Amlin Challenge Cup Fixtures

The Sale Sharks – former double winners of the Amlin Challenge Cup title – will launch their challenge for a hat-trick of tournament honours when they host Spanish champions Cetransa El Salvador in Round 1 of the competition on Friday, 8 October

The fixtures, dates, kick-off times and host broadcasters for the first four rounds were today (Monday, 26 July) announced by tournament organisers ERC, with additional broadcast details to be announced at a later date.

The Sharks, the 2002 and 2005 winners, are joined by Harlequins, the 2001 and 2004 champions, in bidding to make it three titles with the London club travelling to Bayonne for their opening clash on Sunday, 10 October.

Bourgoin and Gloucester Rugby are also past winners of a tournament which will again see the five Pool winners and three of the Heineken Cup Pool runners-up contesting the knock-out stages in 2011.

Tournament newcomers are Premiership club Exeter Chiefs and Italian club Cavalieri Prato with Rugby Parma now operating as Crociati Rugby.