Harlequins and England scrum-half Danny Care is relishing the prospect of a “massive” Heineken Cup quarter-final clash against twice European champions Munster.
While Quins will host Munster in early April, Saracens entertain Ulster and Leicester go to Toulon, with the remaining quarter-final an all-French affair between Clermont Auvergne and Montpellier.
Care tweeted: “So excited about the quarter final draw...Munster at the mighty Stoop gonna be massive!!”
Munster, Heineken Cup winners in 2006 and 2008, knew they had to record a bonus point success against Racing to progress as eighth seeds at holders Leinster’s expense, and they duly delivered with a 29-6 win.
“If we hadn’t (reached the quarter-finals) the people would be in the long grass, there would have been a lot of bullets being fired,” Munster head coach Rob Penney said.
“If we hadn’t got the outcome, I would have still been proud of the progress we are making and the areas of growth we are getting.”
Leicester progressed as sixth seeds after knocking out four-time European champions Toulouse, which means a trip to Jonny Wilkinson’s Toulon.
“You would prefer to be at home, but we have got to get past Toulon. They are an immense side, a fantastic team,” Leicester rugby director Richard Cockerill said.
“It is going to be a huge event for us and another huge day in Tigers’ history.”
While Leicester toppled Toulouse 9-5 in the Welford Road snow, Saracens skated across a wintry surface on their final appearance at Vicarage Road to post a 40-7 bonus point victory over Edinburgh.
Clermont, unbeaten at home for more than 50 games, will be firm favourites to eliminate quarter-final debutants Montpellier.