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Leinster face tough start to Champions Cup title defence

Rugby

Reigning champions Leinster have been handed a tough defence of their European crown after they were named in a Champions Cup pool alongside four-time winners Toulouse, Wasps and Bath. 

Leinster battled their way 15-12 victory over Racing 92 in last season's final, with Isa Nacewa's 78th minute kick securing the victory infront of 52,000 spectators in Bilbao.

Leicester Tigers face an equally difficult European campaign ahead as they have been drawn in a Champions Cup pool with last season's runners-up Racing 92.

Leicester, who were eliminated at the pool stage last season, will also face Ulster and 2018 semi-finalists Scarletts in what is regarded as a tough draw.

Elsewhere, Premiership title holders Saracens will face Glasgow, Cardiff Blues and Lyon while Newcastle Falcons will play Montpellier, Toulon and Edinburgh.

The Falcons are back in European rugby's top competition after a 14-year absence, with their last appearance ending in a 2004 quarterfinal defeat to Stade Francais.

Premiership rivals Exeter and Gloucester have been drawn together in pool two, and they are also joined by Munster and reigning French champions Castres.

The draw for the Challenge Cup was also made on the same day, with Northampton picked to play against Clermont Auvergne, Dragons and Timisoara Saracens.

Worcester's group features Pau, Stade Francais and Ospreys while Bristol face La Rochelle, Zere and Enisei-STM.

Harlequins take on Agen, Grenoble and Benetton in their pool group respectively.

Champions Cup draw

Pool 1: Leinster, Wasps, Toulouse, Bath

Pool 2: Castres, Exeter, Munster, Gloucester

Pool 3: Saracens, Glasgow, Lyon, Cardiff

Pool 4: Scarlets, Racing 92, Leicester, Ulster

Pool 5: Montpellier, Newcastle, Edinburgh, Toulon

Challenge Cup draw

Pool 1: Northampton Saints, Clermont Auvergne, Dragons, Timisoara Saracens.

Pool 2: Pau, Ospreys, Worcester Warriors, Stade Francais.

Pool 3: Sale Sharks, Connacht, Bordeaux-Begles, Perpignan

Pool 4: La Rochelle, Zebre, Bristol, Enisei-STM

Pool 5: Benetton, Harlequins, Agen, Grenoble

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