Heineken Cup Draw Sees Battle Lines Drawn

Heineken Cup champions Munster will be up against Cardiff Blues, Bourgoin and former holders Leicester Tigers in Pool Four when they open their defence of European club rugby's premier title in October.The draw for the 2006/2007 tournament was made at T

Heineken Cup champions Munster will be up against Cardiff Blues, Bourgoin and former holders Leicester Tigers in Pool Four when they open their defence of European club rugby's premier title in October.

The draw for the 2006/2007 tournament was made at Twickenham today (Wednesday June 21).

Biarritz Olympique, the French champions and beaten finalists at the Millennium Stadium a month ago, will play Northampton Saints, Overmach Rugby Parma and Border Reivers in Pool Six.

Pool 1: Benetton Treviso, Perpignan, London Wasps, Castres Olympique.

Pool 2: Edinburgh Gunners, Agen, Gloucester Rugby, Leinster.

Pool 3: Sale Sharks, Stade Francais Paris, Rugby Calvisano, Ospreys.

Pool 4: Cardiff Blues, Bourgoin, Leicester Tigers, Munster.

Pool 5: Ulster Rugby, Toulouse, London Irish, Llanelli Scarlets.

Pool 6: Biarritz Olympique, Northampton Saints, Overmach Rugby Parma, Border Reivers.

Head Coach Lyn Jones gave the following reaction to Pool 3 draw:

"We are delighted with this draw. Every group in this competition is a testing one and although we had mixed fortunes against Stade Francais last season we appreciate that in order to progress we have to go to France and win a game of rugby"

"You cannot afford to underestimate any side in this as at this level the smallest mistake will cost you dear. Looking at the make-up of the six pools, such is the strength of our group that we will have to finish top in order to get through to the next round"

The first round of the tournament will be played on the weekend of 20/21/22 October.