European Champions Cup: Ulster start with Bordeaux trip

Ulster face a tough Champions Cup opener in France against Bordeaux

Ulster will begin their European Champions Cup Pool 5 campaign against Bordeaux in France on 16 October.

It's followed by Kingspan Stadium clashes with Exeter six days later and Clermont Auvergne on 10 December.

The return game against Clermont Auvergne in France is on 18 December before a 13/14/15 January encounter with Exeter at Sandy Park Stadium.

Ulster, who won the competition in 1999, complete their pool games at home against Bordeaux on 20/22/22 January.

The Belfast side met French club Clermont in the 2011/12 competition with Ulster winning at Ravenhill before losing the return game.

Leinster open their Pool 4 fixtures against Castres at the RDS on 15 October and on the same day Connacht go up against four-time winners Toulouse at the Sportsground.

Racing 92 are first up for Munster in Pool 1 with the match at Stade Yves-Du-Manoir on 16 October.