Head Coach Richard Hill looked forward to the club’s European adventure after the draw for the Amlin Challenge Cup – and admitted being paired with Stade Francais and Bucharest came as no surprise.
Warriors face 13-times French champions Stade Francais, Italian side Crociati Parma and Bucharest Wolves in Pool 1 this season.
The glamour tie with Stade sparks fond memories for Hill who was coach of Bristol when they stunned the French side 17-0 in November 2007 – the first occasion Stade Francais had been denied a point in 62 Heineken Cup ties.
“Playing Stade Francais will be a special moment for the club and obviously I remember that game at the Memorial Stadium when we defeated them in difficult conditions,” said Hill.
“They are a formidable team and playing them home and away will be a real test for the Warriors and one we will really relish and meet head-on.
“I always seem to draw Bucharest in Europe. Whichever club I have coached at we always seem to draw them so I actually had a sneaky feeling we would get Bucharest and Stade.
“The standard of the Amlin Challenge Cup has gone up year upon year and that is shown by the likes of Stade Francais, Toulon and Perpignan all taking part,” he added.
“European rugby gives a different type of motivation to the players and they all get excited about testing themselves against new opposition. With the draw we have been given we feel we can go well in this competition.
“The Amlin Challenge Cup is all part of the excitement of getting back into the Aviva Premiership. It all adds a bit of spice to our return to the top-flight.”