Leinster handed La Rochelle rematch in Champions Cup pool

Leinster will take on La Rochelle once again next season's Champions Cup, after the sides were drawn together in Pool 4 for the 2023/24 season.

It's just over four weeks since Ronan O'Gara's side defeated Leinster in last season's final for the second time in a row, while they also beat the province in the semi-final of 2021.

As well as the defending champions, Leo Cullen's side will also take on Stade Francais, Leicester Tigers and Sale Sharks in their pool games, with two of those games set to be at home, and two away.

The DHL Stormers complete Pool 4, although Leinster will not play against their fellow URC side.

Meanwhile, BKT United Rugby Championship winners Munster will likely be pleased with their draw in Pool 3.

Graham Rowntree's side will face familiar opponents in Northampton Saints and Exeter Chiefs from the Premiership, while their French opponents will be Toulon and Bayonne finished seventh and eighth in the Top14 respectively. Glasgow Warriors complete the group.

Ulster have been handed a tough assignment, with Dan McFarland's side in Pool 2 where they will play Racing 92, five-time winners Toulouse, Harlequins and Bath, while Cardiff are the second URC side in the pool.

Connacht's return to the Champions Cup will see them reunited with their former coach Pat Lam.

Pete Wilkins' side will take on Lam's Bristol, Premiership winners Saracens, as well as French sides Bordeaux-Begles and Lyon.

The layout of the games is yet to be confirmed, with the EPCR sating that an algorithm will determine the home and away fixtures for each side.

The top four teams in each pool will advance to the Round of 16, while the four fifth place teams will drop down to the Challenge Cup.

Pool 1: Saracens, Bordeaux-Begles, Vodacom Bulls,