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With Clermont currently on course to top Pool 5 and to secure a minimum of four ranking points as a pool winner, the French club looks set to move up from Tier 2 to Tier 1 of the rankings for the first time where they could join reigning champions, Leinster.
Clermont and Leinster have clashed a total of six times in the Heineken Cup since 2010, but if both clubs find themselves in Tier 1 of the rankings for next June's crucial Pool Draw, then they will be certain to be kept apart in the pool stage of the 2013/14 tournament.
Other Heineken Cup clubs in the frame to make significant moves in the rankings include last season's defeated finalists and current Pool 4 leaders, Ulster Rugby, while Toulon could also book themselves a place in Tier 1 next season if they continue their impressive unbeaten run and top Pool 6.
Cardiff Blues, who are bottom of Pool 6, have a battle on their hands to retain their Tier 1 status, and if the Welsh club's fortunes in the remaining pool stage matches don't improve, they could well drop out of the top tier for next season's Pool Draw.
Along with the four ranking points on offer for a Heineken Cup pool winner, a pool runner-up secures three points, with two for a third place and one for fourth. The tournament champions can earn a maximum of 11 points in a season with up to nine points available for the beaten finalists.
The five pool winners in the Amlin Challenge Cup earn two ranking points with the champions banking a total of six points, and a protracted run in the tournament by current Pool 5 leaders, Stade Francais Paris, could see them progress into Tier 1. The three Heineken Cup clubs who qualify for the Amlin Challenge Cup quarter-finals can also add to the three points gained as pool runners-up.
The ERC ranking system has been designed to reward consistent performances at the highest level in European competitions over a four-year period by separating the leading clubs in the pool stage.
ERC European ranking points available each season
Heineken Cup
4th in Pool = 1
3rd in Pool = 2
2nd in Pool = 3
Pool winner = 4
Quarter-finalist + 1 = 4/5*
Semi-finalist + 2 = 6/7*
Finalist + 2 = 8/9*
Winner + 2 = 10/11*
*Pool winner earns four points to runner-up's three points
Amlin Challenge Cup
(Points available in the knockout stages only)
Amlin Challenge Cup clubs
Quarter-finalist = 2
Semi-finalist + 2 = 4
Finalist + 1 = 5
Winner + 1 = 6
Clubs qualified from Heineken Cup
Quarter-finalist = 3 (second-place finish in Heineken Cup pool)
Semi-finalist + 1 = 4
Finalist + 1 = 5
Winner + 1 = 6
For the current ERC European rankings go to http://www.ercrugby.com/eng/ranking.php
