Ireland
European Fixtures For Our Provincial Teams
Europe's Main Prize
By Gary Watton
June 10 2013
Amidst the soap opera that is the Lions on tour in Australia, the draw took place last week for the pool stage of the forthcoming Heineken Cup tournament of 2013-2014. Although there won't be any rugby club relishing the prospect of being hurled into the same group as Irish rugby's formidable threesome or even plucky old Connacht, by the same token, the top Irish teams have themselves been presented with an array of considerable challenges next autumn and winter.
Ulster supremo David Humphreys has correctly stated that the days are long since gone when any club might have cheerfully contemplated a comfortable passage through the pool stages. Indeed, confirming David's observation, we find that Leinster and Ulster have both been supplied with a number of difficult assignments. Meanwhile, I can only surmise that the Munster contingent have kissed the Blarney Stone as their pool looks comparatively less perilous. Oh well, you can see for yourselves below:
In alphabetical order, Connacht must contend with Saracens, Toulouse, and Zebre in Pool Three.
Leinster are pooled with Castres Olympique, Northampton Saints, and the Ospreys in Pool 1.
Munster have been lumped avec Edinburgh, Gloucester, and Perpignan in Pool Six.
Finally Ulster have to do battle with Benetton Treviso, Leicester Tigers (again!), and Montpellier in Pool 5.
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