Northampton left to fly flag for England

Northampton will return to Limerick later this season charged with preserving English rugby's self-respect in the Heineken Cup.

Saints, European champions 10 years ago after they beat Munster at Twickenham, face a Thomond Park rematch against the Irish giants in mid-April.

Confirmation of the quarter-final tie comes just two days after Munster beat Northampton in a gripping Pool One clash which ensured their status as top seeds.

The other last-eight clashes see solitary remaining Welsh challengers the Ospreys meeting Biarritz, holders Leinster hosting Clermont Auvergne and three-time Heineken Cup winners Toulouse entertaining big-spending French rivals Stade Francais.

Toulouse or Stade can then look forward to a semi-final against Leinster or Clermont in early May, with the Biarritz/Ospreys winners facing Munster or Saints.

The chances of a French finalist in Paris on May 22 have increased greatly, with a four-pronged quarter-final representation their strongest since 1999.

England though are facing the prospect of not providing a semi-finalist for the first time in seven years in what appears to be a reflection on the often poor standard of this season's Guinness Premiership.

Only Northampton, the eighth seeds as second-best runner-up, and Gloucester finished second in their groups.

Three more - London Irish, Sale Sharks and Leicester - took third placings, while Bath and Harlequins finished last in their respective pools with only one win between them from 12 starts.

Quarter-final draw: Munster v Northampton, Biarritz v Ospreys, Toulouse v Stade Francais, Leinster v Clermont Auvergne.

Ties to be played April 9-11.