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As September approaches, Connacht are busy in preparation for a season of change for European club rugby.

After three seasons of Heineken Cup rugby, Connacht return to the Challenge Cup next season where they will face new opposition in two French and an English outfit. Drawn in pool two and ranked in tier four of eight, Connacht will face English outfit Exeter Chiefs, ranked in tier one.

After three seasons of Heineken Cup rugby, Connacht return to the Challenge Cup next season where they will face new opposition in two French and an English outfit.

Connacht fullback Gavin Duffy says the province will bounce back from its poorest result in the Heineken Cup.

It is uncharted waters for Connacht this weekend when they head to England with a place in the Heineken Cup quarter-finals up for grabs. This final pool three fixture at the home of current premiership leaders on Saturday (1.35pm) will decide which of the two teams finishes as runners-up and with it a spot in either the Heineken quarter-finals or the Amlin Cup. Toulouse, with an away fixture to Zebre, are almost guaranteed top spot, but it is all to play for at Allianz Park where favourites Saracens are 5/1 to reach the final of this most prestigious club competition.

Connacht’s third foray into Heineken Cup Rugby will see French giants Toulouse return to the Galway Sportsground next season.

Connacht complete their second Heineken Cup campaign this evening (8pm) at the Galway Sportsground intent on keeping their unbeaten record against Zebre intact, and finishing the pool on a high.

Connacht complete their second Heineken Cup campaign tomorrow evening (8pm) at the Galway Sportsground intent on keeping their unbeaten record against Zebre intact, and finishing the pool on a high.

There will be new challenges and old rivalries renewed as Connacht embark on their second Heineken Cup campaign in October. The draw for the 2012/13 tournament was made this morning in the Aviva stadium under the tutelage of ERC president Jean Pierre Lux and chief executive Derek McGrath. Connacht have been drawn in Pool 3 along with Amlin Challenge Cup winners Biarritz, Aviva Premiership Champions Harlequins and new Italian franchise Zebre.

There is something old and new for Connacht in next season’s Heineken Cup.