Edinburgh Rugby 19 Montpellier 10

Edinburgh secured a Heineken Champions Cup quarter-final spot for the first time since 2012 after a thrilling home win over Montpellier.

The Scottish side dominated the early proceedings and took a nine-point lead in the opening half-hour via a trio of penalties from fly-half Jaco van der Walt, who was flawless from the kicking tee throughout the match.

But Montpellier responded on the stroke of half-time through Jacques Du Plessis, who grabbed a try to make it a two-point game at the interval after Ruan Pienaar added the extras.

Wing Darcy Graham scored the pivotal try on the hour and that was enough for Edinburgh to top Pool 5 and land a home quarter-final in the process.

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Leinster Rugby 21 Ulster Rugby 18

Leinster fly-half Ross Byrne scored 16 points as the four-time champions edged past fellow Irish province Ulster to advance into the Heineken Champions Cup semi-finals.

Ulster led 13-11 at the break after a fifth-minute try from Kieran Treadwell was backed up by eight points from John Cooney.

However, the defending champions hit back in the second period. A try from Adam Byrne – converted by namesake Ross – put Leinster five points clear.

Although Luke Marshall levelled things up with a 63rd minute score for the visitors, it was Leinster who had the final say with a nerveless penalty from Ross Byrne, who was struggling with cramp in the final 15 minutes, to send the hosts into the last four.

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Racing 92 21 Toulouse 22

Four-time European Cup winners Toulouse squeezed past Racing in a pulsating Heineken Champions Cup quarter-final in Paris, despite being a man light for 58 minutes.

Racing were 10-7 ahead when Zach Holmes was sent off for a high tackle, but Toulouse would not let the hosts press home that advantage.

Tries from Maxime Medard and Antoine Dupont put the visitors 19-10 up at the break and despite Racing closing to within a point in the latter stages, Toulouse held on in the final seven minutes to secure a spot in the semi-finals.

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Saracens 20 Leinster Rugby 10

Saracens became the first English club to win the Heineken Champions Cup on three occasions after a hard-fought victory over Leinster at St James’ Park in Newcastle.

Sarries made history in front of a capacity crowd thanks to tries from wing Sean Maitland and No.8 Billy Vunipola, plus 10 points from the boot of fly-half Owen Farrell, in what was a classic Heineken Champions Cup final between two European heavyweights.

Leinster had the early advantage and went 10-0 up after 33 minutes with a try from Tadhg Furlong converted by Johnny Sexton, who also slotted over a penalty.

The match turned on a 42nd minute try from Maitland, as it gave Saracens the platform to dominate the second period, and they eventually sealed the win with a Vunipola try 14 minutes from time.
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Connacht Rugby 27 Gloucester Rugby 24

Connacht kept their Heineken Champions Cup Pool 5 hopes alive after a dramatic home win over Gloucester, with Robin Copeland scoring a late try to snatch victory for the hosts.

The English club marched 24-13 ahead after tries from Gerbrandt Grobler, Mark Atkinson and Lewis Ludlow, but Connacht would not give in and after Shane Delahunt powered over the line on 77 minutes, it set up a stunning finish to the match.

Bundee Aki made a huge carry and a few phases later, a lovely offload released Copeland, who escaped his man for the try with the clock in the red, sending The Sportsground wild.

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As we enter the festive period, we take a look back at five of the classic Heineken Champions Cup matches over the last 12 months.