Munster to meet Castres again

RUGBY/European Cup: Ireland's three representatives will be reasonably happy following yesterday's draw in Cardiff for the 2005-2006 Heineken European Cup. It was a case of old friends for Munster and Leinster while Ulster will make some new acquaintances.

Ireland's top seeds and last season's beaten quarter-finalists, Munster, find themselves in Pool 1 alongside Castres Olympique, the Newport Gwent Dragons and English Premiership side, Sale.

Declan Kidney returns to succeed Alan Gaffney, the popular Australian having returned home to work with the national side while the Corkman reverts to the province with which he had so much success following a one-year sabbatical with Leinster.

French side Castres have opposed Munster on several occasions; the relationship between the two has often been fraught from biting allegations to the latest contretemps that involved a war of words between flanker Paul Volley and Munster, Ireland and Lions outhalf Ronan O'Gara after last year's clash between the teams in France.

Team manager Jerry Holland perhaps understandably referred to Castres first when assessing his side's prospects in next year's competition.

"In Heineken Cup terms Munster players and supporters will be particularly familiar with Castres and need no reminding what a good side they are. When it comes to assessing French sides they are always right up there and always very difficult to beat, home or away.

"Rodney Parade is another particularly difficult venue. They (Dragons) have a marvellously passionate following who generate a great atmosphere on match day.

"Sale Sharks have the European experience as Parker Pen winners, have five Lions in their squad, two French internationals in Chabal and hooker Sebastien Bruno. They are a much stronger side than when they competed in the Heineken Cup two seasons ago

"So all in all it's a tough Pool and it will be a great achievement to get out of it," said Holland.

Leinster are the second seeded team from Ireland and won't have to do much to research their opponents in Pool 5 as they once again find themselves pitted against Bath and Bourgoin, while Glasgow have opposed the Irish province in Europe in the past.

Last season Leinster beat Bath 30-11 at Lansdowne Road before producing a late rally to squeeze past the same opposition 27-23 at the Recreation ground.

Bourgoin were humiliated 92-17 at Lansdowne Road and the return game game in France, that resulted in a 26-23 victory for the Irish team, was memorable for the wonderful last-ditch try scored by current Ireland and Lions captain Brian O'Driscoll.

Leinster reached the quarter-final before suffering a humiliating home defeat by Leicester at Lansdowne Road.

Bath will have former Leinster outhalf Andy Dunne in their squad for this season while the third team in the group, Glasgow, have beaten Leinster in Scotland before in this competition.

Glasgow coach Hugh Campbell enthused: "It's as good as we could have hoped for. It's really exciting. We had a tough draw last season. But all of the games this time, too, will be challenging. That's to be expected at this level."

This draw will provide an interesting assignment for the new Leinster coaching team of Michael Cheika and David Knox.

Ulster, who have suffered some atrociously difficult draws in recent years, will be delighted not to find themselves pitted against perennial opponents Stade Francais.

However, instead they face Biarritz, the team that beat the Parisian side in this season's French Championship final.

Saracens, who will have former Ireland defensive coach Mike Ford on their staff, and Treviso - they beat Bourgoin home and away last season - complete the group.

Ulster coach Mark McCall is currently on tour with Ireland in Japan. Ironically he took over the responsibilities for coaching the Irish defence on this tour in succession to Ford and he remains optimistic that his side can acquit themselves well.

"It's going to be difficult as Biarritz are a fantastic side while Saracens were the most improved team in England during the second half of the season," said McCall.

"Having said that overall I have to be reasonably satisfied as we've had some very tough draws in the past. I'm looking forward to what should prove a very interesting pool," added the Ulster coach.