The first to do so was Leicester Tigers, who secured their spot with an impressive 44-29 win at ASM Clermont Auvergne in the opening Round 3 fixture, throwing down their marker for the tournament.

Eventual finalists Leinster Rugby also booked their spot in the knockouts with a 49-14 dismantling of Gloucester Rugby away from home at the Kingsholm Stadium, the Irish province notching seven tries in a big win.

French side Stade Toulousain, who would go on to make the semi-finals in an impressive run, secured a second victory over Sale Sharks to follow up their Round 2 result. They defeated the Gallagher English Premiership side 27-5 at the AJ Bell Stadium to book their Round of 16 spot.

Cell C Sharks became the first South African side to progress into the Heineken Champions Cup knockout stages, beating Union Bordeaux-Begles 32-3.

Munster Rugby did not qualify with their 27-23 win over Northampton Saints but took a big step to the knockout stages with their narrow win over the English side.

But an even tighter game saw eventual champions, Stade Rochelais, secure their Round of 16 spot courtesy of an 81st minute Joel Sclavi try which broke Ulster hearts, handing the French side a 7-3 win at the Stade Marcel Deflandre.

The Vodacom Bulls took a big step to qualification with a vital 39-28 win over Exeter Chiefs in Pretoria, the English side qualifying anyway courtesy of results elsewhere and a losing bonus point.

Ospreys also neared the knockouts with an impressive 35-29 win over Montpellier Herault Rugby.

Saracens would confirm their spot in the next stage with a 48-28 mauling of 2021-22 EPCR Challenge Cup winners Lyon.

Edinburgh Rugby were the last team to secure their spot in the Round of 16 in Round 3, picking up a huge 34-21 win over Castres Olympique in front of a French crowd.

DHL Stormers then defeated London Irish 28-14 at the Gtech Community stadium, while Harlequins narrowly lost 30-29 to Racing 92 in a thrilling game in France which saw the English side come within minutes of a historic comeback after being 18 points down at one point- only to be denied the win by a last-gasp Nolann Le Garrec penalty.

We continue our look back at the 2022/23 Heineken Champions Cup with a review of Round 3, when a number of teams secured big results to book their place in the Round of 16.