Gloucester not taking pool lightly

 

Although the Challenge Cup is a second tier competition in Europe, the tournament contains a number of quality sides that could on any given day beat some of the teams in the Champions Cup.

 

Reigning champions Gloucester were probably the most happy with the draw after they were drawn in a pool that looks the a lot less harder than some of the others. Gloucester will play La Rochelle, Zebre and Worcester Warriors in Pool Four, which also means they will have a lot less travelling to do than the other teams in the competition.

 

Despite this, Gloucester director of rugby David Humphreys said they won't be taking any of the teams in their pool likely.

 

"While the pool doesn't look as tough as some of the others, I know full well that you cannot take anything or anyone for granted in European competition," said Humphreys. "We really enjoyed our time in the Challenge Cup last season and winning it was great for the players, fans and the club as a whole.

 

"The game against Worcester Warriors is the stand-out fixture for us because it will be a local derby. There will certainly be an edge to those fixtures and it means neither the players nor fans will have to travel too far. 

 

"I know very little about La Rochelle at this stage, other than it is a nice place to visit. We obviously know Zebre quite well having played them twice in the pool stage last season.

 

Last season's losing semifinalists Newport Gwent Dragons have been drawn in a tough pool with Sale Sharks, Castres and Pau. They will have to be at their best if they want to make the play-offs again.

 

"Our pool really shows how competitive this season's Challenge Cup is," said Dragons' flyhalf Jason Tovey.

 

"Hopefully, Pau bring new signings Conrad Smith and Colin Slade over. To have people like that at Rodney Parade would be great for our fans.

 

"Castres Olympique were Top 14 champions a few seasons ago and they will be looking to get into the Champions Cup via this competition." 

 

Connacht and Newcastle Falcons, both quarterfinalists last season, have both been drawn in Pool One and will be joined by Brive from France and Enisei-STM from Russia.

 

Connacht head coach Pat Lam said he is happy with the opposition his team has to encounter in order to reach the play-offs again.

 

"The Challenge Cup is massive now because next season, the winner automatically gets into the Champions Cup," said Lam. 

 

"What's important is to not only get through the pool, but to be seeded as high as possible, so you get a home quarter and semifinal.

 

"We're happy with the pool and, for me personally, it's a return to Newcastle Falcons, which I'm excited about. They were the first team I played for when I moved to Europe in the late 90s. In France it's Brive, a past European Cup winner which will be good for us. And finally to Enisei-STM, which is going to be an exciting trip to Russia."

 

Newcastle Falcons managing director Mick Hogan said he is excited about the prospect of playing in Russia against Enisei-STM, where there is a big possibility of his team travelling to Siberia.

 

He also believes the Russian outfit will test his team physically.

 

"We know a lot about Brive having played them six times in the past and this will be the third season in a row we've been drawn with an eastern European team. The big question is will we be sent to Siberia to face Enisei-STM," said Hogan.

 

"We've heard they are looking at playing their home games either in Sochi, where the Russians hosted the Winter Olympics, or Siberia. It is going to be exciting to break new ground and it will be an interesting logistical exercise for us.

 

"One thing I do know, having recruited some Russian players during my time at Sale Sharks, is that the Enisei-STM team will be full of big, tough and physically strong players. They did well to qualify for the Challenge Cup and I can see them upsetting one of two teams."

 

Pool Three seems to be the toughest of the three with Montpellier, Harlequins, Cardiff Blues and Cammi Calvisano. Jake White's Montpellier will be a tough team beat if the former Springbok coach's new recruits gel in what is starting to look like a talented squad of players. 

 

Cardiff Blues head coach Danny Wilson also had the French outfit on his mind after the draw.

 

"It was really exciting to be involved in a Challenge Cup draw. Our pool has a definite feel of the Champions Cup about it," said Wilson.

 

"Montpellier are undoubtedly the top seeds in the entire tournament given their recruitment drive this summer.

 

"I'm hopeful we can attract big crowds to the Cardiff Arms Park and I'm sure the fans will look forward to welcoming back Adam Jones and Jamie Roberts to Cardiff."

 

Harlequins head coach John Kingston will be targeting a fourth title and is looking forward to the quality opposition in Pool Three that his team will have to get through first.

 

"I'm glad we didn't draw another English club, the pool has a real European feel to it," said Kingston.

 

"We have great memories from the Challenge Cup, we are multiple winners and we will be going all out to make it a fourth Challenge Cup title.

 

"It's a very exciting pool to be in with some big European sides. You have to link in Jamie Roberts returning to his old club Cardiff Blues which will be anticipated even though we are still a while away from the tournament."