Another Castres test for Munster
Add in a semi-final clash in 2001 and by the end of next season they will have played each other ten times in as many years.
Ireland's No 1 seeds have been also paired alongside Welsh second seeds Gwent Dragons and England's third-seeded side, Sale Sharks. In theory, at least, it is a reasonably good draw for Munster and Declan Kidney's squad should have high hopes of qualifying for the knock out stages of the tournament yet again.
Understandably, team manager Jerry Holland reacted cautiously, pointing to a number of potential hiccups along the way.
"In Heineken Cup terms, we realise that Castres are a difficult side to play against and we won't need any reminding of how good they are.
"Rodney Parade (Dragons) is a difficult venue to play in for visiting teams, they have very passionate supporters and there is always a great atmosphere. They have impressed with big wins over Stade Francais and Perpignan in Europe over the last couple of seasons.
"Sale Sharks are Parker Pen winners, they have five Lions in the squad and a couple of top French players as well. All in all, it is a fairly tough pool and it will be an achievement in itself to get out of it and into the knock out stages."
For the record, Munster have played Castres eight times, winning five and losing three. Munster twice beat Newport in 2001 but have never been matched with Sale at European level.
There was also a sense of deja vu for Leinster chief executive Mick Dawson, who was coming to terms with being paired alongside Bath and Bourgoin for the second successive year.
Dawson was grateful that Leinster avoided the big names such as Toulouse, Leicester, Wasps and Stade Francais but stressed that Bourgoin, Bath and even Glasgow would pose problems.
"Glasgow will be all out to make a statement on behalf of Scottish rugby, Bath, being what they are, will never be easy and Bourgoin will want to put last season behind them."
Dawson recalled how Leinster had "got out of jail" against Bath to top last season's group and also referred to Bourgoin's apparent disinterest in the competition once they realised they were out of contention.
"I can't see that happening with them again next season and I reckon they will provide everyone in the group with much more positive and vigorous opposition."
Hugh Campbell, the Glasgow head coach, described the group as "reasonable."
"It's bound to be tough but there are a couple of other groups that I'm glad not to be involved in. It's as good as we could have hoped for, he said."
"We had what would appear to be a tougher draw last season. All of the games this time, too, will be challenging but that's to be expected at this level. We have a realistic chance of getting to the quarter-finals if we can win our home games and pick up at least one away win. We've played Bourgoin and Leinster in the past in Europe, and we've won our home games against them then."
Glasgow played against Bourgoin in the 2002-2003 Heineken tournament, losing 21-35 on their visit to France. But five days later, back on home territory at Hughenden, they edged out the French club by 13-12.
Glasgow and Leinster have met often enough over the years in Celtic tournaments, most recently in the cup quarter-final at Lansdowne Road a couple of months ago, when the Dublin team won 33-24. Their only previous Heineken meetings were in season 1999-2000, when Glasgow won 29-17 at Hughenden but lost 17-44 at Donnybrook.
Meanwhile, Ulster have been drawn against beaten finalists Biarritz, English side Saracens and Italian's Treviso, giving them a reasonable chance of qualifying.
Biarritz will be favourites to top the group but Ulster have proved in the past that they are capable to beating the best of the French sides at Ravenhill. Victory there will give them at least an opportunity to finish, if not on top, as one of the two best second placed sides from the six groups.
"It's not the worst draw we could have got," said an Ulster spokesperson yesterday.
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