The Ospreys begin the defence of their EDF Energy Cup at home to Harlequins on the weekend of 4 October.

The four groups of four teams, with one Welsh region in each, are the same as last season, London Irish and Worcester in Group C with the Ospreys and Quins.

The Dragons, Gloucester, Wasps and Newcastle are in Group A, 2008 runners-up Leicester in Group B with the Blues, Bath and Sale.

The final pool comprises the Scarlets, Bristol, Northampton and Saracens.

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"With two home matches in the group we'll be looking to mount another serious assault on the trophy," said Ospreys coach Sean Holley.

BBC network will start their coverage with the visit of Guinness Premiership champions Wasps to Gloucester on Saturday, 4 October.

EDF Energy Cup fixtures 2008/9:

Round One: 3-5 October:
Pool A: Gloucester Rugby v London Wasps (4 October, 1430 BST, live on BBC network)
Pool A: Dragons v Newcastle Falcons
Pool B: Bath Rugby v Leicester Tigers
Pool B: Sale Sharks v Blues
Pool C: Ospreys v Harlequins
Pool C: Worcester Warriors v London Irish
Pool D: Northampton Saints v Bristol Rugby
Pool D: Saracens v Scarlets

Round Two: 24-6 October
Pool A: Newcastle Falcons v London Wasps
Pool A: Gloucester Rugby v Dragons
Pool B: Blues v Leicester Tigers
Pool B: Sale Sharks v v Bath Rugby
Pool C: Harlequins v London Irish
Pool C: Ospreys v Worcester Warriors
Pool D: Saracens v Northampton Saints
Pool D: Scarlets v Bristol Rugby

Round Three: 31 October-1 November 1
Pool A: Newcastle Falcons v Gloucester Rugby
Pool A: London Wasps v Dragons
Pool B: Blues v Bath Rugby
Pool B: Leicester Tigers v Sale Sharks
Pool C: London Irish v Ospreys
Pool C: Worcester Warriors v Harlequins
Pool D: Northampton Saints v Scarlets
Pool D: Bristol Rugby v Saracens

Semi-finals: 27-9 March (live on BBC):

Final: 17-9 April (Twickenham, live on BBC):

*Fixtures, dates and times are subject to late change