Bryan Redpath 'not intimidated' as Sale Sharks draw Toulon, Cardiff Blues and Montpellier in Heineken Cup

HAPPY: Sale's Bryan Redpath

By Mancunian Matters Staff

Sale Sharks will begin their Heineken Cup European adventure with glamour ties against Cardiff Blues and Toulon.

Bryan Redpath’s men, including new signings Danny Cipriani and Richie Gray, will face former Sale star Andrew Sheridan and England legend Johnny Wilkinson as the French giants head to the City of Salford stadium.

Toulon will be one of two French clubs in with the Sharks, after Montpellier took up the final spot.

The Sharks’ Heineken Cup campaign will kick off in early October, with the final being held at Dublin’s Aviva Stadium on May 18.

As well as Wilkinson and Sheridan, Toulon, who lost the Top 14 final to rivals Toulouse, have fellow Englishmen Simon Shaw and Steffon Armitage, as well as French star Davit Kubriashvili.

Cardiff Blues, who will return to their spiritual home at Cardiff Arms Park unless there are capacity fears, boast a number of Welsh international stars, including Leigh Halfpenny and Jamie Roberts.

Redpath told the club’s website: “We're very happy with that draw and, although we will be facing three strong sides, we will not be intimidated by the challenges that Heineken Cup rugby brings.

“It will be great to welcome the likes of Andrew Sheridan and Jonny Wilkinson to the new stadium.”

For more on this story and many others, follow Mancunian Matters on Twitter and Facebook.