Clermont, Toulouse and Exeter Chiefs joined Leinster in the quarter-finals of the European Champions Cup on Saturday, while title holders Saracens kept their hopes of qualifying alive with a 22-15 win over Ospreys.

Trailing 10-9 at half-time Clermont dominated the second half against Ulster, and tries from Alivereti Raka and George Moala secured a 29-13 win and ensured the Top 14 powerhouses go top of Pool 3.

“It was our hardest game this season,” Clermont full-back Nick Abendanon told BT Sport.

“Ulster are a fantastic outfit. They were pretty up for this match.”

A thrilling game in Glasgow saw Exeter number eight Matt Kvesic scoring two tries, the second of which was the bonus-point fourth try that guaranteed they would top Pool 2.

It did not all go the Chiefs’ way though as Glasgow bounced to tie the game 31-31.

Four-time champions Toulouse also eased their way into the quarter-finals with a 21-7 win against Connacht in Galway.

Ulster dominated the first half at the Stade Marcel Michelin in terms of territory and possession but led Clermont by just a point at half-time.

In-form Ulster scrum-half John Cooney and Clermont stand-off Camille Lopez traded early penalties before props Jack McGrath and Marty Moore combined to send Cooney through for a try under the posts.

Ulster right wing Robert Baloucoune had to make a crunching tackle to deny full-back Isaia Toeava, but the pressure paid off after 48 minutes when Raka – left out of Fabien Galthie’s first France squad – reached out for the line.

The video replay suggested ball had just brushed the tryline and the try was awarded.

With Ulster chasing the game, Moala crashed over for Clermont’s second try which sealed the win.

Ulster can still qualify if they beat Bath in Belfast next weekend.

The Chiefs needed just a point at Scotstoun to qualify but had to work hard for their draw.

Three tries each in a pulsating first half sent the teams in at 24-24. Exeter then set up camp on the Warriors’ line and were duly rewarded when Kvesic touched down to secure the bonus point.

Glasgow hit back with a try from Fiji’s Niko Matawalu to tie up the scores. Exeter almost snatched it at the death but Stuart Hogg’s 60m penalty bounced back off the bar.

“We came up here and knew we had a job to do. We will take the draw and we’re through,” said Kvesic.

Glasgow have 12 points and are now unlikely to make it through.

Saracens rested their England players and struggled to overcome an Ospreys side which was already out of the running with just one point from their previous four matches.

Sarries’ Welsh international prop Rhys Carre was sent off after just four minutes for a “no arms” tackle, but the 14 who remained were more than a match for the side without a win since October 12.

Manu Vunipola, the 19-year-old cousin of England internationals Billy and Mako, kicked four penalties and converted Alex Lewington’s try in the 51st minute.

Later, Gloucester claimed a bonus point overcoming Montpellier 29-6 in Pool 5 but will have to win at Toulouse next week if they are to have any hope of progressing.