Three-time European Cup winners Toulon open their Challenge Cup campaign at TOP 14 rivals Bayonne on Friday night, with the Pool 2 clash at Stade Jean-Dauger live on beIN SPORTS from 19:45 GMT.

On the same night, 1997 European Cup champions Brive return to the Challenge Cup after a one-season absence with another all-French tie, at 2017 Challenge Cup winners Stade Français Paris, in Pool 4 from 19:45 GMT.

The following day, double European Cup champions Leicester Tigers make their Challenge Cup debut against 2000 Challenge Cup winners Pau in a Pool 5 encounter at Welford Road kicking off at 15:00.

Two-time European Cup winners and 2003 Challenge Cup champions Wasps then begin their Pool 3 campaign with a trip to Bordeaux-Bègles on Saturday night at 20:00 GMT, which is being televised live on FR4.

S4C will also broadcast one live match per round during the pool stage, following an agreement with rights-holders BT Sport and EPCR.

S4C’s Round 1 free-to-air match will feature 2018 Champions Cup semi-finalists Scarlets against London Irish, who are making a welcome return to the competition after a one-year absence. You can watch the Pool 2 game live on Saturday from 19:45.

Saturday’s schedule begins at 13:30 GMT, when Cardiff Blues open their bid for a third Challenge Cup at Rugby Calvisano.

For all the Round 1 fixtures, click HERE.

Past European Cup champions RC Toulon, Brive, Wasps and Leicester Tigers are among the big names in the 2019/20 Challenge Cup, which kicks off with a mouth-watering set of fixtures this weekend.