The pain of ASM Clermont Auvergne's semi-final defeat to Leinster Rugby last season is still raw - but Director of Rugby Jean-Marc Lhermet insists that Pool 5 is not a straight revenge fight between the champions and themselves.
"Last year we were very close to reaching the final - and that would have been a massive event for the story of the club," he said.
"It was terrible losing the game and while turning the page was very difficult it is done now and we must not reduce the pool as a duel between Clermont and Leinster.
First up for Aurelien Rougerie's side is the Scarlets at Stade Marcel Michelin on Saturday with former Scarlet Lee Byrne now a key member of the Clermont team.
"The Scarlets have evolved a lot since Lee joined us," he said. "They have been through team some difficult situations but they have made a tremendous start in the Pro12.
"They are building a team with some young high-level players. We fear them, the first game in Clermont will be crucial, but it is the best way to start the Heineken Cup.
"Lee has brought us a lot of experience at full back along with his serenity and his reliability for the key games. Lee was very motivated for the Top14 and has been well involved in the team.
"Clermont had to wait 100 years to get its first French champion title. We do not want to wait that long for a European title and we are improving more and more with a stable team."
