Saracens, Clermont clash in Euro opener

London: Clermont can avenge last season`s European Cup semi-final mauling at the hands of Saracens when the two sides clash in the opening round of group games for the revamped European Rugby Champions Cup.

The French side were trounced 46-6 at Twickenham in the semi-finals last term before the English side went on to lose the final against Toulon. Saracens will host Clermont in Pool One on October 18 on the opening European weekend. Reigning champions and French Top 14 winners Toulon will start their Pool Three by hosting the Scarlets while English Premiership champions Northampton go to Racing Metro in Pool Five. Celtic League champions Leinster will entertain Wasps in Pool Two. The 2014-2015 campaign marks the 20th season of European competition although the inaugural Champions Cup is the product of more than two years of political wrangling between the English, French and Celtic nations. European Rugby Champions Cup fixtures on opening weekend (Oct 17-19): Pool 1 Sale (ENG) v Munster (IRL) Saracens (ENG) v Clermont (FRA) Pool 2 Harlequins (ENG) v Castres (FRA) Leinster (IRL) v London Wasps (ENG) Pool 3 Leicester (ENG) v Ulster (IRL) Toulon (FRA) v Scarlets (WAL) Pool 4 Glasgow (SCO) v Bath (ENG) Toulouse (FRA) v Montpellier (FRA) Pool 5 Racing-Metro (FRA) v Northampton (ENG) Ospreys (WAL) v Treviso (ITA)