Redpath is starting his second season in charge at Kingsholm

Head coach Bryan Redpath has stated he will field strong teams for the group stages of the Amlin Challenge Cup.

The Cherry and Whites start their pool matches with what looks their toughest game, away to Agen on 8 October.

Redpath told BBC Gloucestershire: "You've got to start somewhere and the squad is far more settled this season, certainly I learnt a lot last season.

"You've got to give it your all to give yourself a chance - winning a tournament is huge for any club."

Gloucester's first home game in the competition is against Italian outfit Rovigo on 16 October, with the rarity of a 1500 BST kick-off on a Saturday.

Later in the year, they have back-to-back games against La Rochelle, away on 11 December (kick-off 1730 GMT) and at home on 19 December (kick-off 1745 GMT).

The exact timings for rounds five and six are yet to be decided, but will see Gloucester go to Rovigo in mid-January and then finish a week later at home against Agen.

Redpath feels that match has the potential to be a group decider, but only if his team can perform earlier in the the competition.

He added: "We've got to start better to give ourselves a chance to go through as leaders of the group.

"To have a home game at the end with hopefully our destiny in our own hands then, in some parts, the away game first is quite good."

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