On Friday, four tries from James Lowe plus further scores from Jamison Gibson-Park, Robbie Henshaw (2) and Tadhg Furlong saw Leinster Rugby claim a 56-20 win over Connacht Rugby at Aviva Stadium.

Leinster, who sealed a huge 82-41 aggregate victory, travel to Leicester Tigers in the quarter-finals.

Elsewhere on Friday, Sale Sharks battled to a 35-29 win at Bristol Bears thanks to efforts from Lood de Jager, Akker van der Merwe, Thomas Roebuck and Jono Ross – Aaron Reed’s red card proving insignificant to the result.

Sale, 44-39 winners on aggregate, travel to Racing 92 in the quarter-finals.

On Saturday, Harlequins fell just short of overturning their 14-point first-leg deficit against Montpellier Hérault Rugby at Twickenham Stoop, winning 33-20 on the day but succumbing 60-59 on aggregate.

Huw Jones, Alex Dombrandt, Joe Marchant and Louis Lynagh (2) scored tries for Quins, but efforts from Yvan Reilhac and Julien Tisseron were enough for Montpellier to set up a quarter-final at Stade Rochelais.

Tries from Ihaia West, Grégory Alldritt, Tawera Kerr-Barlow and Levanti Botia saw Stade Rochelais record a 31-23 win over Union Bordeaux-Bègles at Stade Marcel Deflandre - they prevailed 62-36 winners on aggregate.

Munster Rugby edged out Exeter Chiefs 26-10 at Thomond Park as they came back from a first-leg deficit to win 34-23 on aggregate.

Joey Carbery tallied 21 points and Damian de Allende went over for a late try as the Irish province booked a home quarter-final against Stade Toulousain.

Reigning champions Toulouse progressed after a gripping 30-23 win at Ulster Rugby, tries from Thomas Ramos, Romain Ntamack and Antoine Dupont earning them a 50-49 aggregate victory.

Leicester cruised into their home quarter-final against Leinster after a 27-17 triumph over ASM Clermont Auvergne at Mattioli Woods Welford Road saw them claim a 56-27 aggregate win.

Hanro Liebenberg, Matt Scott and Freddie Steward did the damage in a convincing Tigers display.

On Sunday, Racing survived a first-half Stade Français Paris onslaught to set up their quarter-final at home to Sale, winning 33-22 on the night and 55-31 on aggregate thanks to efforts from Teddy Thomas (2) and Wenceslas Lauret, as well as a penalty try.

The Heineken Champions Cup Round of 16 second legs this weekend produced a series of fascinating encounters – many of which will live long in the memory.