HEC QF Opponents

By Andrew Collins
January 25 2009

As we go into Sunday, we’re still none the wiser as to who Cardiff will face in their home Quarter Final come April. The Blues will face the second best, second placed side come the end of today’s matches, and it could still be any number of teams.

The one big difference since writing yesterday is the exclusion of Leicester from the list of potentials; the English giants lost at the Liberty stadium, but secured a losing bonus point to ensure they finished as group leaders.

However, that was pretty much the worst result Blues fans could have got, as they know look likely to face Welsh rivals, the Ospreys. It would be the first meeting between any of Wales regions in a Heineken Cup match, but they are probably the side most fans will have least wanted.

Despite having home advantage, the Ospreys beat Cardiff at the Arms Park on New Years Eve, and so they potentially offer the most intimidating fixture. What that is likely to mean however, is that the match wouldn't be moved net door to the Millennium Stadium, and instead the famous Cardiff Arms Park would have one final Heineken Cup swing - and what a way to go!

But the Osprey's aren't guaranteed to go through just yet. They currently occupy 7^th spot, but with Leinster (16 pts), Wasps (16 pts) in Pool 2 action, and Bath (19 pts) facing Toulouse (18 pts) at the Rec, anything could happen yet.

Bonus points wins for Leinster and Wasps would knock the Ospreys out, while if both get wins, regardless of the bonus point, the Osprey's fate could come down to tries scored.

As for Bath and Toulouse, it now looks as though Toulouse's only route through would be to beat Bath in the west country, unless in the unlikely event they gain two bonus points or a draw, in which case it would depend on other results.

But if Toulouse did get the win, it would mean Bath would need just one bonus point to go on level points with the Ospreys, while two bonus points would eclipse them.

In other words - it's still very difficult to predict, but here's the list in current order for you to make up your own minds.

Ospreys (20 pts) - Played 6
Bath (19 pts) - Vs Toulouse (H)
Toulouse (18 pts) - Vs Bath (A)
Leinster (16 pts) - Vs Edinburgh (H)
Wasps (16 Pts) - Vs Castres (A)

Why not post your prediction ahead of today's matches on the message board below.