Favourable Semi-Final Draws For Provinces

The carrot of home advantage in the semi-finals of the Heineken Cup and Amlin Challenge has been offered to Leinster, Munster and Ulster, following the completion of the draws on Sunday.

The draws for the Heineken Cup and Amlin Challenge Cup semi-finals were made in High Wycombe on Sunday evening, after the conclusion of the pool stages.

Details of the quarter-final match-ups can be found here.

ERC Chairman Jean-Pierre Lux and Welsh rugby legend Ieuan Evans performed the semi-final draws, which were broadcast live on Sky Sports and www.ercrugby.com.

The winners of the Leinster v Leicester Tigers Heineken Cup quarter-final will have 'home country' advantage at the semi-final stage, with Biarritz Olympique or Toulouse their opponents.

The second semi-final will be staged in either Ireland or England as Northampton Saints or Ulster will have 'home country' advantage. Perpignan or first-time quarter-finalists Toulon will provide the opposition.

Meanwhile, in the Amlin Challenge Cup semi-finals, Munster will host either Harlequins or London Wasps if they came overcome Brive in the last-eight.

The other semi-final will be a French derby with Stade Francais or Montpellier entertaining the winners of the La Rochelle v Clermont Auvergne tie.

The semi-final matches in both competitions will be played over April 30 and May 1.

2010/11 HEINEKEN CUP SEMI-FINALS:

LEINSTER or Leicester Tigers v Biarritz Olympique or Toulouse
Northampton Saints or ULSTER v Perpignan or Toulon

2010/11 AMLIN CHALLENGE CUP SEMI-FINALS:

Stade Francais or Montpellier v La Rochelle or Clermont Auvergne
Brive or MUNSTER v Harlequins or Wasps

- Ties to be played over the weekend of April 30/May 1

Prop Mike Ross reflected on Leinster's Amlin Challenge Cup final success at the RDS, saying: "There's less hype about it but it's a good competition to win. Many teams have won this and kicked on the next year. Hopefully with the few lads, like Jack McGrath who made his first appearance in a major final, the experience will stand them in good stead for next year."

Speaking in the aftermath of Leinster's Amlin Challenge Cup final win over Stade Francais, flanker Shane Jennings said: "There was obviously disappointment losing the three league finals. It's a huge focus for us (next week's PRO12 final). We know Ulster are a very good side, they are favourites and they're fresh and we're in for a huge game."

Speaking about Connacht's 'Grassroots to Green Shirts' initiative, the province's CEO Tom Sears said: "We like to think we're innovative in our approach, that we're looking at things slightly differently. We've shown that the production line is working with the young players coming through. The system is working, we just need a bit more investment to make sure we can get more players through."

Connacht's head of commercial and marketing Alex Saul talks about some exciting developments off the pitch for the province, including their 'Grassroots to Green Shirts' crowd-funding initiative which gives fans the chance to play their part in growing and developing the future stars of Connacht and Irish rugby.

Speaking to Rob Murphy after Connacht's 17-0 defeat at Biarritz, head coach Eric Elwood said: "We ideally wanted to come here and build on last week's performance and play rugby. But when you have conditions like that, they become a great leveller and we had to go toe-to-toe with a heavyweight in their big pack. The effort and courage of the guys was magnificent though."

Speaking after Connacht's memorable 22-14 defeat of Biarritz Olympique, head coach Eric Elwood said: "We've shown a lot of faith in the young guys - if you play well, you'll stay in the team. Mick Kearney, Jason Harris-Wright, Dave McSharry and Robbie Henshaw...they were magnificent. They looked comfortable in that environment. That's what we're about, bringing those young, indigenous players through."