RUGBY UNION: WASPS have been drawn in Pool One of the European Champions Cup alongside La Rochelle, Ulster, and Harlequins.
With the final to be hosted at the San Mames Stadium in May next year, Dai Young’s side will face trips to Ireland, France and a shorter trip to Twickenham in their attempt to qualify for the knockout stages of the competition for the fourth successive season.
Having reached the quarter finals of the competition last year, Wasps know just how tough it is to qualify for the knockout stages.
Next season, as well as facing fellow Premiership club Harlequins, Wasps will take on the French side that finished top of the TOP 14 at the end of the regular 2016/17 season, La Rochelle.
Wasps will also be up against former Wasp Charles Piutau and team mates when they take on Ulster Rugby, who finished fifth in last season’s Pro 12.
Director of Rugby Dai Young said: “You don’t get any easy games in Europe.
“And you go into the tournament knowing that every game will be a massive test.
“The draw could have been worse and it could have been better.
“It doesn’t matter what team you are, it’s a pretty unforgiving tournament.
“To make it through to the knockout stages you need a bit of luck and you need your best players available for these games.”
Elsewhere Aviva Premiership Champions Exeter Chiefs were drawn in Pool Three with Leinster, Montpellier, and Glasgow while local rivals Northampton Saint will join Clermont Auvergne, Saracens, and Ospreys in Pool Two.