Donal Lenihan: A pivotal week where Leinster coach Jacques Nienaber earns his corn

It's a stacked last eight in the Champions Cup - but once again Munster fell short this season. Give their luck with injuries and ill-health, one wonders is there much point in Muster head coach Graham Rowntree buying a lottery ticket any time soon?

BRAINS TRUST: Leinster head coach, Leo Cullen and senior coach Jacques Nienaber this week. Pic: INPHO/Tom Maher

Back-to-back European champions La Rochelle, high-flying Top 14 contenders Bordeaux-Bègles, plus the only club with five Champions Cup stars on their jersey, Toulouse. And that's just the French contingent left standing in the Champions Cup quarter-finals.

Once again, Leinster are Ireland’s solitary survivor while Gallagher Premiership leaders Northampton will also fancy their chances of beating the Blue Bulls in Franklins Gardens to bag a semi final slot.