THE Heineken Cup draw may appear to be a case of Friends Reunited for Sale Sharks' coaching staff - but the old pals act will go out the window when their European campaign kicks off.

Last season's European Challenge Cup winners were pitched against Newport Gwent Dragons, French side Castres and Irish giants Munster when the draw was made earlier this week and both Philippe Saint-Andre and Kingsley Jones are only too well aware of what they are up against.

Castres boss Laurent Seigne, the former French prop who has gone on to make a big name for himself since he quit playing, was Saint-Andre's assistant at both Gloucester and Bourgoin and was also coach at Brive.

Dragons coach Leigh Jones, a good friend of Sale namesake Kingsley and his assistant Paul Turner, is still highly thought of at Sale since his glory days at Heywood Road.

It is not only the standard of coaching, however, in the Heineken Cup that is so impressive.

Two of the most formidable half-back partnerships in Europe will be heading for Edgeley Park, in the form of Wales stars Gareth Cooper and Ceri Sweeney, as well as the Irish duo Peter Stringer and Ronan O'Gara, who is currently away on British Lions duty.

"There's no such thing as an easy group in the Heineken Cup and we know that we have got a tough challenge ahead but one that we are looking forward to," said Kingsley Jones. "I don't think any team is going to come through this group unbeaten and it's going to be a very exciting one to watch.

"We have strengthened our squad considerably since qualifying and believe we can reach the next round. Munster always perform well and any French side will be tough.

"A stunning Six Nations performance has given Welsh rugby plenty of confidence and a lot of players will be coming back from the Lions tour with even more determination."

Pool 1: Munster, Castres Olympique, Sale Sharks, Newport Gwent Dragons; Pool 2: Rugby Calvisano, Perpignan, Leeds Tykes, Cardiff Blues; Pool 3: Ospreys, Stade Francais Paris, Leicester Tigers, Clermont Auvergne; Pool 4: Biarritz Olympique, Saracens, Ulster, Benetton Treviso; Pool 5: Glasgow Rugby, Bourgoin, Bath Rugby, Leinster; Pool 6: London Wasps, Toulouse, Llanelli Scarlets, Edinburgh Rugby

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