GLASGOW Warriors have been given the toughest possible draw in their first-ever Champions Cup quarter-final - an away tie against holders Saracens. But, after seeing his team inflict a record 43-0 defeat on Leicester on Saturday, head coach Gregor Townsend is confident that on their day they can beat any side in Europe.

“I thought that before as well,” Townsend said. “We’ve got to have that mindset. We beat Racing twice this year.

“Saracens have been the best team in Europe over the past couple of years. To take them on is the ultimate and we can’t wait to start preparing for that game. It’s two months away, but it will be in the back of our minds as coaches.

“They’re a great side - very hard to beat. They haven't lost a game in Europe in the past two seasons.

“We just have to go down there and throw everything at them. We have to give it our best and we’ll see what happens.

“We’ve not been in a quarter-final before, but we have been in a few play-off games in the PRO12. This is a new and exciting chapter and we will just see what happens.”

Racing, who Glasgow beat in Paris as well as at Scotstoun, were runners-up last season, so the Warriors already know they can defeat some of the best - and wealthiest teams - in Europe. If Townsend’s team do beat Saracens in the last-eight tie, to be held at the end of March or start of April, they will have a home tie against either Leinster or Wasps.

“We’ll give it a good crack,” the coach continued. “Any team that plays us will know that we’re a real threat. We’ve played some excellent rugby - in five of the six games we played really well and we got through a really tough group.”

Having beaten Leicester at home in the first round of Pool One games, the Warriors knew they were capable of getting the result at Welford Road that would take them into the last eight. But, as prop Zander Fagerson admitted, they could hardly have dreamt of winning in such style.

“Not with that score, no,” the Scotland forward said when he was asked if he had ever thought Glasgow would win so handsomely. “We always knew we could do it. We just needed a full, 80-minute performance, and to keep them to nil at home was absolutely unbelievable. Phenomenal.”

Any kind of win would have been enough for the Warriors to qualify, but as it was they secured a try bonus before half-time. Tommy Seymour got the scoring spree under way, and there were further tries for half-time from Mark Bennett and Jonny Gray as well as a penalty try after Leicester had committed repeat offences close to their own line.

In the second half, Ryan Wilson and man of the match Tim Swinson took the try tally to six. Finn Russell was on target with five conversions and a penalty, leaving Leicester looking at their largest ever loss in European competition. It was one of the great days in the Warriors’ history - but there could be even greater days ahead.

Champions Cup quarter-finals: Clermont Auvergne v Toulon, Munster v Toulouse, Saracens v Glasgow, Leinster v Wasps. Ties to be played on weekend of Thursday 30 March to Sunday 2 April. Dates and kick-off times to be announced later this week.