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Toulouse and Biarritz Olympique collide in an all-French semi-final in Bordeaux on Saturday while Munster and London Wasps clash in an Anglo-Irish showdown in Dublin on Sunday, with Twickenham the next and final stop for the winners.
"We have spoken several times during the season of our European hopes and how we judge ourselves against the best," said Howley - the only member of the Wasps squad to have experienced a Heineken Cup semi-final before when he played for Cardiff against Brive in 1997. "The best European competition is the Heineken Cup and we feel we have a great opportunity on Sunday.
"Munster will pose a different threat to any other side we have played in the tournament - their experience in Europe is second to none - while they are something similar to us in that we both have players familiar with the demands of playing Test rugby. It should be a fantastic match.
"The Munster lineout is a major threat to anyone and it will be a massive challenge for us because we know just how good a side they are and that the Heineken Cup always seems to bring out the best in them.
"We will be going into a gladiatorial environment at a 'neutral' Lansdowne Road. We will have 3,000 or so Wasps fans there but the rest of the crowd will be cheering for Munster! We will be up against the odds.
"It will be an electric atmosphere and I believe a very close game to call. Neither side has any major injury worries so there will be no excuses on that score. This is the serious business end of the tournament and what the Heineken Cup is all about."
