Ulster Rugby has been drawn in Pool 1 of the 2017/18 European Champions Cup alongside Wasps, La Rochelle and Harlequins.
The draw has added spice to an already intriguing pre-season game against Wasps, with Charles Piutau coming up against his former side.
The two-time European champions boast a star-studded squad that includes British & Irish Lions Elliot Daly and James Haskell, Premiership Player of the Year Jimmy Gopperth and 6 Nations Player of the Year Joe Launchbury, so it promises to be stern test for Les Kiss' squad.
Coach Dai Young can also call on the likes of England players Danny Cipriani and Christian Wade, as well as overseas stars such as Willie Le Roux.
French side La Rochelle enjoyed a remarkable season, finishing 8 points above Clermont Auvergne to top the league standings. They have Kevin Gourdon, who starred for France in the 6 Nations and All Black Victor Vito in the back row.
Like Wasps, Harlequins have a plethora of world class talent within their roster, with Lions front row duo Joe Marler and Kyle Sinckler, as well as Wallaby James Horwill and former England captain Chris Robshaw in the pack. The Twickenham side also have the experienced Danny Care and Jamie Roberts in the backs.
2017/18 CHAMPIONS CUP POOL DRAW
Pool 1
Wasps
La Rochelle
Ulster Rugby
Harlequins
Pool 2
Clermont Auvergne
Saracens
Ospreys
Northampton Saints
Pool 3
Exeter Chiefs
Leinster Rugby
Montpellier
Glasgow Warriors
Pool 4
Munster Rugby
Racing 92
Leicester Tigers
Castres Olympique
Pool 5
Scarlets
Toulon
Bath Rugby
Bennetton Rugby
EPCR KEY DATES - 2017/18 SEASON
Round 1: 12/13/14/15 October 2017
Round 2: 19/20/21/22 October 2017
Round 3: 7/8/9/10 December 2017
Round 4: 14/15/16/17 December 2017
Round 5: 11/12/13/14 January 2018
Round 6: 18/19/20/21 January 2018
Quarter-finals: 29/30/31 March - 1 April 2018
Semi-finals: 20/21/22 April 2018
Final: Saturday 12 May, San Mamés Stadium, Bilbao
SEASON TICKETS
The only way for Ulster supporters to guarantee entry to each of the home Champions Cup ties, all Guinness PRO12 regular season games at Kingspan Stadium plus the pre-season friendly versus Wasps, is via a 2017/18 Season Ticket.
For more information on season ticket packages, or to purchase yours now, visit ulsterrugby.com/seasontickets.
The draw has added spice to an already intriguing pre-season game against Wasps, with Charles Piutau coming up against his former side.
The two-time European champions boast a star-studded squad that includes British & Irish Lions Elliot Daly and James Haskell, Premiership Player of the Year Jimmy Gopperth and 6 Nations Player of the Year Joe Launchbury, so it promises to be stern test for Les Kiss' squad.
Coach Dai Young can also call on the likes of England players Danny Cipriani and Christian Wade, as well as overseas stars such as Willie Le Roux.
French side La Rochelle enjoyed a remarkable season, finishing 8 points above Clermont Auvergne to top the league standings. They have Kevin Gourdon, who starred for France in the 6 Nations and All Black Victor Vito in the back row.
Like Wasps, Harlequins have a plethora of world class talent within their roster, with Lions front row duo Joe Marler and Kyle Sinckler, as well as Wallaby James Horwill and former England captain Chris Robshaw in the pack. The Twickenham side also have the experienced Danny Care and Jamie Roberts in the backs.
2017/18 CHAMPIONS CUP POOL DRAW
Pool 1
Wasps
La Rochelle
Ulster Rugby
Harlequins
Pool 2
Clermont Auvergne
Saracens
Ospreys
Northampton Saints
Pool 3
Exeter Chiefs
Leinster Rugby
Montpellier
Glasgow Warriors
Pool 4
Munster Rugby
Racing 92
Leicester Tigers
Castres Olympique
Pool 5
Scarlets
Toulon
Bath Rugby
Bennetton Rugby
EPCR KEY DATES - 2017/18 SEASON
Round 1: 12/13/14/15 October 2017
Round 2: 19/20/21/22 October 2017
Round 3: 7/8/9/10 December 2017
Round 4: 14/15/16/17 December 2017
Round 5: 11/12/13/14 January 2018
Round 6: 18/19/20/21 January 2018
Quarter-finals: 29/30/31 March - 1 April 2018
Semi-finals: 20/21/22 April 2018
Final: Saturday 12 May, San Mamés Stadium, Bilbao
SEASON TICKETS
The only way for Ulster supporters to guarantee entry to each of the home Champions Cup ties, all Guinness PRO12 regular season games at Kingspan Stadium plus the pre-season friendly versus Wasps, is via a 2017/18 Season Ticket.
For more information on season ticket packages, or to purchase yours now, visit ulsterrugby.com/seasontickets.