Heineken Cup: Saracens clinch home tie

England’s sole survivors Saracens will have home advantage in the Heineken Cup quarter-finals after successfully completing a difficult win in Italy.

Saracens’ 26-20 victory over Treviso ensured they won Pool 5, progressing as fourth seeds and securing a home tie against French challengers Clermont Auvergne during the first weekend of April. Edinburgh host Toulouse, twice European champions Munster will entertain 1999 Heineken Cup winners Ulster in Limerick and holders Leinster entertain Cardiff Blues.

Saracens headed to Treviso yesterday knowing a point would be enough for a safe last-eight passage, but they were pushed all the way until England wing David Strettle’s try underpinned a tense triumph.

“Clermont are a fantastic club with quality players throughout the squad,” said Saracens’ South African hooker John Smit, who spent a season at Clermont earlier in his career. “It is going to be a massive challenge for us, but one which we cannot wait for.

“I know from my time there that they always want to do well in the Heineken Cup.

“But at Saracens, we are looking to create our own legacy with the squad of players we have.”

Saracens’ Vicarage Road home ground in Watford meets the 15,000 minimum capacity demanded by Heineken Cup organisers, while they will also have home country advantage should they eliminate Clermont, facing Leinster or the Blues.

Saracens could also consider Wembley Stadium as a possible venue, a ground where they have already played Heineken rugby this season, beating Ospreys there last month.

Either way, Pool 4 winners Clermont will provide tough opposition. Last season, they beat Saracens home and away in the pool phase, winning 25-10 and then 24-19.