Leinster face Wasps, Bath, Toulouse in Champions Cup draw

Reigning European Champions Cup holders Leinster have been drawn against a trio of former winners in the 2018-19 competition.

Leinster triumphed 15-12 against Racing 92 in a nervy final in Bilbao in May, in the process claiming a joint-record fourth title.

But the Irish side will have to come through a tough pool if they are to retain their crown, facing Wasps, Bath and Toulouse, who are also four-time winners of the tournament.

Beaten finalists Racing are joined by Scarlets, Leicester Tigers and Ulster, while Premiership champions Saracens will play Glasgow Warriors, Lyon and Cardiff Blues.

With the final to be played at St James’ Park, Newcastle Falcons have the opportunity to play in the showpiece event in their own city. However, they will have to get past Montpellier, Edinburgh and Toulon just to reach the knockout stages.

Here are your 2018/19 @Heineken Champions Cup pools!#ChampionsCupDraw pic.twitter.com/ZfPtl07OxE

— Heineken Champions Cup (@ChampionsCup) June 20, 2018

Newcastle will also be the host city for the Challenge Cup final.

The standout group in that competition sees Sale Sharks, Connacht, Bordeaux and Perpignan together, while Northampton are in with Clermont Auvergne and the Dragons, as well as Romanian side Timisoara Saracens.

Champions Cup draw:

Pool 1: Leinster, Wasps, Toulouse, Bath.
Pool 2: Castres, Exeter, Munster, Gloucester.
Pool 3: Saracens, Glasgow Warriors, Lyon, Cardiff Blues.
Pool 4: Scarlets, Racing 92, Leicester, Ulster.
Pool 5: Montpellier, Newcastle Falcons, Edinburgh, Toulon.

Challenge Cup draw:

Pool 1: Northampton, Clermont Auvergne, Dragons, Timisoara Saracens.
Pool 2:  Pau, Ospreys, Worcester, Stade Francais.
Pool 3:  Sale, Connacht Rugby, Bordeaux-Begles, Perpignan.
Pool 4:  La Rochelle, Zebre, Bristol, Enisei-STM.
Pool 5:  Benetton Rugby, Harlequins, Agen, Grenoble.  

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