Both Leinster and Munster were handed tough tasks after the draw for the group stage of the 2008-09 tournament was made yesterday.

 

This was the first draw to use European Rugby Cup's new ranking system based on performances over the last four seasons.

 

Pool One:                                                                                      Pool Five:

Munster                                                                                         Toulouse

Clermont Auvergne                                                                     Bath

Montauban                                                                                   Newport Gwent Dragons

Sale Sharks                                                                                 Glasgow

 

Pool Two:                                                                                      Pool Six:                                                     

Leinster                                                                                         Gloucester

Edinburgh                                                                                     Biarritz

Wasps                                                                                           Cardiff

Castres                                                                                         Calvisano

 

Pool Three:

Leicester

Perpignan

Ospreys

Treviso

 

Pool Four:

Ulster

Stade Francais

Llanelli

Harlequins

 

The winners of each of the six pools will qualify for the quarter finals along with the two best runner-ups.