Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.European champions Leinster will launch the defence of their Heineken Cup title in a group with London Irish, the Scarlets and Brive. The draw for the pool stages of the 15th Heineken Cup was made in Paris yesterday and has thrown up some intriguing games.
Magners League champions Munster will meet French champions Perpignan in Pool One, which also features Northampton. This season's beaten finalists Leicester have again been drawn to face the Ospreys while Top 14 runners-up Clermont Auvergne and Italian side Viadana complete Pool Three. Arguably the toughest group of all though is Pool Five, which features Toulouse, Heineken Cup semi-finalists Cardiff Blues, Harlequins and Sale.
Jean Pierre Lux, chairman of European Rugby Cup, said: "All the pools look balanced apart from Pool Five – that was always going to be the case because of the second English team."
The Guinness Premiership has provided seven teams, including two of the six top seeds in Leicester and Bath, who are in Pool Four with Stade Français, Ulster and Edinburgh.
Biarritz-bound full-back Iain Balshaw willface his former employees at Gloucester plus the Newport Gwent Dragons and Glasgow in Pool Two.
The Sale Sharks director of rugby, Kingsley Jones, admitted Pool Five is "a very difficult looking group". Toulouse have won the title three times while Cardiff Blues won the EDF Energy Cup last season and only missed out on a place in the Heineken Cup final after losing a penalty shoot-out to Leicester.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments