Paris (AFP)
Who will succeed Toulouse?
The draw for the 2021-2022 European Rugby Cup pools takes place on Wednesday in Lausanne (1:00 p.m. French time) for twenty-four teams, including eight from the Top 14.
In addition to Stade Toulouse, the most successful owner and club in history with four trophies, and La Rochelle, finalist, the French championship will be represented by Racing 92, Bordeaux-Bègles, Clermont, the French stadium, Castres and Montpellier.
Either the first seven in the ranking of the last Top 14, plus the MHR, only 10th but winner of the European Challenge in May.
The twenty-four clubs from the three leagues on the starting line were divided into four hats, according to their ranking in their respective championship (Top 14, Premiership and Pro 14), before being drawn into one of the two hens of twelve.
The clubs of the same league which are in the same hat cannot be found in the same pool.
Thus, in hat 1, Toulouse and La Rochelle will avoid each other but could inherit, on the other hand, the Chiefs of Exeter, crowned the season before, the Harlequins surprise, or even the Irish scarecrows of Leinster and Munster.
The 2021-2022 Champions Cup season will span nine weekends, including four group stage days starting in December.
The eight best-ranked clubs from each pool will qualify for the knockout phase consisting of the round of 16 in two round-trip rounds, quarter-finals, semi-finals and the final in Marseille on May 28, 2022.
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Hats for the raffle
Hat 1: Stade Toulousain (FRA), Stade Rochelais (FRA), Harlequins (ENG), Exeter Chiefs (ENG), Leinster (IRL), Munster (IRL)
Hat 2: Racing 92 (FRA), Bordeaux-Bègles (FRA), Bristol Bears (ENG), Sale Sharks (ENG), Ulster (IRL), Connacht (IRL)
Hat 3: Clermont (FRA), Stade Français (FRA), Northampton Saints (ENG), Leicester Tigers (ENG), Scarlets (WAL), Ospreys (WAL)
Hat 4: Castres (FRA), Montpellier (FRA), Bath (ENG), Wasps (ENG), Cardiff (WAL), Glasgow Warriors (SCO)
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