Wasps new director of rugby Tony Hanks will be eyeing silverware
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Wasps face a stern test in the European Challenge Cup after being drawn with French newcomers Racing-Metro 92, Bayonne and Italy's Rugby Calvisano. Wasps, who won the tournament in 2003, failed to lift a trophy last season. Toulon, who signed England's Jonny Wilkinson from Newcastle Falcons in May, are in a tough pool along with Castres, Saracens and Rovigo. The competition, which also includes Worcester Warriors, Newcastle and Saracens, kicks off on 8-11 October. Bourgoin, 2009 finalists, will play Leeds Carnegie, Overmach Rugby Parma and Bucuresti Oaks in Pool 1.
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606: DEBATE
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The draw also saw Spanish invitation team Olympus Rugby XV Madrid paired with Worcester Warriors, Connacht Rugby and Montpellier in Pool 2. The five Tier One teams - Wasps, Saracens, Bourgoin, Newcastle Falcons and Worcester Warriors - were kept apart in the draw. Only the French clubs were drawn in the same pools as they will have eight teams taking part in the competition. Northampton Saints beat Bourgoin 15-3 in last season's final to qualify for the Heineken Cup. The European Challenge Cup final will be played on 21, 22 or 23 May next year.
EUROPEAN CHALLENGE CUP 2009/10 POOLS POOL 1: Bourgoin, Leeds Carnegie, Overmach Rugby Parma, Bucuresti Oaks POOL 2: Worcester Warriors, Connacht Rugby, Montpellier, Olympus Rugby XV Madrid POOL 3: Saracens, Castres Olympique, Toulon, Rugby Rovigo POOL 4: London Wasps, Rugby Calvisano, Bayonne, Racing-Metro 92 POOL 5: Newcastle Falcons, Montauban, Petrarca Rugby, Albi
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