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Euro draw promises occasions to savour

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Richard Cockerill is anticipating "big European occasions" at Welford Road next season after Leicester Tigers were drawn in the same Champions Cup pool as Stade Francais, Munster and Treviso.Stade Francais were crowned French champions last weekend, while Munster are among Europe’s most consistent sides in the history of cross-border competition and Treviso have been regular rivals of the Tigers in recent seasons.   “You know the top European competition is going to be very difficult,” said Tigers director of rugby Cockerill.   “It’s not an easy draw, but they are all tough pools. That is what you want to see in Europe’s major knockout tournament. And the competition is getting tougher and tougher every season.   “We look forward to hosting big clubs on big European days at Welford Road and we’ve certainly got that in this pool. There should be some more great European occasions to look forward to here.”   Leicester Tigers have been drawn in Pool 4 of the European Rugby Champions Cup next season alongside Stade Francais, Munster and Treviso. Here is our guide to the pool rivals:   Both Stade and Munster have not faced Tigers since the 2006/07 season, but this will be a fourth round of encounters with Treviso in the last six years.   “Our supporters will look forward to trips to Paris and Thomond Park, and many of them will already know Treviso well,” added Cockerill.   “We’ve found Treviso difficult opponents in the past, especially away from home. They’ve been recruiting well and they will be even stronger next season.   “Stade have shown their qualities by coming through the Top 14 this season and beating Clermont in the Final. That shows how strong they are, not only in the league but in those one-off knockout games too.   “And Munster already have quality players in their squad and can be expected to recruit again. We’ve got some great memories of playing them in Europe – at just about every stage of the competition, from pool stages to the final of course. They will be great occasions when we meet again.” Anthony Foley, head coach at Munster, said: “There's quality right across our pool again next season. We have to prepare for the reigning Top 14 champions, Stade Francais, who we haven't met since 2004. Clermont taught us a lesson on just how formidable the Top 14 sides are in Europe both home and away last season.   "Leicester Tigers are a team we know well and with who we've shared some big occasions. They'll travel to us knowing that the last time they played here they became the first visiting team to beat us at Thomond Park in European competition. It's up to us to rise to the occasion both home and away.    "Last season, Thomond Park wasn't quite the fortress our fans had become accustomed to, so that will serve as a good motivation for us to put that right. Not getting out of our pool was tough to take and we don't want to be in that position again. Getting home wins is essential because every team tends to raise their game when it comes to Europe."   Order of fixtures, dates and times will be confirmed by organisers European Professional Club Rugby and broadcast partners later this summer.   The finals of the Champions Cup and Challenge Cup will be hosted at the new 59,000-capacity Grand Stade de Lyon set for completion early next year. The Challenge Cup decider us on Friday, May 13, with the Champions Cup final the following day.  All home fixtures in the pool stages of the Champions Cup are included in Tigers season tickets. Places are still available for 2015/16, click here for more details.   Match ticket details will be confirmed later this summer.   EPCR weekends 2015/16 Round 1: November 12/13/14/15 Round 2: November 19/20/21/22 Round 3: December 10/11/12/13 Round 4: December 17/18/19/20 Round 5: January 14/15/16/17 Round 6:  January 21/22/23/24 Quarter-finals: April 7/8/9/10 Semi-finals: April 22/23/24 Finals: May 13/14