Expect thrills, spills and classic contests

BIG games, big clashes and a big prize at the end of it all — the Amlin Challenge Cup quarter-finals look set to provide some classic contests right out of the top drawer of European action.

Everywhere you look there is something to catch the eye or to make the mouth water.

For starters, tonight’s London derby between Harlequins and Wasps which could provide one team with a Heineken Cup lifeline. There’s also the clash of two former Heineken Cup giants in Brive and Munster, and a return to Paris for former Stade Francais coach, Fabien Galthie, with his high-flying Montpellier side. The eight teams may have had contrasting fortunes coming into the quarter-finals, but they will all have integrated their international players back into their sides and will be ready for some massive cup ties.