The ECPR have confirmed the order of fixtures for next season's Heineken Champions Cup, with the three Irish provinces involved now knowing who they will start their respective campaigns against.
The opening round of the competition will take place on the weekend of 9/10/11 of December.
Last season's beaten finalists Leinster will start their journey to a potential home decider with a trip to face Racing, although the province warns that a venue is still not certain owing to the unavailability of La Defense Arena, west of Paris, because of gigs at the stadium that weekend.
Munster, who were quarter-finalists in the spring, will welcome the side who beat them in that epic last eight clash - French giants Toulouse - to Thomand Park.
While Ulster, who made it to the round of 16 last time around and were also beaten by Toulouse, will be travelling across the Irish Sea to take on Sale.
The 2022/23 Champions Cup will differ from last season's, with two pools of 12 teams, and the eight highest ranked across each making it to the last-16. Unlike last year, that round will be a straight knockout rather than a two-legged fixture.
Meanwhile, Connacht's Challenge Cup schedule has also been confirmed, with the western province due to open their account against Newcastle Falcons, also on the weekend of 9/10/11 December.
Heineken Champions Cup Fixtures 2022/23:
Round 1 – 9/10/11 December 2022
Munster v Toulouse, Thomond Park
Racing v Leinster, venue tbc
Sale Sharks v Ulster, AJ Bell Stadium
Round 2 – 16/17/18 December 2022
Leinster v Gloucester, RDS Arena
Northampton Saints v Munster, Franklin Gardens
Ulster v La Rochelle, Kingspan Stadium
Round 3 – 13/14/15 January 2023
Gloucester v Leinster, Kingsholm Stadium
La Rochelle v Ulster Rugby, Stade Marcel Deflandre
Munster v Northampton Saints, Thomond Park
Round 4 – 20/21/22 January 2023
Leinster v Racing, Aviva Stadium
Toulouse v Munster, Stade Ernest Wallon
Ulster v Sale Sharks, Kingspan Stadium
Heineken Challenge Cup Fixtures 2022/23:
Round 1 – 9/10/11 December 2022
Connacht v Newcastle Falcons, The Sportsground
Round 2 – 16/17/18 December 2022
CA Brieve v Connacht, Stade Amedee-Domenech
Round 3 – 13/14/15 January 2023
Connacht v CA Brieve, The Sportsground
Round 4 – 20/21/22 January 2023
Newcastle Falcons v Connacht, Kingston Park Stadium
