Draw made for Heineken Cup

11:54, 12 Jun 2012

The pool draw has today been made for the 2012/13 Henieken Cup.

Heineken Cup debutants Exeter have been given a tough introduction to the tournament after being drawn in a group containing reigning champions Leinster, Clermont Auvergne and Scarlets.

Connacht face Biarritz, Harlequins and Italian side Zebre, who have replaced Aironi Rugby in the RaboDirect PRO12, in Pool Three.

While the participation of English and French clubs in the tournament for the next two seasons are guaranteed, their ongoing involvement has been placed in doubt.

Premier Rugby yesterday confirmed their intention to withdraw from the Heineken and Amlin Challenge Cups after giving notice, effective from June 1, under the terms of the European Rugby Cup Accord.

The notice period expires at the end of the 2013/2014 tournament at which time the Accord will terminate.

The English clubs - and their French counterparts - are concerned by the format of the competitions and the qualification process.

"We hope that there will now be an urgent dialogue about the future of European cup rugby, including qualification, competition formats and ambition to expand into new markets," Premiership Rugby chief executive Mark McCafferty said.

Pool 1

Munster Rugby

Edinburgh Rugby

Saracens

Racing Metro 92

Pool 2

Toulouse

Leicester

Ospreys

Benetton Treviso

Pool 3

Biarritz

Harlequins

Connacht

Zebre

Pool 4

Northampton Saints

Ulster

Glasgow Warriors

Castres Olympique

Pool 5

Leinster Rugby

ASM Clermont Auvergne

Scarlets

Exeter Chiefs

Pool Six

Cardiff Blues

RC Toulon

Sale Sharks

Montpellier

The final will take place in Dublin May 18 at 5pm.

Report to follow.