Irish have a Friday night at the Stade Maurice Boyau to look forward to (Getty)

London Irish will begin their European Challenge Cup campaign at home to Italians Rovigo on Saturday 11 October.

They then travel to Connacht to play the Irish province on Friday 17 October and down to south-west France to play Dax on Friday 5 December.

The return match against Dax is scheduled to take place in Reading on Thursday 11 December.

The dates of the remaining fixtures will be finalised once the first four rounds have been played.

Irish last played in the Challenge Cup in the 2005/6 season, when they lost 36-34 to Gloucester in the final.

All matches will be broadcast live by BBC Radio Berkshire.