The new ranking system, which will be in use for the first time next season, sees the 24 teams that qualify for the tournament divided into four tiers of six teams each based on their European performances over the past four years. The teams from each tier level will be kept apart in the pools.
Tigers will be joined in Tier 1 by fellow double-European winners Munster, Toulouse and Wasps, as well as current French champions Stade Francais. New champions Munster automatically go into Tier 1 due to their position as Heineken Cup winners, although they are also the number one side by virtue of their performances over the last four seasons.
With three rounds of the French Top 14 still to be played, fellow potential Tier 1 club Biarritz Olympique still have some work to do to book their place in next season's competition.
Bath Rugby's 24-16 victory over Worcester Warriors in the European Challenge Cup 2008 final at Kingsholm, Gloucester, last Sunday (25 May) ended Worcester's hopes of immediate Heineken Cup rugby and meant Harlequins qualified as the sixth and final English club and the 18th team overall from the six competing nations.
Still in the balance are six qualifiers - four of the seven French places, as ASM Clermont Auvergne, Toulouse and Stade Français Paris are safely through - and the two Italian spots.
In Italy, the first legs of the end-of-season semi-finals ended in wins for Viadana and Rugby Calvisano. Viadana made home advantage count to beat Benetton Treviso 20-16 while Rugby Calvisano won 20-18 at Petrarca Rugby. The two Heineken Cup qualifiers from Italy are due to be settled this weekend after the second legs of the Italian semi-finals.
Heineken Cup qualifiers 2008/09 (so far, in order of current ranking)
Munster
Toulouse
Tigers
Stade Français Paris
London Wasps
Leinster
Bath Rugby
Gloucester Rugby
Sale Sharks
Llanelli Scarlets
Ospreys
Cardiff Blues
ASM Clermont Auvergne
Newport Gwent Dragons
Ulster Rugby
Glasgow Warriors
Edinburgh
Harlequins
