Amlin Challenge Cup Pool 1 - Round 1 Preview

Richard Hill's men bounced straight back into the English Premiership after their relegation in 2009/10 and find themselves in Pool 1 in this year's competition with Stade Francais Paris, Banca Monte Crociati and Bucharest Wolves.

In their six-year history in the competition the Warriors have reached the knock-out stage on three occasions, including an appearance in the Final in 2008. And their experienced squad which includes former England half-backs Andy Goode and Shaun Perry will look to guide them into the last eight once again.

Their opponents on Thursday, Stade Francais, fell at the final hurdle last season, losing 19 v 18 to Harlequins in the Amlin Challenge Cup final in Cardiff.

They find themselves in mid-table in the French TOP14 after 10 rounds of action but will go into the game full of confidence following last weekend's 37 v 16 victory over high-flying Clermont Auergne.

Stade have only had three previous appearances in the Amlin Challenge Cup and they reached at least the quarter-finals in each of those seasons.

Bucharest Wolves v Banca Monte Crociati
(Sunday November 15, KO 15:00)

The second match in Pool 1 sees Romanian side Bucharest Wolves welcome Crociati to Stadionul Arcul de Triumf on Sunday.

The two sides find themselves in the same Pool this year and in the same fixture last season the Wolves recorded their only victory of the campaign, winning 20 v 19.

Crociati won the corresponding victory 16 v 12 in Northern Italy, which was their only victory in their debut season in the competition.