Two-time Heineken Cup winner Neil Back is delighted to be leading Leeds Carnegie into Europe next season following the draw for the European Challenge Cup Pools.
The draw in Dublin has pitted Back's newly promoted Guinness Premiership side with last year's runners up in this competition, French side Bourgoin, as well as Italian outfit Overmach Rugby Parma and Bucuresti Oaks from Romania.
Commenting on the draw Back said:
"European rugby has always held a special place for me but this will be the first time that Andy Key and I have coached a team in Europe. The Challenge Cup is the second tier of European competition below the Heineken Cup but we are thrilled with the draw especially as it gives us a chance to take on someone who was a great servant for Leeds, Alberto Di Bernardo, at his new club in Bourgoin.
Our main objective next season is obviously to consolidate our position in the Guinness Premiership but we also want to represent Leeds and Yorkshire in Europe. It is great for a team to challenge themselves in a different environment and you learn a lot about individuals when you are away from home in Europe and I am looking forward to taking this group of players on the road next season." added Back.
