Munster to avoid big guns in pool stage

RUGBY NEWSMUNSTER WILL hope to avoid another so-called "pool of death" when they discover their opponents for next season's Heineken Cup this morning. Under the new seeding system, based on rankings for the first time, the two-time winners are unlikely to have to navigate a group containing three European heavyweights as they were forced to do this year.

Fittingly, the Irish province are rated number one and will thus avoid the likes of beaten finalists Toulouse, Biarritz and Wasps - all among the first tier of seeds. Nevertheless, the luck of the draw could still see them face both Gloucester and Clermont Auvergne, again, when the names are picked out of the hat in the Ballsbridge Court Hotel.

Last season's tournament saw sides drawn more or less at random, resulting in the pools having distinctly lopsided appearances, with a number of sides benefiting from relatively comfortable passages to the knock-out stages.

Not so Munster, who were pitted against Wasps, Clermont and three-time Heineken semi-finalists Llanelli, while Leinster were up against both Toulouse and Leicester.

Under the new system, Michael Cheika's Leinster are among the second seeds, while Ulster are in the third pot. As always, none of the three Irish sides can be drawn against each other.

The draw, which starts at 11.15am, will be streamed live on the European Rugby Cup website, www.ercrugby.com.

The draw for the composition of the five pools of four teams each for the European Challenge Cup tournament will be announced next Monday following completion of the play-offs for Top 14 promotion in France. The competition will include 2008 Heineken Cup semi-finalists London Irish and Saracens - and Connacht, who will be competing in their 13th European Challenge Cup.

Meanwhile, Andrew Sheridan is set be replaced by Wasps loosehead Tim Payne for England's second Test against New Zealand after suffering a gruesome eye injury. Sheridan had 12 stitches inserted into a cut around his left eye-lid after Saturday's defeat in Auckland and the England medics consider it too delicate to risk him facing the All Blacks this weekend.

Payne is set to be promoted from the bench when tour manager Rob Andrew names his team this morning, with Bristol's Jason Hobson to make the England bench for the first time.

Payne, who missed out on the World Cup after suffering knee ligament damage, has only made four starts for England, the last against Italy when Sheridan was ruled out with a leg injury.

Other changes are likely following the Auckland defeat. England are looking at how best to defend the channel between scrumhalf and inside centre, which Ma'a Nonu was able to exploit at Eden Park.

Andrew indicated England cannot afford to carry Charlie Hodgson's defensive frailties at outhalf, despite the attacking options he offers. That could mean Olly Barkley moving to 10, with Jamie Noon and Mike Tindall forming a solid midfield partnership or Toby Flood could come into the side. Danny Care also pressed his claims for a first Test start at scrumhalf after a lively introduction off the bench.

Heineken Cup

Tier One

Munster, Toulouse, Biarritz Olympique, Leicester Tigers, Stade Français Paris, London Wasps.

Tier Two

Leinster, Bath Rugby, Gloucester Rugby, Perpignan, Sale Sharks, Llanelli Scarlets

Tier Three

Ospreys, Cardiff Blues, ASM Clermont Auvergne, Newport Gwent Dragons, Ulster Rugby, Castres Olympique

Tier Four

Glasgow Warriors, Benetton Treviso, Edinburgh, Rugby Calvisano, Harlequins, Montauban.

Each of the six pools will have one team from each of the four tiers. No two teams from the same country will be drawn in the same pool (except for one pool, which will have two French teams).