Ulster Through to the Quarters

Ulster became the first side through to the quarter finals of this season’s Heineken Cup by virtue of their hard fought 23-6 win over Glasgow Warriors at Ravenhill last night

Harlequins, Toulon and Clermont should follow suit tomorrow but after that, the permutations surrounding the other qualifiers are best left till tomorrow night when the picture will become a whole lot clearer – though following their win in Sale, Montpelier look set for one of the best runner-up spots.

Quins, Toulon and Clermont are nailed down sure things to qualify with the added bonus of a home quarter final while Ulster are now well placed to grab the fourth 'home' quarter with the four other knock-out places set to go right down to the final games on Sunday week.

Edinburgh in Pool One; Benetton Treviso in Pool Two; Biarritz, Connacht and Zebre in Pool Three; Glasgow Warriors and Castres in Pool Four; Exeter Chiefs and Scarlets in Pool 5 and Sale Sharks and Cardiff Blues in Pool 6 will take no further part in this season's competition after Round 6.

But in two of the six Pools, including Munster's Pool One, there are three sides still in with a shout of knock out qualification.

In terms of what would suit Munster best from the Racing Metro Saracens game in Nantes there are two scenarios. If Saracens win (or lose with a bonus) it in all likelyhood means that Munster will need two bonus point wins to have a chance of going through as one of the best runners up. But if Racing Metro win with or without a bonus, then Munster know going into their game on Sunday in Murrayfield, that a win of any description gives them a winner take all final pool game against Racing Metro in Thomond Park Stadium Sunday week.