There was late drama as Gloucester Rugby, Ulster Rugby, DHL Stormers, Harlequins, Vodacom Bulls, Munster Rugby, Montpellier Hérault Rugby and Ospreys all sealed their places in the Round of 16.

George McGuigan’s try brace helped Gloucester triumph 26-17 at Union Bordeaux-Bègles to clinch a Pool A qualification place at the last gasp, setting up a trip to Stade Rochelais, who cruised to a 31-13 Pool B win at Northampton Saints to make it four wins from four.

Ulster sneaked through from Pool B thanks to their 22-11 home win over Sale Sharks, earning them an away day at Leinster Rugby, who also marched to four wins from four to top Pool A via a 36-10 home drubbing of Racing 92.

Montpellier advanced following a sensational comeback against London Irish at GGL Stadium, recovering from 21 points down to draw 21-21, take seventh in Pool B and book a trip to Exeter Chiefs, who claimed second in Pool A after thrashing Castres Olympique 40-3 at Sandy Park.

Ospreys snatched a last-gasp 27-26 win at Leicester Tigers thanks to Jac Morgan’s 88th-minute try, converted by Owen Williams, though the Welsh region finished fifth in Pool B, behind Leicester on points difference.

Four second-half scores helped Pool B’s DHL Stormers defeat ASM Clermont Auvergne 30-16 in Cape Town and secure a home tie with Harlequins, who overcame Cell C Sharks 39-29 at Twickenham Stoop.

Vodacom Bulls, the other South African outfit debuting in the competition, were left with a trip to five-time champions Stade Toulousain after a disappointing 31-7 loss at Lyon saw them finish seventh in Pool A.

Munster went down 20-16 in Toulouse in Pool B, which meant a 100% win record for the French club and a journey to Cell C Sharks for the Irish province in the Round of 16.

Round 4 defeats for Clermont, Sale, Lyon and Racing saw them eliminated from the Heineken Champions Cup, although they did qualify for the EPCR Challenge Cup Round of 16.

Winless Bordeaux, Castres, London Irish and Northampton dropped out of EPCR competitions altogether after finishing in the bottom two in the two pools.

We continue our review of the Heineken Champions Cup by looking back at Round 4 in January, when the pool stage concluded in enthralling fashion.