The match at the RDS Arena is the first competitive meeting of the two teams

London Irish begin their Heineken Cup campaign with the toughest draw - a trip to reigning champions Leinster.

They will play at RDS Arena in Dublin on Friday, 9 October, with the return match in Reading in January.

Head coach Toby Booth said: "Encounters like this one allow you to measure your progress and to see how far we've come.

"The added bonus for our supporters is that with the great relationship between the two clubs some bragging rights will also be on offer!"

The Exiles' first home encounter is against Llanelli Scarlets on Saturday, 17 October.

The Exiles travel to star-studded Brive on Saturday, 12 December before hosting the French side a week later at the Madejski Stadium.

Irish reached the semi-finals in their lasting out in the Heineken Cup, losing 21-15 to Toulouse at Twickenham.

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