Notwithstanding being delegated European heroes last season, Ronan O'Gara's side was a level three side in the coax as they crashed out of the Top 14 in the quarter-finals. That implied they were drawn with level two outfits, who were all the horrible semi-finalists of the Premiership, URC and Top 14.
In the meantime, Premiership champs Leicester Tigers will confront ASM Clermont Auvergne and the Ospreys in the pool stages. URC victors, the Stormers, will confront ASM Clermont Auvergne and London Irish, while recently delegated Top 14 champs Montpellier will confront London Irish and the Ospreys. This is because the victors of every rivalry were put in level one, meaning they are coordinated with level four sides, what sides completed seventh and eight in their separate associations (albeit 10th spot Ospreys made it from the URC rather than Glasgow Warriors as they were the most elevated set Welsh side).
Castres will confront 2020 European heroes Exeter Chiefs and Edinburgh. The Bulls will face Lyon and Exeter.
Losing Champions Cup finalists, Leinster will face Racing 92 and Gloucester, while five-time champions Toulouse are set to have a rehash of their incredible quarter-last conflict with Munster (which was chosen by a punishment shootout), as well as installations against Sale Sharks.
Losing Premiership semi-finalists, Harlequins have maybe got the hardest installation rundown of all, as they will play three-time other participants Racing 92 and South Africa's Sharks. The latter has been on an enrollment drive this year.
Groups will play each other home and away, leading eight groups from each pool to advance to the round of 16. Cycle one will start in December, with the last on May 20 2023, at the Aviva Stadium.
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