THE RACE TO qualify for the knock-out stages of the Champions Cup will come to a head next weekend when the group campaign comes to an end.

With three Round 5 fixtures tomorrow, there is still a lot of rugby still to be played before we can pencil in the eight quarter-finalists but the picture is beginning to look somewhat clearer.

After Saturday’s games*, these are the teams currently occupying the qualification berths with the top four earning home quarter-finals.

*Leicester Tigers scored four tries in beating Treviso and thus move to 23 points.

So Saracens, who powered past Ulster earlier, are the only side to have booked their place in the next round with Racing Metro and Wasps both playing on Sunday.

Les Kiss’ Ulster are currently in the top eight by the skin of their teeth but know they’ll need five points against Oyonnax next weekend to have any chance of securing one of the three best runner-up spots.

Here are the sides the northern province will be battling with. Toulon are the big threat with the defending champions hosting Wasps tomorrow and then Bath next week.

So there we have it. All things considered, we’re in for an exciting weekend of European rugby as the pool stages come to a close.

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