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Connacht head to Italy with both confidence and caution to face a Zebre side desperate for their first Heineken Cup win.

No upset and no giant killing at the Galway Sportsground, but it went so very close as Connacht put the English premiership leaders Saracens to the sword.

The much-anticipated 2013/14 Heineken Cup commences tomorrow and once again Connacht Rugby will face some of Europe’s elite clubs, starting with Saracens at the Galway Sporstground (8pm).

Connacht’s third foray into Heineken Cup Rugby will see French giants Toulouse return to the Galway Sportsground next season. Connacht have been drawn in pool three with Toulouse, English premiership side Saracens, and also familiar RaboDirect Pro 12 opponents, Italian side Zebre. With the three fellow Irish clubs all in tier one, Connacht were poised to draw Clermont, champions Toulon, or Toulouse. In steering clear of Clermont in pool 4, they also avoided meeting Conor O’Shea’s Harlequins again, but for a second successive year they will face Zebre.

Connacht’s third foray into Heineken Cup Rugby will see French giants Toulouse return to the Galway Sportsground next season.

There is something old and new for Connacht in next season’s Heineken Cup.

Connacht’s biggest season since the game turned professional kicks off on Saturday when the province travels to Italy to face Benetton Treviso in the newly-named Rabo Direct Pro 12 League. Having achieved a best place finish in the Celtic League last season, Connacht’s task now is to consolidate that position, while enjoying the glamour that Heineken Cup rugby will bring to the province for the first time.

Irish squad member Mike McCarthy returns to Connacht for tomorrow’s final pre-season fixture with English premiership side Saracens in London (6.45pm).

Connacht’s second pre-season friendly takes place today in Dublin when they face an Irish XV packed with players vying for World Cup selection.

Connacht Rugby is already swinging into gear to cope with an expected increase in supporters after the province drew European blue-bloods Toulouse in Tuesday’s Heineken Cup draw.