Challenge Cup Pools confirmed

Editor

The five pools for next season's Challenge Cup have been confirmed after the draw in Neuchatel, Switzerland.

Defending champions Stade Français have been drawn with Edinburgh, London Irish and Russian side Krasny Yar.

Pool 1: Newcastle Falcons, Newport Gwent Dragons, Bordeaux-Bègles, Enisei-STM
Pool 2: Cardiff Blues, Sale Sharks, Lyon, Toulouse
Pool 3: Gloucester, Pau, Zebre, Agen
Pool 4: Stade Français, Edinburgh, London Irish, Krasny Yar
Pool 5: Brive, Connacht, Worcester Warriors, Oyonnax

Round 1: October 12/13/14/15, 2017

Round 2: October 19/20/21/22, 2017

Round 3: December 7/8/9/10, 2017

Round 4: December 14/15/16/17, 2017

Round 5: January 11/12/13/14, 2018

Round 6: January 18/19/20/21, 2018

Quarter-finals:  March 29/30/31 / April 1, 2018

Semi-finals: April 20/21/22, 2018

Challenge Cup final: Friday, May 11, 2018 (San Mamés Stadium, Bilbao)