In what is a very difficult draw, there follows trips away, to Castres on November 19th (4.40pm ko local time) and then the first of the December back-to-backs, Scarlets (Parc Y Scarlets Dec 10th) with Franklin's Garden's the venue for the final pool match in January, a week after the visit of Castres to Thomond Park Stadium.

For the past two seasons, Munster have been away to English sides in Round One. The last time they had home advantage in the opener was in 2008 when Montauban were the visitors and it required a Ronan O'Gara penalty three minutes from time to see them win 19-17.

Heineken Cup Pool 1 Fixtures:

Saturday November 12th: Munster v Northampton Saints,  Thomond Park Stadium, 6pm.

Saturday November 19th: Castres Olympique v Munster, Stade Pierre Antoine, 4.40pm (local).

Saturday December 10th: Scarlets v Munster, Parc Y Scarlets, 3.40pm.

Sunday December 18th: Munster v Scarlets, Thomond Park Stadium, 12.45pm.

Weekend January 13/14/15: Munster v Castres Olympique.

Weekend January 20/21/22: Northampton Saints v Munster, Franklin's Gardens.

For details of any of the upcoming Heineken Cup hospitality packages in Thomond Park please contact Brian Cheasty at briancheasty@munsterrugby.ie