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AFP/Paris
French and European champions Toulon have been handed a tough draw in the inaugural European Rugby Champions Cup made in Neuchatel yesterday.
The European Champions Cup will replace the European Cup from the 2014/2015 season.
And two-time European champions Toulon will face English club Leicester, also double winners, Irish province Ulster and Welsh side Llanelli Scarletts in Pool Three.
“At Leicester we always want to be competing against the best of the best and that is what the new European Rugby Champions Cup is all about,” said Tigers director of rugby Richard Cockerill.
“I’m sure the supporters are already looking forward to some big European occasions at Welford Road and some exciting trips away with the team too.”
The three other semi-finalists in 2014, including French club Clermont, are in another tough Pool One, which includes Saracens, Irish province Munster and England’s Sale Sharks.
Saracens, European and Premiership runners-up, will be desperately trying to nail down a title next season.
English champions Northampton, who beat Saracens in last month’s Premiership final, have been drawn in Pool Five alongside France’s Racing Metro, Welsh side Ospreys and Italians Treviso.
Four-time winners Toulouse will contest Pool Four with Glasgow, Montpellier, and Bath, while Harlequins are in Pool Two alongside Leinster, Castres and Wasps.
“It is a fantastic pool to be involved in and we will be up against great teams and playing them in great places,” said Glasgow head coach Gregor Townsend, who is relishing clashing with former club Montpellier.
“They are one of the best teams in France and they are a great attacking side who score plenty of points,” he said.
“Toulouse failed to reach the French semi-finals for the first time in ages but remain a quality side with a huge pool of players to call on.
“Bath are a rapidly improving team.” The European Rugby Champions Cup will be one of three cross-border competitions and will be joined by the Challenge Cup and a new competition called the qualifying
competition.
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