The draw for Round 1 of the European Shield, and who will have home advantage in the First Leg, was made in Dublin by Derek McGrath, ERC Chief Executive.
The 12 teams who failed to progress in the European Challenge Cup were joined in the draw by Romanian side Bucuresti, UCM Madrid and Bera Bera from Spain and Portugese side Lisboa Rugby Club.
EUROPEAN SHIELD - ROUND 1 FIRST LEG
Matches to be played 3 / 4 / 5 December
MATCH NO FIXTURE
15) Rugby Rovigo v Worcester
16) Leonessa v Bucuresti
17) Leeds Tykes v VRAC
18) Petrarca Rugby v Bera Bera
19) Lisboa Rugby Club v UCM Madrid
20) Amatori Catania v Bayonne
21) Coimbra v GRAN Rugby
22) Auch v L'Aquila
The Round 1 Second Leg and reverse fixtures will be played on the weekend of 10 / 11 / 12 December.
The draw for the quarter-finals, and order of home advantage, were also conducted.
EUROPEAN SHIELD - QUARTER-FINALS FIRST LEG
Matches to be played 7 / 8 / 9 January, 2005
MATCH NO FIXTURE
23) Winner Match 15 v Winner Match 16
24) Winner Match 17 v Winner Match 18
25) Winner Match 20 v Winner Match 19
26) Winner Match 22 v Winner Match 21
The second leg of the quarter-finals and reverse fixtures will be played on the weekend of 14 / 15 / 16 January.
NOTE:
The draw was conducted in such a way that no teams from the same country could be drawn to play against each other in Round 1 of the European Shield.