Another Castres test for Munster

IT’S all becoming a bit of a habit for Munster and Castres, who have been drawn together in the pool stages of the Heineken Cup for the second year in a row and the fifth time in 11 years.

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.