Tough draws for Munster and Ulster as Leinster avoid big guns
Leinster fans will be smiling today with the news of their pool draw for next season’s European Rugby Champions Cup.
The pools for the competition, which replaces the Heineken and Amlin Cups, were drawn in Switzerland this afternoon.
RaboDirect Pro 12 champions Leinster have been drawn against Castres Olympique, Harlequins and London Wasps in pool 2.
Munster and Ulster fans have both been handed pools of death however.
This season’s Heineken Cup semi-finalists Munster - who exited the competition with loss to Toulon - have been pitted against Saracens, Clermont Auvergne and Sale Sharks.
Which will provide a baptism of fire for new Munster headcoach Anthony Foley in pool 1.
Mark Anscombe’s Ulster side have the more difficult pool as they will go up against Toulon, Leicester Tigers and Scarlets in pool 3.
This season’s Pro 12 beaten finalists Glasgow are in pool 4 along with Montpellier, Bath and Toulouse.
Johnny Sexton’s Racing Metro are in the final pool 5 with Northampton Saints, Ospreys and Treviso.
Meanwhile, Pat Lam’s Connacht side are in pool 2 of the Challenge Cup along with Exeter Chiefs, Bayonne and La Rochelle.
The pool stages will get underway on the 16/17/18/19 October this year.
Pool 1: Saracens, Munster, Clermont Auvergne, Sale Sharks
Pool 2: Leinster, Castres Olympique, Harlequins, London Wasps
Pool 3: RC Toulon, Leicester Tigers, Ulster, Scarlets
Pool 4: Glasgow Warriors, Montpellier, Bath Rugby, Toulouse
Pool 5: Northampton Saints, Racing Metro 92, Ospreys, Benetton Treviso
Pool 1: Cardiff Blues, London Irish, Grenoble, FIRA-AER 1
Pool 2: Exeter Chiefs, Bayonne, Connacht Rugby, La Rochelle
Pool 3: Stade Francais Paris, NG Dragons, Newcastle Falcons, FIRA-AER 2
Pool 4: Edinburgh Rugby, Bordeaux-Begles, London Welsh, Lyon
Pool 5: Gloucester Rugby, Brive, Zebre, Oyonnax.
