The end of rugby’s Investec Champions Cup Pool Stage is now in sight, and the focus is beginning to turn to which clubs have qualified for the knockout stage, which begins with the Round of 16 in April.
Matches continue to be tight and tense as clubs battle to gain what foothold they can in their pool - and even for those who have qualified there is still the task of securing a home tie in the Round of 16.
Heading into Round 3, our data partners Oval Insights worked out each club’s chance of making the Round of 16, and some have now made certain of their place in the knockout stage.
So here is a list of all the clubs to have booked their spot in the Investec Champions Cup Round of 16.
Which teams have qualified?
Lyon (Pool 1): Lyon may have suffered a narrow loss at Bristol Bears in Round 1, but they picked up two bonus points at Ashton Gate which proved key to their qualification. They picked up successive bonus point wins at home against Vodacom Bulls and Connacht Rugby to secure their spot in the knockout stage.
Union Bordeaux-Bègles (Pool 1): The TOP 14 club have been outstanding in this season's competition to date winning all three of their Pool 1 matches against Connacht Rugby, Bristol Bears and Saracens. All three victories have come with bonus points and the entity boasts a substantial points differential.
Stade Toulousain (Pool 2): The record winners of EPCR's elite competition, Stade Toulousain qualified for the Round of 16 with a dominant trio of bonus point victories over Cardiff Rugby, Harlequins and Ulster Rugby.
Bath Rugby (Pool 2): Winner of EPCR's premier competition back in 1997-98, Bath Rugby penned their name in the Round of 16 with a trio of bonus point victories over Ulster Rugby, Cardiff Rugby and Racing 92 in Pool 2.
Harlequins (Pool 2): Four-time Investec Champions Cup quarter-finalists Harlequins are once again in the knockout stage of the competition following wins over Racing 92 and Cardiff Rugby.
Northampton Saints (Pool 3): Northampton Saints secured their spot in the Round of 16 after their Round 3 mauling of Aviron Bayonnais, who they defeated 61-14. They have picked up three wins from three so far, defeating Glasgow Warriors and RC Toulon in their other Pool 3 matches. They have also ensured home advantage in the next round.
Exeter Chiefs (Pool 3): With three comeback wins in three rounds Exeter Chiefs have also secured their spot in the Round of 16. They defeated RC Toulon, Munster Rugby and Glasgow Warriors in three impressive performances.
Leinster Rugby (Pool 4): Losing finalists in both of the last two seasons, Leinster Rugby are looking to go all the way this season and add a fifth Investec Champions Cup title to their trophy cabinet. They have won all three of their Pool 4 matches so far, starting with a win at two-time defending champions Stade Rochelais. They followed that up with consummate victories over Sale Sharks and Stade Francais Paris in the Irish capital.
How many clubs qualify for the knockout stage?
The top four teams from each pool will progress to the Round of 16, with the top two securing home advantage for their matches.
How does home-game allocation work for the knockout stage?
From the Round of 16, teams will be allocated home or away matches based on their pool position and then pool points. The number 1 ranked club will play the number 16 ranked club, number 2 will face number 15, and so on, with the higher ranked team hosting.