Leicester Tigers head coach Matt O'Connor has declared the Heineken Cup the toughest club competition around and believes that every game in this year's tournament will be vital for the former Champions.
The Tigers begin their 2011/12 European campaign with a trip to Italy to face Aironi on Saturday November 11, before welcoming Ulster to Welford Road the following week.
The 2001 and 2002 winners then have back to back games against Clermont Auvergne in December and O'Connor is expecting the usual severe examination.
"It doesn't matter who is in your group, the Heineken Cup is the toughest provincial club competition that there is - and we will approach it that way," he told the Leicester Mercury.
"We know that every game we play in the competition is going to be tough and that every game is really important."
