Ospreys manager Derwyn Jones said his side has nothing to fear despite drawing two French sides and Leicester in the Heineken Cup pool stages. "We've got a lot of confidence in the squad we've got. A lot of guys are in the Wales squad, and that's the best team in Europe at the moment," he said.
"They've got the experience of winning out in France and that's something we'll take on board.
"If we qualify from this group we'll deserve to go far in the tournament."
Blues chief executive Bob Norster was delighted after the Cardiff region avoided any of the big powerhouses in Tuesday's Heineken Cup draw.
Pool 2 has the Blues, Calvisano, Perpignan and Leeds Tykes in it.
"We're pleased on the draw, with old adversaries like big (ex-Wales forward and Leeds coach) Phil Davies to battle against," Norster said.
 | HEINEKEN CUP DRAW Pool 1: Munster, Castres Olympique, Sale Sharks, Newport Gwent Dragons Pool 2: Calvisano, Perpignan, Leeds Tykes, Cardiff Blues Pool 3: Ospreys, Stade Francais, Leicester Tigers, Clermont Auvergne Pool 4: Biarritz Olympique, Saracens, Ulster, Benetton Treviso Pool 5: Glasgow, Bourgoin, Bath, Leinster Pool 6: London Wasps, Toulouse, Llanelli Scarlets, Edinburgh |
"There's some particularly stiff draws for some but... all groups in this elite competition are tough."
Llanelli Scarlets chief executive Stuart Gallacher admitted they face a tough test in next season's Heineken Cup after getting a difficult pool.
Title holders Toulouse, London Wasps - the Zurich Premiership champions - plus Edinburgh stand in the Scarlets' way.
"There's no hiding away from the fact we've got a tough draw," he said.
"But what we have to do is give them no easy rides. We are capable of winning the three matches at Stradey Park - we could have beaten Toulouse last year."
Dragons team manager Jim McCreedy said winning all their home games will be key to their group qualification hopes.
"Munster have got a fantastic tradition in the Heineken cup, Castres are always there or thereabouts and Sale are one of the best sides in England," he said.
"The pundits will say Munster are the favourites but everyone will be looking to win their home games.
"We've played most of the sides before but it'll be a new experience for us against Sale."
The opening round of matches takes place on the weekend of 21-23 October, with the final being held on 20 or 21 May at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff.
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