The weekend's games - two in England, one in Wales and one in Ireland - offer something to everyone with players from each of the countries involved - England, Ireland, Wales and France - as well as 10 other nations.
There are some fantastic match-ups in the four quarter-finals. In the game between Harlequins and Leinster there will be a front row battle between former Springbok front row partners Gary Botha and CJ van der Linde, Australian No 8 Rocky Elsom clashing with England's Nick Easter and Pumas outside half Felipe Contepomi opposing All Black Nick Evans.
Cardiff Blues' game with Toulouse will see former All Blacks Xavier Rush and Byron Kelleher on opposing sides as well as an intriguing back row battle between Welsh legend Martyn Williams and Thierry Dusautoir.
No fewer than 11 of Ireland's recent Grand Slam heroes will be lining-up for defending champions Munster in their clash with the Ospreys in what is a virtual re-run of the Wales v Ireland Six Nations decider last month.
And England's current outside half Toby Flood will get the chance to test his mettle against the South African World Cup winner Butch James when Leicester Tigers take on Bath
Keeping the global interest high in the Heineken Cup this season will be the following squad
members from the eight quarter-finalists:
Argentina: Gonzalo Tiesi (Harlequins), Marcos Ayerza (Leicester Tigers), Felipe Contepomi (Leinster), Patricio Albacete, Alberto Vernet Basualdo (Toulouse)
Australia: Justin Harrison (Bath), Chris Whittaker, Rocky Elsom (Leinster)
Cook Islands: Stan Wright (Leinster)
Fiji: Waisea Luveniyali (Harlequins), Seru Rabeni (Leicester), Isa Nacewa (Leinster), Maleli Kunavore (Toulouse)
Italy: Martin Castrogiovanni (Leicester Tigers), Federico Pucciarello (Munster), Salvatore Perugini
(Toulouse)
New Zealand: Joe Maddock (Bath), Paul Tito, Xavier Rush and Ben Blair (Cardiff Blues), Nick Evans (Harlequins), Scott Hamilton, Ben Herring, Aaron Mauger, (Leicester Tigers), Cameron Jowitt (Leinster), Doug Howlett, Lifeimi Mafi, Rua Tipoki (Munster), Byron Kelleher (Toulouse)
Romania: Paulica Ion (Bath)
Samoa: Tani Fuga (Harlequins), Eliota Fuimano, Jonny La'amatuainu (Bath), Steve So'oialo (Harlequins), Alesana Tuilagi (Leicester)
South Africa: Michael Claassens, Butch James (Bath), Gary Botha, De Wet Barry (Harlequins), Derick Hougaard, Marco Wentzel (Leicester), CJ van der Linde (Leinster), Gaffie du Toit, Daan Human, Shawn Sowerby (Toulouse),
Tonga: Faao Filise (Cardiff Blues), Epi Taione (Harlequins), Finau Maka (Toulouse)
