The start of the 2010-11 Anglo Welsh LV= Cup will see champions Northampton Saints launch their title defence at Premiership runners-up Saracens.
Jim Mallinder's side, who beat Gloucester Rugby 30-24 in a five-try thriller at Sixways with tries from prop Soane Tonga'uiha, centre James Downey and scrum half Lee Dickson, have been drawn at Vicarage Road on the weekend of November 6.
The teams met in one of last season’s semi finals in March, which the Saints won 31-20 with Paul Diggin, Brian Mujati, Phil Dowson and Neil Best crossing on that occasion.
Else where in the first round of pool fixtures in the annual Anglo-Welsh tournament: Aviva Premiership newcomers Exeter Chiefs host London Wasps at Sandy Park; Newcastle Falcons welcome Ospreys to Kingston Park; and beaten finalists Gloucester Rugby travel to Dragons.
Terry Burwell, Anglo Welsh LV= Cup Director, said: "Last season’s tournament produced some great rugby and in the final, one of the stand out games of the season.
"We are very much looking forward to the second year of a competition structure that not only helps players, coaches and officials develop but also provides more revenue potential for the English Premiership clubs and the Welsh regions.
"We have a committed broadcaster in Sky Sports for the next five years, plus coverage in Wales from S4C, and we would like to thank LV= for supporting the Rugby Football Union, Premiership Rugby, the Welsh Rugby Union and the teams themselves in the delivery of elite knockout rugby."
David Radford, LV= Group Marketing Director, said: "(The Anglo Welsh) LV= is strongly committed to rugby and our sponsorship of the Anglo-Welsh tournament. We are looking forward to another year of high quality, competitive rugby."
Pool 1
Leicester Tigers
London Wasps
Newcastle Falcons
Cardiff Blues
Pool 2
Saracens
London Irish
Leeds Carnegie
Dragons
Northampton Saints
Bath Rugby
Sale Sharks
Scarlets
Pool 4
Gloucester Rugby
Harlequins
Exeter Chiefs
Ospreys
Opening round fixtures
Round 1 (weekend of November 6, 2010)
Bath Rugby v Cardiff Blues
Exeter Chiefs v London Wasps
Newcastle Falcons v Ospreys
Leicester Tigers v Harlequins
Sale Sharks v London Irish
Saracens v Northampton Saints
Dragons v Gloucester Rugby
Scarlets v Leeds Carnegie
