The last four. France. Sunshine, hard pitches and high stakes.

Jamie Heaslip’s disinterest in any rugby match in which he isn’t taking part is well-known, but the Leinster number eight couldn’t ignore last year’s Heineken Cup final between Toulon and Clermont Auvergne.

Michael Cheika had no doubt about the extent of the task facing his Leinster team this time two years ago when the Irish province prepared for their first, and so far only, Heineken Cup semi-final on French soil.

Leinster ceased playing catch-up on Munster in Europe when they won their second Heineken Cup last season but that doesn’t mean they can’t still learn a thing or two from their southern brethren.

Harlequins orchestrated the biggest upset so far in this season’s Heineken Cup with a 24-31 over Toulouse at Le Stadium yesterday but head coach Conor O’Shea isn’t prepared to dwell on the achievement.

TWO seasons ago, Leinster travelled to France as reigning Heineken Cup champions for a semi-final against Toulouse, a club that considers itself that bit more regal than every other one with pretensions of royal status in Europe.

A WEEKEND pregnant with promise and expectation for Irish rugby was terminated brutally and conclusively in north-eastern Spain yesterday.

Toulouse 26 Leinster 16

PREVIEW: Toulouse v Leinster

DIFFERENT year, same old story. This time 12 months ago, Leinster spent the week prior to their historic Heineken Cup semi-final against Munster at Croke Park hands pressed tightly to their ears against the choruses of doom and gloom.

FORMER Toulouse and France legend Jean-Claude Skrela will have different reasons for an attack of nerves before this afternoon’s Heineken Cup semi final against Leinster at Le Stadium.

Jonathan Sexton has failed to recover from a broken jaw allowing Shaun Berne to line out at out-half for Leinster against Toulouse in Saturday's Heineken Cup semi final at Le Stadium (kick off: 3.45pm Irish time).

IN the not-too-distant past, there was a time when a Heineken Cup fixture on French soil was approached with quivering trepidation.

LEINSTER lock Nathan Hines has warned that the province’s hopes of retaining their Heineken Cup title will evaporate if they repeat their awful start against Clermont Auvergne in Toulouse on Saturday.

LEINSTER coach Michael Cheika will wait until tomorrow before deciding whether Jonathan Sexton will start Saturday’s Heineken Cup semi-final against Toulouse in the south of France.

BYRON KELLEHER is 33, Malcolm O’Kelly 35, and, such is the talent available to their respective coaches ahead of Saturday’s Heineken Cup semi-final between Toulouse and Leinster, there is every chance neither will start.

JEAN de VILLIERS may be coming to the end of his Munster stint, but he won’t be replaced in the province’s back line by England’s Riki Flutey.

MUNSTER and Leinster have commenced their ticket sales for next month’s glamour Heineken Cup ties.

BYRON KELLEHER has warned three-time Heineken Cup champions Toulouse to raise their level of performance despite a crushing 42-16 quarter-final win over rivals Stade Francais at Le Stadium yesterday.

Kevin McLaughlin muted Leinster’s Heineken Cup quarter-final victory celebrations by insisting they must improve if they are to retain their crown.

WELSHMAN Nigel Owens renews his close relationship with Munster in the competition when he takes charge of the Heineken Cup quarter-final clash with Northampton Saints at Thomond Park on Saturday, April 10.

BYRON KELLEHER admits Toulouse are still smarting from their 2008 Heineken Cup defeat to Munster as they chase a fourth European title.

Toulouse 36 Sale 17

The fixtures, dates and kick-off times the first four Rounds of the 2008/09 Heineken Cup tournament were today announced by ERC with a record 10 matches being televised on each of the opening two weekends in October.

FABIEN PELOUS could become the first player to captain a team to a hat-trick of Heineken Cup final triumphs — but so far his most cherished memory of Europe’s premier club rugby tournament is when Toulouse had the trophy snatched from their grasp by London Wasps in the 2004 Twickenham thriller.

CARDIFF BLUES coach Dai Young believes Toulouse can go all the way to a fourth Heineken Cup title after his side were taken apart 41-17 at Le Stadium.

Alan Gaffney hopes his Saracens side can give the Ospreys food for thought in tomorrow’s Heineken Cup quarter-final showdown at Vicarage Road.

CARDIFF’S Millennium Stadium will play host to Munster in a Heineken Cup semi-final if Declan Kidney’s side defeat Gloucester and Ospreys overcome Saracens at the weekend.

Malcolm O’Kelly believes Leinster’s Heineken Cup title charge has proved their pack is no longer the weak link – and he is ready for his claim to be tested by Munster in their all-Irish semi-final.

Leinster coach Michael Cheika spoke of his pride after holders Toulouse were humbled 41-35 in a remarkable Heineken Cup quarter-final at Le Stadium.

Toulouse 37 Northampton 9

Toulouse 37 Northampton 9

PAUL GRAYSON has insisted Northampton intend doing far more than merely making up the numbers in their daunting Heineken Cup mission against French aristocrats Toulouse tonight.

BIARRITZ sharp-shooter Dimitri Yachvili is excited about renewing rivalries with Peter Stringer in San Sebastian on Sunday.

Toulouse 36 Edinburgh 10

Lansdowne Road has been chosen as one of three possible venues for this season’s Heineken Cup semi-finals.

Toulouse and Northampton Saints will play their Heineken Cup quarter-final on April 12 in the 36,500 capacity Stadium Municipal de Toulouse.