THE FUSE

English champions Bath will host Saracens in the last 16 of the Investec Champions Cup, while Harlequins' reward for a stunning away win over La Rochelle is a home tie against Sale Sharks.

Quins' victory kept Leicester Tigers in the competition - and they face the tough task of trying to topple champions and top seeds Bordeaux at Stade Chaban-Delmas.

Second seeds Glasgow Warriors will face South African side Bulls and third seeds Leinster welcome Edinburgh.

Northampton Saints host Castres, who defeated Munster in Limerick to qualify, while United Rugby Championship table-toppers Stormers will travel to Toulon.

Six-time winners Toulouse, who lead the Top 14 but lost two of their pool games, welcome Bristol Bears.

The last 16, which takes place from 3-5 April, is comprised of seven English teams, four from France, two from Scotland and South Africa and one from Ireland.

Bordeaux (1) v Leicester Tigers (16)

Glasgow Warriors (2) v Bulls (15)

Leinster (3) v Edinburgh (14)

Bath (4) v Saracens (13)

Northampton Saints (5) v Castres (12)

Harlequins (6) v Sale Sharks (11)

Toulon (7) v Stormers (10)

Toulouse (8) v Bristol Bears (9)

Matches to be played on weekend of 3/4/5 April

Seedings in brackets

Quarter-final 1 - Bordeaux (1) or Leicester Tigers (16) v Toulouse (8) or Bristol Bears (9)

Quarter-final 2 - Bath (4) or Saracens (13) v Northampton Saints (5) or Castres (12)

Winner of quarter-final one plays winner of quarter-final two in semi-final.

Quarter-final 3 - Glasgow Warriors (2) or Bulls (15) v Toulon (7) or Stormers (10)

Quarter-final 4 - Leinster (3) or Edinburgh (14) v Harlequins (6) or Sale Sharks (11)

Winner of quarter-final three plays winner of quarter-final four in semi-final.

The higher-ranked team takes home venue for each match

Played on weekend 10/11/12 April

Historically, earning home advantage for as far into the competition as possible gives the best chance of winning it.

Holders Bordeaux, who again top the seedings after four bonus-point wins, reached the final with three comfortable knockout wins last year.

They have continued their fine European form and once again look to be the side to beat.

Leinster have not lost a pool game since 2018 and despite not being at their imperious best, continued their unbeaten record at this stage.

However, as Glasgow Warriors picked up more bonus points, it leaves Leinster in an unfamiliar position of potentially travelling away from Dublin in the semi-finals.

Based on seedings that would be to Glasgow, which both sides may prefer rather than a French side.

Bath topped Pool 2 but because of a defeat by Toulon know they face an away trip to Bordeaux in the semi-finals if results match the knockout seedings.

Away knockout wins do happen, with Northampton winning in Dublin in last year's semi-final and Munster winning a last-16 tie in La Rochelle.

But as the next two rounds are played on back-to-back weekends in April, it means a high seeding is more than likely required to reach the semi-finals and beyond.

Six-time winners Toulouse lost twice but still managed to finish second in Pool 1 and will be one side who could rip up the seedings script, eyeing up a potential game with Bordeaux earlier than expected.

Stormers, who paid the price for sending a weakened side to Harlequins, have a tough first knockout game against Toulon.

The South African outfit have only lost once this season and will fancy the challenge of trying to secure an away win, before potentially heading to Glasgow.

Northampton Saints have a home last-16 tie against Castres and after reaching last year's final will not be afraid of travelling away deep in the competition.

Victory would result in an all-English quarter-final against Bath or Saracens, leaving a Prem team guaranteed a semi-final spot.

Harlequins' surprise win over La Rochelle has left Ronan O'Gara's side with a Challenge Cup last-16 tie away to Newcastle Red Bulls.

Exeter Chiefs host Munster, who also drop down from the Champions Cup.

QF1 - Montpellier (1) or Perpignan (16) v Connacht (8) or Sharks (9)

QF2 - Stade Francais (4) or Dragons (13) v Zebre (5) or Pau (12)

Winner of quarter-final one plays winner of quarter-final two.

QF3- Benetton (2) or Cardiff (15) v Exeter (7) or Munster (10)

QF4- Ulster (3) or Ospreys (14) v Newcastle Red Bulls (6) or La Rochelle (11)

Winner of quarter-final three plays winner of quarter-final four.

Note - higher-ranked team home venue