Toulon to kick-off European season

Taking on the Saints: Collins to star in October

French big spenders Toulon will kick-off the European season with a home Challenge Cup clash with Northampton, the ERC announced on Monday.

Europe's second tier competition will be first under the spotlight on each of the first four weekends of next term with Tana Umaga's men taking on England's newly-promoted side at Stade Felix Mayol on Thursday October 9.

Two European Challenge Cup games will be televised live in each Round with the fixtures, dates, kick-off times and television coverage released by tournament organisers the ERC.

However, due to venue and potential weather restrictions in Romania - and following consultation with the clubs involved - Bucuresti Oaks will play their three home fixtures at the earliest possible dates to avoid the challenge of a Romania winter.

European Challenge Cup Pools:

Pool One: London Irish, Connacht, Dax, Rugby Rovigo

Pool Two: Northampton, Bristol, Montpellier, Toulon

Pool Three: Bourgoin, Worcester, Petrarca, Bucuresti Oaks

Pool Four: Newcastle, Brive, Overmach Parma, Cetransa El Salvador

Pool Five: Saracens, Viadana, Bayonne, Stade Montois

Opening fixtures:

(All kick-offs local times)

Round One:

Thursday October 9

Pool Two - Toulon v Northampton 20.45

Friday October 10

Pool One - Dax v Connacht Rugby 19.00

Pool Two - Montpellier v Bristol 19.00

Pool Five - Bayonne v Viadana 19.30

Saturday October 11

Pool One - London Irish v Rugby Rovigo 15.00

Pool Three - Petrarca v Worcester 15.00

Pool Four - Newcastle v El Salvador 18.30

Sunday October 12

Pool Three - Bucuresti Oaks v Bourgoin 16.30

Pool Four - Overmach Parma v Brive 14.30

Pool Five - Saracens v Stade Montois 15.00