Munster handed double French test

Defending champions: Munster are ready to defend their title

Reigning champions Munster will face two French sides in next season's Heineken Cup Pool stages, having been drawn with Clermont and Montauban.

The fourth team in their Pool is Sale Sharks, who return to the Heineken Cup having spent last season in the European Challenge Cup.

With the new seeding system in place, based on previous performances in the Heineken Cup and knockout stages of the European Challenge Cup, there is no obvious 'Pool of Death' this season.

Wasps, who won the trophy two seasons ago, are in one of the toughest Pools, alongside Magners League champions Leinster, Castres and Edinburgh. Having lost to Edinburgh away three seasons ago Wasps know they can ill afford to underestimate their Pool.

The Ospreys and Leicester have been pitted against each other in Pool Three, having enjoyed a healthy rivalry in the EDF Energy Cup over the past few years. They are joined by Perpignan and Treviso in what should be a very competitive Pool.

Harlequins return to the Heineken Cup with what looks to be the trickiest Pool, that also includes Stade Français, the Scarlets and Ulster - all three have won the Heineken Cup before. In Pool Five Toulouse will fancy their chances of making the quarter-finals and should not face too much of a challenge from Bath, the Dragons and Glasgow.

The final Pool sees Biarritz, Gloucester and Cardiff Blues joined by Calvisano in what will be a three horse race for a quarter-final place.

Pool One

Munster

Sale

Clermont Auvergne

Montauban

Pool Two

Wasps

Leinster

Castres

Edinburgh

Pool Three

Leicester

Perpignan

Ospreys

Treviso

Pool Four

Stade Francais

The Scarlets

Ulster

Harlequins

Pool Five

Toulouse

Bath

The Dragons

Glasgow

Pool Six

Biarritz

Gloucester

Cardiff Blues

Calvisano