Director of Coaching Scott Johnson says that the Ospreys will be "looking forward to a real arm wrestle" after today's draw for the 2011/12 Heineken Cup.
Speaking after the Ospreys were placed in Pool 5 with Aviva Premiership Champions Saracens, twice runners-up Biarritz who finished fifth in France’s T14 competition, and Benetton Treviso, Johnson said:
“The Heineken Cup draw always sets up some intriguing ties and it’s no different this year. We’re up against some very good teams and we’re looking forward to a real arm wrestle.
“We know what each opponent is about, and there should be some great games for the fans next season. We pushed Biarritz all the way out in San Sebastian last year and maybe could have pinched it at the death, while Saracens have just won the Premiership title in England. They beat Leicester at Twickenham last weekend with a really brave performance. Then we’ve got Treviso, a team that had an excellent home record last season and sent away quite a few good teams with their tails between their legs, so although we’ve won out there we realise how difficult it will be.
“It’s a fantastic competition, and seeing the draw really whets the appetite for next season. There are four teams who on the day can beat each other so there’ll be plenty of twists and turns, there’s no doubt about that.
“We’ve got an excellent home record in this competition that we’ll want to protect, then it will be about going to these places and really performing for the shirt. We know that we’ll be going to grounds where there’ll be a big and a fantastic atmosphere, it’s up to us to make sure that they get a similar welcome when they come to the Liberty Stadium, that our fans are there in numbers and they blackout the place.
“I can’t wait.”
Season-tickets are now on sale at the Liberty Stadium Ticket Office, covering all home Heineken Cup games next season. Earlybird prices start at £165 for Category C seats, less than £10 a game. Kids go free in the Family Area, with up to four children allowed per paying adult.