Sale opening for Munster as Leinster and Ulster start at home

Barry Coughlan

English champions Wasps will launch their to bid to reclaim the Heineken Cup with a trip to Edinburgh.

It will be the first time Wasps, who last season failed to reach the knockout stages of the competition after beating Toulouse in the 2004 final, have faced the perennial European underachievers.

In the other Pool Six encounter, triple tournament winners Toulouse begin their Heineken Cup defence at home to Llanelli, whom they beat twice in the group stages last term. Celtic League champions the Ospreys will play Stade Francais Paris and Leicester clash with Clermont Auvergne to complete the Pool Three line-up.

All fixtures take place on the weekend beginning October 21.

The precise dates and kick-off times for all the pool matches in the early rounds will be confirmed as soon as possible with the broadcaster partners.