Commenting on the Clermont Auvergne match, Leinster hooker Bernard Jackman said: "Clermont are a very strong side and are currently top of the French Championship.

"Their backs coach Joe Schmidt is also going to be our new head coach next season, which makes it an even more interesting match-up."

Jackman's front row colleague CJ van der Linde added: "Clermont are tough opponents, without a doubt. You can say that they might even be one of the best teams in Europe because they have shown their consistency over many years in the French Championship, and they are well-coached with some quality match winners.

"I know Marius Joubert and Brent Russell well, and I'm sure there'll be a bit of sms-ing as the game nears!

"Overall we are pleased to be in the quarter-finals because we left ourselves with a lot to do after losing the opening round.

"But we showed a lot of character and it was good for us to get the right result for the supporters who were magnificent again for the London Irish game at Twickenham.

"As a group we know that the hard work starts now, both in Europe and in the Magners League, so we are determined to push on and finish this second half of the season strongly."