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Reigning champions Munster will open the 2008-9 Heineken Cup against French side Montauban at a refurbished Thomond Park.

The Irish side, who beat French champions Toulouse in last seaon's final, will also face Sale and Clermont Auvergne in this year's campaign.

With former coach Declan Kidney now in charge of the Ireland team, Munster will be led by Australian Tony McGahan as they bid for a record 11th consecutive quarter-final appearance.

And McGahan is under no illusions as to the difficulty of the task that lies ahead for the defending champions.

Clermont topped the Top 14 table after the regular season before losing to Toulouse in the final, while Montauban finished seventh in the highly-competitie league.

Sale struggled with injuries and international call-ups last season, but still managed fifth in the Guinness Premiership.

"Sale have recruited well and they're a progressive club, while Clermont are very well organised and very well coached," said McGahan.

"We know their strengths as they probably know ours.

"People said they showed disrespect to Munster and the Heineken Cup last season at Thomond Park (they fielded well below full-strength), but I don't believe that was the case.

"They've to juggle with a long Top 14 season in France and I know their coach Vern Cotter has great respect for both Munster and the tournament itself.

"It's probably safe to say Clermont will have a stronger team for their next visit to Thomond.

"Travelling to Montauban is going to be a different experience for us.

They've had two solid seasons in the Top 14 and kicked on from there to fully deserve their place in the Heineken Cup."

Thomond Park has been a near-impossible place for away teams to win at in the Heineken Cup and McGahan is expecting a rousing reception for his team at the famous old stadium.

"It"s going to be our first home game on a Friday night and a new-look Thomond Park will be a new experience for everybody involved, players, management and supporters," added the Australian.

"I'm sure everyone will want to leave an imprint that night."

Terence O'Rorke / Eurosport