EURO FIGHTERS HANDED TOUGH DRAWS FOR NEXT SEASON
THE Ospreys insist they will relish being part of one of the toughest Champions Cup pools ever drawn after being pitched into a pool that includes back-toback champions Saracens and last season’s runners-up Clermont Auvergne.
Northampton are the other side in the Pool 2 mix as Steve Tandy’s team make their return to top-tier European rugby.
By contrast, the Scarlets look to have it easier, with Toulon, Bath and perennial whipping boys Treviso for company in Pool 5.
Despite the outcome of proceedings in Switzerland, where the draw took place, Ospreys coach Steve Tandy felt able to put on a brave face, saying: “We want to pit ourselves against the best and that’s definitely the case in this group.
“We’re excited about this pool and are already looking forward to testing ourselves in a group which is probably as tough as it is possible to get. For supporters, players, or as a coach when you look at these three games, it’s exactly what you want.”
The Scarlets will quietly fancy their chances of reaching the knock-out stages, particularly if they can reproduce the form that saw them surge to last season’s PRO12 title.
Nonethless, coach Wayne Pivac struck a cautious note.
“Winning the Guinness PRO12 means that we head into this season’s competition as a top seed but we face another tough challenge as we take on former champions and Top 14 finalists Toulon once again,” he said.
“Bath are a team we faced in the Anglo-Welsh Cup last season but will be a very different side in Europe, as of course will we.
“Treviso are a side we also know well through PRO12 competition. However, it’s not an easy place to go and we will be mindful of that as we prepare.”
In the Challenge Cup, Cardiff Blues have been handed a formidable European Challenge Cup draw for next season being pulled out of the pot with four-times Heineken Cup champions Toulouse.
Danny Wilson’s Arms Park region have also daunting opposition as top the top seeds in Pool Two having to make as second trip to a French Top 14 outfit in the shape of Lyon as well as playing Mike Phillips’ former side Sale Sharks.
The Blues’ group is by far the toughest of the lot when former Wales and Lions wing Ieuan Evans made the draw in Switzerland alongside ex-England and Lions star Austin Healey.
It wasn’t a kind draw either for the Dragons, as they face a first season next term under the ownership of the WRU, with the Rodney Parade region making a second successive trip to Russian outfit Einsei STM, who they lost to 38-18 in Siberia last October.
Kingsley Jones’ region also have Aviva Premiership Newcastle Falcons in Pool One as well as Top 14 outfit Bordeaux Begles.