Blues head into Lyon’s den to start Champions campaign
CARDIFF Blues, back in Europe’s top tier for the first time since 2014, are on their travels in round one of the Heineken Champions Cup against French side Lyon, who are making their debut at the top level.
The match takes place on Sunday, October 14 and will be shown live on BT Sport.
The Blues, Challenge Cup winners last season, host Glasgow at the Arms Park a week later before a testing double header against twice winners and English champions Saracens.
The fixtures for all six rounds of the pool stages were unveiled yesterday and it sees Scarlets take on the Parisian giants Racing 92 at Parc y Scarlets first up on Saturday, October 13.
Racing have seen All Black great Dan Carter depart for Japan, but possess a formidable international-studded squad that has been bolstered by the likes of Ireland wing Simon Zebo and Scotland fly-half Finn Russell.
The Scarlets travel to the east Midlands to take on Leicester Tigers at Welford Road in a Friday night fixture in round two before clashing with Guinness PRO14 rivals Ulster in back-toback Friday night fixtures in December.
In the Challenge Cup, the Ospreys kick-off their campaign at home to French side Pau - the first of three Saturday afternoon ties at the Liberty Stadium.
They make the short trip to take on Worcester, who have signed former Ospreys centre Ashley Beck, in round two, then face Stade Francais in the December ties.
Bernard Jackman’s Dragons will have their passports at the ready for a tricky trip to Romania in round one to take on pool minnows Timisoara Saracens.
Dan Biggar’s Northampton visit Rodney Parade in round two, but it’s December that will present a major challenge with a clash against the Saints at Franklin’s Gardens being followed by a trip to European powerhouses Clermont Auvergene. The Dragons finish with two home matches against Timisoara and Clermont.
Defending champions Leinster kickoff the Champions Cup against Wasps in what promises to be a mouthwatering clash at the RDS on Friday, October 12.
This season’s finals will be played at Newcastle’s St James’ Park on Friday, May 10 and Saturday, May 11.