European Champions Cup: Leinster back Luke Fitzgerald confident over quarter-final

Leinster centre Luke Fitzgerald has issued a warning to the Europe's big guns ahead of the Champions Cup quarter-finals draw.

The 27-year-old has overcome the groin trouble that plagued his 2014 and looks set to start for Ireland in the Six Nations - impressing during a 20-20 draw with Wasps at the Ricoh Arena on Saturday that clinched Leinster a last-eight spot.

"We would have liked to have achieved a home quarter-final, that was the top aim, and we're a little bit short," said Fitzgerald.

"So I think we look very strong, I would say a lot of teams would be pretty disappointed in having to play us at home in the quarter-final having done really well in the group.

"I think teams would look at it and say 'jeez, how have we drawn these guys?', that's how I feel about it.

"Maybe I'm overly confident in us, but I think like we're playing some decent rugby and we've got an awful lot left in us, which is a nice place to be considering we've qualified.

"Cian Healy, Sean O'Brien and Rhys Ruddock they are three massive ball-carriers for this team, they change how things work for us.

"Zane Kirchner's coming back too, and those two looseheads: they are probably the best in Europe I would say, we're pretty blessed in that department. It's all there for us, so I think things are looking pretty good.

"In the last couple of weeks we've executed the coach's gameplan an awful lot better. I think he's a very creative guy and that showed against Wasps in the first-half.

"It's no surprise to me or anyone who has dealt with the coach that those things are proving difficult to defend."