European Challenge Cup: Connacht chief executive Gerry Kelly is looking forward to an exciting campaign after the western province were drawn in Pool 1 along with London Irish, Rugby Rovigo and Dax or Albi for this season's European Challenge Cup.
The 20 teams who qualified for the competition were graded into four tiers of five with each of the five pools having one team from the four tiers.
Teams from the same country were kept apart for the pool stages with the exception of the sixth and seventh ranked teams from France (Toulon and Stade Montois) and the sixth ranked team from England (Bristol), who could be drawn with teams from the same country.
The draw was conducted using the new ERC European Ranking system based on the qualified teams' performances and participation in the Heineken Cup and knock-out stages of the European Challenge Cup over the past four seasons.
In Connacht's case there will be a first competitive clash against London Irish and also a first meeting with either Albi or Dax from France when the competition gets under way in October.
"We're pleased with the draw we received in this season's European Challenge Cup," said Kelly.
"It will be exciting. Having London Irish coming to Galway will be a great sporting occasion and we're very much looking forward to the challenge and to playing them in the Madjeski Stadium.
"It'll be our first time facing them in Europe but we have played them over the last few years in pre-season friendlies and we've a very good working relationship with them."
As for the Italian challenge, it will be a case of winding back the clock as Connacht defeated Rovigo 21-10 when they travelled to northern Italy 10 years ago.
Despite taking something of a step into the unknown against the French and Italian sides, Kelly remains confident of making it to the quarter-finals.
"We would be confident of reaching the quarter-finals and now that we know who we're playing we can look forward to the games ahead."
IN OTHER news from the province Mick Grealish has been appointed president of the Connacht Branch.
Grealish has a long association with Connacht going back to the 1960s. The former scrumhalf captained Our Lady's Boys Club RFC to a double of Junior League and Cup titles in the early seventies.
"It's a great honour to represent the province in this capacity," said Grealish. "I'd like to take this opportunity to thank Michael Cunningham for the commitment he gave to the office of president and I look forward to continuing that in my new role throughout the forthcoming season."
European Challenge Cup Pools 2008 / 2009
Pool 1: London Irish, Connacht Rugby, Dax*/Albi*, Rugby Rovigo
Pool 2: Northampton Saints, Bristol Rugby, Montpellier, Toulon
Pool 3: Bourgoin, Worcester Warriors, Petrarca Rugby, Bucuresti Oaks
Pool 4: Newcastle Falcons, Brive, Overmach Rugby Parma, Cetransa El Salvador
Pool 5: Saracens, Viadana, Bayonne, Stade Montois Rugby
Note: The participation of Dax / Albi is subject to confirmation from the LNR and FFR.
European Challenge Cup 2008/2009 Fixtures
Round 1: October 10-12, 2008
Round 2: October 17-19, 2008
Round 3: December 5-7, 2008
Round 4: December 12-14, 2008
Round 5: January 17-19, 2009
Round 6: January 24-26, 2009
Quarter-finals: April 10-12, 2009
Semi-finals: May 1-3, 2009
13th European Challenge Cup final: May 22-24, 2009
