Gloucester Rugby head coach Johan Ackermann has said his side are relishing the challenge of participating in this season’s Heineken Champions Cup. The 48-year-old was seconds away from guiding Gloucester to a third Challenge Cup title in his first season as head coach but for Cardiff Blues fly-half Gareth Anscombe kicking a late penalty goal to deny the English side in a thrilling Bilbao final (31-30). But they managed to qualify for this season’s Heineken Champions Cup for the first time since the 2013/14 season with a seventh-place finish in last year’s English Premiership. They have been placed in a tough Pool 2 against English Premiership runners-up Exeter Chiefs, Champions Cup semi-finalists Munster Rugby and Top 14 winners Castres Olympique, who they will kick off their campaign against on October 14 at Kingsholm Stadium. Speaking at Wednesday’s Heineken Champions Cup launch at St. James’ Park in Newcastle, Ackermann felt the experience of losing in Bilbao could benefit his side in this year’s competition. [jwplayer 7vmDIF4y] “Obviously, we had a good European competition last year. We were privileged and happy to make the final, but as everybody knows, the way we lost it was a bit of a tragedy,” said Ackermann. “We felt we had it up until the last minutes, but credit to Cardiff for coming back from that points difference. “But I think it was a good experience in all. Obviously for myself, it was my first taste of European rugby and seeing some new venues, especially Bilbao, was exceptional; that was a very good stadium. “But we’re very glad to move one up, moving up to the Heineken Champions Cup is going to be a massive challenge and we’re looking forward to that.” Ackermann also highlighted how the competition will provide his players and fans the chance to experience sporting arenas like Thomond Park and Stade Pierre Fabre. https://twitter.com/ChampionsCup/status/1047791302719541248 “Every player wants to play against the best teams and to measure themselves against the best players in Europe,” added the former Springbok second-row. “It’s the same for the club, for the supporters, the season-ticket holders and all the sponsors involved, it’s a massive honour to get the likes of Munster, Exeter and Castres. “And whatever team we might get if we’ve got the ability to go further than that. It’s just great to see those players and the quality of those teams. “We know those teams have got passionate supporters as well, who will come to Kingsholm and experience that. “It also gives our supporters the opportunity to travel to other venues and to experience the atmosphere there, so it’s just a great competition to be a part of.”