Munster handed tough pool opposition

Champions Munster have been handed a tough draw against Sale and two French sides in the pool stages of next season's Heineken Cup.

Clermont Auvergne and Montauban will compete with Declan Kidney's former charges along with Sale Sharks for passage from Pool One.

Guinness Premiership champions Wasps drew Magners League champions Leinster, Castres and Edinburgh in Pool Two.

Leicester have possibly an even tougher pool with French side Perpignan and Welsh powerhouse the Ospreys - who supply almost all of the Six Nations champion side.

Italian side Treviso are the minnows in the pool and will be hopeful of matching their one-win performance of last season.

English side Harlequins have been pitted against French giants Stade Francais, Llanelli Scarlets and Ulster in Pool Four.

Last season's runners-up Toulouse are in Pool Five with Bath, Newport Gwent Dragons and Glasgow, while Gloucester are drawn to face French giants Biarritz, Cardiff Blues and Calvisano of Italy.

The draw in Dublin was seeded for the first time, with 24 teams from six nations split into four tiers.