Champions Cup draw: O'Gara and Leinster to renew acquaintances, Munster to face van Graan's Bath

In the Challenge Cup, Connacht will come up against the likes of Racing 92 and Ospreys in Pool 1, with Zebre, Montpellier and Benetton rounding out the group

A view of the Investec Champions Cup trophy and match ball. File picture: Billy Stickland/Inpho

Not for the first time, Ronan O'Gara and La Rochelle will come face to face with their great European rivals Leinster after the draw for the Champions Cup was announced. 

The two heavy-hitters will take each other on in Pool 3, where they will be joined by Leicester Tigers, Harlequins, Bayonne and DHL Stormers.

Meanwhile, Munster won't be entirely dissatisfied with their lot for the Pool stages but they'll still have some tricky fixtures to contend with after drawing Toulon, Bath, Castres, Edinburgh and Gloucester in Pool 2.

Saracens and Toulouse will do battle in Pool 1 with Clermont, Sharks, Glasgow Warriors and Sale all in the mix.

Lastly, in Pool 4, champions Bordeaux Begles will come up against fellow finalists Northampton Saints with the Premiership side looking to get revenge after losing out on the European title in May. 

Scarlets, Bristol Bears, Pau and Bulls round out the final pool.

In the Challenge Cup, Connacht will come up against the likes of Racing 92 and Ospreys in Pool 1, with Zebre, Montpellier and Benetton completing the slate.

In Pool 3, Ulster will take on two former winners of the Champions Cup in Stade Francais and the Exeter Chiefs. Toyota Cheetahs, Cardiff and Black Lion round out that group.

Pool 2 will feature Lyon, Newcastle Falcons, Dragons, US Montauban, Lions and USAP.

Champions Cup

Pool 1: Toulouse, Clermont Auvergne, Sharks, Saracens, Glasgow Warriors, Sale. 

Pool 2: Bath, Toulon, Munster, Castres, Edinburgh, Gloucester.

Pool 3: Leinster, Leicester Tigers, Harlequins, La Rochelle, Bayonne, DHL Stormers. 

Pool 4: Bordeaux Bègles, Scarlets, Bristol Bears, Pau, Northampton Saints, Bulls.

Challenge Cup 

Pool 1: Ospreys, Zebre Parma, Montpellier, Benetton Rugby, Racing 92, Connacht Rugby.

Pool 2: Lyon, Newcastle Falcons, Dragons RFC, US Montauban, Lions, USAP.

Pool 3: Toyota Cheetahs, Cardiff Rugby, Exeter Chiefs, Black Lion, Stade Francais, Ulster Rugby.