Filed under: Rugby Union, Heineken Cup
Almost three months have passed since the line-up for the Heineken Cup quarter-finals was decided. And in those three months, at international level at least, Ireland's stock has risen as France's has fallen. As for the English sides, Leicester are yet to be beaten away this year, while Northampton are just getting back to the form which led them to top their pool and head into the knockout stages as top seeds. Here's our guide to the weekend's games.Perpignan v Toulon
Barcelona Olympic Stadium, Saturday April 9. Kick-off: 1530 BST
The first of two all-French ties - and the only one featuring teams who have never won the competition - has Perpignan going into the game on a low, having been beaten by Toulouse last week. But Toulon, in their first Heineken Cup quarter final, are full of beans, having trounced Stade Francais in the same round of fixtures. In a bid to spread the rugby word round Europe, they are travelling to the heart of Catalunya - something which both sides are relishing.
Key man: Jonny Wilkinson (Toulon)
Key stat: Wilkinson is averaging 13.2 points per game in Europe this season.
Key quote: "It will be the first time in the history of our club that we have competed in the quarter-finals of the Heineken Cup and it will be a fantastic moment for us all. We qualified top of our group and this is the next step. Of course we are also fighting to win the French league as well." Toulon coach Phillipe St Andre.
Leinster v Leicester
Aviva Stadum, Saturday April 9. Kick-off:1800 BST
The finalists from two years ago meet at a sold-out Lansdowne Road, with both sides on good form. Leinster lost to Munster by one point last week which ended a three-game winning run, while Leicester have won six times on the road since losing to Perpignan just before Christmas.
Key man: Shane Horgan (Leinster)
Key stat: This will be Leinster's eighth Heineken Cup quarter final appearance.
Key quote: "We need to start well. We need to control the ball, look after it and not give it away. If you go back to that England [Six Nations] game [against Ireland], we didn't have the ball for 30 minutes and, when we did, we gave it straight back. That puts pressure on you." Leicester lock Louis Deacon.
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