PERPIGNAN, last season's Heineken Cup semi-finalists, return to Amlin Challenge Cup action after nearly a decade when they host the Exeter Chiefs at the Stade Aime Giral on Friday night.
The Catalan giants last played in the Amlin Challenge Cup in 2001 and with new signings of the calibre of mercurial Welshman, James Hook, will be viewed as one of the favourites to reach the final in London.
The Chiefs, who are in only their second season of European action of any kind, will experience the unique atmosphere of one of the great rugby citadels when they travel to Perpignan.
But coach Rob Baxter will be hoping his side can build on the two wins on French soil they achieved in last season's competition when they did the double over Bourgoin.
I Cavalieri Prato v Newport Gwent Dragons
(Saturday November 12, KO 14:30)
I CAVALIERI PRATO will be looking hoping to add to the Newport Gwent Dragons recent woes on Italian soil when they host the Welsh region at the Stadio Lungobisenzio on Saturday.
The Welsh region recently suffered a one-sided away defeat to Treviso in the Pro 12 in Italy and will be looking to kick off their first Amlin Challenge campaign for four years.
The Men of Gwent will be without skipper and lock Luke Charteris, who impressed during Wales' recent World Cup campaign in New Zealand, but will be looking to the likes of Dan Lydiate, Lloyd Burns and Toby Faletau to lead them to victory.
The Italian outfit, who were runners up in last season's Super 10 competition, will be hoping to build on their solitary European victory over Connacht in last season's Amlin Challenge Cup.