Stade Français Paris, holders Stade Toulousain, Union Bordeaux-Bègles, Montpellier Hérault Rugby and ASM Clermont Auvergne boosted the French contingent to seven clubs, and they were joined in the last 16 by Irish pair Connacht Rugby and Leinster Rugby, plus English duo Sale Sharks and Exeter Chiefs.

The qualification picture was not resolved until the completion of the last Round 4 fixture on Sunday, when Montpellier edged out Exeter 37-26 in Pool A to secure the point they needed to deny Glasgow Warriors a knockout spot. Exeter still progressed in sixth place and now face already-qualified Munster Rugby.

Montpellier’s reward is a last-16 tie with Harlequins, who completed their Pool B campaign with a fourth straight win – a last gasp 36-33 home victory on Friday over Castres Olympique that also denied the visitors a Heineken Champions Cup knockout spot.

Toulouse faced a nervy weekend before confirming a last-16 clash with Ulster Rugby, after having to forfeit their home game with Cardiff Rugby in Pool B due to a number of positive Covid-19 tests. But in the end, their tally of seven points was enough to progress after Wasps lost 45-7 at Munster on Sunday.

Stade Français claimed the final qualification spot in Pool B on points difference after a pulsating 37-31 home victory over Connacht on Sunday. The hosts, who needed a bonus-point win and a victory margin of at least six points to deny Cardiff, got the job done with a late penalty from Joris Segonds and will now face Racing 92.

Connacht were already sure of reaching the knockout phase for the first time – courtesy of Toulouse’s defeat – and will now face Leinster, who coasted home 64-7 at Bath in Pool A on Saturday.

Bordeaux-Bègles set up an all-French tie with already-qualified Stade Rochelais, despite having to concede a 28-0 defeat to Leicester Tigers due to Covid-19 issues. This result meant Tigers finished top of Pool B and face ASM Clermont Auvergne.

Clermont almost pulled off a late comeback in Pool A at Ulster, with the Irish side hanging on for a 34-31 victory, but still reached the last 16 after Glasgow lost 38-30 at home to Stade Rochelais on Saturday.

Sale powered into the knockout phase after a 49-10 home victory over Ospreys in Pool A on Sunday, setting up an all-English tie with Bristol Bears, who cruised home 52-21 at Scarlets on Saturday.

The two-legged last 16 ties will be played over the weekends of 8/9/10 and 15/16/17 April, with the higher-ranked team from the pool stages hosting the second leg.

The higher-ranked sides from the pool stages have home advantage in the single-legged quarter and semi-finals on 6/7/8 and 13/14/15 May respectively.

The final will be played at Stade Vélodrome, Marseille, on Saturday, 28 May.

The final nine clubs to contest the Heineken Champions Cup last 16 have been confirmed after a dramatic weekend of Round 4 action in the pool stage.