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It has been a disappointing Heineken Cup campaign so far for all the Irish provinces.

Only Munster, who are challenging for a best runner-up spot in Pool 1, have a realistic chance of qualifying for the quarter-finals.

Two defeats for Leinster and Ulster have left their hopes of progress in the competition looking extremely remote. Ulster’s recent defeat by Saracens has meant they have failed to make the quarter-finals for the sixth time since winning the Heineken Cup in 1999.

Although French sides Perpignan and Stade Francais are currently the best placed sides to take the coveted two best runners-up places, Munster can still make it if they get bonus points and the other results go in their favour.

Assuming Toulouse, Sale, and Bath win their respective Pools, it appears to be a case of any five from Munster, Cardiff, Perpignan, Biarritz, Saracens, Leinster, Leicester and Stade Francais who will make the last eight of this year’s Heineken Cup.