Champions Leinster were handed the kindest draw of the four Irish provinces in today’s Heineken Cup pool stages, with Bath, Glasgow and French newcomers Montpellier making up Pool 3 for the 2010/2011 staging of the event.

Bath, who finished fifth in the English Premiership, are the second seed, while Glasgow are third seeds. Despite making their debut in the competition, Montpellier are one of the stronger fourth seeds, having lost the Top 14 final to Toulouse at the Stade de France on Saturday.

Munster have been drawn in Pool 1 with this year’s beaten finalists Northampton Saints, Llanelli Scarlets and Castres Olympique, who finished third in the French Top 14.

Despite drawing one of the two Italian sides in Aironi, Ulster will have a tough battle in Pool 4 with Leicester and Clermont Auvergne also included.

Ulster director of rugby David Humphreys believes it will be a tough challenge but backed the province to again make the quarter-finals after making the last eight this year, only to lose to Northampton.

“There is no doubt that this is a particularly difficult group, but there are no easy pools any more,” said Humphreys

“Leicester finished top of the Premiership last season and Clermont finished fourth in the Top 14 so that highlights their quality. We know from our games against Aironi last season that they will be hard to beat as well.

“There is no doubt next season will be another step up for our players but we certainly have the ability to progress to the knock-out stages once again.”

Connacht face a baptism of fire on their first appearance in the competition, with four-time winners Toulouse the top seed in Pool 6. They will also face two English sides, with Conor O’Shea’s Amlin Challenge Cup winners Harlequins and Gloucester completing the pool.

Connacht hooker Adrian Flavin, who played in the competition for London Irish in the past, is relishing the prospect of taking on the likes of Toulouse in the Sportsground next season.

“It’s great to be in the Heineken Cup, it’s the highlight of rugby in the northern hemisphere, everyone wants to do well in it and we’ll be no different to that,” said Flavin, who joined Michael Bradley’s side from Wasps.

“It’s great to see Connacht being drawn against Toulouse, we (London Irish) were the only team to beat them in Europe when they won the Cup in ’03 so I know what the atmosphere can be like playing against them. Playing down there is a completely different experience, the fans, the stadium, the noise; it’s a huge experience,” he added.

Versatile forward Mike McCarthy is confident the western rugby public will turn out in their numbers for the home games, but knows the players face a step-up in intensity.

“The difference compared to Amlin or Magners I would say is that it is slightly faster, more physical and every team you play will raise their game because they are playing in arguably the best club competition in the world,” said McCarthy.

“Having Connacht in the Heineken cup means a lot to everyone not just in Connacht but the whole of Ireland. Obviously it is very special to all the players and management but we are very proud to be in it for our supporters and fans and we look forward to giving them some big days out at the Sportsground.”

2011/2012 Heineken Cup pool draws
Pool 1: MUNSTER,Northampton Saints, Llanelli Scarlets, Castres Olympique.
Pool 2:Cardiff Blues, London Irish, Edinburgh, Racing Metro 92.
Pool 3: LEINSTER, Bath, Glasgow, Montpellier.
Pool 4:Leicester Tigers, Clermont Auvergne, ULSTER, Aironi.
Pool 5:Biarritz Olympique, Ospreys, Saracens, Benetton Treviso
Pool 6:Toulouse, Harlequins, Gloucester, CONNACHT.