Hung, drawn and quartered

The draw for the Heineken Cup quarter-finals has been finalised, with Munster, Biarritz, Toulouse and Leinster all to play at home.

The draw for the Heineken Cup quarter-finals has been finalised, with Munster, Biarritz, Toulouse and Leinster set to host ties on the weekend of April 9/10/11.

Here's what that distant weekend will bring:

Munster v Northampton Saints
Biarritz Olympique v Ospreys
Toulouse v Stade Français
Leinster v Clermont

And the draw for the semi-final has handed the French a massive fillip as eyes being to narrow on the final at Stade de France in Paris on May 22.

The winner of Toulouse v Stade Français will play the winner of Leinster v Clermont at home, and the winner of Biarritz v Ospreys will play host to the winner of Munster v Northampton Saints.

The final group games also finalised the draw for the Amlin Challenge Cup quarter-finals place, with ties scheduled for the same weekend:

Connacht v Bourgoin
Toulon v Scarlets
London Wasps v Gloucester
Newcastle Falcons v Cardiff Blues

The draw makes grim reading for followers of the Guinness Premiership. It confirms that England's clubs have suffered their worst ever season in the Heineken Cup with just one of seven entrants qualifying for the quarter-finals.

The days when the likes of Leicester and Wasps dominated Europe appear over and English clubs now trail in the wake of the French and Irish powerhouses.

What has gone wrong with English domestic rugby? Does this season reflect a long-term malaise, or is it just a blip? Share your thoughts below…