Champions Cup draw made as Leinster, Munster, Ulster and Connacht find out their opponents for next season
THE draw for the pool stages of next season's Champions Cup was made earlier on Wednesday.
All four Irish provinces are competing in European rugby's top competition and it's arguably Munster who have been handed the toughest task.
The southern province have been drawn in Pool 4 alongside defending champions Saracens, Racing 92 and PRO14 rivals, the Ospreys.
Saracens knocked Munster out at the semi final stage of last season's competition as the English Champions eventually overpowered Johann van Graan's side in the second half to run out 32-16 winners.
Van Graan is looking forward to the challenge next season, telling the club's website: “It’s such a tough draw but that’s why it’s called the Champions Cup and that’s why we want to be in this competition, it will be a very exciting challenge for us and it is one that we are looking forward to".
LIONS TO ROAR
Four time winners Leinster have been drawn to face Lyon, Northampton Saints and Benneton Treviso.
Ulster will face two teams from the English Premiership in the form of Harlequins and Bath with Clermont Auvergne also drawn in Pool 3.
Pool 5 sees Connacht drawn with French Top 14 Champions Toulouse with Montpellier and Gloucester completing the group.
Pool 2 is comprised of Exeter Chiefs, Glasgow Warriors, La Rochelle and Sale Sharks.
The draw for the Challenge Cup also took place with Declan Kidney's London Irish side grouped with Scarlets, Toulon and Bayonne in Pool 2.
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Castres, Worcester Warriors, Dragons and Enisei-STM make up Pool 1 while Wasps, Edinburgh, Bordeaux-Begles and Agen will battle it out in Pool 3.
Stade Francais, Bristol, Zebre and Brive will face off in Pool 4.
Cardiff Blues, Leicester Tigers, Pau and Rugby Calvisano have been drawn together in Pool 5.