The 2006/07 runners up, who were among the top seeds for this morning’s draw in Dublin, will face a re-run of the previous two EDF Energy Cup Finals when they face the Ospreys.
Tigers and the Ospreys have also met in European competition, with Tigers winning 30-12 at the Liberty Stadium and 17-15 at Welford Road in the pool stages of the 2005/06 Heineken Cup.
Perpignan, who are in action in the semi-finals of the French Top 14 this weekend, were Heineken Cup Finalists in 2003, when they lost 22-17 to Toulouse at Landsdowne Road. Tigers played Perpignan in the pool stages in 2001/02, winning 31-30 away and 54-15 at home. They finished fourth in the regular French league this year and currently include former Tigers Henry Tuilagi and Perry Freshwater.
Another ex-Tiger lies in wait in Treviso, with back row Will Johnson plying his trade in the Italian league. Benetton Treviso were Italian champions in 2006 and 2007 but Tigers have never faced them in European competition.
Tigers chairman Peter Tom CBE said: “The Heineken Cup is a fantastic competition which grows in stature with every season. It is a very competitive tournament and you know you have to beat some top teams to reach the later stages.
“Leicester Tigers have a proud tradition in the Heineken Cup, qualifying every season in which the English clubs have participated, and we await the draw with great anticipation each summer.
“Treviso will be a new experience for the club, but we have faced the Ospreys a number of times in recent seasons in the Heineken Cup and also in two EDF Energy Cup Finals, and Tigers had two great tussles with Perpignan in 2001/02.
“The draw is another attractive one for our supporters and I am sure they are looking forward to the competition as much as everyone else at the club.”
Fixture details will be posted on this website once they have been confirmed.
Heineken Cup pools 2008/09
Pool 1 Munster, Sale Sharks, Clermont Auvergne, Montauban
Pool 2 London Wasps, Leinster, Castres, Edinburgh
Pool 3 Tigers, Perpignan, Ospreys, Benetton Treviso
Pool 4 Stade Francais, Llanelli Scarlets, Ulster, Harlequins
Pool 5 Toulouse, Bath, Newport Gwent Dragons, Glasgow Warriors
Pool 6 Biarritz, Gloucester, Cardiff Blues, Calvisano
