BATH have been handed a punishing draw in next season's Heineken Champions Cup.

The draw, which took place at Lausanne's Olympic Museum in Switzerland, saw the 1998 European champions grouped alongside title holders Leinster, the Irish team's fellow four-time winners Toulouse and two-time champions Wasps.

Premiership title holders Saracens, meanwhile, have been drawn with Glasgow, Cardiff Blues and Lyon, while Newcastle - back in European rugby's top-flight competition after a 14-year absence - face Montpellier, Toulon and Edinburgh.

Newcastle's St James' Park will play host to the Champions Cup and Challenge Cup finals next May, but the Falcons will have their work cut out to progress from a group that includes such a heavyweight French presence.

A west country derby lies ahead in Pool Two, with Premiership rivals Exeter and Gloucester drawn together, and that quartet being completed by Irish giants Munster and reigning French champions Castres.

And Leicester, eliminated at the pool stage last term, must overcome last season's runners-up Racing 92, in addition to 2018 semi-finalists Scarlets and 1999 champions Ulster.