Wasps ensured top spot in Pool Five -- dubbed the group of death -- by thrashing Leinster at the Ricoh Arena, picking up a bonus point after scoring seven tries to finish above three-times champions Toulon who won 19-14 at Bath.
New England call-up Elliot Daly shone ahead of the Six Nations, the centre scoring a try and proving influential as the resurgent Wasps handed Leinster, who played a strong team despite having little at stake, their heaviest European defeat.
“It’s a huge achievement by to get out of this group,” Wasps director of rugby Dai Young told the club's website,
"There certainly weren't many backing us when the draw was made."
Leinster's miserable afternoon began when flyhalf Johnny Sexton was replaced in the ninth minute after suffering a head injury which threatens his Six Nations participation for Ireland.
While Toulon are guaranteed an away quarter-final at Racing Metro, Wasps could enjoy the advantage of a home tie if Ospreys' result against Exeter Chiefs in Pool Two on Sunday goes their way.
In Pool One, already qualified Saracens made it six wins out of six, rounding off their pool campaign with a 28-17victory at Toulouse.
English champions Saracens' 28-point tally after six matches guaranteed them a home quarter-final.
"To win in France, especially Toulouse, is a very difficult
thing to do and I am very proud of my players," Saracens head coach Mark NcCall told reporters.
"If you have things all your own way it's easy to play well
but it's how you respond to setbacks that's important. We needed to show a bit of resilience and I thought we did that superbly."
Racing topped Pool Three on 22 points despite their unbeaten streak ending with a 22-5 defeat at Glasgow Warriors.
Victory for the Scottish side was not enough for them to advance to the quarter-finals as Northampton Saints won 22-10 at injury-ravaged Scarlets. Northampton finished in second place on 19 points and will advance unless results go against them on Sunday.
Already qualified Leicester Tigers travel to Stade Francais with the French side needing at least a win to advance, while Munster visit Benetton Treviso.
Ospreys go to Exeter Chiefs in Pool Two and Clermont host Bordeaux Begles.
(The story was refiled to say that Toulon was a three-times champions in the third paragraph)
(Reporting by Ed Dove, Editing by Ed Osmond)
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