Stuart Abbott will lead Harlequins' push for honours

Saracens and Glasgow Warriors, who both played in last season's Heineken Cup, are in a group with Narbonne and Parma.

Newport Gwent Dragons will clash with Bayonne, Bristol and Bucuresti.

Worcester take on Clermont Auvergne, Viadana and Albi, while Newcastle Falcons will meet Brive, Montauban and Petrarca Padova.

With Wales represented in the competition this season, 20 teams from seven nations will compete for the coveted European title.

Each side from England, France, Ireland, Italy, Romania, Scotland and Wales is guaranteed six group matches with the five pool winners and three best runners-up advancing to the knock-out stages.

SCRUM V VIEW Ospreys have got the easiest group, I would be very upset if we did not qualify MD Scrum V: Have your say

Last season's champions Gloucester and beaten finalists London Irish have both qualified for the Heineken Cup and will therefore not be competing.

The pool matches start on the weekend of 20 October.

European Challenge Cup draw:

Pool 1
Newport Gwent Dragons, Bayonne, Bristol Rugby, Bucuresti

Pool 2
Glasgow Warriors, Narbonne, Saracens, GRAN Parma

Pool 3
Newcastle Falcons, Brive, Petrarca Padova, Montauban

Pool 4
Connacht Rugby, Montpellier, Bath Rugby, NEC Harlequins

Pool 5:
ASM Clermont Auvergne, Worcester Warriors, Viadana, Albi