Ronan O’Gara set to return to Thomond Park after Champions Cup draw

Wed, 29 Jun, 2016 - 21:25

Munster have been handed a stinker of a pool draw for next season's European Champions Cup.

New Director of Rugby Rassie Erasmus will have to plot a way through Pool 1, where they've been pitted against Top-14 champions and this season's beaten European finalists Racing Metro.

They're also joined by Pro12 semi-finalists Glasgow Warriors and Premiership semi-finalists Leicester Tigers.

Connacht's Pro12 title guaranteed them a top seeding and Pat Lam's side will be hopeful of reaching the knock-out stages as they prepare to host Wasps, Toulouse and Zebre at the Sportsground.

Leinster were also handed a top seeding, which means that they are in Pool 4 alongside Montpellier, Castres and the Northampton Saints.

Ulster are in Pool 5, which also contains the Exeter Chiefs, Clermont Auvergne and a Bordeaux side that will feature Ian Madigan next season.

Champions Cup holders Saracens face Toulon, Sale Sharks and the Scarlets in their group next term, with only the pool winners guaranteed a quarter-final place.

Toulon won three successive European titles from 2013-2015, which included beating Saracens in the final two years ago.