Clermont Auvergne’s French international out-half, David Skrela, will miss Sunday’s Heineken Cupsemi-final against Leinster.

Brian McLaughlin was "exceptionally proud" of his Ulster side after they qualified for the Heineken Cup quarter-finals and came within minutes of ending Clermont Auvergne's long-standing unbeaten home record today.

TO borrow from the brewery giant’s oft-quoted advertising slogan, if the Heineken Cup refreshes places that others can’t reach, then the French could do with a couple of brews at the moment.