Ugo Mola’s men are the only French side to take part in every edition of the European Cup since its inception in 1995 and set the benchmark last year with some outstanding rugby.

The loss of South African wing Cheslin Kolbe to French rivals RC Toulon for a club-record fee depletes their ranks this time out but they still have a wealth of talent to call upon when the competition gets under way on December 10.

EPCR European Player of the Year Antoine Dupont has proven himself one of the world’s best scrum-halves in the last 12 months, with the Australian lock pairing of Richie and Rory Arnold providing a formidable barrier to any opposing sides.

Toulouse fly-half Romain Ntamack is steeped in the history of the competition. His father Émile Ntamack won the tournament way back in 1996 and regained the winning thread in 2003, whilst Romain himself claimed a first winner’s medal in last season’s Twickenham showpiece.

Leinster will be one of the teams fancied to push Les rouge et noir all the way this year.

The Irish side are chasing a fifth European title and have won the Heineken Champions Cup as recently as 2018 with victory in Bilbao over Racing 92.

Success for Leo Cullen’s men could hinge on the resilience of Josh Van Der Flier and Robbie Henshaw, as well as continuing to draw match-winning contributions from evergreen fly-half and captain Johnny Sexton.

Toulouse will face Wasps and Cardiff Rugby in the pool stages whilst Leinster will face Bath Rugby and Challenge Cup holders Montpellier Hérault Rugby.

The 24 clubs from the Gallagher Premiership, United Rugby Championship (formerly Guinness PRO14) and France's TOP 14 were drawn into two pools of 12 and will play two teams from the same pool home and away.

The remaining 16 sides will clash in two-legged Round of 16 matches, before quarter-final and semi-final games building up to this year’s final, will be held at the Stade Vélodrome in Marseille on Saturday 28 May.

Tickets for European Finals Weekend can be purchased HERE.

Heineken Champions Cup holders Stade Toulousain will be aiming for a record-breaking sixth crown when the competition gets underway in 100 days' time.