Swimming with the sharks

THE complex nature of Heineken Cup quarter-final qualification ensured that rugby fans across Europe were mathematically challenged for the weekend.

The completion of the pool stage has resulted in three of the best from both England and France joining Leinster and Munster in the knockout stages.

Given that neither Scotland, Wales nor Italy has any representation, this is a creditable achievement for the two Irish provinces. However, when the final pool standings revealed themselves, Munster and Leinster were handed very difficult assignments.