Leinster & Munster could meet in final
Sunday, 24 January 2010 19:15Leinster and Munster could meet in the final of this year's Heineken Cup after the sides were kept apart in Sunday's semi-final draw.
However, both sides will have to do it the hard way as they will have to travel to play away from home if they get through their respective quarter-final clashes.
Should Leinster beat Clermont Auvergne, they will travel to play the winners of Toulouse and Stade Francais, while Munster must, once again, overcome Northampton at Thomond Park to face either Biarritz or Ospreys in the semis.
Leinster's Dublin appointment with Clermont, meanwhile, should prove the tie of the quarter-finals.
'First up for us is Clermont,' said Leinster captain Leo Cullen. '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 teams 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.'
Meanwhile, Connacht received a favourable draw in the quarter-finals of the Amlin Challenge Cup after they were handed a home tie against French side Bourgoin.
HEINEKEN CUP SEMI-FINALS
Toulouse or Stade Francais v Leinster or Clermont Auvergne
Biarritz or Ospreys v Munster or Northampton.
Quarter-finals to be played on April 9-11
Semi-final ties to be played on May 1/2.
AMLIN CHALLENGE CUP QUARTER-FINALS
Connacht v Bourgoin
Toulon v Scarlets
Wasps v Gloucester
Newcastle v Cardiff Blues
Ties to be played April 9-11.
