Munster to learn opponents tomorrow

Munster will hope to avoid another so-called 'pool of death' when they discover their opponents for next season's Heineken Cup tomorrow 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 in the competition 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, a route that would prove anything but straightforward for the defending champions.

This 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 for the tournament while Ulster's place in the third pot puts them behind the eight ball from the outset. 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.

Heineken European Cup Tiers

Tier 1: Munster, Toulouse, Biarritz Olympique, Leicester Tigers, Stade Français Paris, Wasps

Tier 2: Leinster, Bath, Gloucester, Perpignan, Sale Sharks, Llanelli Scarlets

Tier 3: Ospreys, Cardiff Blues, ASM Clermont Auvergne, Newport Gwent Dragons, Ulster, Castres Olympique

Tier 4: Glasgow Warriors, Benetton Treviso, Edinburgh, Calvisano, Harlequins, Montauban.