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