Clermont line up champs Leinster
Clermont Auvergne will get an early opportunity next season to avenge their Heineken Cup semifinal defeat to champions Leinster.
The Dublin-based side will take on Clermont, English newcomers the Exeter Chiefs and Scarlets in Pool Five next season as they look to secure an unprecedented third consecutive title.
The draw for European club rugby's elite competition took place on Tuesday at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin where the 18th Heineken Cup final will be staged on Saturday, 18 May 2013.
Last season's runners-up Ulster will be in Pool Four alongside Northampton Saints, Glasgow Warriors and Castres Olympique, while two-time winners, Munster, are up against Edinburgh, Saracens and Racing Metro 92 in Pool One.
Current English Premiership champions, Harlequins, are in Pool Three with Biarritz Olympique, Connacht and Italian newcomers, Zebre.
In tandem with the draw, ERC also announced that the Amlin Challenge Cup Final, which gets the Dublin 2013 finals weekend underway, will kick off at the RDS on Friday, 17 May.
2012/13 Heineken Cup Pool Draw
Pool One: Munster, Edinburgh, Saracens, Racing Metro 92
Pool Two: Toulouse, Leicester Tigers, Ospreys, Benetton Treviso
Pool Three: Biarritz Olympique, Harlequins, Connacht Rugby, Zebre
Pool Four: Northampton Saints, Ulster, Glasgow Warriors, Castres Olympique
Pool Five: Leinster, ASM Clermont Auvergne, Scarlets, Exeter Chiefs
Pool Six: Cardiff Blues, RC Toulon, Sale Sharks, Montpellier
2012/13 Heineken Cup Dates
Round One: 12/13/14 October 2012
Round Two: 19/20/21 October 2012
Round Three: 7/8/9 December 2012
Round Four: 14/15/16 December 2012
Round Five: 11/12/13 January 2013
Round Six: 18/19/20 January 2013
Quarterfinals: 5/6/7 April 2013
Semifinals: 26/27/28 April 2013
Dublin 2013 European club rugby Finals
Amlin Challenge Cup final: RDS, Friday, 17 May 2013
Heineken Cup final: Aviva Stadium, Saturday, 18 May 2013
