Leicester Tigers will meet Munster in a European Champions Cup double header in the run-up to Christmas for a third successive season in 2017/18.

Champions Cup organisers EPCR have announced the dates and times of fixtures in the opening four rounds of the new season’s competition, with Tigers kicking off with a trip to Paris to face Racing 92 before a first-ever meeting with Castres Olympique at Welford Road on Saturday, October 21.

The double-header with Munster who, like Tigers, are two-time European champions, begins at Thomond Park before the teams meet again at Welford Road on Sunday, December 17.

Tigers scored an historic win in Limerick two years ago, with Ben Youngs scoring a memorable solo try, to become the first visitors to win there twice in European competition. It was Munster, though, who took the honours in 2016/17, winning 38-0 in Ireland before Tigers bounced back with a late penalty securing an 18-16 victory on home turf a week later.

The final two rounds of pool fixtures, away to Castres and then at home to Racing, follow in January, with kick-off dates and times to be confirmed at the conclusion of Round 4 fixtures at Christmas.

All home fixtures in the pool stages of the tournament are included in Tigers season tickets, alongside 11 home games in the Aviva Premiership, games against Gloucester Rugby and Cardiff Blues in the Anglo-Welsh Cup and this Friday’s pre-season game against the Ospreys.

Match ticket details will be announced soon.

European Champions Cup fixtures

Saturday, October 14: Racing 92 v Leicester Tigers (4.15pm local time)

Saturday, October 21: Leicester Tigers v Castres Olympique (5.30pm)

Saturday, December 9: Munster Rugby v Leicester Tigers (7.45pm)

Sunday, December 17: Leicester Tigers v Munster Rugby (5.30pm)

Weekend of January 12/13/14: Castres Olympique v Leicester Tigers (tbc)

Weekend of January 19/20/21: Leicester Tigers v Racing 92 (tbc)

Quarter-finals: March 29/30/31-April 1
Semi-finals: April 20/21/22
Final: May 12, San Mamés Stadium, Bilbao