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The last 16 was dominated by home sides with blowouts everywhere you look, aside from just two competitive contests.
The last 16 was dominated by home sides with blowouts everywhere you look, aside from just two competitive contests.
Unfortunately, this weekend's action was plagued by ugly scorelines, with Northampton Saints kicking off that theme at Cinch Stadium Franklin's Gardens by blowing Clermont away 46-24.
Sarries’ fast start quickly undone with an eye watering scoreline
When Saracens were 35-13 ahead after 32 minutes, we looked set for a huge upset victory, considering the north Londoners' decision to rest their England contingent.
However, Toulon mocked Sarries' defence once they clicked into gear, and the 72-42 scoreline resembled basketball more than rugby.
Castres and Benetton enjoyed a thoroughly entertaining ding-dong battle which went to the wire as super sub Jeremy Fernandez proved to be the hero for the ongoing hosts who ran out 39-37 winners.
Quins continued English drubbings
However, this contest wouldn't have reached many’s radars considering it was played at the same time as Harlequins' visit of Leinster.
This match was the definition of one-way traffic as the south west Londoners were destroyed 62-0 in one of the most one-sided European knockout games you'll ever see.
Long awaited drama
Thank you Munster! Saturday's action was in danger of underwhelming even the most hardcore rugby fanatics until La Rochelle and Munster served up a Champions Cup cracker.
This contest had all the tools needed for box office European rugby: a vibrant atmosphere, brilliant travelling support and a great storyline of a Munster legend coaching against his beloved former club.
Ronan O'Gara's men eventually came unstuck as Jack Crowley scored a winning drop goal, which O'Gara would have been proud of himself, to snatch a precious away 25-24 victory for the delirious 3,000 travelling Red Army.
Glasgow Warriors eased through the gears to beat Leicester Tigers, while on Sunday, Sale Sharks were outclassed by Toulouse 38-15 despite a valiant effort from the visitors, and the same can be said for Ulster's performance away at Bordeaux-Begles in their 43-31 defeat.
Here's hoping for some closer encounters which resemble what we saw at the Stade Marcel-Deflandre in next weekend's quarter-finals.