NEWPORT Gwent Dragons have been handed a tricky draw against Sale, Castres and Pau in the European Rugby Challenge Cup.

The Rodney Parade side will attempt to repeat last season’s heroics when they topped a pool featuring French champions Stade Francais, Newcastle and Bucharest on their way to the semi-finals.

A lot will depend on how seriously the French take the competition and the Dragons will be buoyed by last year's stunning win in Paris.

There is the prize of a Champions Cup spot for the winners of next season's Challenge Cup as the upcoming World Cup leaves no room in the schedule for play-offs.

Both the Champions Cup and Challenge Cup finals will take place at the Grand Stade de Lyon on the weekend of May 13.

The final of the premier competition will be at Murrayfield in Edinburgh in 2017 with the Challenge Cup final to be announced at a later date.

Pool One: Connacht, Brive, Newcastle, Enisei-STM

Pool Two: Sale, Newport Gwent Dragons, Castres, Pau

Pool Three: Montpellier, Harlequins, Cardiff Blues, Calvisano

Pool Four: La Rochelle, Gloucester, Zebre, Worcester

Pool Five: Edinburgh, London Irish, Grenoble, Agen