serving a five-game ban, it’s far from ideal. All eyes will fall on Alex Goode to orchestrate proceedings.
The three-time European champions need to be ruthless, organised and disciplined if they are to beat the favourites. In big games like this, there is always a chance.
EXETER’S YEAR?
After reaching the last four Premiership finals, Exeter are finally looking like they will translate their outstanding domestic form into potential European success.
This season’s league leaders have only recorded one previous last-eight appearance in Europe, and that was four years ago when they suffered a one-point defeat to Wasps.
This year, though, Rob Baxter’s side are brimming with belief, hosting a Northampton outfit on Sunday, who they beat 57-7 back in February.
Should they evade that hurdle, the Sandy Park outfit will take on Toulouse or Ulster in the semi-finals.
HOW ARE THE FRENCH SIDES FARING?
Traditionally, French teams have featured at the latter stages of European competitions, reaching 17 finals in the last 24 years.
This season is no exception either with Toulouse, Clermont and Racing 92 all in quarter-final action.
Four-time champions Toulouse are expected to beat Ulster on Sunday, while Clermont entertain Racing, meaning there should be at least one French semi-finalist.
Last season, Racing stormed through the group stages, only to lose to Toulouse (22-21) in the quarter-finals despite their opponents having a man sent-off after 23 mins.
It will be another tough battle for the Parisiens versus their compatriots, the most talented club never to have won the European Cup.
When the two teams met in the TOP 14 back in January, Racing edged the fixture at home (27-19). It will be a different proposition at Stade Marcel-Michelin on Saturday.
FIXTURES
Saturday
Leinster v Saracens (18:00 UAE time)
Clermont v Racing 92 (20:30)
Sunday
Toulouse v Ulster (15:30)
Exeter v Northampton (20:30)
