French and European champions Toulon have been handed a tough draw in the inaugural European Rugby Champions Cup.
The European Champions Cup will replace the European Cup from the 2014/2015 season.
In the draw, announced in Neuchatel, Switzerland, on Tuesday, two-time European champions Toulon were pitted against English club Leicester, also double winners, Irish province Ulster and Welsh side Llanelli Scarletts in Pool Three.
The three other semi-finalists in 2014, including French club Clermont, are in another tough Pool One, which includes Saracens, Irish province Munster and England’s Sale Sharks.
Saracens, European and Premiership runners-up last season, will be bidding to claim a title this season.
English champions Northampton, who beat Saracens in last month’s Premiership final, have been drawn in Pool Five alongside France’s Racing Metro, Welsh side Ospreys and Italians Treviso.
Four-time winners Toulouse will contest Pool Four with Glasgow, Montpellier, Toulouse and Bath, while Harlequins are in Pool Two alongside Leinster, Castres and Wasps.
The European Rugby Champions Cup will be one of three cross-border competitions and will be joined by the Challenge Cup and a new competition called the qualifying competition.
European Champions Cup
Pool 1: Saracens (ENG), Munster (IRL), Clermont (FRA), Sale Sharks (ENG)
Pool 2: Leinster (IRL), Castres (FRA), Harlequins (ENG), Wasps (ENG)
Pool 3: Toulon (FRA), Leicester Tigers (ENG), Ulster (IRL), Scarlets (WAL)
Pool 4: Glasgow (SCO), Montpellier (FRA), Bath (ENG), Toulouse (FRA)
Pool 5: Northampton Saints (ENG), Racing Metro (FRA), Ospreys (WAL), Treviso (ITA)
European Challenge Cup
Pool 1 : Cardiff (WAL), London Irish (ENG), Grenoble (FRA), 1st qualifier FIRA play-off
Pool 2 : Exeter (ENG), Bayonne (FRA), Connacht (IRL), La Rochelle (FRA)
Pool 3 : Stade franais (FRA), Newport (WAL), Newcastle (ENG), 2nd qualifier FIRA play-off
Pool 4 : Edinburgh (SCO), Bordeaux-Begles (FRA), London Welsh (ENG), Lyon (FRA)
Pool 5 : Gloucester (ENG), Brive (FRA), Zebre (ITA), Oyonnax (FRA)
