The schedule for the 2010/11 edition of the Heineken Cup have been announced, with Leinster and Ulster kicking off their challenge with home games on the opening weekend.
Ulster, fresh from a recruitment drive which has brought current Springbok star Ruan Pienaar to Ravenhill, are the first Irish side in action with the visit of Italian side Aironi to Belfast on Friday, 8 October.
Munster and Leinster, both beaten by French opposition at the semi-final stage last season, begin their challenge away to London Irish and at home to Racing-Metro 92 respectively on the Saturday.
Defending champions Toulouse get their campaign off the ground against London Wasps in the south of France on Sunday, 10 October.
Heineken Cup opening weekend fixtures (8-10 October):
Friday
Pool 1: Northampton Saints v Castres Olympique
Pool 4: Ulster v Aironi Rugby
Pool 6: Glasgow Warriors v Newport Gwent Dragons
Saturday
Pool 1: Cardiff Blues v Edinburgh
Pool 2: Leinster v Racing-Metro 92
Pool 2: ASM Clermont Auvergne v Saracens
Pool 3: Toulon v Ospreys
Pool 3: London Irish v Munster
Pool 5: Benetton Treviso v Leicester Tigers
Pool 5: Scarlets v Perpignan
Sunday
Pool 4: Bath Rugby v Biarritz Olympique
Pool 6: Toulouse v London Wasps
Click here for a full list of the 2010/11 Heineken Cup fixtures
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