Cheika wary of Heineken Cup draw

Leinster coach Micheal Cheika is aware that his players will be targetted as the reigning Heineken Cup champions, following a kind draw in Paris today.

He said: "As champions you are always more of a target, you are there to be shot at, and history has proven that defending the Heineken Cup is a massive task.

"Leicester managed it once but history is certainly against you and so far it has proved too much for all the other Heineken Cup winners.

"Every Pool in next season's tournament is a tough one and we know that going to Brive will be extremely challenging.

"London Irish did exceptionally well in the Premiership last season and we know the Scarlets so well that week-in week-out they are capable of getting the right results.

"The draw has thrown up plenty of potentially high-quality matches and I can't wait for us to start defending the title."