Leinster draw Clermont in European Cup pool

DUBLIN (AFP) –

Leinster players celebrate with the trophy after their victory in the European Cup final against Ulster at Twickenham stadium in south-west London on May 19. Leinster, seeking an unprecedented third successive title, are drawn in the same Cup pool as French heavyweights Clermont for the 2012/13 season on Tuesday.

Defending European champions Leinster, seeking an unprecedented third successive title, were drawn in the same Cup pool as French heavyweights Clermont for the 2012/13 season here on Tuesday.

The Irish province will also face Welsh region Scarlets and English debutants Exeter in Pool 5.

“Unfortunately we have to believe it,” Leinster coach Joe Schmidt said of the fact his team had been matched up with his former club Clermont for the fourth season in a row.

“We will also be against the Scarlets and Exeter Chiefs so it is a tough group. Clermont are an exceptional and extremely well coached side – they have quality across the board.”

Last season’s beaten finalists Ulster are in Pool 4 with Northampton, Glasgow and Castres.

“There are a couple of really tough, highly competitive groups and that shows the standard across Europe and that will certainly make for another very interesting tournament,” said Ulster coach David Humphreys.

Challenge Cup winners Biarritz were drawn in Pool 3 alongside English domestic league champions Harlequins, Irish minnows Connacht and Italian newcomers Zebre, who will replace Aironi in the Celtic League.

Pool 1 sees 2008 champions Munster line up with Edinburgh, Saracens and high-rolling Parisian club Racing Metro.

Four-time champions Toulouse face a tough Pool 2 alongside English giants and two-time winners Leicester and last season’s Celtic League champions Ospreys, with Italian outfit Treviso making up the numbers.

Ospreys head coach Steve Tandy said he was excited about going up against Europe’s best teams.

“There are six European titles in our group, which says all you need to know about the pool,” the former club flanker said.

“Treviso could hold the key to this group. They are a team that will be under-estimated by teams outside the Pro12 and, like last year, I can see them causing some upsets.

“All the teams can beat each other but that’s what makes it such an exciting pool.”

Cardiff Blues and Sale will battle it out with French clubs Toulon and Montpellier for top spot in Pool 6.

Only the pool winners and the two best runners-up will progress to the knock-out phase of European club rugby’s showcase tournament, with the final being held on May 18 in Dublin.

Draw

Pool 1: Munster (IRL), Edinburgh (SCO), Saracens (ENG), Racing Metro (FRA)

Pool 2: Toulouse (FRA), Leicester (ENG), Ospreys (WAL), Treviso (ITA)

Pool 3: Biarritz (FRA), Harlequins (ENG), Connacht (IRL), Zebre (ITA)

Pool 4: Northampton (ENG), Ulster (IRL), Glasgow (SCO), Castres (FRA)

Pool 5: Leinster (IRL), Clermont-Auvergne (FRA), Scarlets (WAL), Exeter (ENG)

Pool 6: Cardiff Blues (WAL), Toulon (FRA), Sale (ENG), Montpellier (FRA)

Schedule

1st round: October 11-14

2nd rd: October 17-20

3rd rd: December 6-9

4th rd: December 13-16

5th rd: January 10-13, 2013

6th rd: January 17-20

Quarter-finals: April 4-7

Semi-finals: April 26-28

Final: May 18 at Dublin