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TEAM OF THE WEEK - BIARRITZ
They weren't as clinical as they were at Welford Road, but Biarritz showed all their strength against Wasps and always had the game in their hands. They are now rightly one of the favourites to go all the way, with a home draw against Munster who are not playing at all well. In both the forwards and the backs, their overall strength was impressive. They have no weakness. We know about the power of their scrum and the quality of their lineout, and once again the back row of Imanol Harinordoquy, Serge Betsen and Thomas Lievremont was outstanding, nicking vital ball off Wasps. And in the backs, you have the half back combination of Dimitri Yachvilli and Damien Traille, who looks to the manor born at ten - he shows lovely touches - and there is plenty more outside them.
PLAYER OF THE WEEK - YACHVILI
More from Wasps and Biarritz. Yachvili is second choice scrum-half behind Jean Baptiste Elissalde for France, who are well blessed in this department. His was not an amazing performance this weekend, but he seemed to do the right things at the right times. He is a fantastic operator, pushing boundaries all the time. He intercepted that kick from King, all be it from an offside position, and that was a turning point in the game. He does the right things at the right time, rarely makes mistakes, and although temperamental, he is mature and a good all-round scrum-half, playing behind a fantastic pack.
VILLAINS OF THE WEEK-
GLOUCESTER AND MUNSTER
I thought Stade would rip Gloucester apart from what I had seen from both sides earlier in the tournament and I take no pleasure in being proved correct. I have been a big backer of Munster all season but they were terrible on Saturday and don't seem to have an idea of back play. With all the ball that their excellent forwards provide, there is no cutting edge. They don't have a clue what to do with it other than bash the ball up the middle, and I would have to say the same of Gloucester. Their options seem to be Terry Fanalua up middle or a Duncan McRae chip to the wings. Where has traditional back play gone? Where are the men in midfield drawing defences and bringing fullbacks into the line? You must give credit to Harlequins and Stade Francais, but it was terrible stuff from both sides. For the Munster faithful who travelled to Twickenham, they will be pleased that their side won, but they didn't know how to go about securing the bonus point that was up for grabs, that would have won them a home quarter final. I don't think they will progress further.
MOMENT OF THE WEEK - LEICESTER
The Tigers sneak up the inside rail and make it into the last eight. They went to Calvisano and did their job. I thought, and I'm sure Leicester too thought, that Perpignan would get the bonus point win in Edinburgh but it didn't happen. Leicester are there now, they are a good side and they could go all the way. They will feel that they have been reprieved and will favour the Leinster tie rather than any trip to France. It could be billed as a battle between Leinster's back and Leicester's pack, but the Tigers have a good back line too, on their day. It will be difficult at a packed Lansdowne Road and it should be a phenomenal quarterfinal. I can't wait...
