VRAC UP FOR THE CHALLENGE

VRAC, taking part in the tournament for a third time, face last season's European Shield finalists with De La Calle declaring: "To take part in a competition like the European Challenge Cup is a reward for us.
"Rugby is a passion which means making a lot of sacrifices, but in the end we enjoy the chance of sharing emotions with the best Europeans teams.
"For us the result is not the most important thing because primarily we are looking to gain more experience.
"This kind of challenge gives us the keys to get stronger by the day. The Valladolid Rugby Association Club has got a lot to learn by playing against teams of a very high level.
"They are professional clubs and their way of working is very different from ours. Most of players are always under pressure. Competition and selection are part of their life, and it is perhaps very hard to deal with.
"In Valladolid we are very far from these troubles and we feel very privileged because in the club it is all about passion and friendship.
"It's an honour for VRAC to have contests with players of the highest level, so we are looking forward to this tournament.
"We will face up to the challenge but I don't have any expectation of victory - the probability of us progressing past the first round is nil.
"Season 2003-2004 was very hard for the team. In one year we have lost four very important players and those most experienced in the European Challenge Cup competition.
"One of them left to play for a French team and the others for professional motivation - I guess it's the risk of playing for an amateur club.
"Unfortunately, the club has been hurt by these departures but we will be at the top of our game when the Italians from Viadana come to Valladolid. The match will be very difficult for us as Viadana have got huge potential and are a very physical side.
"I think that we will keep going until the last minutes of the game but our best hopes are for the second part of the tournament, the European Shield.
"We are capable of making progress in the Shield as we feel we can win against an Italian team who are on the same level as VRAC and, in the home leg and with the help of Spanish supporters, we could frighten them!
"No matter what happens, we will make sure we fully enjoy taking part in the tournament."