NEWPORT have again been handed a tough draw in next season's Heineken Cup -- French giants Toulouse, leading Irish province Leinster and English cup holders Newcastle.

France captain Fabien Pelous plays for Toulouse, Ireland centre Brian O'Driscoll is in the Leinster ranks while England star Jonny Wilkinson is Newcastle's leading light.

Newport lock Ian Gough, recovering from a shoulder operation and aiming to be back for the European campaign, will come up against Six Nations rivals Pelous and Leinster's Malcolm O'Kelly.

"It's mouth-watering," said Gough. "You can't get a more high profile side than Toulouse, and it'll be nice to go to another Premiership side and to Dublin.

"We were second in the league two years ago, we won the cup last season, now we've got to aim for at least a quarter-final place."

Toulouse won the Heineken Cup in 1996 and have reached three other semi-finals. They failed to get past the pool stage for the first time last season, but recovered to clinch their 16th French championship on Saturday night by beating Monferrand 34-22.

Other stars in their squad include wing Emile Ntamack, full back Xavier Garbajosa, outside half Alain Penaud, props Christian Califano and Franck Tournaire, plus New Zealand centre Lee Stesness.

They have 16 internationals and their 37,000 capacity Stade des Sept Deniers Stadium is one of the best in France.

They put Ebbw Vale to the sword there a few years ago, scoring over 100 points.

Leinster, while not quite the force of Munster, still possess some leading Irish players, notably O'Driscoll and fellow Lion lock O'Kell as well as full back Girvan Dempsey, wing Denis Hickie and back row trio Eric Miller, Trevor Brennan and Victor Costello.

Apart from Wilkinson, Newcastle have Viaga Tuigamala, Scottish trio John Leslie, Gary Armstrong and Doddy Weir, and England youngsters Jamie Noon, Mike Stephenson and David Walder.

Cardiff are in the same group as Northampton, Montferrand and Glasgow. Llanelli are in an easier group with Perpignan and Calvisano, plus champions Leicester as well.

Bridgend have probably the hardest draw of the Welsh clubs, alongside Munster, Castres and Harlequins, while Swansea have drawn Bath, Biarritz and Edinburgh.

Pool dates: September 28, 29, 30; October 5,6,7; October 26,27,28; November 2,3,4; January 4,5,6; January 11,12,13.

Actual fixtures should be known later this week.