Ryan is not worried by the new seeding system

Gloucester coach Dean Ryan says he will not be phased by their second-tier seeding in next season's Heineken Cup.

The rankings system has been changed and will now be based on each team's record in Europe rather than their domestic league position.

So Gloucester could face a big European team in the group stage despite finishing top of the Premiership.

Ryan said: "I don't think this will make it any easier but it will make it fairer. It won't change much for us."

Although Gloucester are yet to find out what their seeding is for the next Heineken Cup Ryan is staying upbeat about the changes.

"Europe is always a difficult challenge," he told BBC Radio Gloucestershire.

"It's no surprise that it's dominated by a select group and we are desperate to get into it."

"We've been pretty consistent but we've never gone on to be in a final. Our seeding reflects our role, and I don't think it'll change much for us.

"In the past it's been frustrating to see people progress from a group which is not perceived to be as difficult as the one which you are in."