Investec Champions Cup: Bath vs. Saracens and Leicester away to Bordeaux – Round of 16 matches

Historically, having home advantage as far away from the competition as possible gives the best chance of winning it.

Defending champion Bordeaux, who leads the rankings again after winning four additional points, reached the final with three comfortable knockout victories last year.

They have continued their impressive European form and are once again looking to be the team to beat.

Leinster have not lost a pool match since 2018, and although they have not been at their best, they have continued their unbeaten run at this point.

However, with Glasgow Warriors picking up further bonus points, it leaves Leinster in the unfamiliar position of potentially traveling away to Dublin in the semi-finals.

Depending on what classification Glasgow will have, which side might be preferred instead of the French side.

Bath topped Group 2 but due to the defeat to Toulon, they knew they would face an away trip to Bordeaux in the semi-finals if the results matched the knockout seedings.

Knockout victories away from home do happen, with Northampton’s win in Dublin in last year’s semi-final and Munster’s last-16 win in La Rochelle being examples.

But since the next two rounds will be played on consecutive weekends in April, it means a high seeding will likely be required to reach the semi-finals and beyond.

Antoine Dupont’s Toulouse lost to Glasgow and Saracens but managed to finish second in Group A and will be one of the teams that could tear up the classification script, as they eye a potential clash with Bordeaux earlier than expected.

The Stormers, who paid the price of sending a weak side to Harlequins, face a tough knockout tie against Toulon.

The South African side have lost just once this season and will face the challenge of trying to secure victory away from home, before they head to Glasgow.

Northampton Saints have a last-16 tie at home to Castres, and after reaching last year’s final they will not be afraid to travel far in the competition.

A win would lead to an all-English quarter-final against Bath or Saracens, guaranteeing the Prem a place in the semi-finals.