THE DRAW for the Heineken Champions Cup and EPCR Challenge Cup was made today. All four Irish provinces have learned who they will play in both competitions next year.
Munster have been drawn in a tough group with 5-times winners Toulouse and Sale Sharks in Pool B.
Munster lost to the last year's beaten semi-finalists Toulouse in 24-24 quarterfinal game, where the game was decided on penalties.
Leinster who lost the final last year to La Rochelle have been paired against Racing 92 and Gloucester in Pool A.
Connacht. who were trashed by Leinster last year will play Brive and Newcastle Falcons in Pool A of the Challenge Cup.
While Ulster, who were in the Heineken Champions Cup last year have been paired with La Rochelle and Premiership side Sale in Pool B in the Challenge Cup.
The top eight teams from each side of the draw will advance to the Round of 16.
Galway , Ireland - 8 April 2022; Josh van der Flier of Leinster is tackled by Caolin Blade of Connacht during the Heineken Champions Cup Round of 16 First Leg match between Connacht and Leinster at the Sportsground in Galway. (Photo By Harry Murphy/Sportsfile via Getty Images)2022/23 Heineken Champions Cup draw
POOL A (opponents in brackets)
Castres Olympique (Exeter Chiefs, Edinburgh Rugby)
Saracens (Lyon, Edinburgh Rugby)
Bulls (Lyon, Exeter Chiefs)
Union Bordeaux-Bègles (Gloucester Rugby, Sharks)
Harlequins (Racing 92, Sharks)
Leinster Rugby (Racing 92, Gloucester Rugby)
Racing 92 (Harlequins, Leinster Rugby)
Gloucester Rugby (Union Bordeaux-Bègles, Leinster Rugby)
Sharks (Union Bordeaux-Bègles, Harlequins)
Lyon (Saracens, Bulls)
Exeter Chiefs (Castres Olympique, Bulls)
Edinburgh Rugby (Castres Olympique, Saracens)
POOL B (opponents in brackets)
Montpellier Hérault Rugby (London Irish, Ospreys)
Leicester Tigers (ASM Clermont Auvergne, Ospreys)
Stormers (ASM Clermont Auvergne, London Irish)
Stade Toulousain (Sale Sharks, Munster Rugby)
Northampton Saints (Stade Rochelais, Munster Rugby)
Ulster Rugby (Stade Rochelais, Sale Sharks)
Stade Rochelais (Northampton Saints, Ulster Rugby)
Sale Sharks (Stade Toulousain, Ulster Rugby)
Munster Rugby (Stade Toulousain, Northampton Saints)
ASM Clermont Auvergne (Leicester Tigers, Stormers)
London Irish (Montpellier Hérault Rugby, Stormers)
Ospreys (Montpellier Hérault Rugby, Leicester Tigers)
🚨 THE 2022/23 POOLS 🚨
Which is the tastiest match-up? 🤩
#HeinekenChampionsCup pic.twitter.com/JcPwyLo4lw— Heineken Champions Cup (@ChampionsCup) June 28, 2022
2022/23 EPCR Challenge Cup draw
POOL A (opponents in brackets)
Glasgow Warriors (USAP, Bath Rugby)
RC Toulon (Zebre Parma, Bath Rugby)
Bristol Bears (Zebre Parma, USAP)
Connacht Rugby (CA Brive, Newcastle Falcons)
Cardiff Rugby (CA Brive, Newcastle Falcons)
CA Brive (Connacht Rugby, Cardiff Rugby)
Newcastle Falcons (Connacht Rugby, Cardiff Rugby)
USAP (Bristol Bears, Glasgow Warriors)
Zebre Parma (Bristol Bears, RC Toulon)
Bath Rugby (RC Toulon, Glasgow Warriors)
POOL B (opponents in brackets)
Scarlets (Aviron Bayonnais, Cheetahs)
Section Paloise (Dragons RFC, Cheetahs)
Wasps (Dragons RFC, Aviron Bayonnais)
Lions (Stade Francais Paris, Worcester Warriors)
Benetton Rugby (Stade Francais Paris, Worcester Warriors)
Stade Francais Paris (Lions, Benetton Rugby)
Worcester Warriors (Lions, Benetton Rugby)
Dragons RFC (Section Paloise, Wasps)
Aviron Bayonnais (Scarlets, Wasps)
Cheetahs (Scarlets, Section Paloise)
📣 YOUR 2022/23 POOLS 🚨
Biggest clashes?? 👀#ChallengeCupRugby pic.twitter.com/owMzdVgfTS— EPCR Challenge Cup (@ChallengeCup_) June 28, 2022
DATES
Round 1 – 9/10/11 December 2022
Round 2 – 16/17/18 December 2022
Round 3 – 13/14/15 January 2023
Round 4 – 20/21/22 January 2023
Round of 16 – 31 March/ 1/2 April 2023
Quarter-finals – 7/8/9 April 2023
Semi-finals – 28/29/30 April 2023
Heineken Champions Cup final – Saturday 20 May 2023 at Aviva Stadium, Dublin
