Cardiff Blues will face Montpellier, Harlequins and Rugby Calvisano in the 2015/16 European Rugby Challenge Cup after the pool draw took place this afternoon in Neuchatel, Switzerland.
The European Professional Club Rugby (EPCR) event, that saw Cardiff Blues placed in Group 3, was conducted by Craig Doyle (BT Sport) alongside former European Cup winner Raphael Ibanez and former Challenge Cup winner Dimitri Yachvili and broadcast across Europe.
Blues were drawn against top seeds Montpellier who have made a number of notable signings ahead of this season with Jannie and Bismarck Du Plessis, Ben Mowen, Nic White, Jesse Mogg, Jacques du Plessis and Schalk van der Merwe all snapped up.
Danny Wilson’s side also travel to England to face Harlequins who, of course, boast the likes of former Cardiff Blues players Jamie Roberts and Adam Jones amongst their ranks.
Finally, Blues face the Italian job after being placed alongside Rugby Calvisano, who have qualified for this year’s tournament.
Head Coach Danny Wilson said: “We are excited and it’s a huge challenge. In many ways we are in a Champions Cup group such is the calibre of teams we will be up against.
“Hopefully these fixtures really whet the appetite of our fans and we can look forward to playing in front of some big crowds, both home and away.
“Montpellier are rightly top seeds, especially when you look at the manner in which they have recruited this summer.
“Harlequins will see the potential return to BT Sport Cardiff Arms Park of Jamie Roberts and Adam Jones so I am sure that will capture the imagination of our fans too. We’re looking forward to the competition and the tests ahead.”
Cardiff Blues will confirm exact fixture details in due course.