First Heineken Cup dates to be announced on Monday

ERC will announce the fixtures, dates, kick-off times and host broadcasters for the first four rounds of the 2013/14 Heineken Cup on Monday, 22nd July.

The announcement will be made on www.ercrugby.com at 12.00 (UK and Irish time).

The fixtures for Rounds 5 and 6 in both tournaments will also be released, with the exact dates and kick-off times confirmed at a later stage.

NB The date for the announcement of the first four rounds of the 2013/14 Amlin Challenge Cup fixtures will be confirmed shortly.

2013/14 European club weekends

Round 1 - 10/11/12/13 October 2013

Round 2 - 17/18/19/20 October 2013

Round 3 - 5/6/7/8 December 2013

Round 4 - 12/13/14/15 December 2013

Round 5 - 9/10/11/12 January 2014

Round 6 - 16/17/18/19 January 2014

Quarter-finals - 3/4/5/6 April 2014

Semi-finals - 25/26/27 April 2014

Amlin Challenge Cup final - Cardiff Arms Park; Friday, 23 May 2014 (20.00)

Heineken Cup final - Millennium Stadium; Saturday, 24 May 2014 (17.00)

2013/14 Heineken Cup pools

Pool 1 Leinster Rugby, Northampton Saints, Ospreys, Castres Olympique

Pool 2 Toulon, Cardiff Blues, Glasgow Warriors, Exeter Chiefs

Pool 3 Toulouse, Saracens, Connacht Rugby, Zebre

Pool 4 ASM Clermont Auvergne, Harlequins, Scarlets, Racing Metro 92

Pool 5 Ulster Rugby, Leicester Tigers, Montpellier, Benetton Treviso

Pool 6 Munster Rugby, Perpignan, Edinburgh Rugby, Gloucester Rugby

Speaking to the local media this week ahead of the Bath Rugby game, Head Coach Laurie Fisher stressed that the fundamental shape of Gloucester's game is in good shape but that the Cherry and Whites have to look after the ball better and make more of their scoring opportunities.

Skipper for the day Willi Heinz faced the cameras after the 13-18 home loss to Newcastle and expressed real frustration at not being able to back up last week's win at Sale, calling it a performance he and his team-mates are not proud of.