French clubs fancied in Euro draw

French clubs got the best of the draw for the European Champions Cup quarterfinals - with two-time defending champions Toulon having the home advantage along with Clermont and Racing Metro.

The French trio advanced with four English clubs - Bath, Northampton, Wasps and Saracens - making it to the last eight for the first time since 1998.

Three-time champions Leinster squeezed through as Pool Two winners, meaning Ireland avoided being without a team in the knock-out stages for the first time in 17 years.

Racing will host last season's runners-up Saracens, and Wasps, runners-up in Pool Two, will head to Toulon, who were emphatic winners of Pool Three.

The winner of the Toulon versus Wasps tie will have the home advantage against the winner between Leinster and Bath.

Clermont or Northampton will have the home advantage in the final four against the winner of the Racing Metro versus Saracens clash.

The quarterfinals take place from April 3 to 5, with the semifinals between April 17 to 19, and the Final scheduled for Twickenham on May 2.

Quarterfinal draw (ranking in brackets):

Racing Metro 92 (1) v (8) Saracens

RC Toulon (2) v (7) Wasps

ASM Clermont Auvergne (3) v (6) Northampton saints

Leinster Rugby (4) v (5) Bath Rugby

The draw for the semifinals:

RC Toulon/Wasps v Leinster/Bath

ASM Clermont Auvergne/Northampton Saints v Racing Metro 92/Saracens

Semifinal venues will be home country.