Rugby players around Europe are breathing a collective sigh of relief as August sees the end of their gruelling pre-season fitness training programmes in the July heatwave and ushers in a series of friendlies to put the finishing touches to their 2018/19 campaigns. Here we look at some mouth-watering match-ups between Heineken Champions Cup clubs this month. Cardiff Blues v Leicester Tigers Cardiff Blues receive a taste of what to expect on their return to Europe's elite competition when the Welsh region entertain two-time winners Leicester Tigers on August 11. The match will bring back memories of their famous European Cup semi-final in 2009, when Leicester triumphed 7-6 in a penalty shoot-out, after 80 minutes and extra time had left the sides deadlocked at 26-26. This season, 2018 Challenge Cup winners Cardiff Blues are in Pool 3 with Glasgow Warriors, Lyon and Saracens, while Leicester Tigers have been grouped with Racing 92, Scarlets and Ulster Rugby in Pool 4. Edinburgh Rugby v Bath Rugby Edinburgh Rugby's home friendly with Bath Rugby on August 17 will also give the Scottish side a flavour of what is to come when they return to Europe's top club tournament in Pool 5 in October. Edinburgh Rugby, who reached the quarter-finals of the Challenge Cup last season, have been drawn against Montpellier, Newcastle Falcons and RC Toulon. Bath Rugby, whose director of rugby is former Edinburgh captain Todd Blackadder, face holders Leinster Rugby, Toulouse and Wasps in Pool 1. Blackadder made 13 European Cup appearances for Edinburgh between 2002 and 2005. Leinster Rugby v Newcastle Falcons Newcastle Falcons could not have picked tougher friendly opposition on August 17 than four-time European Cup winners and defending champions Leinster Rugby as they prepare for their return to Europe's top tier. The English club have met Leinster twice before - in 2001/02, losing both games – but the match will be a good warm-up for their Pool 5 encounters with Edinburgh Rugby, Montpellier and three-time winners RC Toulon this season. Leinster, meanwhile, will begin the defence of their title in Pool 1 against 1998 champions Bath Rugby, two-time winners Wasps and four-time champions Toulouse. Wasps v Ulster Rugby Ulster Rugby's trip to the Ricoh Stadium on August 24 will be their fourth match against Wasps in 12 months, as they also met in pre-season last year before clashing twice in Pool 1 of the Champions Cup. Their most recent game was also at Coventry, where Wasps won 26-7 in Round 6 to end Ulster Rugby's hopes of qualifying for the quarter-finals. Wasps are again in Pool 1 this season – with Bath Rugby, Leinster Rugby and Toulouse – but Ulster Rugby are in Pool 4 with Leicester Tigers, Racing 92 and Scarlets.