Australia coach John Connolly believes the intensity of the Heineken Cup competition has made European nations better prepared for the do-or-die demands of knock-out rugby.
The two top ranked sides, the Wallabies and New Zealand, both crashed
to quarter-final defeats at the hands of two Northern Hemisphere nations.
"Handling the pressure of a knock-out tournament is something we don't have," Connolly said.
"There is always tomorrow in the Super 14 - there are enough games that if you have one bad game you can make up for it.
"There is no doubt, the Heineken Cup is very tough. The Premiership in England, you are playing for the top four (to reach the semi-finals), top six (to qualify for Europe), promotion and relegation. They are huge stakes every week.
"It brings a different style of rugby. It is not always a better style of rugby. It is a no-risk style whereas the southern hemisphere teams play a freer style.
"We were dangerous at times yesterday but you have got to give England credit for their breakdown work and their defence was very forceful.
