in the United States, in effect, operating as a Russian agent.

Because of the alleged ties, Israeli officials its methods of operation and intelligence sources could be compromised if the information is shared with the Trump administration, the Jewish newspaper Haaretz reported.

Israeli intelligence officials are also taking seriously allegations that Putin has over Trump what were termed “leverages of pressure.” The reference is apparently to allegations that Putin holds compromising information on Trump that could be used in a blackmail attempt.

The officials say they were warned by their American counterparts to “be careful” when sharing intelligence information with the White House and the National Security Council after Trump’s inauguration Jan. 20.

The United States and Israel have been close partners in the Middle East, including frequently engaging in joint intelligenceSaracens, semi-finalists last season when they were outsmarted by Toulon at Twickenham, look to have the best prospect of making the knockout stage. They are grouped with Toulouse, four-times winners but wobbling of late, Connacht and Zebre, who went through their first campaign in the RaboDirect without winning a match, an achievement they also managed in their Heineken Cup pool.

Leicester almost invariably draw Treviso, no longer easybeats in Europe, but they will face Montpellier, who made the Top 14 play-offs last month, for the first time. They will also be returning to a ground where they have suffered their two heaviest defeats in the tournament, Ravenhill, having lost to Ulster 33-0 in 2003 and 41-7 eight seasons later.

Northampton, finalists in 2011, have probably the most demanding assignment. They