Historically, earning home advantage for as far into the competition as possible gives the best chance of winning it.<\/p>\n
Holders Bordeaux, who again top the seedings after four bonus-point wins, reached the final with three comfortable knockout wins last year.<\/p>\n
They have continued their fine European form and once again look to be the side to beat.<\/p>\n
Leinster have not lost a pool game since 2018 and despite not being at their imperious best, continued their unbeaten record at this stage.<\/p>\n
However, as Glasgow Warriors picked up more bonus points, it leaves Leinster in an unfamiliar position of potentially travelling away from Dublin in the semi-finals.<\/p>\n
Based on seedings that would be to Glasgow, which both sides may prefer rather than a French side.<\/p>\n
Bath topped Pool 2 but because of a defeat by Toulon<\/a> know they face an away trip to Bordeaux in the semi-finals if results match the knockout seedings.<\/p>\n Away knockout wins do happen, with Northampton winning in Dublin in last year’s semi-final and Munster winning a last-16 tie in La Rochelle examples of just that.<\/p>\n But as the next two rounds are played on back-to-back weekends in April, it means a high seeding is more than likely required to reach the semi-finals and beyond.<\/p>\n Six-time winners Toulouse lost twice but still managed to finish second in Pool 1 and will be one side who could rip up the seedings script, eyeing up a potential game with Bordeaux earlier than expected.<\/p>\n Stormers, who paid the price for sending a weakened side to Harlequins,<\/a> have a tough first knockout game against Toulon.<\/p>\n The South African outfit have only lost once this season and will fancy the challenge of trying to secure an away win, before potentially heading to Glasgow.<\/p>\n