Leicester ‘a great challenge’, warns Schmidt

LEINSTER coach Joe Schmidt admitted “things could have worked out easier” after a late twist of fate pitted his side against Leicester Tigers in the Heineken Cup quarter-finals.

Wasps’ late 21-16 win over Toulouse yesterday meant it was Pool 2 winners Leinster who qualified as the second seeds. The pairing with Leicester is a repeat of the 2009 Heineken Cup final at Murrayfield — which Leinster won. The winners will face either Biarritz and Toulouse in the last four, with the added incentive for Leinster of a semi at the Aviva Stadium.

Schmidt said: “The draw was always going to be complicated. We are happy to be home for the first part. But it is a great challenge.”