This season's Heineken Cup has been the most mouth-watering yet. With the final two Rounds in the Pool stages coming up, teams will be fighting it out for that crucial home quarter-final tie which has proven to be a catalyst to reaching the finals of Europe's premier club competition.
Three teams remain unbeaten - Harlequins, Toulouse and Cardiff Blues - but even they are not guaranteed a quarter-final berth given the outstanding quality of teams that they must face over the next two weeks. What is not in doubt is that the quality of rugby will be out of the top drawer and the excitement that this competition creates will continue to inspire and amaze millions of rugby supporters throughout Europe and the rest of the world.
POOL 1
Round 5: Munster v Sale Sharks; ASM Clermont Auvergne v Montauban
Round 6: Sale Sharks v ASM Clermont Auvergne; Montauban v Munster
Can Munster continue their amazing success in the competition? The answer is yes - but only by the skin of their teeth. Two recent defeats in the Magners League have tarnished their invincibility tag but a win against Sale Sharks in Round 5 will guarantee them a quarter-final place. Sale will take inspiration from Ulster who recently beat Munster in the Magners League at Thomond Park but, if the Sharks win, then Munster may have to go to Montauban to secure qualification. Their trip to France looks easier than Sale's to ASM Clermont Auvergne but my predication is that Munster will top this group.
POOL 2
Round 5: Edinburgh v Castres Olympique; London Wasps v Leinster
Round 6: Leinster v Edinburgh; Castres Olympique v London Wasps
The key game in this Pool is what the marketing men have been promoting as the 'Battle of the Capitals.' Leinster's surprise defeat to Castres Olympique opened the door for London Wasps and with close to 30,000 fans flocking to Twickenham for this clash, Wasps will be desperately looking to use this match to kick start their European ambitions. A win in favour of the London outfit will take this Pool to the wire and, whilst Leinster will have home advantage over Edinburgh, Wasps' journey to Castres could yet see them qualify.
POOL 3
Round 5: Perpignan v Ospreys; Leicester Tigers v Benetton Treviso
Round 6: Ospreys v Leicester Tigers; Benetton Treviso v Perpignan
This Pool boils down to the final match between the Ospreys and Leicester Tigers in Round 6. Even if Perpignan beat the Ospreys in the previous round it is vital for the Welsh region to take a bonus point from Dan Carter's team to give them a fighting chance against Leicester. The Tigers will be expected to take a winning bonus point against Benetton Treviso but if both Leinster and Ospreys are tied on points this group could be determined by getting out the calculators and slide rules.
POOL 4
Round 5: Ulster Rugby v Harlequins; Scarlets v Stade Français Paris
Round 6: Stade Français Paris v Ulster Rugby; Harlequins v Scarlets
Harlequins' back-to-back victories over Stade Français Paris in December were what dreams are made of along with a touch of good old fashioned guts and self belief. First 'Quins silenced a record crowd in Paris 15-10 and a week later who will ever forget Nick Evans' mastery in nailing a drop goal after 29 phases of play to snatch victory almost four minutes into stoppage time for a magical 19-17 success? Surely 'Quins will wrap up qualification against Ulster Rugby in Round 5 at Ravenhill although coach Matt Williams will have a say in that. If not, 'Quins have the breathing space to put away Scarlets in their final game and guarantee a home quarter-final slot. Stade have the slimmest of chances to qualify for the latter stages of the competition as one of the best runners-up but will need to take maximum points from their matches against the Scarlets and Ulster respectively.
POOL 5
Round 5: Toulouse v Glasgow Warriors; Newport Gwent Dragons v Bath Rugby
Round 6: Bath Rugby v Toulouse; Glasgow Warriors v Newport Gwent Dragons
For me Toulouse, alongside Munster, are one of the most dangerous sides in this competition and they have the pedigree to match. The fire cracker in this group is the final match in Round 6 between Bath Rugby and Toulouse at The Recreation Ground, Bath. Tickets will be like proverbial hotcakes and if Bath did have a bigger stadium then this match would surely sell at least twice over their current 10,000 capacity! A Bath win secures the home quarter-final tie but expect this one to go to the wire after Toulouse sneaked the first tie by 18-16.
POOL 6
Round 5: Rugby Calvisano v Biarritz Olympique; Gloucester Rugby v Cardiff Blues
Round 6: Cardiff Blues v Rugby Calvisano; Biarritz Olympique v Gloucester Rugby
Dai Young's team, Cardiff Blues, have been going about qualification in this season's competition in a very workmanlike manner. Two tight victories over Biarritz Olympique have got them to this position and they lead all the Pools on 18 points. Their next match against Gloucester Rugby could secure them a home quarter-final tie but the 'Cherry and Whites' have huge potential to open up any team with their dynamic attacking rugby that will need to be bettered by the Blues. If Gloucester do hold out then expect a try feast from Cardiff Blues against Rugby Calvisano at the Arms Park in the final game of this group to secure qualification. Gloucester will then require an away win against Biarritz if they are to secure qualification as one of the two second placed clubs.
