Away quarter-final disappointment for Bru

With the game tied at 16-16 it looked as though the reigning champions would escape with two points and earn the third seeding and a home clash with Perpignan. Instead, Dave Lemi's last minute try ended their 11 match unbeaten run in the tournament and condemned them to an away trip to Biarritz.

"We are proud of the team spirit that we showed in the second half, but bitterly disappointed at having to play away in the quarter-finals," admitted Bru.

"It was a difficult game for us because we had to play 14 v 15 for almost 40 minutes. We showed the quality of our squad and we still feel we can beat anyone.

"But it would have been easier to play a quarter-final at home. Now we will have to reveal our true character again and get up for the challenge of playing in Biarritz."

The game will be a repeat of the 2010 Heineken Cup final in Paris when Toulouse took the title for the fourth time.

"It was disappointing not being able to hold on to the draw. We knew were had qualified for the last eight, but we came looking to get enough points to earn a home tie," said Toulouse No 8 Shaun Sowerby.

"It now means a difficult away trip to Biarritz in April. Then, if we win there, we would have an even more difficult away game in the semi-finals against either Leinster or Leicester Tigers

"There is definitely an advantage in playing at home at the quarter-final stage. The big teams in Europe very rarely lose at home. Even so, we still feel it is possible to get to Cardiff for the Heineken Cup final in May."