(If a Welsh club wins the Heineken Cup or the Amlin Challenge Cup, Wales will earn an additional place in the Heineken Cup)

Wales: 3 clubs (selected by performance in RaboDirectPRO12 League) - Cardiff Blues, Ospreys, Scarlets

(If an Irish club wins the Heineken Cup or the Amlin Challenge Cup, Ireland will earn an additional place in the Heineken Cup)

Ireland: 3 clubs (selected by performance in RaboDirectPRO12 League) - Leinster Rugby (2011/12 Heineken Cup winners), Munster Rugby and Ulster Rugby. Leinster's Heineken Cup victory earned an additional place for Connacht Rugby

Scotland: 2 clubs (nominated by Scottish Rugby) - Edinburgh Rugby, Glasgow Warriors

Italy: 2 clubs (nominated by the Italian Federation) - Benetton Treviso, Zebre