Stade Francais have claimed the French No 1 ranking for the 2003 / 2004 Heineken Cup tournament - and will be up against 2001 and 2002 champions Leicester, 1999 winners Ulster and the new Ebbw Vale/Newport region in Pool 1.

Reading's Madejski Stadium has been confirmed as the venue for the finals of this year's Parker Pen Challenge Cup and Shield on May 25.