Leinster and Munster among top seeds

LEINSTER and Munster will again be among the top seeds for next week’s Heineken Cup draw, after European Rugby Cup (ERC) yesterday confirmed the tiers for the 2011/12 tournament.

Clubs are split into four tiers based on the ERC ranking system, which seeds sides based solely on their Heineken Cup achievements.

Each of the six pools is then comprised of one team from each tier. No pool will have more than one club from the same country with the exception of England, as there are seven English teams.

Leinster and Munster are ranked first and third respectively, and are placed in tier one alongside former champions Toulouse and Leicester, as well as previous finalists Cardiff Blues and Biarritz. This year’s beaten finalists Northampton Saints head up a very strong second tier that also includes Clermont Auvergne, Ospreys, Bath, Amlin Challenge Cup winners Harlequins and London Irish.

Ulster and English champions Saracens are the top sides in tier three while debutants Connacht are in tier four, where Racing Metro — a star-studded outfit but one bereft of European experience until last season — are again the team everyone else will want to avoid.

The Heineken Cup draw will take place next Tuesday at 12pm at Twickenham.

Heineken Cup Tiers 2011/12:

Tier 1: Leinster, Toulouse, Munster, Cardiff Blues, Biarritz Olympique, Leicester Tigers.

Tier 2: Northampton Saints, Clermont Auvergne, Ospreys, Bath, Harlequins, London Irish.

Tier 3: Ulster, Saracens, Gloucester, Glasgow Warriors, Scarlets, Edinburgh.

Tier 4: Connacht, Benetton Treviso, Castres Olympique, Montpellier, Racing Metro 92, Aironi.