Champions Toulouse withstood a valiant fightback from last year's finalists Biarritz to win a thrilling all-French European Cup rugby quarter-final 27-20 after extra time in San Sebastien on Sunday.

Despite Toulouse leading 17-0 at half-time, Biarritz levelled proceedings 17-17 to ensure the tie went into extra time before last year's winners prevailed to set up a semi-final rematch with Leinster who beat Leicester 17-10 in Dublin on Saturday.

It will be the tenth semi-final appearance for Toulouse who beat the Irish side at the same stage of the competition last season and have won the title four times - 1996, 2003, 2005, 2010.

Earlier Northampton beat Ulster 23-13 in Milton Keynes to set up a final four showdown with another French team Perpignan who saw off Toulon 29-25 in Barcelona on Saturday.

A try from substitute Congolese flanker Yannick Nyanga in the final minutes of extra time allowed Toulouse to snatch the victory.

Biarritz had managed to come back from a 17-point deficit as Toulouse had a perfect first half with tries from Cedric Heymans and Maxime Medard, converted by David Skrela and Nicolas Bezy, with Bezy also kicking a penalty.

But Biarritz clawed their way back thanks to four penalties from the boot of Dimitri Yachvili and a try from winger Ilikena Bolakoro two minutes from time.

Both sides scored penalties in extra time through Skrela and Yachvili before Nyanga's match winner.

Northampton, the only unbeaten team through the pool stages, lived up to their billing as favourites as they advanced with a hard-fought win over Ulster.

In a match between former European champions, the Saints got off to a blistering start, taking advantage of early Ulster nerves with Soane Tonga'uiha touching down a try after just two minutes.

The Tongan prop steamrollered his way down the middle and stretched his right arm over the line to slam down with Stephen Myler converting.

But Ulster launched a series of attacks with Andrew Trimble finally touching down and Ian Humphreys' boot ensuring the Irish lead 10-13 at half-time.

A Myler penalty levelled proceedings 13-13 with half an hour to go and ten minutes later the Saints were ahead when Lee Dickson scored the decisive try.

A further Myler penalty put Northampton ten points ahead, as the fly-half accounted for 13 of his side's points, to ensure Northampton will return to Milton Keynes for their semi-final against Perpignan.

On Saturday, four Jonathan Sexton penalties and an Isa Nacewa try ensured Leinster reached their third successive semi-finals.

It was another blow for Leicester's England half-backs Toby Flood and Ben Youngs whose Six Nations Grand Slam hopes were ended in the same stadium just a few weeks ago.

Fly-half Sexton, who kicked 14 points when Ireland defeated England, proved solid again and ended Leicester's bid for a third European and domestic double after 2001 and 2002.

Leicester's cause was hampered when England lock Louis Deacon went off injured early, and Alesana Tuilagi's 43rd-minute touchdown was ruled out by the video referee.

The English side replied however with a late Rob Hawkins touchdown that Toby Flood converted to add to an earlier penalty.

In Barcelona, fullback Jerome Porical kicked 19 points as Perpignan powered their way past Toulon, as they target their second final after finishing runners-up to Toulouse in 2003.

England star Jonny Wilkinson failed to inspire his side despite kicking four from five attempts, although Toulon lead by five points going into the second half.

Perpignan, buoyed by the support of their regional Catalan fans, did not disappoint the 55,000 crowd packed into Barcelona's Olympic stadium.

Adrien Plante and Perry Freshwater scored Perpignan's tries with George Smith, South African captain Joe Van Niekerk and Fabien Cibray touching down for Toulon.

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