GWENT Dragons will face former European champions Ulster at Rodney Parade on their Heineken Cup debut in December.

But coach Mike Ruddock, pictured, is happy with the opening fixtures in their very tough group, saying: "It is as good as we could have hoped for."

The Dragons will face Ulster on the weekend of December 5-7 before visiting twice European champions Leicester Tigers the following weekend.

Then it's Stade Francais, previous European finalists, at home (January 9-11) before travelling to France the following week. That's followed by Leicester at home and Ulster away.

"It's a very tough group, but it's a chance to get off to a good start," said Ruddock. "We play Ulster away in the Celtic League in September so we will be able to gauge things a bit better then.

"They have a former Super 12s coach in Alan Solomons who did a very good job with the recent Barbarians side. They've been a bit under the shadow of Munster and Leinster in recent seasons, so they'll be keen to put the record straight.

"I've done battle with them many times (when in charge at Leinster and Ebbw Vale) and the record is about 50-50.

"They have a strong pack and a very good set piece, and in Ireland outside half David Humphries and scrum half Neil Doak they have a pair of half backs who control things well."

The competition this season will include a bonus system, with teams scoring four or more tries in a match and teams losing by seven or fewer points earning a point. Otherwise, a win will earn four points and a draw two. The six pool winners and best two runners-up will qualify for the knock-out.

Toulouse will begin their defence of the competition away to Edinburgh while the other Welsh regional sides, Neath/Swansea, Cardiff Blues, Llanelli Scarlets and Celtic Warriors will face Leeds (away), Sale (away), Northampton (home) and Calvisano (home) respectively.