Welsh trio learn Challenge Cup knockout opponents

Cardiff, Dragons and Ospreys will all go on their travels in the last 16 of the European Challenge Cup.

The Blue and Blacks will face second seeds Benetton, the Rodney Parade club will go to Stade Francais and Mark Jones' men visit Ulster.

The seedings mean that the three Welsh clubs would also face an away tie in the quarter-finals should they progress.

The dates for the last 16 fixtures are yet to be confirmed but will take place on 3, 4 or 5 April.

Scarlets will watch on after missing out on the knockout stages of both competitions by finishing bottom of Pool Four of the Champions Cup despite a spirited showing in a 43-28 defeat by Northampton.

Dragons moved to the brink of qualification on Friday with a 35-12 victory against Newcastle Red Bulls in Newport.

Their four-try bonus proved to be crucial because it gave them the edge over both Perpignan and Lions when they drew 20-20 in France.

Dragons finished third in Pool Two and now go up against fourth seeds Stade Francais, who are the top-ranked runner-up.

Ospreys had a shot at earning Pool One top spot but ended up finishing fourth with a 31-26 defeat by Montpellier in Bridgend.

That means they will go up against third seeds Ulster in Belfast after the Irish province beat Stade Francais to win Pool Three.

Cardiff also face a tough task against United Rugby Championship (URC) rivals in the shape of Benetton, who won all four pool matches.

The Blue and Blacks lost their shootout with Exeter for home advantage and the 31-0 defeat means they travel to Treviso while the Chiefs entertain Munster, who drop down from the Champions Cup.

Challenge Cup last 16 draw: Montpellier (1) v Perpignan (16), Connacht (8) v Sharks (9), Stade Francais (4) v Dragons (13), Zebre (5) v Pau (12), Benetton (2) v Cardiff (15), Exeter (7) v Munster (10), Ulster (3) v Ospreys (14), Newcastle (6) v La Rochelle (11).