Leinster face tough trip to Toulouse

English heavyweights Leicester and Bath – two former European champions – will clash in the Heineken Cup quarter-finals later this season.

Guinness Premiership strugglers Bath knew victory over Recreation Ground visitors Leinster today would secure the number one seeding and a home draw against Leeds.

But Leinster’s stunning 35-23 win relegated Bath to sixth seeds, and a Welford Road appointment with Tigers between March 31 and April 2.

It will be the Heineken Cup’s fourth all-English quarter-final, and first since Wasps beat Gloucester 34-3 two seasons ago.

Leinster’s triumph took them through as one of two best runners-up – they now visit Heineken Cup holders and tournament favourites Toulouse – while they also promoted fierce rivals Munster up to fourth seeds for a home clash against Pool Two winners Perpignan.

Brian O’Driscoll and company additionally eliminated Leeds, who were hanging on to a quarter-final spot after crushing Cardiff Blues, yet Bath could not do them a favour by toppling the Irish province.

Premiership leaders Sale Sharks, smashed by Munster yesterday, now travel for a daunting appointment with second seeds Biarritz, which is likely to be played in San Sebastien.