Two-time Heineken Cup kings Toulouse are concerned about next season's opening European game at Stradey Park. "To start away at Llanelli Scarlets is to begin with the toughest challenge," said director of rugby Guy Noves.
"It will help to have a Welsh player (Gareth Thomas) to give us an insight into Welsh rugby in general, he will bring something extra to the team."
Glasgow and Northampton Saints also feature in Pool 3, which looks one of the most challenging in the draw.
"It's a tough Pool and there are certainly no easy teams," said Noves.
 |  Next season won't be a case of wiping out bad memories |
"The Scarlets and Northampton in particular are incredibly experienced in the Heineken Cup, they seem to get to the knock-out stages almost every year." Noves insists that his team will not be affected by a last-minute defeat to Wasps in last season's dramatic final.
"Next season won't be a case of wiping out bad memories," he said.
"I only have good memories of the Heineken Cup, even though we lost in the final at Twickenham.
"We are very lucky in figuring in two recent finals and qualifying to the quarter-finals most years.
"But before thinking about getting to the final this time we must concentrate on doing a lot of hard work.
"We must take one match at a time starting with Llanelli at Stradey Park."
MMIX
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