Cardiff Blues will kick-off the new European season with a home clash against Grenoble at BT Sport Cardiff Arms Park in October.
Blues face London Irish, Grenoble and a European qualifier in Pool 1 of the 2014/15 European Rugby Challenge Cup after the draw took place in Switzerland in June.
Organisers of the European Professional Club Rugby (EPCR) event, that saw Blues named as one of three top seeds, have confirmed Blues will start the new Euro bid against Top 14 side Grenoble on Saturday, October 18 (kick-off 2.30pm).
Round 2 will see Blues face an away game against the final European qualifier. The qualifying tournament for this last place is completed in late September and Blues will face either FEMI-CZ Rugby Rovigo Delta from Italy or Tbilisi Caucasians from Georgia.
Blues face English Premiership side London Irish in back to back games in Rounds 3 and 4 in December. The
region will now agree dates with the Exiles over these two games.
A home game against the European qualifier will take place at BT Sport Cardiff Arms Park in mid-January before the pool stages are completed with an away trip to Grenoble and Stade Lesdiguieres. Details of Round 5 and 6 fixtures will be confirmed by EPCR after Round 4 in December.
European Rugby Challenge Cup Fixtures 2014/15:
Round 1: Cardiff Blues vs Grenoble, BT Sport Cardiff Arms Park – Saturday, October 18 (kick-off 2.30pm)
Round 2: FEMI-CZ Rugby Rovigo Delta or Tbilisi Caucasians vs Cardiff Blues – 23/24/25/26 October
Round 3: Cardiff Blues vs London Irish, BT Sport Cardiff Arms Park – 4/5/6/7 December
Round 4: London Irish vs Cardiff Blues, Madejski Stadium – 11/12/13/14 December
Round 5: Cardiff Blues vs FEMI-CZ Rugby Rovigo Delta or Tbilisi Caucasians, BT Sport Cardiff Arms Park – 15/16/17/18 January
Round 6: Grenoble vs Cardiff Blues, Stade Lesdiguieres – 22/23/24/25 January