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Simon Zebo in action against Nothampton on Saturday. ©INPHO/Billy Stickland

Heineken Cup: Irish derby tops quarter-final billing

One thing’s for sure: all three Irish sides won’t be progressing to the semi-finals.

THE DRAW FOR the knockout stages of this year’s Heineken Cup tournament has been completed.

Ensuring that two Irish teams are capable of reaching the final, the defending champions Leinster and Munster have been consigned to opposite sides of the draw. As a result of their performance in the pool stage, from which the rivals graduated with the most impressive points totals of the eight qualifiers, the provinces entered the draw as first and second seeds.

The top bracket fixtures will see Premiership outfit Saracens host Clermont Auvergne, while Leinster will face Welsh side Cardiff Blues at the RDS.

The other bracket features the pick of the ties, however. Munster will welcome provincial upstarts Ulster to Thomond Park for what promises to be a physically intense encoutner, while Edinburgh will enjoy home advantage against Toulouse.

Fixtures:

Munster v Ulster

Edinburgh v Toulouse

Saracens v Clermont Auvergne

Leinster v Cardiff Blues

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    Mute Gerry Hannan
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    Jan 22nd 2012, 8:28 PM

    In short….Munster will win again. Yahoo!!!!

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    Mute Cpm
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    Jan 22nd 2012, 9:22 PM

    Again? What decade are you posting from?

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    Mute Niall Mulligan
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    Jan 22nd 2012, 9:45 PM

    Seriously loving this Cocky Munster approach. :)

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    Mute Sean Armstrong
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    Jan 22nd 2012, 10:59 PM

    SUFTUM! Whatever about the result from Ulster v Munster, the results from the pool stages show that Irish provincial rugby reigns supreme. Let’s hope that confidence transfers to the 6 Nations and some cracking knockout games

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    Mute Begrudgy
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    Jan 22nd 2012, 8:24 PM

    Great chance for munster with 2 home games on path to the final. Time to rock thomand park.

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    Mute Peter Connolly
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    Jan 22nd 2012, 9:09 PM

    Almost, the semi will most likely be played in the Aviva.

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    Mute Peter Connolly
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    Jan 22nd 2012, 9:11 PM

    Sorry, misread your comment. Thought you said two home games in thomand.

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    Mute Gearoid murphy
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    Jan 22nd 2012, 8:12 PM

    Heres hoping for the dream final,Munster v Leinster ,pity it won’t be in Cardiff …

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    Mute Yeera Yeahboy
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    Jan 22nd 2012, 8:08 PM

    Just to confirm: Munster/Ulster will get a home semi, while Leinster/Edinburgh will have to travel to Saracens/Clermont

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    Mute Charles Fitzgerald
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    Jan 22nd 2012, 8:30 PM

    Dont think so. Leinster tie will get home advantage.

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    Mute Conor Foley
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    Jan 22nd 2012, 8:45 PM

    Charles the semi draw has Leinster or Cardiff traveling after their quarter final

    http://www.ercrugby.com/eng/news/16093.php

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    Mute Steven Smyth
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    Jan 22nd 2012, 9:51 PM

    I have me tickets for the final already, let’s hope it Leinster v Munster or Ulster. Yippee!

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    Mute David Lawlor
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    Jan 22nd 2012, 10:41 PM

    I’d not be too cocky if I was a Munster man, ulster have beaten Clermont and Leicster and gave Clermont a hell of a game yesterday! They’ll have no fear of a munster team whose scrum collapsed twice under pressure yesterday and are vastly over dependent on POC and ROG…….if I were a munster man I’ll be praying both come through the 6 nations unscathed!

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    Mute Begrudgy
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    Jan 22nd 2012, 10:50 PM

    You keep worrying about leinster. Munster will be grand.

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    Mute damian
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    Jan 22nd 2012, 11:43 PM

    Leinster vs Cardiff will be in Lansdowne Road, not the RDS….

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    Mute David Lawlor
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    Jan 22nd 2012, 11:57 PM

    Leinster started yesterday without Sexton, Luke Fitz, Mike Ross, Eoin Reddan and of course BOD. I’m not at all worried!

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    Mute emmomac
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    Jan 22nd 2012, 11:43 PM

    great to see Edinburgh back in the mix

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    Mute Yeera Yeahboy
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    Jan 22nd 2012, 9:05 PM

    Heineken Cup semi-final matches (to be played 28 /29 April)

    Semi-final 1: Saracens or ASM Clermont Auvergne v Leinster Rugby or Cardiff Blues

    Semi-final 2: Munster Rugby or Ulster Rugby v Edinburgh Rugby or Toulouse

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    Mute Martin O Donnell
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    Jan 23rd 2012, 12:46 AM

    why is it leinster wont have a semi home fixture after all they were second in the seedings

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    Mute Seamus O Tighearnaigh
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    Jan 23rd 2012, 1:15 AM

    Cos they fart too much

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    Mute James Walsh
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    Jan 23rd 2012, 4:14 AM

    Open draw for semis. Winner Leinster v Cardiff travel away to Winner Saracens v Clermont.

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    Mute Gavin Yore
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    Jan 23rd 2012, 12:01 AM

    Where is the final being held?

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    Mute Diarmaid Twomey
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    Jan 23rd 2012, 1:31 AM

    Twickenham

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