Each game produced stunning tries as the continent’s most elite sides went head-to-head, and the drama was encapsulated by Toulouse’s nail-biting victory over Munster Rugby on a place kick competition at Aviva Stadium.

Tries from Alex Kendellen, Keith Earls and Mike Haley saw Munster lead heading into the final five minutes of normal time, but Toulouse, who had dotted down through Romain Ntamack and Matthis Lebel (2), levelled the scores at 24-24 through a Thomas Ramos penalty.

With nothing to separate the sides after 20 minutes of extra time, a place kick competition was needed, and misses from Munster’s Ben Healy and Conor Murray proved crucial.

Toulouse’s Thomas Ramos, Antoine Dupont (2) and Romain Ntamack nervelessly dispatched their efforts, setting up a tantalising semi-final encounter with Leinster at the same venue.

Leinster advanced after a first-half blitz helped them see off Leicester Tigers at Mattioli Woods Welford Road.

Josh van der Flier and Robbie Henshaw went over for the Irish province, with Johnny Sexton kicking two penalties, as they put 20 unanswered points past Tigers.

Scores from Chris Ashton and Nic Dolly reduced the deficit for Leicester in the second half, but a Ross Byrne penalty kept the hosts at bay as Leinster stormed into the last four with a 23-14 win.

Elsewhere, 16 points from the boot of Ihaia West contributed to La Rochelle’s 31-19 success over fellow TOP 14 side Montpellier Hérault Rugby at Stade Marcel Deflandre.

Dany Priso, Victor Vito and Levani Botia all crossed for the hosts as they booked a semi-final away at Racing, with efforts from Henry Thomas, Yvan Reilhac and Zach Mercer not enough for Montpellier.

Racing, meanwhile, cruised into the next round courtesy of a dominant second half display against Sale Sharks at Paris La Defense Arena.

The Gallagher Premiership outfit were ahead at the break thanks to Manu Tuilagi’s try, but incredible scores from Teddy Thomas, Finn Russell and Juan Imhoff, in addition to Nolann Le Garrec’s 19 points, saw Racing claim a 41-22 win.

Sale got over through Akker van der Merwe and Ben Curry in the second period, but Racing did enough to line up a semi-final against La Rochelle at Stade Bollaert-Delelis.

The Heineken Champions Cup quarter-finals made for compelling viewing as Stade Toulousain, Leinster Rugby, Stade Rochelais and Racing 92 booked their places in the last four.