Last year's beaten finalists Leicester are up against Clermont, the Ospreys and Viadana while Cardiff Blues, who were knocked out of last season's tournament by the Tigers in the semifinals, have been pitted against European giants Toulouse, Sale and Harlequins while the Dragons face Biarritz, Gloucester and Glasgow.
In today's draw made at Stade de France - venue of the 2010 final to be played on Saturday, 22 May - the cup holders were drawn in Pool 6 while Perpignan, the newly crowned French champions and Tier 2 team, will be up against Munster, Northampton Saints and Benetton Treviso in Pool 1.
The draw for the six Pools of four teams each, made by ERC Chairman Jean-Pierre Lux and Chief Executive Derek McGrath, also saw 2009 Heineken Cup finalists and former double champions Leicester Tigers drawn to face Ospreys ASM Clermont Auvergne and Viadana in Pool 3.
The draw was conducted using the merit-based ERC European Ranking system based on the qualified teams' performances over the past four seasons in the Heineken Cup and knock-out stages of the European Challenge Cup.
The 24 teams who have qualified for the 2009/10 competition were graded into four Tiers of six teams each with each of the six Pools having one team from each of the four Tier levels, English clubs Sale Sharks and Harlequins drawn together in Pool 5 as England have seven teams in next season's competition.
Ospreys Managing Director, Roger Blyth, commented: "This is a draw that promises some great rugby that will get people excited. We are involved in Europe's elite club competition and as such realised we would face sides of real calibre and quality. It is a tough draw but you wouldn't expect it to be any different, there are no easy games in this competition.
"Leicester are one of the best sides in Europe, they have been for years now, so their threat is an obvious one. They have a tremendous pedigree and it will be a huge examination for us but one we will relish.
"Clermont have been a real force in French rugby over recent years with the return of their coach, Vern Cotter, so they look like formidable opposition and Viadana are a relatively new team to the campaign so we'll be looking forward to seeing what they have to offer in terms of European rugby.
"It's always good to play different teams and face new challenges and this group certainly presents us with that opportunity.
"All of the sides in our pool love to play exciting rugby, as do we, so Ospreys fans can look forward to some really entertaining matches this season."
Heineken Cup Pools for 2009/10
Pool 1: Munster, Perpignan, Northampton, Treviso
Pool 2: Biarritz, Gloucester, Dragons, Glasgow
Pool 3: Leicester, Ospreys, Clermont, Viadana
Pool 4: Bath, Stade Francais, Ulster, Edinburgh
Pool 5: Toulouse, Cardiff Blues, Sale, Harlequins
Pool 6: Leinster, London Irish, Scarlets, Brive
THE TIERS (with ranking points):
TIER 1
33 - Munster, 26 - Leicester Tigers, 24 - Leinster, 21 - Toulouse, 20 - Bath Rugby, 20 - Biarritz Olympique Pays Basque
TIER 2
16 - Cardiff Blues, 14 - Stade Français Paris, 14 - Gloucester Rugby, 14 - Perpignan, 13 - Ospreys, 12 - London Irish
TIER 3
12 - Northampton Saints, 11 - Sale Sharks, 11 - ASM Clermont Auvergne, 11 - Scarlets, 7 - Ulster Rugby, 7 - Newport Gwent Dragons
TIER 4
6 - Harlequins, 6 - Glasgow Warriors, 5 - Edinburgh, 4 - Benetton Treviso, 4 - Brive, 1 - Viadana
HEINEKEN CUP 2009/10 FIXTURES
ROUND 1 - 9/10/11 October, 2009
ROUND 2 - 16/17/18 October, 2009
ROUND 3 -11/12/13 December, 2009
ROUND 4 -18/19/20 December, 2009
ROUND 5 - 15/16/17 January, 2010
ROUND 6 - 22/23/24 January, 2010
QUARTER-FINALS - 9 / 10 / 11 April, 2010
SEMI-FINALS - 1 / 2 May, 2010
15th HEINEKEN CUP FINAL - Stade de France - Saturday, 22 May
