Scarlets have been drawn alongside Top 14 newcomers RC Vannes, Aviron Bayonnais, Georgian side Black Lion, Edinburgh and Gloucester in the pool stages of the 2024-25 EPCR Challenge Cup.
The draw took place in Cardiff – the home of the 2024-25 finals – on Tuesday morning, pitting Dwayne Peel’s side against some familiar foes.
Vannes were promoted from the French second tier this season and have former Scarlets favourite Sione Kalamafoni in their ranks
Scarlets completed the double over Aviron Bayonnais on their way to the competition semi-finals in 2022-23, while Edinburgh and Black Lion were visitors to Parc y Scarlets last season.
Scarlets last met Gloucester in Europe in 2001, when they were edged out in a Heineken Cup thriller at Kingsholm.
Scarlets will face four of the five teams in their pools, two at home and two away.
With the Pools now set, fixture schedules for both tournaments including dates, venues, kick-off times and TV coverage will be announced later this month. Fixtures are determined following the input of individual club calendar and venue considerations, broadcast requirements and league calendar restrictions into an algorithm with the outcomes of the Pool Draws, all of which considerations are taken into account to deliver the optimum fixture schedules.
Pool stage matches will take place on the weekend of December 6-8, December 13-15, January 10-12 and January 17-19.