By Glen Leat
June 10 2002

Following Saturday's Zurich Championship Final, Premier Rugby has confirmed the details of the 12 Zurich Premiership club's involvement in next season's European competitions and lo and behold, Bath have been seeded in the Parker Pen Shield! Makes you wonder about the unseeded opposition!

Heineken Cup 2002/03
Seed One   - Heineken Cup Winners:           Leicester Tigers
Seed Two   - Zurich Championship Winners:    Gloucester
Seed Three - Zurich Premiership Runner Up:   Sale Sharks
Seed Four  - Zurich Championship Runner Up:  Bristol Shoguns
Seed Five  - Powergen Cup Winner:            London Irish
Seed Six   - Zurich Premiership Fifth:       Northampton Saints

The remaining Premiership clubs qualify for the Parker Pen Shield and are seeded in order of final position in the Zurich Premiership.

Parker Pen Shield 2002/03
Seed One:   Newcastle Falcons
Seed Two:   London Wasps
Seed Three: NEC Harlequins
Seed Four:  Saracens
Seed Five:  Bath
Seed Six:   Leeds Tykes

How long can you hold your breath in anticipation?

The first round of European matches will be played on the weekend of 12th / 13th October 2002.