Exeter kick off their campaign with a home clash against Glasgow Warriors, having met in the pool stage last season. The English club won the match at Sandy Park, but the pair played out a thrilling 31-31 draw at Scotstoun.

This season’s competition launches with a trip to Franklin’s Gardens, where Northampton Saints host Bordeaux-Begles on Friday evening (17:30 UK and Irish time), before Ulster Rugby take on Toulouse at Kingspan Stadium in a repeat of last season’s quarter-final (20:00).

A superb opening Saturday starts with Challenge Cup holders Bristol Bears entertaining 2019 Challenge Cup winners ASM Clermont Auvergne (13:00) in Pool B, live and free-to-air on Channel 4 and Virgin Media.

Other highlights see Bath Rugby take on Scarlets at the Recreation Ground (15:15) and four-time European champions Leinster Rugby visit Montpellier (17:30), before the day is rounded off with Edinburgh Rugby’s home match against La Rochelle at BT Murrayfield (20:00).

The expanded 24-team Heineken Champions Cup format means we have a bumper Sunday of action too, with four European clashes throughout the afternoon.

Lyon v Gloucester Rugby is the opening course at 13:00, before 2020 finalists Racing 92 start their campaign in Paris against Connacht Rugby (15:15).

Exeter kick off at the same time at Sandy Park and the first round is completed by Munster Rugby’s home match against Harlequins at Thomond Park.

Every match is live on BT Sport and beIN SPORTS, the home of European rugby in the UK, Ireland and France.

Less than two months since Exeter Chiefs edged out Racing 92 at Ashton Gate to claim a first Heineken Champions Cup crown, the English side’s defence of their crown begins next Sunday as 23 other European heavyweights bid to land Europe’s elite club title.