This mornings Heineken Champions Cup draw has thrown up some interesting opposition for all four Irish provinces.
Munster fans will be cursing their luck, having been drawn in Pool 4 against the holders and their old foes Saracens, who defeated them at the semi-final stage in the last two seasons. Also in Pool 4 are Racing 92 from Paris and Welsh side Ospreys.
Beaten finalists Leinster are in Pool 1 alongside French side Lyon, Northampton Saints of the Gallagher Premiership and Italian side Benetton Treviso who impressed in the Guinness Pro14 this season.
Ulster are second seeds in Pool 3 and have been paired up with beaten finalists in the Top14 Clermont Auvergne, and a pair of English sides in Bath and Harlequins.
Finally, Connacht will be in Pool 5 alongside French Champions Toulouse, fellow Top14 side Montpellier and Gloucester who were Gallagher Premiership semi-finals this term.
The first round of matches in this years competition will take place just two weeks after the World Cup final which is scheduled for Saturday 2nd November.
Round 1: 15/16/17 November
Round 2: 22/23/24 November
Round 3: 6/7/8 December
Round 4: 13/14/15 December
Round 5: 10/11/12 January
Round 6: 17/18/19 January
Quarter-finals 3/4/5 April
Semi-finals 2/3 May
Final 23rd May – Stade de Marseille
