THE Newport Gwent Dragons Premiership Select XV will lock horns with a trio of English Championship opponents in the British and Irish Cup.

The Dragons will take on Yorkshire Carnegie, Bedford Blues and Ealing Trailfinders in a tough group in the cross-border competition.

The BIC once again runs in parallel with the European Rugby Challenge Cup and will feature a mix of fringe players and academy talent, with a similar combination also likely take to the field against Aviva Premiership sides in the returning Anglo-Welsh Cup in the coming campaign.

Academy boss James Chapron's side will attempt to make it through after tailing off in 2015/16, starting promisingly with wins against Connacht Eagles in Galway and Jersey only for three losses to end their quarter-final hopes.

They will need to be on their game against last year's runners-up Yorkshire Carnegie (formerly Leeds) and quarter-finalists Bedford.

"The English Championship is a really tough league and whatever team you draw will provide stern opposition," said Chapron.

"It's always going to be a step up for the younger players and we will be looking to build on last year in terms of performance, when we had a disappointing end after a good start.

"Our squad has a bit more experience under their belt and this season there is a good chance for players to develop with the BIC in addition to the Principality Premiership, which is a good proving ground, and Anglo-Welsh Cup.

"We'll know a bit more about Ealing after they play the Dragons in pre-season (at Ystrad Mynach on August 20) while Yorkshire Carnegie are going to be a big test in Leeds, just as Doncaster away was last year.

"But that's exactly what we want, the likes of (Wales Under-20s internationals) Harri Keddie and Leon Brown can challenge themselves in games like these."

Last season the Dragons took their games around the Premiership grounds with Jersey heading to Cross Keys and Connacht welcomed to Ebbw Vale.

The encounter with Doncaster was played on the plastic pitch in Ystrad Mynach rather than Bedwas because of poor weather and it is possible that some or all fixtures will be played at the region's training base again this season.

Groups

Pool One: Jersey, London Scottish, Ulster A, Cardiff Blues Premiership Select

Pool Two: London Welsh, Doncaster, Munster A, Rotherham

Pool Three: Cornish Pirates, London Irish, Ospreys Premiership Select, Connacht Eagles

Pool Four: Leinster A, Scarlets Premiership Select, Nottingham, Richmond

Pool Five: Yorkshire Carnegie, Bedford Blues, Newport Gwent Dragons Premiership Select, Ealing Trailfinders

Dragons fixtures

Weekend of October 14: Bedford (a)

Weekend of October 21: Ealing (h)

Weekend of December 9: Yorkshire Carnegie (a)

Weekend of December 16: Yorkshire Carnegie (h)

Weekend of January 13: Ealing (a)

Weekend of January 20: Bedford (h)

Quarter-finals: Weekend of March 10

Semi-finals: Weekend of March 31

Final: April 22