With the 2015/16 European Challenge Cup to look forward to, we thought we’d give you a short insight into the teams Warriors will be facing this coming season…
LA ROCHELLE
– La Rochelle play at Stade Marcel-Deflandre (capacity 15,000) on the south west coast of France.
– Their home kit is yellow and black.
– They finished 9th in the Top 14 last season after being promoted from Pro D2 the previous season.
– They finished bottom of their Challenge Cup group which included Exeter Chiefs, Bayonne and Connacht last season.
– Their squad includes Italian international Gonzalo Canale and former New Zealand lock Jason Eaton among their ranks.
Fun facts
– La Rochelle was the last French city to be liberated after World War II.
– The U-Boat scenes from Indiana Jones were filmed at La Rochelle.
– La Rochelle became an English base during the Hundred Years’ War.
– Vieux Port (Old Harbour) is the main attraction with a number of historical buildings.
ZEBRE
– Zebre play at Stadio XXV Aprile in Parma, Northern Italy (capacity 5,000).
– They only became a professional outfit three years ago.
– Zebre joined the Pro 12 in 2012 and have finished bottom every time.
– They featured in the Heineken Cup for the first two years and finished bottom both times.
– In last season’s Challenge Cup, Zebre finished third in their pool behind Gloucester and Oyonnax – but above Brive.
– They lost to Gloucester on both occasions and will meet them twice again this term.
– They are captained by former Italy skipper Marco Bortolami.
– Their squad also contains Italian international Mauro Bergamasco and former All Black Brendon Leonard.
Fun facts
– Zebre's home kit is white and black, just like the animal (zebra), which is also included in the club logo.
– Parma, the home of Zebre, is famous for its dried meat Prosciutto (also known as Parma ham), as well as Parmesean cheese.
– It is also home to Parma University, built in 1117 AD, and is one of world's oldest universities.
– The city is divided by the Parma River.
– Food is the major tourism attraction with the European Food Safety Authority based there.
GLOUCESTER RUGBY
– Neighbours Gloucester are the current holders of the European Challenge Cup, after winning the inaugural event back in May.
– They finished 9th in the Aviva Premiership last season.
– The last time Warriors and Gloucester met was on the final day of the 2013/14 Premiership season, where Warriors won 28-27 at Sixways.
– Gloucester play at Kingsholm which has a capacity of 16,500.
Fun facts
– Gloucester Cathedral has the largest stained-glass window in Europe.
– Gloucester is home to Walls factory, which is the biggest ice cream factory in Europe.
– Gloucester is the birthplace of actor Simon Pegg.
– Henry III was crowned King at Gloucester Cathedral aged just nine.
– Gloucester Cathedral was used in the Harry Potter films.