Three-time champions Toulouse complete the opening weekend of the Heineken Cup with a home tie in Pool 5 against English outfit Sale Sharks.

The 1996, 2003 and 2005 winners failed to add to their European roll of honour last season after suffering a heart-breaking 9-6 quarter-final defeat to Cardiff Blues at the Millennium Stadium

Toulouse kick-off their Heineken campaign sitting fifth in the Top 14 but gained some much-needed confidence with a 30-12 away win at Montpellier last weekend.

Sale have only reached the latter stages of the competition once, in 2006, and it would be a surprise if they achieve a similar goal this year from the ‘Pool of Death’ containing the Blues and Harlequins.